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 (5)
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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? ›

To keep the Schnitzel crispy, coat it in a batter made with soy milk and flour, cover it in bread crumbs, and deep-fry it in vegetable oil at the right temperature of 350°F or 180°C. What can you use instead of egg to bread a schnitzel? You can replace eggs with a batter made of soy milk and flour.

What is a vegan schnitzel made of? ›

Seitan, made from vital wheat gluten, is a popular meat substitute among vegans. It has a chewy and meaty texture that can work well in a schnitzel. You can shape seitan into cutlets, bread and fry them just like you would with tofu.

What to eat with schnitzel? ›

Typical German and Austrian side dishes for schnitzels include spaetzle, potato salad (particularly vinegar-based ones), cucumber salad, vegetable slaws and potato dishes like fries or rosti.

What is vegan schnitzel nutrition? ›

1 servings of like meat vegan schnitzel contains 230 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 25% carbs, 49% fat, and 25% protein. This is a good source of protein (25% of your Daily Value) and fiber (21% of your Daily Value).

What is a vegan alternative to egg for breadcrumbs? ›

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is widely used as an egg replacement in vegan baking and it's easy to see why. Once melted, this delicious oil will mix well into most batters, brownies and bakes. And it can be used to replace eggs when you're breading foods, such as tofu, before baking or frying.

How do you get breadcrumbs to stick 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.

Why do Jews eat schnitzel? ›

The schnitzel tradition was brought from Europe to Israel by Ashkenazi Jews. During the early years of the state of Israel, veal was not obtainable, and chicken or turkey proved to be inexpensive and tasty substitutes. Packaged schnitzels are widely available in the frozen food section of most supermarkets.

What's the difference between Wiener Schnitzel and 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.

Is schnitzel always breaded? ›

Schnitzel is a dish that uses a very thin boneless cutlet from meat such as veal, pork, beef or chicken. The meat can be breaded and then deep fried or it can also be pan fried and then be used as breading or just be consumed without the bread.

How do Germans eat schnitzel? ›

Schnitzel is often eaten plain with just a bit of freshly squeezed lemon juice, but can also be served with a creamy mushroom gravy which is known as Jägerschnitzel. To make the sauce you'll need: 2 tablespoons butter. 8 ounces finely chopped mushrooms.

Why do people put lemon on schnitzel? ›

Wiener Schnitzel, a breaded cutlet of veal sauteed in butter or deep-fried in oil, can be greasy, so an acid helps 'cut' the grease and make it more delicious. Lemon slices also add to the visual appeal, as does the common accompaniment of parsley.

What are the two types of schnitzel? ›

The dish's name actually comes from the German word schnitt, which translates to "cut." The most popular type of meat for schnitzel is veal (wiener-schnitzel) or pork (schweine-schnitzel), but you also see varieties made with chicken (hänchen-schnitzel), or turkey (puten-schnitzel).

What are the ingredients in plant based schnitzel? ›

Ingredients. Water, Soy Protein, Vegetable Oil (contains Antioxidant (Tocopherol)), Wheat Flour, Thickeners (Methyl Cellulose, Modified Corn Starch), Salt, Flavours (contains Glutamic Acid), Yeast extract, Spices, Dehydrated Vegetables, Sugar, Spice Extracts, Herbs.

Is seitan full of protein? ›

1. Seitan is high in protein and promotes metabolic health. In one-quarter cup of vital wheat gluten (aka seitan) you'll find an impressive 21 grams of protein. This gives animal-based protein sources a real run for their money.

What is vegetarian schnitzel made of? ›

Schnitzel is commonly made from chicken or veal, but you'll also find vegetarian versions made from celery root or, in this case, cabbage. Any recipe for schnitzel always catches my eye, and I've often come across cabbage schnitzel in Russian and Eastern European cooking.

What can I substitute in place of an egg? ›

11 EGG SUBSTITUTES: HOW TO BAKE WITHOUT EGGS
  • 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 for crumb coating? ›

Milk or Buttermilk, Yogurt, Mayonnaise, Vegetable or Chicken broth, Oil, and Mashed Potatoes are some alternatives that can be used instead of eggs in breading or flouring meat.

What can you use instead of egg to bind meat? ›

One of the most common substitutes is breadcrumbs, but sometimes the breadcrumbs can fall off when the burgers are cooking if there are too many or they are too dry. Other popular substitutions for eggs include cornstarch, flour, ketchup, porridge oats, cracker crumbs, and ground flaxseed.

What can I use in place of an egg as a binder? ›

For recipes that use eggs as a binder or for moisture, substitutes like applesauce or oil can do the trick. If the eggs act as a leavening agent, try a combination of vinegar and baking powder. It's worth noting that the finished product won't be exactly the same as when you use real eggs.

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