Vegan Schnitzel Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (2024)

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Vegan Schnitzel – a veganized version of the classic Wiener Schnitzel. Textured vegetable protein is the perfect base for our schnitzel because it has an excellent meat-like texture.

Vegan Schnitzel Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (1)

As an Austrian, Schnitzel was part of my childhood. I even had phases where I practically lived off that stuff. Therefore, when I went vegan I looked for something that could be my equivalent of the traditional schnitzel. And I found it by using TVP slices as a base for the vegan schnitzel.

I usuallymake a big batch of these mini-schnitzels and use half of them immediately (they taste soft – reminding me more of chicken) andthe other half of them cold ina burger or for a cold plate (they’ll get a more pork-like texture). So if you want that too, make sure you double the recipe.

Vegan Schnitzel Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (2)

The base: TVP

Vegan Schnitzel Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (3)

This is TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) – the base product we’re working with for this recipe. I really love this stuff as a meat alternative, because the textureis so meat-like andyou can store it for months.

I’ve written a whole guide about TVP (what it is and how to use it). Definitely, check it out if you want to learn more about it and I’ve also included my favorite recipes using TVP in that guide.

Alternative: If you can’t get your hands on TVP slices, this Seitan Schnitzel (with homemade Seitan) or this Vegan Kohlrabi Schnitzel are great alternatives!

How to make Vegan Schnitzel

The ingredients

You only need a couple of ingredients to make this vegan schnitzel:

  • TVP slices
  • frying oil
  • for the egg replacement:
    • flour (wheat flour or chickpea flour)
    • water
    • kala namak (or regular salt)
    • sriracha sauce (optional)
  • for the breading:
    • fine breadcrumbs
    • panko flakes (if you don’t have panko flakes, add more fine breadcrumbs)
    • sesame seeds (optional)
    • spices (I use chicken seasoning consisting of salt, paprika powder, garlic powder, and onion powder)
    • dried rosemary (optional)

The basic steps

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Vegan Schnitzel Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (8)
Vegan Schnitzel Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (9)

My favorite side dishes for Schnitzel are rice with peas and oven baked potato slices.

You can also serve it with:

  • Buttery Parsley Potatoes
  • Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts in Soy Sauce
  • Kalettes / Flower Sprouts
  • Vegan Mashed Potatoes with onions and garlic
  • Homemade Crinkle Cut Fries
  • Potato Wedges with Za’atar
  • Stovetop Vegan Mac and Cheese
  • Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Slices

How to get the breading to stick without eggs

Breading TVP or any other meat replacements, tofu, veggies, etc. without eggs is not hard at all.

For the egg alternative, I mix together all-purpose wheat flour (alternatively chickpea flour does work too), water, salt,and sriracha (optional) until it reaches an egg-like consistency.

You can check out the detailed ratios below in the recipe. If the egg replacement is too thick, you can always add more water. If it’s too thin, add more flour.

Then dip the cooked TVP slices or whatever you want to bread in the egg replacement before you coat it in panko flakes or breadcrumbs.

Works like a charm! No one needs eggs for that (or for anything for that matter) :)

Vegan Schnitzel Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (10)

More Veganized Austrian Recipes

  • Seitan Schnitzel (Schnitzel made with homemade seitan as a base)
  • Kohlrabi Schnitzel (Schnitzel made with kohlrabi as a base)
  • Austrian Pancake Soup(Fritattensuppe)
  • Cheesy Spaetzle (Käsespätzle)
  • Potato Cheese Spread(Kartoffelkäse)
  • Bread Dumplings (Semmelknödel)

Love it? Rate it!

I hope you’ll enjoy this veganized version of the classic Wiener Schnitzel as much as I do!

Let me know if you give this recipe a try! I’d love to hear how it turns out for you.

If you don’t want to miss out on new recipes,subscribe to my weekly newsletterand follow me onInstagramandFacebook!

Cheers, Bianca

Vegan Schnitzel Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (11)

Vegan Schnitzel Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (12)

Vegan Schnitzel

Elephantastic Vegan

Recipe for vegan Schnitzel made with TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein). It's so delicious and tastes just like the real deal!

4.80 from 10 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Austrian, Vegan

Servings 2 (6 schnitzel)

Calories 337 kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 TVP slices (Vegan TVP Chicken Slices)
  • enough frying oil to cover the pan (e.g. canola oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil)

Ingredients for the egg replacement

  • 1/3 cup all-purpose wheat flour or chickpea flour
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon kala namak or regular salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon sriracha sauce

Ingredients for the breading

  • 1/2 cup fine breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup panko flakes
  • 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
  • 2 teaspoons chicken seasoning *
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

Instructions

  • Heat water in a big pan or pot and toss the TVP slices in there once it's boiling. When the TVP slices are soft, drain them and gently press the water out of them (this works best with a slotted spoon).

  • In a bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the 'egg' replacement (it should have the consistency of an egg, add more water or flour if needed).

    In another bowl,combine the ingredients for the breading.

  • Put one TVP slice after another first in the egg alternative mixture, then in the breadcrumbs.

  • Heat a large pan with frying oil (enough so that the bottom of the pan is coated) over medium to high heat. Place the breaded TVP slices into the oil and let them fry until they're golden brown, then flip them over and let them fry on the other side as well.

  • Once they are golden and crispy on both sides, they are ready to serve! They are delicious with rice & peas and oven-baked potato slices.

