Pork Schnitzel
Quick answer
- Total time
- 40 min
- Level
- Medium
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Ingredients
- 9
About this dish
Pork schnitzel develops its lifted, crisp coating when the loin is pounded to an even thickness of 5 mm or less and the breadcrumbs are attached loosely enough to puff during frying.
Read more
For 4 servings, prepare 600 g pork loin, 90 g all-purpose flour, 2 eggs, 150 g breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon salt, 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 300 ml neutral oil, and 1 lemon. Cut the pork into 1.5 cm slices, place each piece between sheets of plastic wrap, and pound until every section is no thicker than 5 mm. Divide the salt and pepper over both sides. Pat away visible surface moisture so the flour forms a thin, even first layer. Mix the flour with the paprika and beat the eggs in a separate shallow dish. Pass each cutlet through the seasoned flour, egg, and breadcrumbs in that order, letting the excess fall away between coatings. Attach the breadcrumbs with a light covering motion and avoid pressing them firmly into the meat. Pour the oil into a wide pan and heat it to 170 to 175°C. Fry only 1 or 2 cutlets at a time, with the oil reaching about halfway up the meat. Maintain medium heat and cook each side for 2 to 3 minutes. Gently shake the pan so hot oil moves underneath the coating and helps it lift from the pork. Remove each schnitzel when both sides are evenly golden and the crust has visibly puffed. Drain the pieces briefly on paper towels without stacking them, then serve hot with fresh lemon for squeezing.
Ingredients
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Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Heat
Slice 600 g pork loin into 1.5 cm cutlets and place each piece between sheets of plastic wrap.
Pound evenly to 5 mm or thinner so the meat cooks quickly before the crust has time to darken.
- 2Season
Season both sides with the 1 teaspoon salt and 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, dividing them evenly.
If the pork surface looks wet, pat it lightly dry so the flour sticks in a thin, even layer.
- 3Prep
Mix the 90 g flour with 1 teaspoon paprika, and beat the 2 eggs in a separate dish.
Coat each cutlet in flour, then egg, then 150 g breadcrumbs, letting excess fall away between layers.
- 4Control
Do not press the breadcrumbs hard; cover the pork loosely so the coating can puff during frying.
Pour 300 ml neutral oil into a wide pan and heat it to 170-175C before adding the cutlets.
- 5Control
Add only 1-2 cutlets at a time, with the oil reaching about halfway up the meat.
Keep medium heat and gently shake the pan so hot oil slips under the coating as each side fries for 2-3 minutes.
- 6Finish
Remove the schnitzel when both sides are evenly golden and the crust has lifted slightly from the meat.
Drain briefly on paper towels without stacking, then serve hot with fresh lemon for squeezing.
Practical Cooking Checks
The cues that matter most while cooking.
- Key technique
- Pork Schnitzel cutlets are pounded to under 5mm to ensure even frying and a crisp breaded crust.
- Finish cue
- Remove the schnitzel when both sides are evenly golden and the crust has lifted slightly from the meat.
- Avoid this
- Do not press breadcrumbs too hard; a loose coat fries crispier.
Cooking decision evidence
Calculated Charim data and applicable official cooking and food safety guidance.
This recipe
40min, 9 ingredients
Category median
40min, 8 ingredients
Based on 168 recipes
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