Easy German Schnitzel Recipe {From a German!} - Plated Cravings (2024)

Jump to RecipeRate Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links.Please read our disclosure policy.

Schnitzel pan-fried to golden perfection with a crispy breading just like at your favorite German restaurant! This easy step by step recipe shows you how easy it is to make the best Schnitzel at home.

Being German we sure love German food like our Black Forest Cake, German Apple Cake, or Vanillekipferl.

Easy German Schnitzel Recipe {From a German!} - Plated Cravings (1)

Easy German Schnitzel

Making Schnitzel at home is easier than you think! One of my favorite foods growing up in Germany was probably Schnitzel with Fries. You can get it in every restaurant but my Grandmother made the BEST Pork Schnitzel ever. Today I want to share all the tips and tricks!

A traditional German or Wiener Schnitzel should be golden brown and have a crispy breading with bubbles. Yes, air bubbles! This is very important – the goal is to get as many air-filled bubbles between the meat and the breading as possible after frying.

What is Schnitzel?

A schnitzel is a thin piece of meat that is coated in a breading and pan-fried in butter or oil. There are many variants made from different meats like pork, chicken, and veal.

What is Wiener Schnitzel?

Wiener Schnitzel is traditionally made from veal cutlet and originates from Austria.

Easy German Schnitzel Recipe {From a German!} - Plated Cravings (2)

What cut of meat is used for Schnitzel?

For Schnitzel you want to use a boneless cut of meat. You can use boneless pork chops for German Schnitzel, boneless veal chops for Wiener Schnitzel, or chicken breasts to make chicken schnitzel. I often buy the fast fry version that is already pretty thin and only needs a little bit of pounding and just make smaller schnitzel.

How to Make Schnitzel

Making Schnitzel at home is a lot easier than you might think.

  1. Pound the meat as thin as possible without making any holes in it. (see photos above for reference)
  2. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Drench through some flour.
  4. Drench through the egg mixture.
  5. Turn schnitzel in the breadcrumbs.
  6. Fry until golden.
  7. DONE

To pound the Schnitzel, use a meat pounder, tenderizer, or a small pan. Always use the flat side and not the raised side because the little holes in the meat will make it drier.

Easy German Schnitzel Recipe {From a German!} - Plated Cravings (3)

How to Fry Schnitzel

Schnitzels are shallow-fried instead of deep-fried. That means they are not submerged in fat but only swim in about a finger deep of fat.

Traditionally Schnitzels are fried in clarified butter which is called Butterschmalz in German. This gives you the great taste of butter combined with a high smoke point. Normal butter will not work in this recipe, because it has such a low smoke point.

You need to use about 1/2 inch of oil in the pan so the schnitzel cooks evenly and can ‘swim’ in the pan. It is also important that the fat is not too hot, the perfect temperature is 320-340F (160-170C) otherwise the breadcrumbs will burn.

Easy German Schnitzel Recipe {From a German!} - Plated Cravings (4)

What to serve with pork schnitzel

Always serve Schnitzel with a slice of lemon to squeeze over the hot Schnitzel and ketchup on the side.

Starchy sides: Fries, German potato salad, German Spaetzle, or tater tots make a great side dish.

Vegetable sides: Green salad, German Cucumber Salad, or coleslaw.

You can also serve schnitzel with a mushroom sauce which is called Jaeger Schnitzel.

What do to with leftovers?

Store leftover schnitzel in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep for a few days and taste great cold. My favorite thing to do is to make a schnitzel sandwich.

Easy German Schnitzel Recipe {From a German!} - Plated Cravings (5)

Tips for making the BEST Schnitzel

  • Pound meat until it is super thin about 0.2 inches or 0.5 cm. The thinner the better!
  • Don’t press the schnitzel into the breadcrumbs otherwise, you won’t get air bubbles.
  • Immediately fry the Schnitzels! Don’t let them sit.
  • Use enough fat or oil in the pan! 0.5 inches or 1.5 cm – about the thickness of a finger.
  • Clarified butter is best tastewise! Check out my easy recipe here. Taste-neutral Vegetable oil with a high smoke point can be used too. Add a Tbsp of butter to the oil for taste.
  • Make sure the fat is hot before you put the schnitzel in the pan! Drop a breadcrumb in the pan, if it sizzles it’s hot or use a thermometer (340F is perfect).
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan because the temperature of the fat will drop when you put the schnitzel in!
  • Only turn the Schnitzel once!

Tools used to make this Recipe
Meat Pounder: Using a meat pounder makes it so easy to get the meat to the right thickness.
Frying Pan: I love this brand for pots and pans.

Easy German Schnitzel Recipe {From a German!} - Plated Cravings (6)

SavePinPrint

5 from 22 votes

Schnitzel

By: Julia Foerster

Schnitzel pan-fried to golden perfection with a crispy breading just like at your favorite German restaurant!

