If you have been looking for a different way to cook pork chops, this recipe is going to be very helpful for you.
Today, I am sharing a method to make Keto Parmesan Pork Chops that come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Many people avoid pork chops because they worry about the meat becoming dry or tough during the cooking process.
However, when you use an air fryer or an oven with the right coating, the result is a piece of meat that is cooked perfectly and remains very tender.
It is a satisfying meal that feels like traditional comfort food, but it fits perfectly into your meal plan.
You really only need a handful of simple ingredients to get started, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen right now. Aside from the pork and the coating, you just need a little garlic powder, salt, and pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
This is a great main dish to serve to your family, even if they are not following a keto diet, because it just tastes like good food.
👍 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
No Breadcrumbs Needed – We will be using crushed pork rinds instead. The pork rinds give you the exact same texture and feeling in your mouth as regular breadcrumbs, but they have zero carbs.
Stays Very Crispy – One of the biggest complaints about keto cooking is that soft almond flour breading can sometimes get soggy or fall off. Because this recipe uses pork rinds and parmesan cheese, the coating gets incredibly crispy when it cooks.
Keeps the Meat Juicy– Pork chops are a lean cut of meat, which means they can dry out very quickly if you are not careful.
The coating in this recipe acts like a protective shield around the meat. It seals the juices inside the pork chop so they cannot escape while it is cooking in the hot air.
When you cut into the meat after cooking, you will find that it is still moist and tender inside, unlike plain pork chops which can sometimes turn into shoe leather.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
- 4 Pork Chops
- 1 Egg
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1/3 cup Pork Rinds (I recommend these pork rinds– amazon link)
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy recipe:
Step 1
Start by beating the egg in a medium bowl.
Step 2
In another bowl, mix the cheese, crushed pork rinds, pepper, salt, and garlic powder – to create the coating.
Step 3
Season the pork chops with additional salt and pepper on both sides. Dip each pork chop into the beaten egg, then coat it with the parmesan-pork rind mixture.
Step 4
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil (you can also use a brush and melted butter). Or preheat the oven to 380F. Place the coated pork chops in the air fryer basket.
Step 5
Cook in the air fryer at 375°F until lightly browned, about 7-8 minutes. Then flip the pork chops and air fry for an additional 4-5 minutes. Or bake in the oven for about 10 minutes (you can also then broil it for 1 more minute).
💡Tips
1. Press The Coating Firmly
When you move the pork chop from the egg wash into the dry mixture, do not just gently roll it around. You need to use your hand to physically press the pork rinds and cheese into the meat.
Lay the chop in the crumbs, pile more crumbs on top, and push down hard with the palm of your hand. This pressure forces the coating to stick to the egg and the surface of the meat.
If you are too gentle, the coating will be loose and will likely blow off inside the air fryer due to the strong fan, leaving you with bare spots on your pork chop.
2. Don’t Crowd The Basket
If you are using an air fryer, it is crucial that you leave space between each pork chop. The air fryer works by circulating very hot air rapidly around the food. If the pork chops are touching each other or overlapping, the hot air cannot reach those spots.
This results in the meat being soggy and pale where it touched the other piece, rather than crispy and golden.
If you have a small air fryer, it is much better to cook the pork chops in two separate batches. It might take a few extra minutes, but the result will be much crispier and evenly cooked.
You’ll Love These Recipes Too
Check out these recipes too:
FAQ
Can I use almond flour instead of pork rinds?
Yes, you can use almond flour if you prefer or if you cannot find pork rinds. However, keep in mind that the texture will change.
Pork rinds become very crunchy and crispy when cooked, while almond flour tends to be a bit softer and nuttier.
Keto Parmesan Pork Chops
Print RecipeIngredients
- 4 Pork Chops
- 1 Egg
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1/3 cup Pork Rinds (I recommend these pork rinds– amazon link)
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Start by beating the egg in a medium bowl.
- In another bowl, mix the cheese, crushed pork rinds, pepper, salt, and garlic powder – to create the coating.
- Season the ork chops with additional salt and pepper on both sides. Dip each pork chop into the beaten egg, then coat it with the parmesan-pork rind mixture.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil (you can also use a brush and melted butter). Or preheat the oven to 380F. Place the coated pork chops in the air fryer basket.
- Cook in the air fryer at 375°F until lightly browned, about 7-8 minutes. Then flip the pork chops and air fry for an additional 4-5 minutes. Or bake in the oven for about 10 minutes (you can also then broil it for 1 more minute).
Finally a breading that doesn’t fall off! I followed your tip about pressing the coating down firmly with my hand and it worked perfectly.