Breaded veal cutlets that are golden brown and crispy are tasty, easy to make, and always look great! My favorite thing about them is how fast they cook up.
This recipe for veal cutlets yields delicious results with just a handful of ingredients and no complicated steps. It takes super tender veal cutlets, covers them in breadcrumbs, and fries them to golden perfection. They are a great source of protein during the busy week, and my family loves them. On Sunday nights, I serve them with pasta for dinner. Table of Contents.
Veal cutlets are a delicious and versatile meat that can be prepared in so many ways. From breaded and fried veal parmesan to savory veal piccata, veal brings a wonderfully tender and mild flavor to the table. But cooking veal on the stovetop can mean panfrying in loads of oil or trying to get the perfect sear without overcooking. That’s where the air fryer comes in!
The air fryer allows you to achieve crispy, golden brown veal cutlets without all the added fat and calories from deep frying. With just a bit of oil, you can enjoy juicy, tender veal cutlets in less time and with less hassle. Read on to learn all the tips and tricks for making perfect air fryer veal cutlets at home!
Benefits of Cooking Veal in an Air Fryer
There are several advantages to cooking veal cutlets in an air fryer rather than using traditional frying methods
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Uses minimal oil: Only 1-2 tablespoons of oil is needed to coat the veal before air frying. This leads to a much lower fat and calorie dish compared to pan frying.
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Quick cooking time: Veal cooks fast in the hot circulating air, taking just 7-10 minutes to reach crispy perfection. No need to labor over the stove.
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Even browning The air fryer surrounds food with heat for consistent crisping all over without having to flip and rotate
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Simple cleanup With minimal oil splatters cleanup is as easy as wiping down the air fryer basket. No dealing with oily pans and stovetops.
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Keeps meat moist and tender: Unlike other dry cooking methods, the air fryer seals in moisture and flavor. Veal stays tender and juicy.
Tips for Cooking Veal Cutlets in an Air Fryer
To make sure your air-fried breaded veal cutlets are crispy and tasty, follow these tips:
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Use thin cutlets: Look for veal slices that are 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch thick for the quickest and most even cooking. Pound thicker pieces with a meat mallet if needed.
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Pat veal dry: Dry the veal cutlets thoroughly with paper towels before breading to help the coating stick better.
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Use a light breading: Avoid heavy, dense breadcrumbs and opt for light panko breadcrumbs for the crispiest exterior.
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Spray with oil: Coat both sides of breaded cutlets with cooking spray so the air fryer heat can penetrate and brown evenly.
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Don’t overcrowd: Air fry in a single layer, being careful not to overfill the basket. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking.
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Flip once: Flip the veal cutlets halfway during cooking to ensure both sides get evenly crispy.
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Let rest before serving: Allow to rest 1-2 minutes out of the air fryer so the interior moisture can redistribute.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Fried Veal Cutlets
Follow this simple step-by-step recipe to enjoy tender, golden air fried veal cutlets:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound veal cutlets, pounded to 1⁄4 inch thickness
- 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
Directions:
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Pat the veal cutlets completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
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Place the flour in a shallow dish. In another dish, beat the eggs. And in a third dish, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, and oregano.
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Dredge each veal cutlet in the flour, dip in the egg, and then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture.
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Spray both sides of the breaded cutlets with olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray.
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Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
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Place the breaded veal cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd.
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Air fry for 4 minutes, then carefully flip each cutlet over. Air fry for another 4-5 minutes until the coating is crispy and browned.
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Let the veal cutlets rest for 1-2 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Make a Delicious Veal Dinner with These Air Fryer Recipes
Crispy breaded veal cutlets are delicious on their own, but why not take your veal dinner to the next level? Pair your veal with these easy side dish recipes, all made right in the air fryer:
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Air Fryer Asparagus – Toss asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper then air fry at 400F for 5-7 minutes until tender.
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts – Halve and toss brussels sprouts with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper then air fry at 400F for 15 minutes, shaking halfway.
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Air Fryer Steak Fries – Cut potatoes into wedges, coat with oil, and air fry at 400F for 18-20 minutes until crispy.