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless pork chops, or more if small
  • Salt, to season
  • Pepper, to season
  • 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup dried white breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 Tbsp cream or milk
  • Clarified butter, or vegetable oil and 2 Tbsp of butter
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges

Instructions

  • Place the pork chops on a cutting board and put a large piece of clingfilm over it and pound with a rolling pin, large knife, or mullet to about 0.2 inches (0.5cm) without making holes in it. Season with salt and pepper on each side. Repeat with the other pork chops.

  • In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs lightly with the cream. Put flour on a plate and the breadcrumbs on another.

  • Dip each schnitzel in the flour on both sides, then drench through the egg mixture, and lastly turn in the breadcrumbs until evenly covered but don’t press the schnitzel in the mixture.

  • In a large frying pan, heat 1/4-inch oil or clarified butter (about the thickness of a finger) over medium heat until a breadcrumb sizzles and quickly browns. If using oil then add 2 Tbsp butter to the pan, it will foam a bit.

  • Drop escalopes in the pan (depending on the pan you have to cook the schnitzel in batches) and cook until golden brown on the bottom about 2-4 minutes depending on the size, then turn over and cook until the other side is golden and the schnitzels are done about 1-3 more minutes.

  • Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper to quickly blot the excess oil, then immediately serve garnished with a lemon slice.

Nutrition

Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 182mg | Sodium: 297mg | Potassium: 620mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 229IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 3mg

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Categorized as:
German Recipes, Main Dishes

About Julia Foerster

Hi, I'm Julia! Born in Germany, I call Canada now my home and love to share my favorite dishes with you! Here you'll find hundreds of recipes, all made from scratch, with lots of tips and detailed step-by-step instructions.

Read More About Me

You May Also Like:

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Hot Dogs

German Recipes

Cheese Spaetzle Recipe

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Meatloaf

Air Fryer

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets

Easy German Schnitzel Recipe {From a German!} - Plated Cravings (2024)

FAQs

What is the best oil to fry a schnitzel in? ›

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.

What does schnitzel mean in German? ›

Germany. In Germany, the term Schnitzel means cutlets in general, not just breaded, fried ones. Schnitzel Wiener Art ('Viennese style schnitzel') is a pounded, breaded and fried cutlet, more often made of pork than of veal.

What's the difference between Wienerschnitzel and a 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.

What are the 7 different types of schnitzel? ›

Jump to:
  • Top 1 – Wiener Schnitzel – Wienerschnitzel.
  • Top 2 – Breaded Schnitzel – Paniertes Schnitzel.
  • Top 3 – Unbreaded Schnitzel – Schnitzel Natur.
  • Top 4 – Jager Schnitzel – Jägerschnitzel.
  • Top 5 – Schnitzel With Cream Gravy – Rahmschnitzel.
  • Top 6 – Gypsy Schnitzel – Zigeunerschnitzel.
  • Top 7 – Schnitzel Sandwich.

Do you cook schnitzel on high or low heat? ›

Remember, the key to a crispy coating is frying the schnitzel at the right temperature. Too low and it'll absorb too much oil, too high and it'll burn. Aim for medium-high heat and you'll get that golden, crispy finish every time – about 165°C if you have a kitchen thermometer.

How do you keep breading on a schnitzel? ›

Place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack (or a platter) and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This cooling time will help the layers of breading ingredients solidify and adhere better after the chicken cooks. Once you start cooking the chicken, be patient and don't flip it over too early.

What do Americans call schnitzel? ›

schnitzel, a thin meat cutlet, pounded until tender and then breaded and fried, that is a culinary staple in German-speaking countries and communities. The Americanized version of the dish is chicken-fried steak.

What cut of beef is used for schnitzel? ›

The best beef cuts for making schnitzels are thin beef escalopes or thinly sliced boneless shoulder steak or topside. If you are slicing the meat yourself, you will need to use a meat tenderiser to ensure the meat is extra tender.

What is the French version of schnitzel? ›

Pariser schnitzel (from German Pariser Schnitzel 'Parisian cutlet') is a schnitzel variation from French cuisine. Unlike Wiener schnitzel, it does not incorporate bread crumbs. The name dates as far back as from the World Exhibition in Paris 1889.

Is schnitzel a Yiddish? ›

Originally brought from Europe to Israel by Ashkenazi Jews, schnitzel instantly became a hit. During the early years of the state of Israel, veal was not widely available, so chicken or turkey became a substitute. Nowadays, the meat used is generally chicken or turkey breast to keep it kosher.

What is a chicken schnitzel called? ›

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).

What is the most popular schnitzel? ›

One of the most popular types of schnitzel, weiner schnitzel is made from thinly pounded veal cutlet that's breaded and fried. “Weiner” means Viennese, and it is a national dish of Austria.

