Air Fryer Shake And Bake Pork Chops

Crispy, golden brown pork chops with a crunchy seasoned breading is classic comfort food at its best. But heating up a vat of oil for deep frying can be messy, time-consuming, and not so waistline-friendly. That’s where your air fryer comes in!

air fryer shake and bake pork chops

Using an air fryer gives you all that crispy, crunchy goodness without the grease. And it couldn’t be easier to make these homemade shake and bake pork chops either. With just a few simple ingredients and less than 20 minutes cook time, you can enjoy juicy pork encrusted with a flavor-packed coating minus the deep frying drawbacks.

So ditch the take out and keep things light by making your own air fried version of this tasty favorite. In this shake and bake pork chops in air fryer recipe, you’ll learn how to easily whip up crunchy shake and bake breading from scratch and get perfect crispy chops every time with a few key air frying tips and tricks. 

💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Healthier Cooking Method: By using this innovative appliance, you’re cutting down on the amount of oil typically needed for frying. Unlike traditional frying methods, air frying circulates hot air around the food, reducing the need for excess oil.

Perfect Crispiness Every Time: The Shake N Bake method is renowned for its ability to deliver consistently crispy results, and combining it with the air fryer takes this to the next level. The circulating hot air ensures that every inch of the pork chop is evenly cooked and crisped to perfection.

shake and bake pork chops in air fryer

Say goodbye to soggy breading or uneven cooking – these pork chops will have a golden, crunchy exterior that is simply irresistible.

Effortless Gourmet: With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can create a dish that rivals those found in high-end restaurants. Imagine biting into a pork chop that’s perfectly crispy on the outside, yet tender and juicy on the inside. This shake n bake pork chops in air fryer recipe takes the guesswork out of gourmet, making you feel like a seasoned chef in your own kitchen.

✨ Recipe Ingredients

To make these air fryer shake and bake pork chops you will need:

  • 1 pound (450g) Pork Chops
  • 1 cup Shake & Bake Breaded Mix (I will show you how to easily make it)
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil

👨‍🍳 How To Make

Follow this easy recipe to make the perfect air fryer shake n bake pork chops:

Step 1

Start by preheating your air fryer to 390F (190C). Then, pat dry the pork chops. Brush olive oil over the chops.

Step 2

Place the shake and bake mixture into a plastic bag. Place each pork chop into the bag, and shake well until each chop is evenly coated.

Step 3

Place the pork chops into the air fryer basket. Air fry for 13-15 minutes, and flip after 6-7 minutes to ensure even cooking.

The chops are cooked when an internal temperature of 145F (63C) is reached.

Step 4

Remove them from the air fryer. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy these amazing air fryer shake and bake pork chops!

shake n bake pork chops in air fryer

💡Tips

1. Don’t Overcrowd

One of the biggest mistakes when making breaded air fryer chops is trying to cook too many at once. Overcrowding causes the chops to steam instead of fry, resulting in a soft breading.

For crispiest results, work in batches to avoid overcrowding the fryer basket. Cook no more than 2 pork chops at a time in a standard sized air fryer.

2. Upgrade The Breading

While the store-bought shake and bake style breading mixes work well, you can take these chops to the next level by making your own upgraded version.

Combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika, 1⁄2 teaspoon oregano, 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder, 1⁄4 teaspoon chili powder, and 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper. This adds lots of extra flavor and crunch!

pork chops air fryer

3. Keep It Crispy

One common issue with breaded pork chops is that the breading can become soggy while cooking. To help the breading stay ultra crispy in the air fryer, let the breaded chops sit out at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking.

This helps the breading fully adhere and dry out a bit before hitting the heat. Flipping the chops halfway through cooking also ensures both sides get evenly crispy.

4. Finish with a Drizzle

After air frying, drizzle the hot crispy chops with a flavorful finishing oil like browned butter, lemon butter, or hot honey. This adds tons of extra flavor and moisture to perfectly balance the crispy crunchy crust.

air fryer shake n bake pork chops

5. Use Buttermilk

Soak the pork chops in buttermilk for 30 minutes before breading. The buttermilk helps the breading stick better and stay ultra crispy. Gently wipe off excess buttermilk before dredging in the crumbs.

Variations

1. Add Some Heat – Sprinkle the breaded pork chops with cayenne or chili powder before air frying. The spicy coating will give a fiery kick to the crunchy exterior. 

2. Get Cheesy – After air frying, top the chops with grated parmesan, cheddar, or mozzarella cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese bubbles and browns. So cheesy good!

Dipping Sauces

1. Tangy Chutney- The sweet yet tart notes of mango chutney make fast friends with the savory chops. Each bite marries the smooth succulence of the pork with the chunky zing of spices and fruit. An unexpected delight!

2. Chimichurri– The bright parsley and oregano notes perk up the rich chops beautifully. Garlic and vinegar add puckery punctuation as you sink your teeth into tender meat enrobed in vivid green. 

3. Korean gochujang dipping sauce– The sweet yet savory chili paste with its sesame and garlic overtones makes for a marvellously moreish pairing. The spicy kick accentuates the meaty juiciness splendidly. 

