Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel or Cutlets with Keto Option + Video

Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside air fryer chicken schnitzel or cutlets made with herbs, parmesan cheese, panko, and served in a creamy cheese and mushroom sauce! This recipe is gluten-free and low-carb, with a keto option, and uses two methods, namely using frozen pieces, or fresh (raw) cutlets.

Don't you just love how the air fryer has revolutionized today's cooking? I recently bought an air fryer and I cannot hide how excited I am to use it for several recipes! To be honest, I have been busy making instant pot recipes and never really bothered to buy one. I now regret having waited for so long as it is a game-changer.

Living in Germany, I can tell you that I have had and made many different versions of schnitzel (Wiener, Pariser, Altbayerishes just to mention a few) and I can never really seem to make up my mind to which version I like best! Now, if you are wondering what all these strange names mean, they are simply the names of the towns, cities, or regions from which the different recipes originated.

Jump to:

• 💭 Is there a difference between Schnitzel, Scallopini and Cutlets
• 🍽 Equipment Needed
• 📋Ingredients Notes
• 🔪Instructions
• 🍳Creamy Cheese and Mushroom Sauce
• 🔪 Make this recipe Keto
• 💭Cook from Frozen
• 📖Useful Tips and Variations
• 👩🏿‍🍳Storing and Reheating
• 💭Common Questions
• Other Air Fryer Recipes for you to try!!
• 📖 Recipe

💭 Is there a difference between Schnitzel, Scallopini and Cutlets

Schnitzel, scallopini, and cutlets all mean the same and all refer to thin pieces of meat tenderized by flattening using a cubing steak machine, kitchen hammer, or mallet and normally crumbed or breaded in egg and breadcrumbs, panko, or flour. They can be made using different types of meat such as pork, veal, lamb, or chicken. The difference in name only comes about because of the location.

🍽 Equipment Needed

• Airfryer - If you already own one, feel free to use the brand you have at home for this recipe. If looking around, then I certainly recommend mine (a ninja foodie max), which I am absolutely happy with. I have also heard great things about the Phillips air fryer so feel free to check these out if looking around for one.
• Kitchen mallet - this is optional, as you will only need it if butterflying the chicken yourself. Skip this, if using frozen schnitzel.
• Plastic wrap (cling film) or baking paper.
• A chopping board
• Chef's knives
• Medium-sized bowls

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, at no extra cost to you.

📋Ingredients Notes

While this recipe uses chicken, it can also be adapted so that you can easily use other types of meat such as veal (just like in the traditional Austrian way), beef, or even pork.

Here are the ingredients you will need to make the air fryer chicken schnitzel or cutlets. (See the exact measurements and video, in the recipe card below).

• Boneless and skinless chicken breast (alternatively, ready-made frozen schnitzel).
• 1 cup panko - I used gluten-free panko, but regular will also do. You can easily find gluten-free panko online or at your local supermarket. For those worried about net carbs, this recipe stays low carb at 33g net carbs but has a keto option using pork rind panko.
• garlic powder.
• some sprigs thyme leaves, without the stems - alternatively, use a tablespoon of dried thyme.
• ground paprika.
• marjoram.
• some salt and black pepper.
• grated parmesan cheese.
• eggs.
• cooking spray - use regular extra virgin olive oil, if you do not have cooking spray.
• some dijon mustard.
• lemon - this is optional and will be used when serving. But I feel that a squeeze of fresh lemon juice always adds a wonderful fresh taste to the finished cutlets.

These are the ingredients you will require for the cheese and mushroom gravy:

• button mushrooms - cleaned and finely sliced.
• extra virgin olive oil.
• some butter.
• minced garlic.
• shallots - finely diced (alternatively, ½ of a small yellow onion).
• sour cream (or crème fraîche).
• white wine - this can be substituted for an equal amount of chicken broth.
• some chicken or vegetable broth.
• grated parmesan cheese - substitutable with cream cheese.
• pinch of salt and black pepper to taste (use more, if desired).
• fresh or dried thyme leaves.

🔪Instructions

To make air fryer chicken schnitzel, follow the following steps:

• Trim off any visible tendons and check for tenderloins. If present, cut away any hanging flaps of tenderloins and set these aside. You can keep them in the fridge for other recipes.
• Lay the chicken breast on a chopping board with the smooth side facing upwards then firmly place your hand on top and slice horizontally along the rounded side. Do not slice through, rather, cut about three-quarters into the breast. The unfolded chicken breast should resemble a butterfly.
• Flip the chicken breast and place on the chopping board spread out then cut along the middle and divide into two pieces.

• Cut out a piece of baking paper or plastic wrap (cling film) about 3 foot in size and lay the chicken pieces on top, making sure to leave some space between each piece. Cover the chicken breasts with an equally large in size baking paper or plastic wrap. Using the flat side of your kitchen mallet, gently pound until each piece is thin, about an inch in size.

