Do yourself a favor, go to Oktoberfest in Munich. It is something to experience. Beer halls filled with people drinking beer, eating pretzels, and singing “Sweet Caroline” is complete joy (for me, anyway). This Light & Easy Crispy Pretzel Encrusted Schnitzel recipe is also joy for me! A lightened up version of the real deal, will make your belly happy.

A perfect side for this schnitzel is Lemon Dill Potato Salad.

What is “Schnitzel”?

It’s hard to not have a schnitzel of some sort while in Germany. It’s the country’s main dish. My husband ordered one whenever he could. (I think he just liked saying “schnitzel” in a German accent.) An authentic schnitzel is any type of meat cutlet, pounded thin, breaded, and fried.

• Weiner Schnitzel pronounced: vee-ner shnit-suh l is made of veal cutlets.
• Schweine-Schnitzel is made with pork.
• Puten-Schnitzel uses turkey.
• Hänchen-Schnitzel is made with chicken.
• Jägerschnitzel is any kind of schnitzel with a mushroom gravy (Jäger means hunter in German).

What Do You Put on Pretzel Encrusted Schnitzel?

We ate a lot of Jägerschnitzel while in Germany. We couldn’t get enough of it. The mushroom gravy was the perfect accompaniment! There are other options for those who are not a fan of fungus.

Creamy Chive Sauce

Germany has pretzels everywhere. It’s amazing! Brezel is pretzel in German. In my opinion, the ones cut open and spread with whipped butter and chives are the best. Create a healthier sauce by mixing Greek yogurt in with the cream cheese and chive.

Mustard and Pickles

This is All-American. For all the meat and potatoes, no fancy pants food, pork tenderloin – the size of your face – kind or people. It’s good eatin’.

Plain Jane or Lemon

Schnitzel is good plain too. This is how my kids prefer it.

It’s also quite nice with just a squeeze of lemon juice over the top.

Mushroom Gravy

As mentioned above, Jägerschnitzel is schnitzel with a mushroom gravy. All in moderation on gravy. However, by using a mix of butter and olive oil, and whole wheat or gluten free flour this lightens it up. It still tastes like delicious gravy, don’t worry!

Lightened Up Mushroom Gravy recipe here.

How to make a Healthier Version of Schnitzel?

There are 3 things to consider to make this a healthy version:

• Is there fat on the pork that can be trimmed?
• What are you using for breading?
• How are you cooking it?

Trimming the Fat

Most pork that you will get will have a blanket of fat. Trim off as much fat as you can from the pork loin before cutting into slices. If using pork chops, trim the fat off each one.

Pretzel Encrusted Schnitzel

Sure, you can bread the pork in whole wheat flour, almond flour, panko, etc. But crushed pretzels are the perfect pairing.

There are several types of pretzels out there. In this recipe I’ve tried: regular, gluten free, and multi-grain. All turn out great! Be sure to check the label on your pretzels. All are not created equal. You only need a few ingredients in pretzels.

Put your pretzels into a zip top bag, seal, and smash! Get out any frustrations by whacking the pretzels with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or bottom of a saute pan. Once crumbed, pour into a shallow dish.

Those pretzel crumbs need something to hang on to. In another shallow dish, whisk together the following:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Dijon Mustard
• Pepper (optional)

Dip the pork into this egg mixture, then into the pretzel crumbs, coating completely.

Cooking the Pretzel Encrusted Schnitzel

This is really where it gets healthier. Schnitzel is usually fried in oil. We’re not going to do that. There are 2 options for lightening up this German delight: air fryer or oven.

Air Fryer

Air Fryers are fast, but if making several, you’ll have to batch. Schnitzels are done in about 6 minutes, depending on your air fryer. If using the rack to make it double-decker, flip them and move them from top to bottom during the cook time.

There are 2 ways to keep your batches warm while the others cook:

• Put on a cookie cooling rack and tent it in aluminum foil.
• Turn the oven to warm, place inside directly on oven rack or on a cookie cooling rack.

Oven

Going old school oven will get them all done at once. Here are few tips:

• Heat your oven to 425 degrees (convection if you have that option).
• Use a baking sheet with a cookie cooling rack on top. This helps the bottoms stay crisp.
• Flip them half way through so they are crisp all the way around.
• If they temp as being done (145 degrees F), but aren’t crispy: put them under the broiler. KEEP AN EYE on them! Crack that oven door and watch them.

All ovens have hot spots or cook differently than others. Make sure the schnitzel temps at 145 degrees F, with whichever cooking option you choose.

If you like this recipe, you’ll love my Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Veggies.

What Goes with Pretzel Encrusted Schnitzel?

Blaukraut or Salad

In Germany, they serve their schnitzels with Blaukraut. Blaukraut is braised red cabbage. Traditionally, it’s braised with red wine vinegar and contains apples and spices.

The acidic blaukraut balances the typically fatty fried schnitzel very well. Air fryer Schnitzel still pairs nicely with this German dish.

Not a cabbage fan? A salad will also be delicious with this. Go for one that has a vinaigrette dressing. My Zucchini Ribbon Salad would be a perfect match.

Potatoes or Cauliflower

Mashed, roasted, or boiled. Pretzel Encrusted Schnitzel is delicious with any type of potato. Kartoffeln are what Germans call potatoes.

Roasted potatoes with a squeeze of lemon juice a little garlic salt and a sprinkle of fresh parsley would be tasty.

Cauliflower is perfect roasted or mashed as well. Steam it in the microwave, and zip it in a food processor with a little bit of butter and salt. Or buy it as rice in the freezer section of your local grocery store.

Green Veg

Any kind of green vegetable would also accompany the schnitzel. Get those veggies in! Our family’s go to green veggies are:

• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Green Beans

Try this tasty Caramelized Brussels Sprouts recipe when you make Schnitzel.

Leftovers

Don’t nuke these leftovers in the microwave. It will be soggy. Instead, toss them in the air fryer again to bring them back to life. Just a few minutes is all they need.

Salad

My friends refer to me as the Salad Queen. I am always eating salads, and throwing random bits in for a different flair.

Pork in a salad? Trust me. Heat that schnitzel back up in the air fryer, chop and throw together the following:

• Spinach or favorite greens
• Dried Cranberries
• Avocado, or preferred Cheese, like Goat or Feta
• Chopped Almonds, Pecans, or Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)
• Vinaigrette: Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Dijon, Honey, S&P

Toss it all together and enjoy.

Main Dishes You Will Love

Mediterranean Artichoke Chicken

Pesto Chicken with Spaghetti Squash

Glazed & Grilled Salmon

Chicken Fajita Kabobs

Chimichurri Chicken Thighs

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