Video

Notes

*If you don’t have chicken seasoning, use 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon paprika powder, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon onion powder, 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 9gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.03gSodium: 574mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 86IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 225mgIron: 6mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @elephantasticvegan or tag #elephantasticvegan!

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Vegan Schnitzel Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (2024)

FAQs

What can I use instead of egg for schnitzel? ›

THE BOTTOM LINE: We recommend using heavy cream when breading foods if you cannot use eggs. CREAM IS BEST: If you can't use eggs, use heavy cream to hold breading in place.

What is a vegan schnitzel made of? ›

Vegan schnitzel can be made from various ingredients, including seitan, mushrooms, and jackfruit. This particular tofu schnitzel recipe uses extra-firm tofu as the main ingredient.

Are plant based schnitzels healthy? ›

Our Aussie-made plant-based Schnitzels have that crispy, tender taste you know and love, as well as providing a good source of protein and dietary fibre.

What is schnitzel in Germany? ›

Germany. In Germany, the term Schnitzel means cutlets in general, not just breaded, fried ones. Schnitzel Wiener Art ('Viennese style schnitzel') is a pounded, breaded and fried cutlet, more often made of pork than of veal. Restaurants mostly serve it with a slice of lemon and french fries.

What is a vegan alternative to egg for breadcrumbs? ›

What are the best egg substitutions?
  • Aquafaba. That's right, you can make an impressive egg white substitute using the water from a drained can of chickpeas. ...
  • Ground flax seeds. ...
  • Apple purée. ...
  • Yogurt (regular or dairy-free) ...
  • Mashed banana. ...
  • Silken tofu. ...
  • Chia seeds. ...
  • Coconut oil.

How to bind breadcrumbs without an egg? ›

The typical three-step process is flour, eggs and then breadcrumbs. Instead of the egg, Moskowitz recommends a mix of cornstarch and water, which, when stirred together, forms a slurry. It, too, is an effective glue, and you may even notice more crispness to, say, your chicken parm.

Why do Jews eat schnitzel? ›

After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and during the period of national rationing that followed (known as the tzena), the new Ministry of Absorption taught housewives how to prepare dishes that utilized ingredients that were both inexpensive and readily available, of which one such dish was chicken or ...

Is seitan vegan meat? ›

Seitan is a vegan meat substitute made from vital wheat gluten. While it may seem that you should pronounce “seitan” similarly to the name of a certain religious figure, the correct way to pronounce it is “say-tan” or “say-tawn.” Seitan is often sold in slices, cubes, or strips but can also be easily made at home.

What is wiener schnitzel vs schnitzel? ›

Basically, all schnitzels are breaded and fried thin pieces of meat, but only wiener schnitzel is made with veal. Cooking term: Schnitzel is a cooking term used to describe any meat pounded thin, then breaded and fried. Key ingredient: Schnitzel is made with pork, chicken, beef, or veal.

What is the healthiest oil to cook a schnitzel in? ›

Use a high-heat point oil.

I typically prefer to use olive oil over canola oil because it's healthier (see this article), but I hardly ever use it and it's fine in moderation! Plus it's worth it for me for this one because it really helps give this schnitzel that perfect crispy crunchy outer coating!

What are the cons of plant-based foods? ›

What could possibly be negative about eating a plant-based diet? Fresh produce can be very perishable, so buy just as much as you need to minimize waste. Possibly a protein-deficient diet. Animals, milk, and eggs contain necessary amino acids for protein.

What do Italians call schnitzel? ›

Don't call it schnitzel and not even cutlet, because in Milan the meat is strictly veal, on the bone, two fingers high, breaded in egg and breadcrumbs and fried in clarified butter. It has only one name: “costoletta” rib, and everything else is irrelevant.

What country invented schnitzel? ›

The history of schnitzel starts in Austria

The dish quickly spread throughout Austria and Germany, and became a staple of traditional German and Austrian cuisine. It was often served with potatoes, cabbage, or other hearty side dishes, and was a popular choice for family meals and celebrations.

What do you call a schnitzel in English? ›

British English: cutlet /ˈkʌtlɪt/ NOUN. A cutlet is a small piece of meat which is usually fried or grilled.

What can I substitute in place of an egg? ›

See the list of 11 egg substitutes below to find the right one for the recipe you're whipping up.
  • MASHED BANANA. ...
  • APPLESAUCE. ...
  • SILKEN TOFU. ...
  • GROUND FLAXSEED OR CHIA SEEDS & WATER. ...
  • YOGURT. ...
  • BUTTERMILK. ...
  • SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK. ...
  • ARROWROOT POWDER OR CORNSTARCH.

What can I use instead of egg to bind patties? ›

Applesauce

Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. Try replacing each egg with 1/4 cup of applesauce.

What is a substitute for egg wash for breading? ›

Other plant-based substitutes for egg wash include maple syrup, flaxseed, nondairy milks like rice milk and almond milk, molasses, aquafaba and various blends with olive oil or vegetable oil.

What to use for breaded chicken without eggs? ›

Use milk as a binding agent so bread sticks. Add the tenders to the bowl of breadcrumbs, one or just a couple at a time, and pat to coat thoroughly. Shake of the extra crumbs from each piece of chicken before placing carefully into the pan. Sauté 3 or 4 chicken tenders at a time, being careful not to crowd the pan.

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