Air Fryer Breaded Pork Chops: Quick And Crispy!

Cooking breaded pork chops in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a crispy exterior with a tender and juicy inside. The air fryer cooks the chops evenly, creating a golden crust without the need for excessive oil. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chops and whether they are boneless or bone-in, but generally, they will be ready in under 20 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your breaded pork chops will cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for breaded pork chops:

Firstly, ensure your air fryer is clean and dry. Some models may have specific instructions for preheating, so it is always good to refer to your user manual. Set the temperature to your desired level—for breaded pork chops, a temperature of around 380–400°F (200°C) is recommended. This temperature range will create a balance between cooking the chops thoroughly and achieving a crispy texture.

Secondly, allow the air fryer to preheat for 2–3 minutes. This duration gives the appliance enough time to reach and stabilize at the set temperature. The preheat time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, so adjust accordingly. During this time, you can prepare your pork chops by coating them with the breading mixture.

Once the preheat cycle is complete, you will know that your air fryer is ready for cooking. Open the basket and place the breaded pork chops inside, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer with enough space for air to circulate. This step is crucial for even cooking and achieving the desired crispness.

After placing the pork chops in the air fryer, it is good to spritz or mist them lightly with cooking oil or spray. This step helps the breading process and ensures a golden, crispy exterior. Close the air fryer basket and set the timer according to the thickness of your chops, usually around 5–12 minutes for thinner chops and up to 20 minutes for thicker ones.

By following these steps, you will have successfully preheated your air fryer, ensuring that your breaded pork chops cook evenly and efficiently. Remember to refer to your air fryer's user manual for any model-specific instructions and always use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves when handling the air fryer to avoid burns.

Prepare the pork chops

Preparing the pork chops is a straightforward process. First, you will need to gather your ingredients and decide on the seasonings and breading you want to use. You can use boneless or bone-in pork chops, but it is recommended to get chops that are around 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick. Thicker chops will require a longer cooking time.

For the breading, you will need eggs, flour, breadcrumbs (regular or panko), and seasonings of your choice. You can also add Parmesan cheese, cornflake crumbs, or crushed croutons for extra flavour and crispiness. In one shallow dish, whisk the eggs with a small amount of water. In another shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs with your chosen seasonings and any additional ingredients, such as the cornflake crumbs or crushed croutons.

Now you are ready to bread the pork chops. Start by dredging each pork chop in the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, press the chop into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides evenly. Repeat this process for each chop and let them sit for about 10-20 minutes to help the breading adhere.

If you want to add a crispy, golden crust to your chops, you can coat them with mayonnaise or mustard before breading. This will also help the herbs and spices stick to the meat. You can also experiment with different seasonings like paprika, cumin, or cayenne pepper to add extra flavour.

Make the breading

To make the breading for your air-fried pork chops, you'll need a few simple ingredients and two shallow dishes.

In the first dish, prepare an egg wash by whisking together one or two eggs with a little water. You can also add some olive oil, mayonnaise, or Dijon mustard to help the breading stick to the pork chops. In the second dish, combine your dry ingredients. For a basic breading, use breadcrumbs. For a lighter, crispier texture, opt for Japanese-style Panko breadcrumbs. You can also experiment with crushed cornflakes or flour for a different texture. Add some grated Parmesan cheese to the dry mixture for a cheesy, crispy crust. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder to taste. You can also add dried herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra flavour.

Once you have your wet and dry mixtures ready, it's time to bread the pork chops. Start by dipping the chops into the egg wash, letting any excess drip off. Then, press the chops into the dry breading mixture, making sure to coat both sides evenly. You can use your hands to press the breading onto the meat and help it stick. Give the chops a final shake to remove any excess breading, and they're ready for the air fryer!

Cook the pork chops

Cooking breaded pork chops in an air fryer is incredibly easy. The process is straightforward and can be mastered by anyone. The air fryer cooks the chops evenly, giving them a crispy outer layer without the need for excessive oil.

Firstly, prepare the breading. Grab two shallow dishes. In the first, whisk together your eggs. You can add some water to the eggs if you like. In the second dish, add the bread crumbs. You can use Panko, Italian, or regular breadcrumbs. You can also add cornflake crumbs, crushed cornflakes, grated Parmesan cheese, and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder. Stir the dry ingredients to combine.

Next, bread the pork chops. Dredge the pork chops in the egg mixture first, letting any excess drip off. Then, press the chops into the bread crumb mixture, coating both sides. You can also coat the pork chops in flour before dipping them in the egg mixture for a crispier texture. Make sure the breading sticks to the meat by pressing the chops into the crumbs and shaking off any excess.

Now, you are ready to air fry the pork chops. Spritz or spray the pork chops liberally with oil spray. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F–400°F (190°C–200°C) for about 3–5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Place the pork chops in the basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch each other. Spray the tops of the chops with cooking spray.

Finally, cook the pork chops. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chops. For thinner chops, cook for about 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. For thicker chops, cook for 14–20 minutes. The internal temperature of the chops should reach 145°F (63°C) when they are done. Use a meat thermometer to check.

Your breaded pork chops are now ready to be served! Enjoy them crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Reheat and serve

Breaded pork chops can be reheated in an air fryer. This method helps to restore the crispy exterior and juicy interior of the meat without drying it out.

To reheat breaded pork chops in an air fryer, first, remove the leftover pork chops from the refrigerator and let them reach room temperature. You can pat them dry with a paper towel. Spritz or brush the pork chops with olive oil or cooking spray. This helps keep the moisture inside while crisping up the outside. You can also add extra seasoning at this point.

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F/190°C or 350°F for 2-3 minutes. Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Reheat in 2-3 minute intervals, flipping the chops over after each interval. Check the internal temperature of the chops after each interval. The chops are ready when they reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F-165°F/74°C in the center of the thickest part.

For thicker pork chops, you may need to increase the reheating time to 8-10 minutes. Breaded pork chops should be heated at a slightly higher temperature of 390°F for 2-5 minutes to maintain their crispiness.

Once the pork chops are reheated, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat moist. You can garnish the pork chops with chopped fresh parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Frequently asked questions