• Place the pounded pieces in a bowl. In another bowl, combine panko, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Next, use a third bowl to beat the eggs with the dijon mustard until properly combined.
• Dip each of the now thin chicken breast first into the bowl with the egg mixture making sure to properly coat each piece.

• Place the chicken breast in the bowl with the panko crumb and seasoning mixture then combine, shaking off any excess breading.

• Next, open the air fryer and spray the basket or rack with cooking oil, then lay the coated chicken breasts on top, taking care not to overcrowd. If you overcrowd, the air will not circulate as it should and as a result, your schnitzel will not cook evenly. You certainly do not want that. Depending on the type of air fryer you have, you should be able to fit about 2-4 pieces. My ninja foodi fits two large pieces.

• Make sure the basket sits properly in the air fryer, then spray the tops of the chicken pieces with cooking oil and close. Set the temperature at 180°C/360°F and the time at 7 minutes then press the start button and cook. Once the time is up, flip to the other side, spray with some cooking spray and cook at 180°C/360°F for a further 7 minutes until the tops turn golden brown and the internal temperature is at least 165°F (about 73°C). I additionally like to cut out a piece and check whether the juices run clear, in addition to checking the internal temperature.
• Repeat the steps from breading with panko to cooking, for all the chicken pieces. Finally, transfer the chicken cutlets to plates, squeeze some lemon juice on top and serve with the cheese mushroom sauce, and your favorite side dishes. I like to serve it alongside this simple tomato and cucumber (Shirazi) salad, or with some slaw.

🍳Creamy Cheese and Mushroom Sauce

Now, while this creamy cheese sauce or gravy for chicken schnitzel is totally optional, I highly recommend it as it is just the best! It tastes amazing served with the schnitzel plus, it is very simple to make!

• Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet under medium heat. Add the shallots and mushrooms and allow these to cook for 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Next, stir in the white wine and use it to deglaze the skillet, making sure to scrape off all the delicious bits from the bottom of the skillet. The alcohol should have evaporated after about 1 minute.

• Add the broth, sour cream or crème fraîche, and parmesan cheese, then allow this to simmer and thicken, for about 3 minutes.

• Finally, add the thyme leaves, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve the gravy over the air-fried chicken schnitzel.

🔪 Make this recipe Keto

To make keto air fryer chicken schnitzel, substitute the gluten-free panko for pork rind panko, using a 1:1 ratio. In a bowl, combine pork rinds, garlic powder, ground paprika, parmesan cheese, marjoram, salt, and pepper. Next repeat the rest of the steps above, from the egg-wash and breading process to air frying the cutlets.

💭Cook from Frozen

One of the best things about owning an air fryer is the ability to cook food from frozen. Let's be honest, there are instances where one may not be in a position to cook fresh unfrozen food, especially when pressed for time. During such times, being able to cook frozen food definitely comes in handy.

To cook frozen schnitzel in the air fryer:

• First, open the basket or rack and spray with cooking oil. Lay the breaded or coated chicken on top. Depending on your brand of air fryer, you should be able to fit in 2-4 frozen chicken schnitzel pieces on each shelf.
• Once you have placed the chicken schnitzel pieces in the rack or basket, spray tops with cooking oil, return it in place and close.
• Next, set the temperature at 180°C/360°F and the time at 8 minutes then press the start button.
• Once this time is up, use a pair of tongs to turn the chicken schnitzel pieces up. Spray the tops again with some cooking oil and set the temperature this time to 160°C/320° F and the time at 9 minutes. Cook until nicely browned and the pieces have attained an internal temparature of at least 165°F (approximately 74°C). The total cooking time will vary, depending on the size and thickness of cuts you have.
• Finally, lay onto plates, drizzle with some lemon juice and serve with your favorite side dish.

📖Useful Tips and Variations

• Replace the panko crumb mixture for regular panko or breadcrumbs, if not having any special dietary requirements.
• Use your favorite herbs (cilantro, sage, oregano and tarragon are a few examples of herbs that go well with cutlets).
• Depending on the type of brand, you may need to rotate the middle and top shelves, so you don't end up with air fried cutlet pieces that are more cooked than others.

👩🏿‍🍳Storing and Reheating

Schnitzel or cutlets can easily be made ahead and stored in the fridge and freezer as follows:-

• Refridgeration - keep your chicken schnitzel in an air tight container in the fridge and consume within 2-3 days.
• Freezing - you can freeze cooked chicken, pork or veal schnitzel for up to 4 months. To use, thaw in the fridge and heat up using an oven. You can also use your air fryer to reheat at 180°C/360°F for two minutes on each side, or until properly warmed through.

💭Common Questions

Here are a few common questions related to making air fryer chicken schnitzel or cutlets.

Other Air Fryer Recipes for you to try!!

• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer Chicken Breast
• Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Loving this recipe? You may also want to check out these tasty chicken recipes!

• Honey Mustard Chicken-Instant Pot + Video
• Instant Pot Chicken Wings Three Ways
• Mascarpone Chicken and Mushroom Recipe

📖 Recipe