Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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Pork Schnitzels are breaded and fried to perfection for an easy and delicious meal the whole family will love. Total cozy comfort food!

If you love German recipes, check out thisSpaetzle, Stollen Bread, or the Best Ever German Oven Pancake. They’re all so hearty and satisfying! Plus recreating dishes from around the world is so much fun.

Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe - The Recipe Critic (1)

Pork Schnitzel Recipe

Get ready to enjoy some crispy, golden deliciousness. It doesn’t get much better than tender pork battered and pan-fried to perfection. This German pork schnitzel recipe is SO good and will always be a hit at the dinner table. (The texture is too good to resist!)

Today’s Schnitzels (typically made with pork or veal) are breaded and fried until golden-brown, and they’re a staple in eastern/central European cuisine (like Germany and the Czech Republic). They’re easy to make, and this blog post is full of tips so you will soon be enjoying them too!

Don’t Worry!

This recipe is Picky Eater Approved!

Ingredient List

Simple ingredients and seasonings combine to create the most crispy and delicious pork cutlet you’ll ever have! Check out the recipe card at the end of the post for exact measurements.

  • Boneless Pork Chops:Pounded thin so they’re tender and cook fast.
  • Salt & Pepper:Basic seasonings add your first layer of flavor.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds a touch of savory flavor to the breading mixture.
  • Flour:Part 1 of the dredging mixture to help the egg stick.
  • Eggs:Part 2 of the dredging mixture to help the breadcrumbs adhere.
  • Breadcrumbs: Part 3 of the dredging mixture (I prefer panko for extra crunch, but you can use regular breadcrumbs if you want!)
  • Olive Oil:For frying your pork schnitzel in! (Or try another neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point e.g. vegetable oil)
  • Lemon Wedges:For serving your schnitzel with.

What Cut of Meat to Use for Pork Schnitzels?

Use boneless pork steaks or chops (sometimes they’re called “boneless loin chops”). You could even use veal if you prefer!

How to Make Pork Schnitzels

Here’s how to get restaurant-quality pork schnitzel in just 35 minutes from start to finish! The perfect dinner switch-up that the whole family will love.

  1. Tenderize and Season: Using the flat end of a meat tenderizer, pound the cutlets until they are ½ inch thick. Then season the flattened cutlets with the salt, pepper, and garlic.
  2. Coat in Breading: In 3 separate shallow dishes place the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs. Dredge the cutlets in the flour, coating evenly. Next coat them in the eggs, allowing any excess egg to drip off the cutlets back into the bowl. Lastly, coat them completely in the panko bread crumbs.
  3. Pan-Fry Until Golden Brown: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, place two of the coated cutlets in the oil and fry for about 3 minutes on each side. The pork should be golden brown and cooked completely through.
  4. Add to Paper Towel-Lined Plate: Remove the cooked schnitzel from the oil and place them on a paper towel lined plate to allow any excess oil to drain off. Repeat this process with the remaining two breaded cutlets.
  5. Enjoy: Serve the schnitzel fresh with lemon wedges and fresh parsley if desired.
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Tips for Success

  • Keep it Thin: Pound the pork as thin as you can. It tends to shrink back up a bit, and when you fry it, it also contracts.
  • Use Tongs: Use tongs to easily flip the pork while you’re frying it.
  • Work in Batches: Use the largest skillet you own and fry the pork in batches. You don’t want to crowd the pan or the breading may come off and it won’t be as crispy.
  • Get That Skillet Hot! Ensure the skillet gets nice and hot. I let it heat up for a few minutes prior to adding the schnitzels to the pan. If the skillet gets too hot (starts to smoke or the breading starts to burn), feel free to turn the heat down a bit as needed.
  • Add Extra Seasonings: You can definitely play with the flavorings of the schnitzels. This is a simple, classic recipe, but you can definitely change it up a bit by adding some garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs (try Italian seasoning) to the flour or breadcrumbs.
  • Add a Garnish: Don’t forget the lemon wedges and fresh parsley! These two ingredients really up the flavor in this otherwise simple recipe.

