How to Reheat Pork Schnitzel and Keep It Crispy

Pork schnitzel is a delicious fried pork cutlet that is breaded and crispy on the outside, while tender and juicy on the inside. It’s a popular dish in German and Austrian cuisine that is often served with sides like potato salad, spaetzle, or french fries

However, the crispy crunchy crust is part of what makes schnitzel so tasty. So when you have leftovers, you want to make sure to reheat them in a way that maintains that texture. Reheating schnitzel improperly can result in a soggy, limp, mushy crust.

Luckily, there are some simple tricks and techniques you can use to reheat pork schnitzel and keep it crispy. In this article, I’ll explain the best methods for reheating leftover breaded pork cutlets so they come out of the oven or pan hot, crispy, and delicious.

Why Schnitzel Gets Soggy When Reheated

To understand how to reheat schnitzel properly, it helps to know why it often gets soggy in the first place.

There are a couple of culprits:

• Moisture: When you reheat schnitzel, any moisture that accumulates on the surface can dampen the breadcrumbs, causing them to lose their crunch and turn soft.

• Steam Exposing schnitzel directly to steam when reheating will also quickly make the breading wet and limp

• Oil absorption If the cutlets sit in oil while reheating, the breadcrumbs can absorb it and become saturated, causing a soggy texture.

The good news is that by controlling moisture, avoiding steam, and minimizing oil absorption, you can revive leftover pork schnitzel to be crispy and delicious again.

Tips for Reheating Pork Schnitzel

Follow these tips to reheat pork schnitzel and maintain its signature crispy breaded crust:

• Use the oven, not the microwave. The microwave exposes the schnitzel directly to steam which causes the crust to get soggy quickly. Reheating in the oven is a much better option.

• Place it on a wire rack. Put the schnitzel on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This allows air flow all around the cutlet, keeping the underside crisp while the top reheats.

• Don’t cover it. Covering traps in steam which leads to a soft crust. Leaving it uncovered avoids this.

• Use a low temp. Reheat the schnitzel in a low oven, around 300°F to 325°F. High heat causes excess moisture loss.

• Let it cool slightly before serving. A short resting time after reheating allows excess moisture to evaporate so the crust stays crispy.

• Blot any wet spots. If you notice beads of moisture on the surface while reheating, gently blot them with a paper towel.

• Don’t freeze it again. Freezing and thawing more than once causes even more moisture loss, so only reheat leftovers once.

How Long to Reheat Pork Schnitzel

The amount of time needed to reheat pork schnitzel depends on factors like thickness and quantity. Here are some general guidelines:

• Schnitzel cutlets about 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch thick will take 7-10 minutes in a 300°F oven.

• For 2-3 cutlets, allow at least 15 minutes.

• Double the cutlets, double the time. Up to 6 cutlets will need 25-30 minutes.

Check for doneness after the minimum recommended time. The crust should be hot and crispy again while the meat is piping hot throughout when fully reheated.

An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 165°F. If not, return to the oven for 5 minutes more.

Best Methods for Reheating Pork Schnitzel

Using the oven is ideal, but if you don’t want to turn it on for just a few cutlets, you have options. Here are some of the best reheating methods for keeping schnitzel crispy:

Oven Method

The oven allows you to gently reheat schnitzel cutlets without direct moisture or steam. Use a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Heat at 300°F until hot and crispy, about 7-10 minutes for thinner cutlets. Let rest briefly before serving.

Stovetop Method

You can also reheat breaded pork cutlets in a large skillet on the stovetop. Use medium-low heat and add just 1 tsp oil or butter to prevent sticking. Cook a few minutes per side until heated through and the crust is crisped up.

Air Fryer Method

An air fryer mimics deep frying, blowing hot air around the schnitzel. Spritz the cutlets with a little oil, then reheat at 350°F for about 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway. The breading gets nicely crisped up again.

Toaster Oven Method

For just a few cutlets, a toaster oven works great. Place them on the rack and use the bake setting at 300°F until hot, checking often to avoid overbrowning. The smaller space concentrates the heat.

What to Avoid When Reheating Schnitzel

On the other hand, these reheating methods can ruin your leftover schnitzel, so avoid:

• Microwaving – makes the crust soggy
• Steaming or boiling – also makes it limp and wet
• High oven heat – dries it out, especially the meat
• Covering while reheating – traps moisture, no crisp
• Re-freezing after thawing – damages texture

As long as you follow the crispy crust rules, your reheated pork schnitzel will taste freshly fried and be ready to enjoy again!

Serving Reheated Pork Schnitzel

Once you’ve successfully crisped up your leftover breaded cutlets, here are some delicious ways to serve reheated pork schnitzel:

• With lemon wedges for squeezing over the top
• On a bed of parsley, arugula, or spinach for color
• With roasted potatoes or potato salad on the side
• On a hoagie roll for a schnitzel sandwich
• Topped with briny capers and Dijon mustard
• Alongside egg noodles or spaetzle
• Garnished with crispy bacon bits or fried onions
• On a platter with pickled vegetables on the side

Get creative with leftovers! Schnitzel makes amazing hot sandwiches, appetizers, or dinner with a fresh salad. Crispy reheated cutlets also pair nicely with creamy dips and sauces.

Storing and Freezing Pork Schnitzel

When preparing pork schnitzel for the first time, you can store leftovers to reheat later. Here are some tips:

• Let schnitzel cool completely before storing.
• Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
• Freeze breaded cutlets in a single layer up to 2-3 months.
• Separate frozen pieces so they don’t stick together.
• Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Avoid freezing pork schnitzel more than once, as this severely degrades texture. For best results, reheat refrigerated leftovers within a few days.

Make It Crispy Again!

Reheating leftover pork schnitzel while keeping that signature crunch may seem tricky, but a few simple precautions make it easy. Use low gentle oven heat and a rack to allow air flow. Check often and never cover it while reheating.

In just 10 minutes or less, you can revive refrigerated or frozen breaded cutlets to be crispy and mouthwatering once again. Follow these tips for enjoying leftover pork schnitzel that tastes fresh-from-the-fryer delicious.