Keto / Low Carb Version

To make a keto and low carb version of this shake and bake pork chops air fryer recipe, there are a few simple substitutions you can make.

keto pork chops

Replace the standard shake and bake breading mix with a keto-friendly almond flour or pork rind breading. Making your own breading at home allows you to control the carbs.

Consider pairing your low carb pork chops with vegetables instead of a starchy side dish. Steamed broccoli or a big salad are great options.

Gluten Free Version

To make a gluten free version of this shake and bake air fryer pork chops recipe, use a gluten free breadcrumb mixture instead of regular shake n’ bake. You can make your own by pulsing gluten free bread or crackers in a food processor until they form fine crumbs.

Follow the rest of the instructions as listed, dredging the pork chops in the gluten free breadcrumb mixture before air frying. Just be sure to check labels to confirm any packaged ingredients used are certified gluten free.

The cooking time and temperatures should be the same. Enjoy these delicious gluten free air fried pork chops!

Storage

These air fryer shake and bake pork chops are best enjoyed fresh. However, any leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

pork chops storage

You can also freeze the cooked pork chops for longer term storage. Allow them to cool completely before placing in a freezer bag or airtight container. They will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer.

When ready to eat, reheat the frozen pork chops in the air fryer or oven until hot and crispy, about 4-6 minutes.

Side Dish Ideas

These juicy and crispy air fryer shake n bake pork chops deserve equally delicious side dishes to complement their flavors. Here are 5 perfect pairings:

1. Air fryer mini potatoesCrispy roasted mini potatoes are a classic accompaniment to any pork dish. The crunch of the potato skins pairs nicely with the tender pork chops. Roasting them in the air fryer gives them a perfect golden brown exterior while keeping the insides fluffy.

2. Air fryer potato peels–  For a unique and tasty twist, try air frying leftover potato peels. Season them well with salt, pepper and spices and roast until crispy. The crispy, salty peels make a fun textural contrast to the chops.

3. Air fryer sweet potato hash– The natural sweetness of sweet potatoes is a delightful match for pork. Dice them up into a hash with onions, roast in the air fryer, and serve alongside the chops for a hearty and comforting meal.

4. Air fryer Greek potatoes– These herby Greek-style potatoes are packed with oregano, garlic and lemon. The bright, Mediterranean flavors cut through the richness of the pork beautifully. Crispy on the outside while tender inside after air frying.

5. Air fryer scalloped potatoes For an indulgent pairing, make scalloped potatoes in the air fryer. Thinly sliced potatoes layered with cream and cheese become irresistibly crispy on the outside while still creamy inside. A true comfort food match.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make my own shake and bake breading mix?

Definitely! A homemade shake and bake mix works just as well. Simply combine equal amounts of flour, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and herbs in a bag.

2. How do I know when the pork chops are done cooking?

The airfryer shake and bake pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145F (63C). Use a meat thermometer to check. The chops should be golden brown and crispy on the outside.

shake and bake pork chops in the air fryer

3. Why do I need to let the pork chops rest after cooking?

Letting the pork chops rest for at least 10 minutes allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful chop. Cutting into them too soon can cause the juices to run out, leaving the meat dry.

4. Is it necessary to preheat the air fryer?

Preheating the air fryer is recommended as it helps cook the pork chops evenly. Skipping this step might result in uneven cooking and can affect the texture and flavor of the pork chops.


These crispy, juicy air fryer shake and bake pork chops are so quick and easy to make at home. The air fryer gives them a perfectly crispy coated exterior while keeping the inside tender and flavorful. Feel free to get creative with the breading or try out some of the tasty dipping sauce suggestions.

I hope you’ll give this easy recipe a try soon and enjoy finger-licking good pork chops in just minutes right from your air fryer. Let me know if you have any other questions, and stay tuned for even more easy air fryer recipes coming up on the blog! I’d love to hear which recipe you think I should tackle next in the comments below.

air fryer shake and bake pork chops

Air Fryer Shake And Bake Pork Chops

Easily make the crispest and tastiest air fryer shake and bake pork chops with this simple recipe! So easy and tasty.
4.88 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer shake and bake pork chops, shake n bake air fryer pork chops
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 175kcal
Cost: $15
Ingredients
  • 1 pound Pork Chops (450g)
  • 1 cup Shake & Bake Breaded Mix (I will show you how to easily make it)
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Instructions
  • Preheat the air fryer to 390F (190C). Then, pat dry the pork chops. Brush olive oil over the chops.
  • Place the shake and bake mixture into a plastic bag. Place each pork chop into the bag, and shake well until each chop is evenly coated.
  • Place the pork chops into the air fryer basket. Air fry for 13-15 minutes, and flip after 6-7 minutes to ensure even cooking.
    The chops are cooked when an internal temperature of 145F (63C) is reached.
  • Remove them from the air fryer. Let them cool for 10 minutes and then serve.
    shake and bake pork chops airfryandeat

Nutrition

Calories: 175kcal
4.88 from 8 votes (8 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Send this to a friend