Air Fryer Herb-Crusted Pork Chops
In short: Pork chops brushed with mustard and coated in a crisp thyme and Parmesan crumb, air fried in about 12 minutes until juicy inside. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 12 min
- Cook
- 13 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 345 kcal
Pork chops often come out dry, and the air fryer helps by cooking them quickly with strong circulating heat. Here a thin layer of mustard acts as the glue for a crumb of panko, Parmesan and dried herbs, so no egg dipping is needed. The crust turns golden while the meat stays juicy, as long as you pull the chops at the right temperature and let them rest. A squeeze of lemon and a green side finish the plate.
Instructions
- Take the chops out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking. Pat them dry and season both sides with the salt and pepper.
- In a shallow dish, stir together the panko, Parmesan, thyme, garlic powder, paprika and olive oil until the crumbs look evenly damp.
- Brush a thin layer of mustard over both sides of each chop. Press each chop into the crumbs so a firm coating sticks to both sides.
- Heat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 3 minutes. Place the chops in a single layer, leaving space between them. Cook two at a time if the basket is small.
- Cook for 6 minutes, turn the chops over, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes more. The crust should be golden and the center should read 63°C (145°F).
- Rest the chops on a plate for 5 minutes, then serve with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Thicker chops of 3 cm (1 1/4 inches) need about 14 to 16 minutes in total. Always rely on a thermometer rather than time alone.
- To make this dairy-free, replace the Parmesan with 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast or simply leave it out.
Questions and answers
How do you keep air fryer pork chops from drying out?
Use chops at least 2 cm (3/4 inch) thick, cook to 63°C (145°F) and no further, and rest them for 5 minutes. Bone-in chops are more forgiving than lean boneless ones.
Can I use bone-in chops?
Yes. Allow 3 to 5 extra minutes and check the temperature next to the bone, which cooks last.
What should I serve with herb-crusted pork chops?
Mashed potatoes, steamed green beans or a crisp salad work well. Roasted apples or a spoonful of apple sauce also suit pork.
How long does it take to make Air Fryer Herb-Crusted Pork Chops?
About 25 min in total: 12 min of preparation and 13 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Air Fryer Herb-Crusted Pork Chops?
About 345 kcal per serving, with 38 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 345 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 38 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 720 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
