This air fryer chicken schnitzel is a quick and delicious dinner idea! With juicy, perfectly cooked chicken breast and a flavourful, golden and crispy crumb, this recipe will be a go to when you’re looking for a healthier option but still want that family favourite, classic schnitty for dinner!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ as a new convert to air frying i was keen to try this recipe. although it took a little bit of effort to prepare, it was worth it. delicious crunchy coating and moist chicken inside. a winner! – wilma
Chicken schnitzel is basically a food group in my house. It’s the perfect delicious, versatile food that I will literally eat in some iteration for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I could!
While it’s one of those foods that are often easiest store bought, I have found an easy way to make this super crunchy and full of flavour homemade chicken schnitzel with the best results using my air fryer and in much less time (and mess) than it would usually take pan frying or oven-baking!
The air fryer helps ensure all the crumbs go golden and crunchy with no soggy bits, and in less than 15 minutes cook time you have a perfectly cooked, tender, juicy chicken breast. Seriously, the way the air fryer can cook chicken so that it’s not dry is one of my favourite things!
There really is no reason why you shouldn’t be making this pub classic at home!
If you’re looking for more popular crispy chicken recipes, try my air fryer chicken nuggets or air fryer chicken tenders next!
Key Ingredients
To make this chicken schnitzel in the air fryer, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients, most you may already have on hand.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken breasts – breast fillets work best for this recipe. Because they are usually so large, we slice them down the middle to create the perfect size and thickness for your schnitzel.
- Plain flour – also known as all purpose flour this will coat the chicken and help ensure the crumbs stick.
- Eggs – eggs are beaten and then the flour coated chicken is dunked in creating a sticky coating for the crumbs to adhere to.
- Panko breadcrumbs – I like to use panko breadcrumbs for a super light and crispy coating for this schnitzel but any dried breadcrumbs you have will work. I recommend using dried not fresh for this recipe to ensure the best crispy result.
- Spices – we’re using paprika and garlic powder in the flour mixture and more garlic powder and parsley in the crumbs to make sure this schnitzel is full of flavour and not bland.
- Seasoning – plenty of cracked black pepper and salt is used to season both the flour and the crumbs to enhance the flavours and make this schnitzel super delicious.
You’ll Also Love: Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Starting at the thickest end of the fillet, carefully cut down the middle horizontally. Repeat this for the second fillet so that you have 4 thinner breast fillets in total.
Gently pound the chicken fillets until they are even in thickness the whole way down the fillet.
Step 2: Prepare your crumbing station.
Dip each fillet into the flour mixture, making sure it’s well coated. Next, add it to the egg wash and let the excess drip off before adding to the breadcrumbs and turning to coat, making sure the full surface area is covered in crumbs.
Step 3: Pre heat the air fryer to 200°C and then gently spray the basket with a little cooking oil. Place the crumbed fillet into the basket and again spray a little cooking oil over the top. This will ensure that the crumbs go perfectly golden brown.
Step 4: Cook for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken, turning once about ¾ of the way through to ensure both sides get golden and crispy.
👉Tip! Make sure you’re adding your chicken in a single layer to the air fryer basket so that there is enough space for the air to circulate which is what gets us that super crispy result.
Storage Instructions
If you have left overs or don’t need all 4 schnitzels, you can let them cool and place the cooked schnitzels in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat, you guessed it, use the air fryer again until they are hot and crispy. You’ll never know they were reheated!
What to serve with chicken schnitzel
This is a great recipe as it is delicious and versatile in how you want to serve it. You have so many options depending on what sort of dinner you feel like, from healthy to indulgent comfort food! Here are just a few ideas to get you started!
- With your favourite sauce! I like my homemade ranch dressing and lemon wedges but gravy is also a classic option.
- Next to your favourite grilled, steamed or roasted vegetables (try air fryer broccolini or air fryer potatoes)
- With a side of salad (try this roasted broccoli one, or a classic dairy free potato salad!)
- Make a chicken schnitzel sandwich or chicken schnitzel burger!
- Turn it into a classic parmigiana with some pizza sauce, ham and cheese on top!
- Sliced up served with a creamy dairy free mac and cheese (pictured below, my favourite when craving comfort food!)
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the schnitzels up to the crumbing stage and then freeze them in an airtight container. When ready to cook, air fry them directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Yes, preheating the air fryer to 200°C is essential to achieve the desired crispiness and even cooking of the schnitzels.
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by substituting gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More easy dinners:
20 Minute Hoisin Pork Stir Fry
Savoury Mince
Slow Cooked Curried Sausages
Crispy Chicken Burgers
Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts
- ⅓ cup plain flour/all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs beaten
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- Prepare the chicken by placing each chicken breast on a cutting board and slice them in half horizontally, creating four thinner breast fillets.
- To ensure even thickness, use a meat mallet or cover a saucepan with plastic wrap and gently pound the chicken fillets until they are even in thickness.
- Set up your crumbing station using three shallow bowls. In the first, combine flour with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In the second, whisk the eggs. In the third, combine panko breadcrumbs with chopped parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each fillet first into the flour mixture, making sure it’s well coated. Next, dip it into the egg wash, ensuring full coverage. Finally, coat the fillet with the breadcrumb mixture, making sure all sides are covered.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the crumbed fillets in the basket, then spray a little cooking oil over the top to help the crumbs brown. Cook for 12-15 minutes, turning once about ¾ of the way through to ensure both sides become golden and crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to repeat this process until all four schnitzels are cooked.
- Once cooked, serve the chicken schnitzels immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
This recipe was originally published in 2023 and has been updated in 2026 with new photos and more helpful information, the recipe remains the same.
Ruth Palsson says
This was not as satisfactory because I didn’t have olive oil spray, so the crumb crust was a tad dry, But it was still yummy and your mum and I ate it all. This was really the first time I have cooked in the air fryer! Made the yummy ROASTED BROCCOLI SALAD as an accompaniment. Thanks Sally – I had some fun!!
Renee says
How fantastically easy and tasty was this and recipe. Thanks for sharing 😊
Sally says
So glad you enjoyed it Renee and thank you for leaving a comment 🙂
Liz says
This is great tasting and the chicken was juicy
Sally says
Thanks Liz, so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Wilma Donaghy says
As a new convert to air frying I was keen to try this recipe. Although it took a little bit of effort to prepare, it was worth it. Delicious crunchy coating and moist chicken inside. A winner!
Sally says
Thanks for making this recipe and leaving a review Wilma! So happy you enjoyed it as much as we do!