What to Serve Pork Schnitzel With

In Germany, it’s typical to serve them with potato salad or spätzle. You could serve them with anything from pasta to mashed potatoes or rice, though. Make this hearty dish even heartier!

Side Dishes

Spaetzle

25 mins

Salads

German Potato Salad

55 mins

Side Dishes

Parmesan Garlic Roasted Potatoes

40 mins

Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe - The Recipe Critic (7)

Storing Leftovers

  • In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • To Reheat: I like to use an air fryer to reheat the schnitzel to keep it crispy. About 5 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit should do the trick! Flip halfway so both sides get nice and toasty.
Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe - The Recipe Critic (8)

Other Tasty Pork Recipes to Try

Dinner

Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

35 mins

Dinner

Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops

20 mins

Dinner

Easy Crock Pot Pork Chops

3 hrs 5 mins

Dinner

Sheet Pan Crispy Cheddar Pork Chops

40 mins

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Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe

4.89 from 9 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

Pork Schnitzels are breaded and fried to perfection for an easy and delicious meal the whole family will love.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Schnitzels

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Using the flat end of a meat tenderizer, pound the cutlets until they are ½ inch thick. Season the flattened cutlets with the salt, pepper, and garlic.

  • In 3 separate shallow dishes place the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs. Dredge the cutlets in the flour, coating evenly. Next coat them in the eggs, allowing any excess egg to drip off the cutlets back into the bowl. Lastly, coat them completely in the panko bread crumbs.

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, place two of the coated cutlets in the oil and fry for about 3 minutes on each side. The pork should be golden brown and cooked completely through.

  • Remove the cooked schnitzel from the oil and place them on a paper towel lined plate to allow any excess oil to drain off. Repeat this process with the remaining two breaded cutlets.

  • Serve the schnitzel fresh with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.

Video

Notes

Originally Posted on October 5, 2020

Updated on January 11, 2024

Nutrition

Calories: 468kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 37gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 170mgSodium: 790mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 125IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: German

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

How do you know when pork schnitzel is cooked? ›

Reduce heat if cutlets are browning too quickly. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Cut into one to double check doneness – juices should run clear. Serve right away with lemon wedges, or ranch for the children ;).

What is the most common meat in schnitzel? ›

The dish's name actually comes from the German word schnitt, which translates to "cut." The most popular type of meat for schnitzel is veal (wiener-schnitzel) or pork (schweine-schnitzel), but you also see varieties made with chicken (hänchen-schnitzel), or turkey (puten-schnitzel).

Can you fry schnitzel in olive oil? ›

If the oil is not hot enough, the chicken will absorb too much oil and give you soggy, oily schnitzel. I use quality extra virgin olive oil, which has a high enough smoke point to fry the schnitzel. You can use another healthy frying oil of your choice.

How to cook Aldi pork schnitzel? ›

Remove pork steaks from pack and beat with meat mallet to thin out, for schnitzels. Dip into flour, egg and then coat in bread crumb mixture. Place a frying pan over a medium high heat and add the oil. Pan fry the schnitzels until golden brown and cooked through.

How long does it take to cook a schnitzel? ›

Place Schnitzels onto grease proof paper on an oven-proof tray. Spray with a small amount of olive oil. Once oven is heated place Schnitzels in oven and cook for 20 minutes. TIP: Turn at half way to ensure crumb remains crispy on both sides.

Do you cook schnitzel on high or low heat? ›

Heat 1.5cm / 3/5" oil in a heavy based deep skillet over medium high heat. Dip the end of a schnitzel in to check if the oil is hot enough - it should sizzle straight away (see video). Carefully place 2 schnitzels in the oil and cook for 3 minutes until deep golden, turn then cook the other side for 3 minutes.

