Knock-ya-socks-off-good, this pork schnitzel recipe requires minimal prep and takes minutes to cook. Pounded out pork loin chops are coated with panko bread crumbs and fried in a cast-iron pan until golden brown. Serve with a fresh lemon wedges and you have one delicious dinner!
Oktoberfest is a traditional festival held in Germany around this time of year with lots of beer and good times; this year it runs from September 16th to October 3rd so there’s lots of time to celebrate!
To celebrate the festivities, I’ll be making this easy pork schnitzel recipe. Golden brown and crispy on the inside and juicy inside, what’s not to love?
Not only does it taste delicious, this pork recipe is super simple to prepare!
What is Schnitzel?
Schnitzel is meat that is pounded thin with a tenderizer or mallet (or something of the sort) and then coated with flour, eggs and a bread crumb mixture.
It’s then fried until golden brown. Because the meat is on the thinner side, it cooks rather quickly so it makes for a delicious and easy weekday dinner.
What Type of Meat for Schnitzel? How to Make Pork Schnitzel?
There are various types of protein that can be used for schnitzel, but today we’re making an easy pork schnitzel recipe for Oktoberfest! However, chicken would work lovely here, too, if you want to branch out and try chicken schnitzel.
I have to admit, it was quite therapeutic using that mallet on those pork loin chops.
Other than getting those frustrations out (so much better than yoga, LOL), get your dredging station ready, dredge and cook.
Basically, all you do is:
- Get your dredging station ready (i.e. flour, panko and eggs).
- Cover pork with plastic food wrap and flatten.
- Dredge pork in flour, egg and panko.
- Fry until golden brown and fully cooked through.
Tips for Making this Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe
This recipe goes super fast! I would suggest getting all your prep work done, laid out and ready to go.
You want the pork schnitzel on the thinner side, about ¼-inch think so they brown up and cook through quickly.
Obviously, I just had to use my cast-iron pan for this one. Don’t have the heat too high. Medium is the way to go. You want to crisp up those panko bread crumbs and make ’em buttery and golden, but not burn ’em, which can easily happen if your pan is too hot.
Speaking of oil, what type of oil to use of pork schnitzel? Use something neutral with a decent smoke point, like grapeseed or vegetable oil.
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What to Serve with Pork Schnitzel
- Potato salad
- Potatoes with some parsley and butter
- Lemon
- Sauerkraut
- Simple green salad
- Spaetzle (type of pasta)
How to Garnish
I roughly chopped some parsley for colour and freshness and sprinkled on. There’s absolutely nothing fancy here, folks, just good, comfort food eats.
A little squeeze of lemon is always a good idea too!
I recommend serving these pork schnitzel immediately but, honestly, why would you wait?
Cheers, my friends!
Hope you love this easy pork schnitzel recipe as much as we do!
If you try this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork loin chops (approximately 4 ounces each)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (approximately)
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 large egg (approximately)
- 1.25 teaspoon salt , divided
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper , divided
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 4 tablespoon grapeseed oil , divided (or vegetable oil)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 lemon , cut into 4 wedges
Instructions
- Place two pork chops at a time, side to side, on top of a heavy-duty board covered with plastic food wrap. Place two layers of plastic food wrap on top of the pork chops. Using a mallet, pound chops to roughly ¼-inch thickness.
- Remove plastic food wrap and sprinkle pork chops with ¼ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper.
- Get your dredging station going: crack egg in a bowl and whisk to mix up. On a plate, add flour, ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir to combine. On another plate, add panko bread crumbs, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine.
- Dip each pork chop in flour, shaking excess. Then, dip in egg, shaking off excess. Then, dip in panko, pressing down to coat both sides.
- To cook pork schnitzel, heat 2 tablespoons of oil In a 12-inch cast-iron pan over medium heat.
- Add two pork chops to the pan and cook 3 minutes per side or until fully cooked through. Transfer cooked pork chops to a plate and set aside. Repeat to cook remaining 2 pork chops (heat remaining 2 tablespoons of oil of before placing last two chops in the pan). Note: Cook time may vary, depending on the thickness of your pork chops.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with fresh lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
I am totally into schnitzel — and yours looks perfect. My family would love this for a weeknight dinner.
Girl Heart Food
So happy to hear that Lisa! Thanks so much 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Kelly 🙂 So yummy, right??
Jill
I had pork schnitzel for the first time a couple of years ago. Now I make it at home sometimes. Such a simple and delicious dinner option! And can’t skip the fresh lemon on top!
Girl Heart Food
I agree! Really brings it together, doesn’t it? Thanks Jill 🙂
Dannii
That coating looks so delicious and crispy. I bet my husband would love this!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Dannii 🙂 I sure hope so!
Katherine Hackworthy
Oktoberfest sounds like an amazing feast of delicious foods and drinks. Food is such a great way of getting together to enjoy, and very social. This is a very tasty sounding recipe, the coating looks amazing and crispy.
nicole triebe
this is making me so excited for fall! Bring on Oktoberfest and all the schnitzel!!
