Air Fryer Breaded Pork Chops
Air Fryer Breaded Pork Chops cook up crispy on the outside and juicy inside, with a seasoned panko coating and less oil than frying. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner with a touch of nostalgia.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 center cut boneless pork chops , trimmed of excess fat (¾- to 1-inch thick, 6 ounces each)
- 1½ cups unseasoned panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt , plus more for seasoning
- 1½ teaspoons sweet paprika (can substitute smoked if you prefer)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper , plus more for seasoning
- 1½ tablespoons vegetable oil (see Note)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg , beaten
- flaked sea salt and chopped fresh parsley or thyme , for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place the panko breadcrumbs in a food processor and pulse a few times until slightly finer in texture, but not a powder. Or crush them in a zip-top food-storage bag with a rolling pin (my preferred method—less cleanup!).
- Transfer to a bowl and mix in the salt, paprika, garlic powder, parsley, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and pepper. Stir in the vegetable oil until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened.
- Arrange 3 shallow bowls or trays for breading: one with flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with the seasoned panko mixture.
- Pat the pork chops dry and season both sides lightly with salt and pepper. Dredge each chop in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg. Press firmly into the panko mixture, turning to coat both sides.
- Place the breaded pork chops on a plate or rack and let them rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes to help the coating adhere.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Arrange the pork chops in a single layer, leaving space between them. Cook in batches if needed. Air-fry for 10–14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F in the thickest part of the chops (see Notes 1 and 2).
- Transfer the pork chops to a plate and let them rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. Lightly sprinkle with flaked sea salt and fresh herbs (optional) and serve promptly while the breading is still crisp.
Notes
1. Cooking Time: Exact cooking time will vary by air fryer model and the size and thickness of the pork chops. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer rather than relying on the timer alone.
2. Batch cooking: If cooking in batches, keep finished pork chops warm in a 200°F oven while the remaining chops cook.
Nutrition
Serving: 1chop | Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 159mg | Sodium: 1430mg | Potassium: 766mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 447IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 3mg
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