Justin Chapple’s Air-Fryer Pork Schnitzel with Cucumber Salad

Air fryers are like mini convection ovens. They circulate hot, dry air that assists in achieving crispy results without excess oil. The pork cutlets here are breaded and cooked until crisp and puffed in spots. A tangy salad of cucumber, dill and yogurt is the perfect accompaniment to this meal.

Total time: 25 minutes
Serves 2 to 4

1 large English cucumber, sliced ¼ inch thick
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup snipped dill, plus sprigs for garnish
¼ cup whole-milk plain yogurt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
4 (4 ounce) boneless pork loin cutlets, trimmed of excess fat and pounded into ¼-inch-thick ovals (see Note)
Olive oil cooking spray, for coating

1. In a colander, toss the cucumber slices with 1 teaspoon of salt. Let stand for 15 minutes, then gently squeeze out the excess water. In a large bowl, mix the cucumbers with the yogurt and the ¼ cup chopped dill; season with salt and pepper.

2. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Put the flour and breadcrumbs in two separate shallow dishes. In another shallow dish, beat the eggs with a pinch each of salt and pepper. Season the pork with salt and pepper and dredge in the flour, dusting off the excess. Dip the coated pork in the egg, letting the excess drip back into the bowl, then dredge in the breadcrumbs, pressing to help the crumbs adhere; transfer to a plate.

3. Lightly grease the interior tray of the air fryer with olive oil cooking spray. In batches if necessary (this depends on the size of your air fryer), arrange the breaded pork in a single layer on the tray and spritz with olive oil cooking spray. Cook in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 4 to 5 minutes, until the top is browned and crisp.

4. Flip the pork and spritz the other side with olive oil cooking spray. Cook at 400 degrees F for 4 to 5 minutes more, until the schnitzel is browned and crisp. Transfer to plates or a baking sheet; keep warm. Repeat with the remaining breaded pork, if necessary. Serve the schnitzel with the cucumber salad, garnished with dill sprigs.

NOTE: Pounding the pork cutlets into ovals helps in fitting more pieces in the air fryer.