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Putenschnitzel with French Fries

A crispy German-style turkey schnitzel made with butterflied turkey breast, double-coated in breadcrumbs, fried until golden, and served with french fries.

What is Putenschnitzel?

Putenschnitzel is a turkey version of schnitzel, popular in German-speaking kitchens. Instead of pork or veal, this version uses turkey breast, which is butterflied, coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, then dipped again in egg and breadcrumbs for an extra-crispy crust.

It is fried over a medium heat for around 5 minutes per side until golden, crunchy on the outside, and cooked through inside.

Served with french fries, it is proper comfort food — simple, satisfying, and very easy to make at home.

Recipe Overview

Dish: Putenschnitzel
Style: German / Austrian-inspired comfort food
Main ingredient: Turkey breast
Serves: 1–2 people
Cooking method: Shallow frying
Cooking time: Around 10 minutes
Best served with: French fries, lemon wedge, salad, ketchup or mayo

Ingredients

  • 1 butterflied turkey breast
  • Plain flour
  • 2 eggs
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Butter or Oil for frying
  • French fries
  • Lemon wedge, optional

Equipment

  • Sharp knife
  • Chopping board
  • 3 shallow bowls
  • Frying pan
  • Tongs
  • Plate lined with kitchen paper

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Butterfly the turkey breast

Place the turkey breast on a chopping board. Using a sharp knife, slice it horizontally almost all the way through, then open it up like a book.

This helps the turkey cook evenly and keeps the meat tender.

Tip:
Try to keep the thickness fairly even so one part does not dry out before the rest is cooked.

Step 2: Set up the breading station

Prepare three shallow bowls:

  1. Bowl one: flour
  2. Bowl two: beaten eggs
  3. Bowl three: breadcrumbs

Season the turkey with salt and pepper before coating.

Step 3: First coating

Dip the turkey breast into the flour and coat both sides.

Shake off any excess flour so the egg can stick properly.

Step 4: Dip into egg

Dip the floured turkey breast into the beaten egg.

Make sure the whole surface is covered.

Step 5: First breadcrumb coating

Place the turkey into the breadcrumbs and press gently so the crumbs stick to the egg coating.

At this point, you already have a schnitzel coating — but we are going one step further.

Step 6: Double dip for extra crunch

Dip the breaded turkey back into the egg.

Then dip it again into the breadcrumbs.

This double coating gives the Putenschnitzel a thicker, crunchier crust.

Step 7: Fry on medium heat

Heat butter in a frying pan over medium heat.

Carefully place the coated turkey schnitzel into the pan.

Fry for:

  • 5 minutes on the first side
  • Turn gently with tongs
  • 5 minutes on the second side

The coating should be deep golden and crisp.

Important:
Do not use a very high heat. Medium heat gives the turkey time to cook through while the coating turns golden without burning.

Step 8: Drain and rest

Once cooked, place the Putenschnitzel on a plate lined with kitchen paper.

This helps remove excess oil and keeps the crust crisp.

Step 9: Serve with french fries

Serve the hot Putenschnitzel with french fries.

Add a lemon wedge if you like a little brightness, and serve with ketchup, mayo, parsley, or a simple green salad.

Quick Recap

Butterfly → Flour → Egg → Breadcrumbs → Egg → Breadcrumbs → Fry 5 minutes each side → Serve with fries

How to Tell It’s Ready

Use these links as a checklist when replacing your images:

The Putenschnitzel is ready when:

  • The crust is deep golden brown
  • The outside feels crisp
  • The turkey is cooked through inside
  • There is no pink centre

Turkey should always be fully cooked before serving.

Serving Ideas

You can serve Putenschnitzel with:

  • French fries
  • Green salad
  • Lemon wedge
  • Parsley
  • Ketchup
  • Mayonnaise
  • Potato salad
  • Cucumber salad

For a lighter version, serve it with salad instead of fries.

Health Context

Turkey breast is usually leaner than pork or beef, so Putenschnitzel can be a lighter schnitzel option.

However, because this version is fried and served with french fries, it is still a rich comfort-food meal. If you want to balance it out, add vegetables or a fresh salad on the side.

A good middle ground is to keep the crispy schnitzel, but serve it with salad and a smaller portion of fries.

Environmental Context

Turkey generally has a lower environmental footprint than beef, but the full impact of the dish depends on farming methods, transport, cooking oil, packaging, and food waste.

To make the dish a little more sustainable:

  • Choose responsibly produced turkey where possible
  • Avoid wasting cooking oil
  • Cook only the portion you need
  • Serve with seasonal vegetables or salad
  • Reuse leftovers safely the next day

Small choices make a difference without taking away the comfort-food joy of the dish.

Final Thoughts

Putenschnitzel is crispy outside, tender inside, and easy to make with simple ingredients.

The double coating makes it extra crunchy, the turkey keeps it lighter than some traditional schnitzels, and the fries turn it into a proper plate of comfort food.

A little lemon on the side finishes it beautifully.