Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel
Air fryer chicken schnitzel gives you a proper crunchy breadcrumb crust from a spray of oil rather than a pan of hot fat. Slicing the breasts into thin cutlets and pounding them flat means they cook through in 10 minutes at 200°C, staying juicy inside while the panko turns golden. This serves two, with lemon wedges and whatever sides you fancy, and it takes about 40 minutes from start to finish.
- Total
- 38 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 23 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 500kcal
Where chicken schnitzel comes from
Schnitzel is a Central European dish, best known as Austria's Wiener schnitzel, a thin breaded veal cutlet. Chicken, pork and turkey versions are common in Germany and across Britain, where a breaded chicken cutlet with lemon is an easy midweek dinner. Pounding the meat thin is the point of the dish, because it cooks quickly and stays tender under the crumb.
Basket size and batches
For air fryer chicken schnitzel, two cutlets fit comfortably in a standard 4–5.5 litre basket without touching, so the recipe is cooked in two batches. Crowding them stops the air circulating, and the crumbs end up soft. If you have a large dual-drawer machine, you can cook all four together, but still leave a gap between them.
How to cook air fryer chicken schnitzel
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Slice and flatten the chicken Lay each breast flat and, holding it steady with your palm, slice horizontally through the middle to make 2 thinner cutlets (4 in total). Put them between sheets of cling film and bash with a rolling pin until they are an even 8mm thick.
- Set up the coating Mix the flour, salt and pepper on a plate. Put the beaten egg in a second shallow bowl and the panko in a third.
- Coat the cutlets Dip each cutlet in the flour and shake off the excess, then in the egg, letting the extra drip off, and finally press it firmly into the panko on both sides. Spray the coated cutlets all over with oil until the crumbs look slightly damp, with no dry white patches.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200°C for .
- Cook in two batches Put 2 cutlets in the basket in a single layer, so they are not touching, and cook for , turning them over after . Keep them warm on a plate under loose foil while the second pair cooks for the same time.
- Check and serve The crumbs should be deep golden and crisp. Cut into the thickest part of one cutlet: the chicken must be white all the way through with no pink, steaming hot and with clear juices. Serve straight away with the lemon wedges.
What to serve with schnitzel, and an oven version
Lemon wedges are a must. Buttered new potatoes and a green salad keep it light, or slice the cutlets into a crispy chicken burger with a bun and some mayonnaise. For a finger-food version for children, cut the chicken into strips and try air fryer chicken tenderloins.
Without an air fryer, heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6, put the coated cutlets on a hot, lightly oiled baking tray and bake for 20 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel
- The crumbs fall off in the basket.
- Pat the chicken dry before it goes into the flour, shake off the excess flour, and press the panko on firmly with your palm so it sticks to the egg.
- Some of the coating stays pale.
- Panko only browns where it has a little oil on it. Spray evenly, including the edges, and turn the cutlets after 5 minutes as in step 5.
- The chicken turns out dry.
- Uneven cutlets cook unevenly. Bash them to a uniform 8mm, and do not go beyond the 10 minutes in step 5 for cutlets this thin.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel
How long do you cook chicken schnitzel in an air fryer?
Cook cutlets about 8mm thick for 10 minutes at 200°C, turning halfway. Thicker pieces need longer, so check that the middle is white with clear juices before serving.
Can you use ordinary breadcrumbs instead of panko?
Yes, dried white breadcrumbs work, although the crust is a little finer and less crunchy than it is with panko. Use the same weight and spray the crumbs well.
How do you reheat leftover schnitzel?
Heat it in the air fryer at 180°C for 4–5 minutes, until steaming hot in the middle. Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Can you make schnitzel from turkey or pork?
Yes. Turkey steaks and boneless pork loin steaks are both traditional, and they should be bashed to the same thickness. They need the same 10 minutes, but still check that the meat is white or has no pink in the centre.
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