Air Fryer Wiener Schnitzel

Featured in: Bright & Cozy Dinners

This Austrian classic uses tender veal cutlets pounded thin and coated with seasoned breadcrumbs. By air frying, the schnitzels achieve a golden, crisp texture with less oil and in just 15 minutes. The process involves a simple breading station using flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, then spraying lightly with olive oil before air frying. Served with lemon wedges and optional fresh parsley, this dish delivers a flavorful and lighter crunch perfect for quick meals.

Updated on Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:16:00 GMT
Golden, crispy Air Fryer Wiener Schnitzel served with a lemon wedge, imagine the delicious crunch! Save to Pinterest
Golden, crispy Air Fryer Wiener Schnitzel served with a lemon wedge, imagine the delicious crunch! | citrushearth.com

A classic Austrian dish reimagined for the air fryer—tender veal cutlets coated in golden, crispy breadcrumbs, ready in just 15 minutes. Enjoy the traditional flavors with less oil and a lighter, healthier crunch.

I first prepared this air fryer wiener schnitzel to enjoy the traditional Austrian flavors quickly and without the mess of deep frying. It became a family favorite instantly.

Ingredients

  • Meat: 4 veal cutlets (about 120 g each pounded to ¼ inch thickness)
  • Breading Station: ½ cup all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 cup plain breadcrumbs (preferably fresh), ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • For Air Frying: Olive oil spray
  • To Serve: 1 lemon cut into wedges, Fresh parsley chopped (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes.
Step 2:
Prepare the breading station: Place flour in one shallow bowl beat eggs with milk in a second bowl place breadcrumbs mixed with salt and pepper in a third bowl.
Step 3:
Pat the veal cutlets dry. Dredge each cutlet first in flour (shake off excess) then dip in the egg mixture and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs pressing gently for even coverage.
Step 4:
Lightly spray both sides of each breaded cutlet with olive oil spray.
Step 5:
Arrange cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if needed to avoid overlap).
Step 6:
Air fry for 7 minutes flip the schnitzels spray again lightly with oil and continue to air fry for another 6–8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 7:
Serve immediately with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Tender, breaded Air Fryer Wiener Schnitzel, cooked to a perfect golden brown in just minutes. Save to Pinterest
Tender, breaded Air Fryer Wiener Schnitzel, cooked to a perfect golden brown in just minutes. | citrushearth.com

This recipe reminds me of family dinners where the schnitzel was always the centerpiece everyone loved.

Notes

Substitute veal with pork or chicken if preferred. Pair with potato salad or cucumber salad for a traditional experience.

Required Tools

Air fryer, Meat mallet or rolling pin, Shallow bowls, Tongs

Allergen Information

Contains Eggs Gluten (wheat flour and breadcrumbs). If using pre-made breadcrumbs check for hidden allergens.

A plate of hot Air Fryer Wiener Schnitzel ready to devour, a classic Austrian comfort food. Save to Pinterest
A plate of hot Air Fryer Wiener Schnitzel ready to devour, a classic Austrian comfort food. | citrushearth.com

This air fryer wiener schnitzel combines tradition with convenience making it perfect for any weeknight dinner.

Recipe FAQs

What type of meat is best for this dish?

Veal cutlets are ideal due to their tenderness and thinness, but pork or chicken can be used as alternatives.

How do you get the breadcrumbs crispy using an air fryer?

Lightly spraying the breaded cutlets with olive oil before and during air frying helps achieve a golden, crispy crust.

Can panko breadcrumbs be used?

Yes, panko breadcrumbs can be substituted for extra crispiness and a lighter texture.

What temperature and time settings are recommended for air frying?

Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and cook the cutlets for about 7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

How should the cutlets be prepared before breading?

They should be pounded to about a ¼ inch thickness and patted dry to ensure the coating adheres properly.

What are some good side dishes to serve with this?

Traditional sides like potato salad or cucumber salad complement the schnitzel well, balancing its rich flavors.

Air Fryer Wiener Schnitzel

Golden, crispy veal cutlets air fried to perfection in 15 minutes with a light, crunchy coating.

Prep duration
10 minutes
Time to cook
15 minutes
Overall time
25 minutes
Created by Elise Porter


Skill level Easy

Cuisine Type Austrian

Makes 4 Number of servings

Dietary details None specified

What Goes In

Meat

01 4 veal cutlets (approximately 4.2 oz each), pounded to 1/4 inch thickness

Breading Station

01 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
02 2 large eggs
03 2 tablespoons milk
04 1 cup plain breadcrumbs (preferably fresh)
05 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For Air Frying

01 Olive oil spray

To Serve

01 1 lemon, cut into wedges
02 Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

How to Make It

Step 01

Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.

Step 02

Prepare Breading Station: Set up three shallow bowls: flour in the first, beaten eggs mixed with milk in the second, and breadcrumbs combined with salt and pepper in the third.

Step 03

Bread Veal Cutlets: Pat veal cutlets dry, then dredge each in flour shaking off excess, dip into the egg mixture, and coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently.

Step 04

Apply Olive Oil: Lightly spray both sides of each breaded cutlet with olive oil spray.

Step 05

Arrange Cutlets: Place cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap; cook in batches if necessary.

Step 06

Air Fry Schnitzel: Cook for 7 minutes, flip cutlets, spray again with olive oil, then air fry for an additional 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked.

Step 07

Serve: Serve immediately with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.

What You’ll Need

  • Air fryer
  • Meat mallet or rolling pin
  • Shallow bowls
  • Tongs

Allergy details

Double-check ingredients for allergens; talk with your doctor if you’re uncertain.
  • Contains eggs and gluten (wheat flour and breadcrumbs)

Nutrition info (for each serving)

Nutrition data is for reference and isn’t meant as health advice.
  • Calorie count: 315
  • Fat content: 9 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 27 grams
  • Protein amount: 33 grams