Jewish Law: What Blessing Do You Say Over Schnitzel?

Over the schnitzel, one blesses 'Shehakol' (the initial blessing)

At the end of the meal, one blesses Borei Nefashot (the concluding blessing)

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The amount required to be obligated for a concluding blessing (from "Daily Halacha" based on the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory):

For anything a person eats, they must say an 'initial blessing,' such as the blessing of 'Shehakol' or 'Ha'etz'. Even if one consumes only a small amount of that food, they must bless it if the intention is to eat. (However, if one only tastes the food to adjust seasoning and the like, no blessing is required at all). Therefore, someone chewing flavored chewing gum must bless it even if they swallow very little of it, as they enjoy the flavor of the gum. Similarly, for any drink, one should bless it, even if they intend to drink just a drop.

However, this applies only to the initial blessing. The concluding blessing is only recited when one consumes a 'significant amount' of food, which is the volume of an 'olive' (k'zayit), approximately twenty-seven grams, or for beverages, the volume of a 'quarter-log' (r'vi'it), which is eighty-one grams.

Additionally, the eating or drinking must occur within a timeframe that allows the consumption to be considered as one act. If someone eats the quantity of an 'olive' spread out in small bits throughout the entire day, they certainly cannot recite the 'Birkat Hamazon' afterward. The consumption of the 'olive volume' should occur within the time known as an 'akhilat pras.' Halachic authorities disagree on the exact length of this time, with some saying it is five minutes and others seven and a half minutes (and there are other opinions as well). Therefore, it is advisable to always consume the volume of an 'olive' (especially at Shabbat meals) within four and a half minutes to satisfy all opinions.

Regarding the concluding blessing for beverages, one must drink a 'quarter-log' of the beverage (which is eighty-one grams) in one go, as pausing between sips negates the need for a concluding blessing. Therefore, someone who eats soup with a spoon does not recite a concluding blessing for that soup, as they did not consume a 'quarter-log' in one go. Likewise, someone who drinks hot coffee or tea does not bless with a concluding blessing, as they cannot consume it in one go.