Cause you can’t eat deep-fried food all the time, right?
Like almost everyone – I love the taste of deep-fried food – as I showed previously. But sometimes, you got to go with the healthier option – especially if your wife decides to take a break from deep-fried food. So, I decided to find a way to try making schnitzel without oil but still retain the crunch.
Imagine my surprise when I found out it is actually quite good even without the oil – I won’t lie, I still prefer the deep-fried version, However, if you make it right you can have a crunchy on the outside but moist on the inside schnitzel without any oil. The main downside is the browning – without oil, the breadcrumbs don’t brown as much as when using oil.
The process is actually the same as with regular schnitzel – dip in flour, then egg (with mustard!), and finally breadcrumbs. Then just place it in the oven in high heat and wait for around 15 minutes. You can also make white fish this way and they taste great. Please note – both the high heat and the flour are critical so the meat doesn’t dry out.
Gluten-Free Schnitzel
You can also make gluten-free Schnitzel (fish, beef, or chicken). Replacing the flour with corn starch and the breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free cornflakes (plain) or crushed gluten-free potato chips (the snack) and you get quite a good schnitzel without any gluten. Just note that the potato chips contain oil, so for zero oil dish go with the cornflakes.
For extra crunchiness go for larger pieces or cornflakes/potato chips. I admit the crunchiness and taste of the cornflakes surprised me, I think I may occasionally prefer this to the standard breadcrumbs (I do love cornflakes).
Ingredients
- all purpose flour / cornstarch
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp mustard
- breadcrumbs / crushed cornflakes /crushed potato chips
- salt
Instructions
- Combine the egg with a tbsp of mustard – a tbsp of mustard for each egg. Mix until homogenous.
- Prepare three plates – flour/cornstarch, the eggs, and the breadcrumbs/cornflakes/chips.
- Add salt or other spices to the breadcrumbs/cornflakes/chips.
- Pat dry the food you wish to fry (steak, fish, chick breast).
- Cover the food with a thin layer of flour, then egg and finely breadcrumbs. Make sure each has a thin layer, discard any excess breadcrumbs or egg.
- Place the food on an oven baking sheet covered in baking parchment.
- Place the baking sheet in a high rack in an oven preheated to 230°C (450°F), for ~15 minutes.