Air Fryer Pork Schnitzel
Golden, crumbed pork cutlets with a light, crunchy coat.
Before You Start
Crisp, golden schnitzel without shallow-frying. Pounding the pork thin means it cooks fast and stays tender, while a light spray of oil turns the breadcrumbs beautifully crunchy in the air fryer.
Instructions
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1
Put each pork steak between two sheets of cling film and pound to about 1 cm thick with a rolling pin.
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2
Set out three bowls: flour seasoned with garlic powder, paprika and salt; beaten egg; and panko.
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3
Coat each cutlet in flour, then egg, then press firmly into the panko on both sides.
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4
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F. Spray the crumbed cutlets on both sides with oil.
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5
Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through.
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6
Serve with lemon wedges. Lovely with potato salad or greens.
Kit that makes this foolproof
A few inexpensive bits that get you crispier results with less mess.
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♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 200°C / 400°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- Pound the pork evenly thin so it cooks quickly and the crumb crisps before the meat overcooks.
- The oil spray is what turns the panko golden. Do not skip it or the crumbs stay pale.
🔀 Make it your own
- Use chicken breast, sliced horizontally, for chicken schnitzel.
- Add grated parmesan to the panko.
📦 Storing & reheating
Best fresh. Re-crisp leftovers at 190°C for 4 to 5 minutes. The breaded raw cutlets freeze well.
❓ Frequently asked
Why pound the pork thin?
It tenderises the meat and means it cooks through fast, so the crumb crisps up before the pork has a chance to dry out.
Can I use regular breadcrumbs?
Yes, but panko gives a lighter, crunchier coat. Whichever you use, spray with oil so it browns properly.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