Or take your veal cutlets the classic route and make veal parmesan in the air fryer! Top breaded veal cutlets with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese then air fry just until the cheese melts for a quick and easy veal parmesan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Veal
Here are answers to some common questions about making crispy, tender veal cutlets in the air fryer:
What cut of veal works best? Thin cutlets or scaloppine work perfectly. Look for veal slices 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch thick. Avoid thicker cuts which may not cook through.
Do I really need the breading? Breading isn’t strictly necessary but it helps form that crispy crust on the veal as it air fries. Try it plain if you prefer.
How long does it take? Expect thinly sliced veal cutlets to cook through in just 7-10 minutes at 400F in the air fryer.
Can I make a whole veal dinner in my air fryer? Absolutely! From veal parmesan to veal saltimbocca, the possibilities are endless for making tasty veal meals in the air fryer.
Enjoy Delicious yet Healthier Veal Cutlets with the Air Fryer
With its quick cooking time and no-fuss cleanup, the air fryer makes cooking up flavorful veal cutlets so easy. In less than 15 minutes, you can be sitting down to enjoy crispy, golden, tender veal cutlets without loads of added fat or calories.
So next time a veal dinner is on the menu, reach for your air fryer. Your tastebuds will thank you for the quick, crispy, and mouthwatering veal cutlets!
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Why I love this recipe
- Easy. There are turkey and chicken cutlets out there, so veal might seem scary if you’ve never cooked with it before. But I promise it’s just as easy to work with. I walk you through the easy steps of the recipe so you can have a delicious veal dinner in 10 minutes.
- Savory and satisfying. The tenderness and fineness of veal are what make it so special. It tastes even better when it’s breaded and fried, but veal chops are still delicious!
- Versatile. Pan-fry, air fry, or bake the veal cutlets. It’s your choice! I’ve tested them in ALL three ways.
- Veal cutlets. This thin piece of veal without any bones is great for frying or breading. You can use either fresh or frozen veal cutlets; just make sure the frozen ones are thawed first.
- Seasonings. A simple mix of salt, black pepper, parsley, and thyme was used to season the veal. This looks pretty plain, but the parmesan cheese really makes it stand out.
- Eggs + Flour. Everyday flour is used to cover the veal so that the egg wash and breading can stick to it.
- Breadcrumbs. Because they are so light and flaky, Panko breadcrumbs are my favorite for making meats crispy. Breadcrumbs from Italy will also work if you don’t have any on hand.
- Parmesan cheese. For a delicious cheesy flavor in the breading. For the best taste, shred the cheese yourself from the block.
- Oil. Used any oil with a high smoke point to cook the chicken pieces. I typically use canola oil or peanut oil.
How to cook veal cutlets
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post to print out the full recipe instructions and amounts of the ingredients.
Step 1 – Season the veal. Season each cutlet with salt, pepper, parsley, and thyme.
Step 2 – Prepare the dredging stations. In one bowl, mix the flour and salt. In another, beat the eggs. Finally, mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese in a third bowl.
Step 3 – Bread the veal. Coat the seasoned cutlets in the flour, then the beaten eggs, and lastly, the breadcrumbs.
Step 4 – Pan fry. Heat some vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering and hot, add the breaded veal cutlets and fry until crispy on both sides. Serve with lemon wedges on the side and enjoy!.
What to serve with this
Grilled carrots and potatoes, arugula salad, cauliflower mashed potatoes, or a healthy pasta salad are all great sides to go with your crispy veal cutlets. You can also serve the cutlets over a plate of pasta, similar to veal parmesan. My favorites are spaghetti and alfredo!.
As I already said, I tested this recipe in both the oven and the air fryer because both of them make the dish lighter without giving up the crispy outside.
If you want to use an air fryer, bread the veal cutlets as usual and then put them in the basket even-side up. Spray the tops with cooking spray and air fry at 400ºF for 7 to 8 minutes.
If you want to bake the veal cutlets in the oven, put them on a baking sheet and heat the oven to 400ºF for about 20 minutes.