Girl Heart Food
Right?! Thanks Nicole! I agree 😉
Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess
Pork Schnitzel reminds me of a German Restaurant we used to always go to that we loved because it was authentic German food and I remember ordering it and how good it was! This looks amazing Dawn!!
Girl Heart Food
Food like that is always the best, right? Thanks so much Kim 🙂 Have a lovely week!
Adina
Love the schnitzel, one of my son’s favorite foods! Never had them in Munich though, the only things I seem to crave at Oktoberfest seem to be the Pretzel with Obatzda. 🙂 You should try Obatzda, it is one of the best bread spreads ever, if you ask me. 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Adina! I’ve never had Obatzda, but I do love pretzels. I’ll have to look it up! I’m sure it’s delish!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
My Grandfather LOVED German food and he always ordered pork schnitzel out. I used to order it to be just like him too! It’s crispy and perfect with a little gravy, red cabbage, spaetzle, and lots of beer! Def making this for our Oktoberfest dinner at home 🙂 Gorgeous pics girl!
Girl Heart Food
Yay! Happy to hear that! Thank so much, sweets! XOXO
Vicky Chin
Wow, these look mouth-watering and easy to make! My kids would love them ! And yes, I think mom can use the mallet to let out some frustration! ? Thanks for sharing!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Vicky 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Haha! Hope you guys love it! Have an awesome weekend 🙂
Jenny | The Baking Skillet
Omg if only i knew that it is so easy to make it, i’d be eating schnitzel atleast once a week!! These look so scrumptious Dawn. I am going to have a mini OctoberFest at home with this and some beer!
Girl Heart Food
Right?! SO easy! Thank you so much, Jenny! Cheers 🙂
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
This absolutely looks knock-ya-socks-off good, Dawn! I don’t blame hubby for sneaking in and snatching some up. You are making me want some schnitzel right now and it’s only 9:43 am! Cheers!
Girl Heart Food
Haha! Thanks Rachelle! I don’t see anything wrong with having it that early 😉
Georgie | The Home Cook's Kitchen
nom! pork is one thing I rarely cook with! I think that should change though, I love schniztel just never make it!
Girl Heart Food
Definitely! This recipe is really delicious!
jaxx the bearded hiker
Love schnitzel and yours looks amazing! Believe it’ll be on my to do list this week.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Jaxx! Enjoy 🙂
Kaitie
Wow this looks amazing! My whole family would love it!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kaitie!
Marie-Pierre Breton
I love Schnitzels! My husband is actually from Munich and I’ve discovered so much nice recipe from there. Nothing like a good schnitzel! Gotta to celebrate Oktoberfest with this recipe. Prost!
Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thank you Marie! Have an awesome weekend 🙂
Sandra
yummy, this look amazing, will ve to try the recipe! txs for sharing
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Sandra! Hope you like it 🙂
Luci's Morsels
This looks amazing! I love that this recipe is so quick and easy, schnitzel can seem so daunting. Tasty!
Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Luci 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Oktoberfest!!! YES! This schnitzel would be the PERFECT way to celebrate! I mean, this definitely looks “Knock-ya-socks-off-good’! 😉 I haven’t had schnitzel in far too long… like, I’m thinking the last time I had it was when my dad made it, and he passed away 3 1/2 years ago.. so it’s been TOO long! Totally trying this! Cheers, doll! XO
Girl Heart Food
Hehehe! Thanks Cheyanne! Wow – that was a long time ago! Have to have again soon 😉 Cheers, my friend! XO
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I don’t think there’s anything better than a crunchy breadcrumb coating. And this looks like the most crunchy breadcrumb coating I’ve EVER SEEN! Drooling over here, Dawn. It’s a little embarrassing :). Have a great weekend, my dear!
Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Kelsie! Haha – that’s ok 😉 Can’t blame ya! Have a great weekend too!
[email protected]
The first time I tried schnitzel was not too long ago and I was immediately hooked! Yours looks just perfect! And I agree – that little splash of lemon makes all the difference! Brava! XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Annie! I’m looking forward to making again soon 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend! XOXO
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
Gotta love a quick recipe that is sure to please everyone! Plus I love that when I make this, I get to use my cast iron skillet! Yum 🙂 xoxo
Girl Heart Food
So true! Yay! Thanks Kelly 🙂
Cathy
I would never wait to eat this! I love that you went cast iron with this….makes it even better with that hot sear. When I should I be over for dinner?
Girl Heart Food
Right?! You’re always welcome 😉 Thanks Cathy!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
When I was partaking in Oktoberfest in my university days, the highlight was always the regular diet of schnitzel! It’s one of my favourite dishes to this day 🙂 And yours looks perfect! (I’m a splash of lemon girl, too 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Jennifer! The lemon really adds a little somethin’, right?