This air fryer chicken schnitzel is crispy and juicy, just like a great schnitzel should be, but with less oil and in less time.
When I lived in Germany for a few years, where schnitzel was on every menu right next to the brats. Most of the time, they make them with pork or veal. I usually make it with the chicken because it's affordable and my family prefers chicken.
Growing up in Ukraine, we also had the version of it, but we call it "bytochky". Usually, fried breaded chicken or pork cutlets were served with mashed potatoes and pickles. It was a comfort food my mom made often.
Now, I make schnitzels in my American kitchen, but like most busy moms, I needed a quicker and cleaner way. That’s where my air fryer comes in handy, I’ve also added a few more spices and ingredients to make it even more flavorful and crispier. Even picky eaters love it (and I have a few in my family).
A Faster, Easier Schnitzel Coating (With Sesame Seeds!)
Overtime, started skipping traditional 3-step dredging method—flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. I wanted to make this recipe as simple as possible. For schnitzels, you can’t skip the breading but it is the most consuming part of the recipe. But not anymore. I’ve simplified the process of having just a breading station with two bowls. The whole process is explained in details below. I also love adding smoked paprika and sesame seeds, for extra flavors and texture.
Gather the ingredients
You can find the ingredients list with quantities in the recipe card below.
You’ll need 4 thinly sliced chicken cutlets. You can buy them at the store, or slice two chicken breasts horizontally to get the same result.
For the crispy and golden breading, you will need eggs, flour, sesame seeds and breadcrumbs. In Europe, we use stale bread to make breadcrumbs most of the time. You can do the same or buy ready to use plain breadcrumbs at the store.
I see a lot of modern cooks love to use Panko breadcrumbs, but I prefer making mine with regular fine breadcrumbs.They give the schnitzel a more traditional, evenly golden crust that’s crisp but not too thick.
As for the sesame seeds and ground ginger, they’re my personal touch and completely optional. I just love how they add an extra crispy texture and more unique flavors to the schnitzels.
How to make this chicken recipe
Step 1. Prepare the breading station.
In a large bowl, add eggs, flour, sesame seeds, salt, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper. Whisk until you have thin batter. If it is too thick, add a splash of water or milk.
In a shallow dish, pour some breadcrumbs. You may need to add more breadcrumbs during the process.
Step 2 Dredge the chicken.
Grab one thin sliced chicken breast and dip it into the bowl with eggs, flour and spices. Let excess batter drip back into the bowl.
Transfer chicken into the bowl with breadcrumbs. Press gently so they adhere well to the meat.
Step 3. Cook breaded chicken schnitzels
Preheat the air fryer for about 5 minutes to 400°F. Spray the basket with non-aerosol cooking spray. I used avocado oil. Place breaded chicken in the air fryer basket in a single and leaving some space in between. Spray with more oil on top of the chicken.
Air fry chicken schnitzels for 7 minutes at 390°F, carefully flip the chicken and air fry for another 5-8 minutes. The chicken should be cooked until the internal temperature in thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) according to USDA.
Note: I used a Ninja basket-style air fryer and cooked two schnitzels at a time. If your air fryer is smaller, you may need to cook them in batches.
Great tip
Most recipes call for chicken breast, but I often use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They are extra juicy and flavorful. You can pound them lightly to even the thickness, and follow the same coating and cooking steps.
Serving ideas
For a cozy and comforting dinner, we enjoy schnitzel with mashed potatoes, lemon wedge, a cucumber salad or a pickle (my favorite).
If you need a meal on the go, turn it into a sandwich with some mayo, mustard, and lettuce.
For a lighter meal, I enjoy it with a fresh bowl of salad or steamed vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
It takes 12-15 minutes to cook chicken schnitzel in the air fryer at 390°F, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Prep and breading time can take an additional 10–15 minutes when making 4 schnitzels.
Let the schnitzel cool completely. Transfer it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. To keep that crispy texture, reheat the schnitzel in the air fryer or oven.
es, you can freeze cooked chicken schnitzel for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely, then wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap (to avoid them sticking together) and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. You can reheat them from frozen in the oven or air fryer.
Schnitzel traces its roots to Austria, where it was traditionally made with veal. This breaded meat cutlet quickly became popular in other European and Middle Eastern countries. Over time, people began making it with pork and chicken as well. In particular, chicken schnitzel became popular as a lighter, more affordable, and easily accessible alternative.
More air fryer chicken recipes to try
- Air fryer chicken cutlets
- Air fryer buffalo chicken tenders
- Air fryer boneless chicken thighs
- Air fryer thin sliced chicken breasts
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel
Equipment
- 1 large bowl
- 1 shallow dish
- 1 Air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 cups plain breadcrumbs
- non-aerosol cooking spray*
Instructions
- Pat dry chicken breast with paper towels. Slice each chicken breast horizontally into two cutlets. You will have 4 thin sliced chicken breasts.
- In a large bowl, add 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika , ½ teaspoon garlic powder , ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper , and ¼ teaspoon ground ginger . Whisk until you have a thick paste. If it is very thick, add a splash of water or milk. In a shallow dish, add 2 cups plain breadcrumbs .
- Dip each chicken breast into the eggs, spices and breadcrumbs mixture, making sure it is well coated. Transfer it into the dish with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere the breadcrumbs. Repeat the process with the rest of the chicken.
- Preheat the air fryer. Spray the bottom of the basket with the non-aerosol cooking spray. Arrange 2 chicken schnitzels in air fryer basket. Air fry at 390°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping the chicken after 7 first minutes. Use the meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the chicken.
- Serve chicken schnitzels with mashes potatoes, salad or turn it into the delicious sandwich.
Comments
No Comments