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

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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)

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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

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

FAQs

Do you use butter or oil for schnitzel? ›

I would also recommend using grapeseed oil for searing because it has a high smoke point and we want to make sure the breading doesn't burn. Once you flip the schnitzel, you can add a tablespoon of butter to finish and give it that extra flavor!

What is traditional schnitzel made of? ›

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 kind of oil do you use for schnitzel? ›

The absolutely best way to perfect schnitzel is to shallow-fry them in neutral-tasting cooking oil (Vegetable, Canola, Peanut, Sunflower). So you don't need to use a lot of oil, but you want to use enough oil so that the schnitzel will “float” in the oil as it cooks and not touch the bottom of the pan.

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. Restaurants mostly serve it with a slice of lemon and french fries.

What is the secret to good schnitzel? ›

It is imperative that schnitzel be breaded very gently — no pressing! — and that it happen the moment before it hits the oil. Store-bought lard is a good option for frying, but vegetable oils like peanut, canola or rice bran will also work.

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 is the original schnitzel? ›

Over the years, schnitzel has evolved and taken on many different variations. While the original recipe called for veal, it is now commonly made with pork, chicken, or even turkey.

How do Germans eat schnitzel? ›

Fry the Schnitzel for about 2-3 minutes on both sides until a deep golden brown. Transfer briefly to a plate lined with paper towels. Serve immediately with slices of fresh lemon and parsley sprigs. Serve with French fries, Spätzle or German potato salad, and a fresh leafy green salad.

Why do Jews eat schnitzel? ›

By the beginning of the 20th Century, central European immigrants had brought schnitzel to Israel. This dish was ideally suited to the culinary necessities of the period in Israel. At a time when few people owned ovens in their homes, these thin cutlets could be easily prepared over an open flame.

Do you cook schnitzel on high or low heat? ›

Heat oilVegetable oil, for shallow-frying in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, in batches, for 4 to 5 minutes each side or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to drain.

Why do people put lemon on schnitzel? ›

Schnitzel is not typically highly seasoned, relying instead on bold toppings such as fresh lemon wedges, mushroom sauce, or cream sauce to add a boost of flavor.

Can I fry schnitzel in olive oil? ›

Lightly coat each piece with all purpose flour. Dip each piece in the egg wash and then coat each piece with the herbed bread crumbs. Heat a pan to medium heat and sauté the chicken in olive oil for 2 – 3 minutes per side. Serve with a wedges of fresh lemon.

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. schnitzel.

What does weinersnitchel mean in German? ›

Wiener schnitzel means "Viennese cutlet" in German, and it is one of Austria's most traditional and representative dishes. So much so, in fact, that its definition is fiercely protected by Austrian law. It must be made of veal; when made with any other type of meat, it cannot technically be called Wiener schnitzel.

What do you call a schnitzel in English? ›

British English: cutlet /ˈkʌtlɪt/ NOUN. A cutlet is a small piece of meat which is usually fried or grilled.

How do you get the breading to stick on a schnitzel? ›

Just as important as the first patting down of the chicken's surface, the final pat down of your meat after covering it with breading helps every piece of crunchy coating adhere. After coating chicken in an egg and breading layer, gently pat all sides.

Do you use olive oil or vegetable oil for schnitzel? ›

Use a high-heat point oil.

I typically prefer to use olive oil over canola oil because it's healthier (see this article), but I hardly ever use it and it's fine in moderation! Plus it's worth it for me for this one because it really helps give this schnitzel that perfect crispy crunchy outer coating!

Is Wiener schnitzel fried in butter? ›

When it says Wiener Schnitzel on the menu, it refers to a veal escalope that is fried out in clarified butter. Before breading, the meat is carefully pounded, seasoned and moistened, then dredged in flour, egg and finally breadcrumbs.

How do you keep schnitzel from sticking to the pan? ›

First, use a properly seasoned cast iron skillet or a non-stick pan with an unblemished surface. Second, unless frying something that already contains fat (like bacon) use enough cooking oil with a high burn point, such as canola. Third, don't use too high a heat.

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