Veal cutlets are a delicious, tender meat that can be prepared quickly and easily in an air fryer. With just a few simple steps, you can have crispy, golden brown veal cutlets ready in under 30 minutes without needing to deep fry them. Using an air fryer to cook veal cutlets results in cutlets that are juicy and flavorful on the inside with a crispy, crunchy breading on the outside.
Benefits of Cooking Veal Cutlets in an Air Fryer
There are several benefits to using an air fryer rather than traditional frying methods when cooking veal cutlets:
-
It’s healthier – Air frying uses significantly less oil than pan frying or deep frying, resulting in a lighter less greasy meal. The veal cutlets get crispy from the super heated air rather than being submerged in oil.
-
It’s quick – Veal cutlets cook fast in the air fryer taking only about 15-20 minutes from start to finish. The air fryer preheats quickly and cooks food very rapidly.
-
It’s easy – Dredging the veal in the breading mixture, loading the air fryer basket, and setting the time and temperature are all very simple steps. Air frying avoids the mess and hassle of deep frying.
-
It’s convenient – Most countertop air fryer models are relatively small appliances that are easy to store. You don’t have to heat up a pot of oil on the stove.
-
Less splatter – Because food is not submerged in hot oil, there is less splattering and popping. The crumb coating may release a bit of oil, but overall it’s a much cleaner process.
-
Versatile – An air fryer can be used to cook much more than just veal cutlets. It’s great for cooking many breaded or fried foods.
Tips for Air Frying Veal Cutlets
Follow these tips and tricks to end up with perfect veal cutlets from your air fryer every time:
-
Pound the cutlets thin – Veal cutlets should be pounded to an even 1⁄4 inch thickness before breading. This allows them to cook quickly and evenly. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the veal.
-
Use small cutlets – Look for veal scaloppine or have your butcher slice the veal thin. Cut any large pieces in half or into smaller portions to fit in your air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
-
Dry the veal well – Pat the veal cutlets very dry before dredging in the flour and breading mixture. Any excess moisture will make the coating fall off.
-
Bread just before cooking – Bread the veal cutlets right before air frying rather than in advance so the coating stays crispy.
-
Use light breading – A simple breading of flour, egg wash, and panko or Italian bread crumbs is all you need. Avoid heavy batters that will take too long to cook through.
-
Spray oil on cutlets – Lightly spray the breaded cutlets with oil before air frying for even browning and extra crispiness.
-
Flip halfway – Flip the cutlets over about halfway through cooking for the best texture.
-
Check internal temperature – Air fry the veal to an internal temperature of 145°F to ensure it’s fully cooked. Use an instant-read thermometer to check.
-
Don’t overcrowd – Air fry in a single layer, being careful not to pack the cutlets in too tightly or they won’t get as crispy. Work in batches for bigger recipes.
-
Let rest before serving – Allow the cooked veal cutlets to rest for 2-3 minutes after air frying before digging in. This helps them firm up a bit for better texture.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Air Frying Veal Cutlets
Follow this simple step-by-step method for air frying perfectly cooked, crunchy veal cutlets.
Ingredients Needed:
- Veal cutlets, pounded 1⁄4 inch thick
- Flour for dredging
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water or milk)
- Breadcrumbs, panko, or Italian seasoning breadcrumb blend
- Oil for spraying
- Salt and pepper
Equipment:
- Meat mallet or rolling pin
- Shallow dishes for dredging
- Air fryer (any size will work)
- Instant-read thermometer
Steps:
-
Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
-
Pat veal cutlets dry with paper towels. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound to 1⁄4 inch thickness.
-
Set up your dredging station. Place flour in one shallow dish, egg wash in another dish, and breadcrumbs in a third dish. Season each with salt and pepper.
-
Dredge veal cutlets on both sides in flour, dip in egg wash, then coat with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
-
Spray both sides of breaded cutlets with oil. Arrange in air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
-
Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flip, then cook 6-8 minutes more until crisp and golden brown and internal temperature reaches 145°F.
-
Allow veal cutlets to rest 2-3 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
For smaller 2-3 ounce veal cutlets, reduce air frying times by a couple minutes. Keep an eye on them and flip or remove earlier if they are browning too quickly.
To keep the cooked veal cutlets warm while you work in batches, place them on a wire rack set on a baking sheet in a low 200°F oven.
Serve the crispy veal cutlets right away while the coating is still crunchy, with lemon wedges, parsley, or your favorite sauces on the side for dipping. Veal goes well with marinara sauce, lemon or garlic butter, and creamy gravy.
Variations for Air Fryer Veal Cutlets
There are many ways to vary up the breading and seasoning on these veal cutlets. Here are just a few ideas:
-
Use Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs rather than plain for extra flavor.
-
Coat cutlets with grated Parmesan cheese along with the breadcrumbs.
-
Season the flour for dredging with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper.
-
For a restaurant-style presentation, top cooked veal cutlets with sliced lemon and parsley.
-
Bread cutlets with a mixture of Japanese panko and pork panko bread crumbs for extra crunch.
-
Sprinkle cutlets with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary before air frying.
-
Air fry plain unbreaded veal cutlets seasoned with salt and pepper for a lighter meal.
-
For Wiener Schnitzel, use a combination of flour, egg wash, and fine fresh breadcrumbs as the coating.
-
For Chicken Fried Veal, use seasoned flour and buttermilk instead of egg wash for dredging.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to the best breading to use on your veal cutlets! Using an air fryer means you can experiment with different coatings and flavors easily.
FAQs About Air Frying Veal Cutlets
What cut of veal works best?
Look for veal scaloppine, which comes already thinly sliced, usually from the leg or hip area. Or, purchase veal leg cutlets and pound them thin yourself.
Can I bread the veal cutlets in advance?
It’s best to bread them right before cooking. If breading in advance, store chilled and use within 2 hours or the coating may get soggy.
Do I need to flip the cutlets during air frying?
Yes, flipping halfway through is recommended for evenly cooked, crispy cutlets.
How long does it take to cook 1-inch thick veal cutlets?
1-inch thick veal cutlets would take 22-28 minutes, depending on the size. Pound them to 1⁄4 inch for the best texture.
What temperature should veal cutlets reach?
Cook veal cutlets in the air fryer until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Can I use pork panko or almond meal instead of breadcrumbs?
Yes, you can experiment with substitutions for the breading. Just avoid very heavy batters that may not cook through.
What can I serve with air fried veal cutlets?
Some delicious side options are pasta with marinara sauce, mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, roasted vegetables, or a green salad.
The Perfect Meat for Air Frying
With its delicate flavor and texture, veal is an ideal meat to cook quickly in the hot air fryer. Air frying keeps veal cutlets tender and ju