What is the Italian version of schnitzel? ›

You want a quick dish, but still something special? Then veal scaloppine, Italian-style escalopes are just the thing: with a fruity hint of lemon or with the subtle herbal aroma of wine, depending on your taste.

What meat is traditionally used in schnitzel? ›

What kind of meat is used for Schnitzel? Schnitzel can, of course, be made from almost any thin, boneless meat cut. However, traditionally, Wienerschnitzel is made using only veal, and German Schnitzel is made with boneless pork chops. You can also try using chicken, mutton, beef, or turkey.

What oil is best for frying breaded meat? ›

Vegetable Oil: Best All-Purpose Oil for Frying

It's great for all different methods of frying and all kinds of foods like breaded chicken and fries. Typically a blend of oils, it has a high smoke point of 400 to 450 degrees, and it has a pretty neutral flavor, which deepens the flavor of the food.

What is the best fat for frying schnitzel? ›

Taste-neutral Vegetable oil with a high smoke point can be used too. Add a Tbsp of butter to the oil for taste. Make sure the fat is hot before you put the schnitzel in the pan! Drop a breadcrumb in the pan, if it sizzles it's hot or use a thermometer (340F is perfect).

Is canola oil good for schnitzel? ›

Store-bought lard is a good option, but vegetable oils like peanut, canola or rice bran will also work.

What is the best oil to use for deep-frying? ›

3 Best Oils for Commercial Deep Frying
  1. Canola Oil. The most common type of oil that restaurants use for deep frying is canola oil. ...
  2. Vegetable Oil. Vegetable oil is a great go-to for your deep-frying needs. ...
  3. Peanut Oil. Another effective deep-frying oil to use in your kitchen is peanut oil.
Apr 5, 2023

References

Top Articles
Can you tell FACT from fiction?...species of sharks have dropped by 80 percent. Though precise numbers of white sharks aren’t known, there is a growing consensus that they are not - [PDF Document]
Jake Andrich Lpsg
$4,500,000 - 645 Matanzas CT, Fort Myers Beach, FL, 33931, William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage, and Insurance
Top 11 Best Bloxburg House Ideas in Roblox - NeuralGamer
Kansas City Kansas Public Schools Educational Audiology Externship in Kansas City, KS for KCK public Schools
Algebra Calculator Mathway
Brendon Tyler Wharton Height
Klustron 9
Select The Best Reagents For The Reaction Below.
Concacaf Wiki
270 West Michigan residents receive expert driver’s license restoration advice at last major Road to Restoration Clinic of the year
Dityship
Thayer Rasmussen Cause Of Death
Scholarships | New Mexico State University
How to find cash from balance sheet?
Kürtçe Doğum Günü Sözleri
Violent Night Showtimes Near Amc Fashion Valley 18
Vipleaguenba
Accuweather Mold Count
Robin D Bullock Family Photos
Rqi.1Stop
Aol News Weather Entertainment Local Lifestyle
Why Are Fuel Leaks A Problem Aceable
Apparent assassination attempt | Suspect never had Trump in sight, did not get off shot: Officials
Bra Size Calculator & Conversion Chart: Measure Bust & Convert Sizes
Cosas Aesthetic Para Decorar Tu Cuarto Para Imprimir
Keshi with Mac Ayres and Starfall (Rescheduled from 11/1/2024) (POSTPONED) Tickets Thu, Nov 1, 2029 8:00 pm at Pechanga Arena - San Diego in San Diego, CA
Airg Com Chat
Mia Malkova Bio, Net Worth, Age & More - Magzica
King Soopers Cashiers Check
Citibank Branch Locations In Orlando Florida
Cars And Trucks Facebook
Snohomish Hairmasters
Gets Less Antsy Crossword Clue
KM to M (Kilometer to Meter) Converter, 1 km is 1000 m
Stanford Medicine scientists pinpoint COVID-19 virus’s entry and exit ports inside our noses
What Does Code 898 Mean On Irs Transcript
Gvod 6014
Busted Newspaper Campbell County KY Arrests
World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal social protection for climate action and a just transition
Bcy Testing Solution Columbia Sc
Aita For Announcing My Pregnancy At My Sil Wedding
O'reilly's Palmyra Missouri
Three V Plymouth
Trivago Anaheim California
5103 Liberty Ave, North Bergen, NJ 07047 - MLS 240018284 - Coldwell Banker
Yosemite Sam Hood Ornament
Paradise leaked: An analysis of offshore data leaks
Anonib New
Sams La Habra Gas Price
How to Choose Where to Study Abroad
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Last Updated:

Views: 6239

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Birthday: 1993-03-26

Address: 917 Hyun Views, Rogahnmouth, KY 91013-8827

Phone: +5938540192553

Job: Administration Developer

Hobby: Embroidery, Horseback riding, Juggling, Urban exploration, Skiing, Cycling, Handball

Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.