Why do Jews eat schnitzel? ›

After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and during the period of national rationing that followed (known as the tzena), the new Ministry of Absorption taught housewives how to prepare dishes that utilized ingredients that were both inexpensive and readily available, of which one such dish was chicken or ...

What is schnitzel called in America? ›

United States

Chicken fried steak, also called country fried steak, is nearly identical to schnitzel. It is a breaded and deep fried beef steak. The beef is generally a shoulder or a round cut, rather than an expensive loin or rib steak. It is usually served with white gravy.

Why do you put lemon on schnitzel? ›

Wiener Schnitzel , a breaded cutlet of veal sauteed in butter or deep-fried in oil, can be greasy, so an acid helps 'cut' the grease and make it more delicious. Lemon slices also add to the visual appeal, as does the common accompaniment of parsley.

Why put schnitzel in fridge before frying? ›

Cooling the breaded schnitzel in the fridge for an hour or so before frying will help keep the breading on while cooking. Placing the cooked schnitzel on a wire rack while the rest of the batch cooks will help it keep crispy. To keep it warm, place in a lightly warmed oven.

Why not to fry with olive oil? ›

Olive oil has a lower smoke point than some other oils. The smoke point is the point at which an oil literally begins to smoke. Olive oil's smoke point is between 365° and 420°F. When you heat olive oil to its smoke point, the beneficial compounds in oil start to degrade, and potentially form health-harming compounds.

Is it better to cook schnitzel in oil or butter? ›

The best way to cook chicken schnitzel is to fry it. I like to use a combination of oil and butter for the best flavor/crispiness combination. When cooking chicken schnitzel, you need to heat the oil and butter in a frying pan until it is bubbling hot, then add the schnitzel. It should sizzle as it hits the pan.

What are the ingredients in Aldi pork schnitzel? ›

Pork Loin, Salt, Breaded With: Enriched Flour (wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Soybean Oil, Salt, Sodium Bicarbonate, Malted Barley Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Yeast, Battered With: Wheat Flour, Corn Starch, Salt, Whey, Egg Whites, Leavening (sodium Bicarbonate), Paprika, ...

What is the difference between pork schnitzel and Wiener Schnitzel? ›

Basically, all schnitzels are breaded and fried thin pieces of meat, but only wiener schnitzel is made with veal. Cooking term: Schnitzel is a cooking term used to describe any meat pounded thin, then breaded and fried. Key ingredient: Schnitzel is made with pork, chicken, beef, or veal.

Why is my schnitzel soggy? ›

“When you crumb just before cooking, the crumbs bubble up nicely and won't stick to the meat, which is how it should be,” he says. “Once the crumbed meat goes in the fridge overnight it tends to go soggy, won't fry up nicely, and won't be as golden and crisp.”

What colour is pork schnitzel when cooked? ›

The typical doneness levels of beef (rare, medium rare, medium, and well) are evaluated by cooked color (AMSA, 1995). Such guidelines have not been established in pork products. While beef follows a red to pink to brown pattern as it is heated, pork turns from pinkish-red to less pink to tan or white.

Can pork schnitzel be a little pink? ›

Cook all raw ground pork to an internal temperature of 160°F (71.1 °C) as measured with a food thermometer. If fresh pork has reached 145°F (62.8 °C) throughout, even though it may still be pink in the center, it should be safe.

Is pork schnitzel pink when cooked? ›

In fact, pork can be eaten with a hint of pink in the middle (with the exception of mince and sausages). Like all meat, pork continues to cook after removal from heat. For best results, let your dish rest uncovered for 1-2 minutes in a warm environment prior to serving (except for sausages and mince).

Can pork schnitzel still be pink? ›

The short answer to this common question is yes! Due to the ingredients and natural preservatives found in many pork products, it's entirely possible that your meat may still be slightly pink even when it's fully cooked. In fact, pork can even be enjoyed medium-rare.

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