Cody Casey
Tonkatsu, a popular Japanese dish, is traditionally made by deep-frying breaded pork cutlets. However, an air fryer offers a leaner alternative to achieve the same juicy and tender pork with a thick, crispy crust without the excess oil. The versatility of tonkatsu means it can be served in many ways, from a classic rice bowl with cabbage salad and tonkatsu sauce to a sandwich with fluffy milk bread.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Boneless pork chops, flour, eggs, panko, salt, pepper, garlic powder, ginger powder, onion powder, neutral oil cooking spray |
| Preparation | Tenderize and thin pork chops to 1/4"-1/2" thick chops, make 1" slits around the edges to prevent curling, dredge in flour, dip in egg, dredge in panko, season, spray with cooking oil |
| Cooking | Preheat air fryer to 350-400°F, cook pork chops for 5 minutes on each side, increase temperature and cook for an additional 2 minutes on each side |
| Serving | Serve with tonkatsu sauce, rice, and shredded cabbage, or use in a tonkatsu sandwich |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of pork
Pork Loin:
Pork loin is a popular choice for tonkatsu due to its slightly fattier composition. This extra fat helps keep the meat moist and juicy after cooking, and it also allows for slits to be cut into the fat around the edges, preventing curling for better taste and presentation. Pork loin is typically sold as chops or cutlets, and it is recommended to choose pieces that are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. This ensures even cooking and lends a mouth-watering tenderness throughout.
Pork Tenderloin:
Pork tenderloin is another excellent option for tonkatsu. It is a very tender cut of meat with an essential layer of fat that gives it a delicate texture. Tenderloin is often sold in fillets or steaks and can be sliced into medallions for tonkatsu. It is important to note that tenderloin is a leaner cut of meat, so it may require a slightly different cooking approach to achieve the desired level of juiciness.
Other Options:
While pork loin and tenderloin are the most common choices, other cuts can also be used for tonkatsu. For example, pork butt steaks or slices are sometimes used, as they can be pounded thin and provide a good meat-to-panko ratio. Additionally, some people prefer using pre-breaded pork chops, which can be easily found in stores and fried at home.
In summary, the key factors to consider when choosing the right cut of pork for tonkatsu are fat content, tenderness, and thickness. Pork loin and tenderloin are the most recommended options, but pork butt or pre-breaded chops can also be used, depending on your preferences and availability.
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Preparing the pork
Firstly, select the right cut of pork. Tonkatsu typically uses pork tenderloin (hirekatsu) or pork loin with a strip of fat (rosu katsu). You can also use pork butt steak, pork loin filets, or boneless pork chops. If you're using a thicker cut of pork, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Once you have the desired cut of pork, trim any excess fat or connective tissue from the meat. Then, cut the pork into pieces that are approximately equal in size and shape. Ideally, you want them to be around ¼"-½" thick. This ensures even cooking and prevents the pork from curling up during the air-frying process. To prevent curling, you can also make 1" slits around the outer edges of the pork chops.
Next, season the pork generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, ginger powder, and onion powder to enhance the flavor. After seasoning, gently pound the pork pieces to tenderize them and ensure they are of uniform thickness.
Now, you'll need to set up a dredging station. Place flour on one plate, whisked eggs on another, and panko breadcrumbs on a third plate or container. Season each with salt and pepper, and add additional seasonings like garlic powder, ginger powder, and onion powder to taste. Working with one piece at a time, coat the pork in flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg, letting any excess drip off, and finally, dredge it in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure a thorough coating. For an even thicker batter, you can double dredge the pork by repeating the process.
Finally, spray both sides of the breaded pork chops with a neutral cooking oil. This step helps to ensure a crispy texture during air frying.
Now your pork is prepared and ready for the air fryer!
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Making the sauce
If you don't want to make your own sauce, you can buy bottled sauce or katsu sauce at an Asian market. Some people prefer to eat tonkatsu with curry, or plain with rice and Japanese coleslaw.
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Cooking the tonkatsu
Next, prepare the pork chops. You can use pork tenderloin, pork loin with a strip of fat, or pork butt steak, sliced into cutlets about 1/4"-1/2" thick. Pound the meat and cut 1" slits around the edges to prevent curling during cooking. Season the pork with salt and pepper, and set up an assembly line of bowls with flour, whisked egg, and panko breadcrumbs. Coat the pork first in flour, then egg, and finally, panko. For an extra crispy crust, double dredge the meat by repeating the egg and panko steps.
Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket, and spray with a neutral cooking oil. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes. Increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 2 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy. Serve immediately with tonkatsu sauce and enjoy!
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve tonkatsu, a versatile dish that can be adapted to create many different meals. Here are some suggestions:
Rice Bowl
Tonkatsu is commonly served over rice with tonkatsu sauce and a side of cabbage salad. For a classic Japanese experience, serve the crispy pork with shredded cabbage and tonkatsu sauce on a bed of hot, sticky rice. You can also substitute the tonkatsu sauce with curry.
Sandwich
Tonkatsu can be used as a filling for sandwiches. Japanese sandwiches typically consist of fluffy milk bread with fillings such as crispy pork katsu and thinly sliced fresh cabbage. Spread tonkatsu sauce on the bread for an extra flavour boost.
On its Own
Tonkatsu can be enjoyed on its own. It can be served plain with rice and Japanese coleslaw, or with a side of Golden Brand curry.
As Part of a Larger Meal
Tonkatsu can be served as part of a larger Japanese meal. It can be enjoyed without the breading and deep frying, which is ideal if you are cooking for a larger group.
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Frequently asked questions
Tonkatsu is a popular Japanese dish consisting of a breaded and fried pork cutlet. It is commonly served with rice, cabbage salad, and tonkatsu sauce.
You will need boneless pork chops, flour, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and a neutral oil cooking spray.
First, season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Then, dredge them in flour, dip them in beaten eggs, and coat them in panko breadcrumbs. Finally, spray both sides of the pork chops with cooking oil.
Preheat your air fryer to between 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the pork chops for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy.
To make the sauce, whisk together ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to taste, and chill the sauce until you are ready to serve it.
