This Easy Air Fryer Veal Parmesan recipe delivers tender veal cutlets with a perfectly crispy, golden-brown crust without the deep-fried mess. Ready in under 20 minutes, this quick and family-friendly meal is finished with marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella for a delicious Italian classic.
If you adore the rich flavor and crispy texture of classic Veal Parmesan but want to skip the messy deep-frying, this Easy Air Fryer Veal Parmesan Recipe is your perfect weeknight solution.
The air fryer method yields wonderfully tender veal cutlets coated in a golden, crispy crust, all thanks to the convenience of the air fryer.
Ready in less than 20 minutes from start to finish, this family-friendly Italian classic is smothered in savory marinara sauce and topped with bubbly, gooey mozzarella, proving that lightened-up versions can be just as satisfying as the original.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Achieves perfectly crispy cutlets without deep frying mess.
- Ready in under 20 minutes for quick weeknight dinners.
- Tender veal and gooey cheese make it family-friendly.
- A delicious, lighter take on the Italian restaurant classic.
- Requires minimal prep and uses basic pantry ingredients.
Ingredients Needed
- Veal cutlets: Tender foundation for the classic, breaded Veal Parmesan dish.
- Large eggs: Essential for creating the binding wash for the breadcrumbs.
- Italian breadcrumbs or Panko: Provides the flavorful, crucial exterior crispness.
- Italian seasoning: Enhances the breading with traditional, savory Italian flavor.
- Vegetable oil: Helps achieve a beautiful, golden brown, crispy exterior.
- Marinara sauce: Supplies the rich, warm, tomato-based topping and moisture.
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded: Creates the necessary gooey, melted, cheesy topping
How To Make Easy Air Fryer Veal Parmesan
Step One: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F (176°C) for 3-5 minutes. Season veal cutlets with salt and pepper on both sides.
Step Two: Set up a breading station with two shallow bowls: one with beaten eggs and one with breadcrumbs, seasonings, and oil.
Step Three: Dip the floured cutlets into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Coat the cutlets evenly with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Use your hands to pat down the breadcrumb mixture.
Step Four: Place the breaded veal cutlets in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Spray the tops of the cutlets lightly with cooking spray to promote browning. Set cook time for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until the veal is golden brown and cooked through.
Note: the actual time it will take your veal to cook will depend on how thick your veal is. For best results, use a meat thermometer, and insert it into the thickness part of the veal. The internal temperature should read 160 degrees F.
Step Five: Remove the cooked veal cutlets from the air fryer and top each with marinara sauce and a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Return the topped veal cutlets to the air fryer basket and air fry for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Low-Carb & Gluten-Free Variations
To make this recipe Keto-friendly, substitute the breadcrumbs with a mixture of finely ground almond flour and Parmesan cheese, achieving a satisfying, crispy crust while significantly lowering the carb count. For a Gluten-Free option, use certified gluten-free breadcrumbs or use the same almond flour mixture instead of Italian breadcrumbs for the coating.
Easy Air Fryer Veal Parmesan Recipe Tips
- Pound the Veal Evenly: If your cutlets are thick, use a meat tenderizer or the bottom of a pan to gently pound them to an even thickness (about $1/4$ inch). This ensures they cook quickly and uniformly, preventing one section from drying out.
- The Crucial Oil Spray: Do not skip the oil spray! A light coating of cooking spray (olive oil or vegetable oil spray works best) on the cutlets before air frying is what helps the breadcrumbs achieve that beautiful, deep golden-brown color and incredible crispness.
- Prevent a Soggy Bottom: If you don’t use parchment paper, place the cutlets directly on the air fryer basket grate. This allows air to circulate fully underneath, guaranteeing crispness on the bottom crust.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Cook the cutlets in a single layer with space between them.1 If you stack them or crowd the basket, the air circulation is blocked, resulting in steamed, soggy cutlets instead of crispy ones.2 Cook in batches if necessary.
- Add the Toppings Later: Wait until the last 2-3 minutes of the cooking time to add the marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. This prevents the breading from getting prematurely soft and ensures the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly without overcooking the veal.
Easy Air Fryer Veal Parmesan Recipe Faqs
How do I prevent the breading from falling off? Make sure your veal cutlets are dry before dipping them in the egg wash, and press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the meat. Also, avoid flipping the cutlets too soon in the air fryer; let the crust set first.
Why isn’t my veal getting crispy? The most common reasons are overcrowding the air fryer basket (which causes steaming) or forgetting to spray the cutlets with oil. Cook in a single layer and use a light oil spray to help achieve that deep golden crisp.
Can I use frozen veal cutlets? It is highly recommended to use thawed veal cutlets for the best texture and even cooking. If you must use frozen, do not bread them; spray them with oil and air fry them until thawed, then follow the recipe instructions.
What temperature should the veal reach? The veal is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Given the thinness, it should reach this temperature within the recipe’s cooking time.
Can I make this ahead of time? You can bread the cutlets ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator, separated by parchment paper, for up to 24 hours. Air fry them just before serving to ensure maximum crispness.
How To Cook Frozen Veal Parmesan In Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray the frozen veal Parmesan with olive oil. Cook in a single layer for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until the breading is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Optional: add extra mozzarella or Parmesan in the last 2–3 minutes for a melty, cheesy top.
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Easy Air Fryer Veal Parmesan
Description
Ingredients
- 4 slices veal cutlets
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs , or Panko
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F, air fryer setting.
- Then in a small bowl, add your eggs and beat until frothy with a fork. In another bowl, add your bread crumbs, Italian seasonings, and oil.
- Breadcrumb or panko mixture. Use your hands to pat down the breadcrumb mixture.
- Spray your basket with cooking spray or line with parchment paper or a reusable silicone liner, and set the breaded veal on top. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees F, air fryer setting. Flipping hallway.
- Add your cooked veal to a small pan, and pour the marina sauce over the veal and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top. Air fry for another 2 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper
Notes
Nutrition
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