Air frying has become an increasingly popular way to cook frozen foods like chicken schnitzels quickly and easily. Aldi’s chicken schnitzels are a budget-friendly option that can easily be cooked in an air fryer for a quick weeknight meal. Air frying allows you to cook the schnitzels until golden and crispy without needing to deep fry them.
Benefits of Air Frying vs Deep Frying
Air frying chicken schnitzels has several advantages over deep frying:
- Air frying uses little to no oil, resulting in a much healthier cooking method compared to deep frying which submerges food in hot oil.
- Air fried foods have significantly fewer calories from fat compared to their deep fried counterparts.
- Air fryers cook food quickly by using rapid hot air circulation, unlike deep frying which can take several minutes for oil to come up to temperature.
- There is no messy clean-up required compared to deep frying – air fryers simply require wiping down the basket between uses.
- Air frying eliminates the burnt oil smell that happens with deep frying.
For these reasons, air frying is an excellent option for cooking frozen chicken schnitzels in a quick and convenient way.
Are Aldi Chicken Schnitzels Suitable for Air Frying?
Aldi’s chicken schnitzels are perfectly suitable to cook in an air fryer. Here’s why:
- They are thinly battered and therefore will cook up crispy and golden in an air fryer.
- The schnitzels are the optimal size and shape to fit nicely into an air fryer basket.
- As a frozen product, they can go straight from freezer to air fryer with no need to defrost beforehand.
- The breadcrumbs and light batter will crisp up nicely in the hot circulating air.
- You only need 1-2 schnitzels per person, so they are fast cooking.
Aldi chicken schnitzels contain a simple ingredient list of chicken breast fillet, wheat flour, vegetable oil, water, salt, and breadcrumbs. This basic light batter means they are well-suited to air frying.
Choosing an Air Fryer for Chicken Schnitzels
To achieve the perfect air fried chicken schnitzels, choose an air fryer with the following features:
- Basket size – A 3qt-5qt basket can fit 2-3 schnitzels at a time.
- Temperature range – Look for 180°F-400°F to allow crisping at a higher temp.
- Timer with auto shut off for safety.
- Non-stick basket for easy release and cleaning.
- Digital display for selecting temperature and time.
Popular quality air fryer brands like Phillips, Ninja and Instant Pot all have suitable models to pick from. Make sure to check the dimensions of your air fryer basket to determine how many schnitzels you can cook at once.
How to Air Fry Aldi Chicken Schnitzels
Air frying Aldi chicken schnitzels takes just minutes for perfectly crispy results. Follow these simple steps:
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
- Pat schnitzels dry with paper towel to remove any ice crystals.
- Brush lightly with oil or oil spray (optional).
- Place 1-3 schnitzels in air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Air fry for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Check internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Allow to rest 1 minute before serving.
The key is preheating the air fryer and using high heat around 380°F to achieve crispy, golden results. Flip the schnitzels halfway through cooking. Air frying at high heat helps the breadcrumbs become super crispy and browned.
Cooking time can vary slightly based on the thickness of the schnitzels and your air fryer model. Check for an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are cooked through.
Tips for the Best Results
Use these tips for perfectly air fried chicken schnitzels:
- Brush schnitzels very lightly with oil for increased browning if needed.
- Use cooking spray on the basket to prevent sticking.
- Don’t overcrowd – leave space around each schnitzel.
- Flip halfway during cooking for even browning.
- Let rest 1 minute before serving so the coating stays crispy.
- Check internal temperature using a meat thermometer.
- Add seasonings before or after cooking if desired.
Avoid overlapping or overcrowding the schnitzels during cooking. This allows hot air to fully circulate and crisp up the breadcrumbs.
Letting them rest briefly before serving helps seal in the heat so they stay crispy. Add any seasonings or lemon wedges just before eating to prevent them from burning.
Serving Suggestions
Air fried Aldi chicken schnitzels are delicious served with:
- Chips or roasted potatoes
- Garden salad or coleslaw
- Lemon wedges
- Tartare sauce, aioli or gravy for dipping
- Sauteed vegetables like zucchini or green beans
For a fun twist, try serving schnitzels in a burger with lettuce, tomato, cheese and condiments on a toasted bun. You can also chop up air fried schnitzels to add to wraps, tacos or sandwiches.
Conclusion
Air frying allows you to cook Aldi’s chicken schnitzels to crispy perfection without needing to deep fry. The schnitzels contain a light, airy batter that goes perfectly crispy when air fried at a high temperature. In just minutes you can enjoy a quick and easy weekday meal the whole family will love. Air frying chicken schnitzels is so simple and results in deliciously golden, crunchy schnitzels packed with flavor.
| Food item | Air Fry Temp | Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Schnitzel | 380°F | 4-6 minutes |
FAQs
Should I preheat my air fryer before cooking chicken schnitzels?
Yes, it’s best to always preheat your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before cooking any foods. Preheating helps the air fryer recover temperature faster when cold food is added to the basket, giving you the crispiest results.
Can I cook frozen chicken schnitzels in an air fryer?
Absolutely! Air fryers are perfect for cooking frozen breaded foods like chicken schnitzels straight from frozen. The high heat of an air fryer crisps up the outside coating beautifully. Just be sure not to overlap the schnitzels in the basket.
How long should I cook chicken schnitzels in an air fryer?
Most chicken schnitzels take 4-8 minutes in an air fryer set to 380°F. Thicker schnitzels may take a minute or two longer. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 165°F when cooked through.
Should I flip chicken schnitzels during air frying?
It’s best to flip schnitzels halfway during the air fry time for evenly browned and crispy results. Flipping them over prevents one side from over-browning while the other is still pale.
Is air fried chicken healthier than deep fried?
Definitely! Air frying uses little to no oil compared to deep frying, resulting in much lower fat and calorie content. Air fried schnitzels are a healthier option while still being deliciously crispy.