These air fryer parmesan crusted pork chops are one of my favorite weeknight dinners. They come out golden and crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside.
The parmesan and panko coating gives them such a satisfying crunch that you would think they were deep fried. But nope, just the air fryer doing its thing.
The whole thing takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. Season, coat, air fry, done.
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to pull this off. Nothing fancy, nothing hard to find.
If you have been looking for a quick pork chop recipe that actually has great flavor and texture, this is the one to try.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Incredibly Crispy Coating – The panko and parmesan combo creates an ultra-crunchy golden crust that rivals any deep-fried pork chop.
Juicy on the Inside – The air fryer locks in moisture so every bite is tender and juicy under that crispy shell.
Packed with Flavor – The Italian seasoning and garlic powder mixed with salty parmesan give these chops a savory taste that is hard to resist.
Ingredients
- 4 Boneless Pork Chops (1-inch thick)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 2 Eggs
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Cooking Spray
How To Make
Step 1
Season pork chops with salt and pepper on both sides.
Step 2
In one bowl, beat eggs. In another bowl, combine parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika.
Step 3
Dip each pork chop in egg, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides completely.
Step 4
Place pork chops in air fryer basket in a single layer, spray with cooking spray, and air fry at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Step 5
Let rest for 3 minutes before serving to ensure juices redistribute and pork stays tender.
Tips
Pat the Pork Chops Dry First
Before you season with salt and pepper, grab a paper towel and pat each pork chop completely dry on both sides. This removes the surface moisture that sits on the meat.
If you skip this, the egg won’t stick properly to the pork chop, and then the breadcrumb coating won’t stick to the egg. You’ll end up with patches of bare meat with no crust after air frying.
It takes about 10 seconds per chop and makes a big difference in how well the coating holds together.
Press the Coating On Firmly
When you dip the pork chop into the breadcrumb and parmesan mixture, don’t just lay it in there. Use your hand to really press the mixture into the meat on both sides.
After you press it on, gently shake off any loose crumbs that aren’t sticking. Loose crumbs will just burn in the air fryer and create smoke.
If you feel like the coating isn’t sticking well, dip the chop back into the egg and then into the breadcrumb mixture a second time. That double layer gives you a thicker, crunchier crust.
Don’t Crowd the Basket
Air fryers work by circulating hot air all around the food. If the pork chops are overlapping or touching each other, the air can’t reach every surface and you’ll get soggy spots instead of a crispy crust.
Leave at least half an inch of space between each chop. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, cook them in two batches rather than trying to squeeze all four in at once.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Crispy Parmesan Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Pork Schnitzel
- Air Fryer Shake And Bake Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Sticky Honey Soy Pork Chops
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bone-in pork chops instead of boneless?
Yes, you can use bone-in pork chops, but you will likely need to add a few extra minutes of cook time since the bone slows down how quickly the center cooks through. Aim for an internal temperature of 145°F to make sure they are fully done.
Just keep in mind that bone-in chops are usually thicker near the bone, so flipping them halfway through is even more important to get an even, golden crust on both sides.
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops
- 4 Boneless Pork Chops (1-inch thick)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 2 Eggs
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Cooking Spray
- Season pork chops with salt and pepper on both sides.
- In one bowl, beat eggs. In another bowl, combine parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Dip each pork chop in egg, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides completely.
- Place pork chops in air fryer basket in a single layer, spray with cooking spray, and air fry at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Let rest for 3 minutes before serving to ensure juices redistribute and pork stays tender.