A tender middle and crispy outside make these Air Fryer Shake and Bake Pork Chops a delicious and quick dinner anytime. The air fryer speeds the cooking time and delivers a comforting and tasty main dish in 25 minutes.
A golden crust filled with herbs and flaky Panko breadcrumbs takes this quick meal to the next level. Adding the breading coating seems intimidating but I've broken the steps down and it's easier than you'd expect. Try these air fryer bone-in pork chops for dinner tonight!
Recipe Ingredients
- Pork chops: We are using bone-in pork chops for this recipe.
- Panko breadcrumbs: If you've worked with Panko breadcrumbs before, you've probably noticed that they're larger and have a flakier consistency than regular breadcrumbs, giving a lighter crunch.
- Paprika: This bright spice adds sweetness with a little heat.
- Garlic powder: Easy to use and more mellow than fresh garlic, it adds a spicy, earthy flavor.
- Onion powder: Convenient to use, it delivers a concentrated onion flavor to the dish.
- Dried thyme: A savory herb that brings a peppery and slightly minty flavor.
- Dried oregano: Earthy with a hint of peppery flavor, it adds depth to the breadcrumb crust.
- Salt & black pepper: This duo works hard to make the other flavors shine.
- Olive oil: This helps the breadcrumb and herb coating stick to the pork chops.
- Cooking spray: Keeps the pork chops from sticking to the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Fried Pork Chops
Be sure to see the recipe card for full ingredients and instructions.
- Prep. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for a few minutes.
- Combine. In a gallon zip-top bag, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed in the breadcrumbs.
- Coat. Lightly brush both sides of each pork chop with olive oil.
- Cover. One at a time, place each pork chop in the breadcrumb mixture, shake, and press down firmly to coat both sides evenly. Shake off any excess breadcrumbs.
- Mist. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange. Place the breaded pork chops in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Spray the pork with non-stick spray.
- Bake. Cook the pork chops in the air fryer at 400°F for 12-15 minutes. The pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F, and the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy.
- Rest. Once cooked, remove the pork chops from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe FAQ's
To help the coating stick, be sure to press the shake and bake mixture firmly onto the pork chops.
Cooking times will need to be adjusted based on the thickness of your pork chops. Thicker chops will require more time, while thinner chops will cook faster. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach the safe internal temperature of 145°F without overcooking.
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free cereal for the coating. Ensure all other ingredients, such as any premade shake and bake mix or spices, are certified gluten-free.
Reheating in the air fryer at 360°F for a few minutes is the best way to maintain crispiness. You can also reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Top Tips
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure your air fryer fried pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145° Fahrenheit.
- Pork chops can sometimes dry out if overcooked. Using a thermometer and also letting the shake and bake pork chops rest for a few minutes (up to 10) will ensure yours are tender.
- Using bone-in pork chops will help them stay juicy and tender.
Recipe Variations
- Bone-in Pork Chops: You can use boneless pork chops; just adjust the cooking time
- Panko Breadcrumbs: If you don't have Panko breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers as a substitute.
- Olive Oil: If you don't have olive oil, you can use melted butter or any other cooking oil with a high smoke point to coat the pork chops before breading.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Shake and Bake Pork Chops
If you want to keep things simple, pair your Shake and Bake Pork Chops with a green salad. A light vinaigrette dressing can balance the meal with its crispness and acidity. If you're up for putting in a little more effort, here are some easy side dishes that will make this a full meal.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes make a classic pairing with pork chops. My family loves this side with chops.
- Apple Sauce: The sweetness of apple sauce pairs wonderfully with the savory flavors of pork chops, providing a classic combination.
- Roasted Vegetables: Air fry or roast a mix of your favorite vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, or asparagus, for a healthy and colorful side.
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Asparagus
Storage & Reheating
- To Store: Air Fryer Shake and Bake Pork Chops should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To Reheat: Place them in the air fryer again for a few minutes until they are heated through. Alternatively, you can use a microwave or a conventional oven to reheat them.
- To Freeze: Once they are completely cooled, place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bags, and store them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat the chops from frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and heat them as directed above.
More Recipes
- Pork Chops With Apples and Onions
- Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin Dinner
- Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Meatballs
- Crockpot Chicken Parmesan
- Baked Ranch Pork Chops
Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating and I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.
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Air Fryer Shake & Bake Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 3 bone-in pork chops, about ½-inch thick each
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for a few minutes.
- In a gallon zip-top bag, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed in the breadcrumbs.
- Lightly brush both sides of each pork chop with olive oil.
- One at a time, place each pork chop in the breadcrumb mixture, shake, and press down firmly to coat both sides evenly. Shake off any excess breadcrumbs.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the breaded pork chops in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Spray the pork with non-stick spray.
- Cook the pork chops in the air fryer at 400°F for 12-15 minutes. The pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F, and the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy.
- Once cooked, remove the pork chops from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- To store: Air Fryer Shake and Bake Pork Chops should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To Reheat: Place them in the air fryer again for a few minutes until they are heated through. Alternatively, you can use a microwave or a conventional oven to reheat them.
- To Freeze: Once they are completely cooled, place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bags, and store them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat the chops from frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and heat them as directed above.
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