Thanks to Jennie-O for sponsoring today’s post. Enjoy this recipe for an air-fried version of Israeli turkey schnitzel that is perfect for Hanukkah or any time! For more global air fryer recipes, be sure to check out my new book Epic Air Fryer Cookbook.
Do you schnitzel? This iconic dish of a thin cut of meat that is breaded and then fried may have originated in the Austrian empire, but today it is beloved around the world. And you know where schnitzel is really a staple? Israel. Israelis love a good schnitzel, especially when it is made with chicken or, even better, turkey.
Yes, turkey cutlets are perfect for making schnitzel. They are leaner, healthier and less pricey than the traditional veal but more exciting and festive than chicken. I prefer Jennie-O Extra Lean Turkey Breast Cutlets when making schnitzel because they are ready to use right out of the package – no need to pound them thinner as is often the case with veal or chicken. And they have that great turkey flavor we all love – especially around the holidays.
Jennie-O Extra Lean Turkey Cutlets are tender and juicy yet they are 99% fat-free. They also cook up in a flash, so it is easy to make them part of your regular dinner routine.
Now, typically schnitzel is a bit of a heavy dish. The meat is breaded and then pan-fried in oil so the cutlets come out crispy and crunchy on the outside while staying juicy and flavorful on the inside. But given that Jennie-O Extra Lean Turkey Cutlets are so low in fat, I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to cook them without a lot of fat as well?
Enter the air fryer! The air fryer makes an amazingly light and crispy version of turkey schnitzel with just a spritz of oil instead of a whole panful. And you know how when you make schnitzel the oil splatters all over the stove? That mess is a thing of the past when you use the air fryer. These cutlets cook up in under ten minutes – can you believe that? Just spritz some lemon on top and dinner is served.
This air-fried version of turkey schnitzel would be perfect for your Hanukkah celebration. First, it’s a classic Israeli dish and where does the Hanukkah story take place? Israel. Second, it’s even cooked with oil – albeit a very small amount of oil – as is traditional for the holiday. And if you are going to make your latkes on the stove the old-fashioned way, with lots of oil, a lighter main dish would be very welcome.
If you don’t happen to own an air-fryer, you can still make this turkey schnitzel recipe: the breading process is exactly the same for both methods of cooking. Instead of air-frying the cutlets, heat a shallow layer of neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed, in a deep skillet until shimmering and add the cutlets. They still should only need 5 to 6 minutes of cooking on each side. To check for doneness, as always, I recommend using a good, instant-read thermometer. Cook until the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
Happy holidays everyone!
Ingredients
- 1 package Jennie-O Extra Lean Turkey Breast Cutlets (approx 1.1 lb.)
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 2 eggs beaten with 2 TB water
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- Oil for spraying
- Lemon for serving
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper and paprika on a large plate. Place the panko bread crumbs in a separate shallow bowl or pie plate.
- Dredge one of the turkey cutlets in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess, then dip it in the beaten egg.
- Dredge the turkey cutlet in the bread crumbs, making sure to coat it completely. Shake off any excess crumbs. Place battered cutlet on a plate. Repeat with remaining cutlets.
- Spray the basket of the air fryer with oil. Place as many of the battered cutlets as will fit comfortably in the basket without overcrowding and spray cutlets with oil.
- Cook at 375 until top is browned, about five minutes. Flip and spray second side with oil. Cook until second side is browned and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165. Repeat with any remaining cutlets.
- Serve hot with plenty of lemons for squeezing.
Full disclosure time: This post has been sponsored by Jennie-O and I have been compensated for my work. All opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
