Breaded Air Fryer Pork Chops

 Today I’m bringing you an air fryer recipe. The more I cook with my air fryer, the more I find that meat is really great when it’s air fried! I love how juicy the meat stays when it is cooked in the air fryer, and it gets a nice sear on the outside, too.

The recipes can be so simple, too. Air fryer chicken breasts seasoned with my all purpose seasoning are really delicious. No fuss, no muss. Same goes for air fryer chicken thighs or chicken drummies, if you prefer dark meat. Air fryer salmon and air fryer tilapia are pretty perfect, too.

Breaded Air Fryer Pork Chops

Perfect pork chops. Pork chops can be a little tricky to cook properly. They’re quite lean and tend to get tough and dry, especially if they’re overcooked. And when you pan fry them, the breading tends to stick to the pan when you flip the chops. That’s why you’ll love air frying. The hot air circulates all around the pork chops, top and bottom, so the breading sticks to both sides of the chops and not the pan.

Easy marinade. The secret to these tender juicy pork chops is a buttermilk marinade. Buttermilk is slightly acidic and has enzymes which help tenderize the pork. It’s a gentle marinade and it won’t make the pork mushy if you decide to marinate the pork overnight, but two hours will suffice, too.

Simple breading. The breading is a one step process instead of the usual three step routine. Crispy panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese, along with a few seasonings, are combined to make everything really easy and delicious.

Ingredient Notes

• Pork Chops: Choose center cut boneless pork chop. I usually trim off the excess fat but that’s up to you. The recipe is written for chops that are 1 ½ inches thick. I can fit 3 to 4 good-sized pork chops in my air fryer which is a pretty standard size.
• Marinade: You’ll need one cup of buttermilk, just enough to cover the pork. I blend in a couple tablespoons of Dijon mustard to season the marinade. (If you’re not a fan of Dijon, you can skip this!)
• Breading: Panko bread crumbs are coarser and crispier than regular bread crumbs, ensuring that your pork chops will be extra crispy. Grated Parmesan cheese adds lots of flavor to the breading.
• Seasoning: Dried parsley flakes fleck the breading, adding visual interest. Paprika, salt and pepper are added, too.

How To Make Air Fryer Pork Chops

Marinate the pork. In a baking dish that will accommodate the chops in a single layer, blend the mustard into the buttermilk. Add the chops, turn once so they are covered in the marinade. Cover the dish and put it in the fridge. Allow at least a couple of hours to marinate the pork. Overnight is fine, too.

Combine breading ingredients. After the pork has marinated, mix together the panko, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings in a shallow bowl.

Coat the pork chops. Remove each pork chop from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. You don’t have to wipe it off; the buttermilk that remains on the pork chops will help the breading stick. Coat both sides of the marinated pork chops with the breading mixture, pressing it on to adhere. Discard the remaining marinade.

Air fry. Arrange the pork chops in your air fryer in a single layer. Air fry for about 25 minutes, flipping them once. I usually use tongs. The pork chops should release fairly easily from the air fryer basket when you turn them. If they’re sticking, air fry them a couple more minutes and try again.

Recipe Variations

• Adjust for thinner or thicker pork chops. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the pork chop. This recipe is written for a 1 ½-inch chop, which will take 25 minutes; a 1-inch chop will take 12 to 14 minutes. An instant read thermometer is the best way to tell if your chops are done. The internal temperature should be about 145ºF. When you cut into a chop, the inside should be slightly pink and juicy.
• Try a different breading or skip it. Traditional bread crumbs can be substituted for panko. You can use day old bread to make your homemade bread crumbs, too. If you want to leave the breading off completely, try air fryer pork chops. They are made with an easy rub which gives them plenty of flavor. You’ll still have really great juicy pork chops.  
• Make them in your oven. This recipe for breaded pork chops is similar but the pork chops are baked instead.
• Not a fan of pork? Try air fryer chicken nuggets or air fryer chicken tenders. Air fryer breaded shrimp or air fryer coconut shrimp are super delicious, too!

Serving Ideas

Salads: A tossed salad with homemade ranch dressing is an easy side. For a special dinner, try a wedge salad with blue cheese dressing. Homemade coleslaw goes well with pork. Creamy potato salad or grilled ratatouille pasta salad are more substantial salads.

Carbs: Instant Pot rice or Instant Pot baked potatoes would be great!

Veggies: Any roasted vegetable, like roasted broccoli or roasted Brussels sprouts would go well. German red cabbage (sweet & sour) or sugar snap peas are great too.

Dessert: Try fresh blueberry pie with homemade no churn ice cream, or Kahlúa brownies.

Storage & Reheating

These pork chops are best eaten immediately, but if you have leftovers, refrigerate them for up to three days. To reheat, you can pop the pork chops back in the air fryer for 5 to 6 minutes to warm them up and crisp up the breading, or eat them cold. I like them sliced on a sandwich.