Air fryer schnitzels with roast vegetable salad

Easy weeknight dinner with tender beef schnitzel

Serves

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

This easy air fryer schnitzel recipe is about to become your new best friend. Picture this: tender, lean New Zealand beef coated in crunchy crumbs that sizzle to golden perfection in the air fryer, all without the mess and faff of deep frying. It’s the kind of meal that makes you look like a kitchen superstar, even if you’re juggling emails, homework, and the endless “what’s for dinner?” questions from the kids.

Whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a seasoned pro looking for a speedy midweek meal, this New Zealand beef schnitzel recipe ticks all the boxes. It’s quick, wholesome, and downright delicious. Best of all, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’ll have everyone asking for seconds! Now that’s what we call a win-win dinner!

Kirsten McCaffrey

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Ingredients

For the schnitzels:

500g Quality Mark beef schnitzelsi
½ cup plain flour
2 large eggs
beaten
1 cup cornflakes
lightly crushed
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp chivesi
finely chopped
½ tsp smoked paprikai
salt and freshly ground black pepper
to taste
olive oil spray

For the roast vegetable salad:

1 capsicum
chopped
1 courgette
chopped
1 red onion
cut into wedges
200g baby potatoes
halved
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried rosemaryi
salt and pepper
to taste
50g salad greensi
juice of ½ lemoni

To serve:

lemon wedges
extra fresh herbsi

Method

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C. Toss the capsicum, courgette, red onion, and baby potatoes with olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Spread vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, shaking or tossing halfway through, until tender and golden. Put aside.

If your beef slices are uneven, gently pound them to an even thickness, using a meat mallet or rolling pin between two sheets of baking paper or plastic wrap.

Set up three shallow dishes: Dish 1 - flour; dish 2 - beaten eggs; dish 3 - cornflakes mixed with chives and pepper.

Coat each beef slice first in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Dip into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off. Press into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring full coverage. Press crushed cornflakes gently to adhere. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place schnitzels in a single layer without overlapping. Spray the tops lightly with oil.

Air fry at 200°C for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through. In a large bowl, combine the roast vegetables with mixed salad greens. Drizzle with lemon juice and toss lightly.

Plate the schnitzels alongside the roast vegetables and with a lemon wedge or two, and some fresh herbs if you like.

Tips for Success:

Use gluten-free panko-style crumbs or crushed gluten-free cornflakes for the best crunch.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even crisping. Cook schnitzels in batches if necessary.
Lightly spray oil on the schnitzels before air frying to get a golden crust without deep frying.
Pounding the beef thin helps it cook quickly and stay tender.
Toss roast vegetables halfway through cooking for even browning.