Healthy Oven-Fried Pork Chops

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These whole-wheat panko breadcrumb-coated pork chops get just as crispy as fried chops, but they're baked. Serve with steamed broccoli and baked sweet potato for a satisfying healthy weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
  • Baking instead of frying makes these quick pork chops a healthier option.
  • Fiber-rich panko offers a satisfying crunch and a boost to gut health.
  • Baking on a wire rack prevents soggy crusts and results in even crisping.

Set Up Your Breading Station

Breading is a three-part process that creates a crust on the pork chops. You will need three shallow dishes: one for flour, one for the beaten egg and mustard and another one for the panko and black pepper.

Dredge each pork chop in flour. This step will help the egg mixture stick to the pork chops. Then coat in the egg mixture, which will help the panko to stick. Finally, dredge them in the panko mixture, pressing to adhere.

How to Make Crispy Pork Chops in the Oven

Oven-frying saves you fat and calories while producing chops that are crispy on the outside, yet juicy inside. The key to crispy oven-fried pork chops is using a wire rack placed over a large rimmed baking sheet. If you bake the pork chops directly on the baking sheet, you'll get soggy crusts where moisture is trapped. Using a wire rack allows the air to circulate, ensuring that the pork chops are browned and crispy on all sides.

How to Tell When Pork Chops Are Done Cooking

For perfectly cooked, juicy pork chops, use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. When using an instant-read thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the pork chop. It should register at 145°F at the center.

Additional reporting by Jan Valdez

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • Cooking spray

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • ¾ cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs

  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

  • 4 (4 ounce) 3/4-inch-thick boneless pork chops

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place a wire rack on a large rimmed baking sheet and coat with cooking spray. Place flour in a shallow dish. Combine beaten egg and mustard in another small dish. Combine panko and pepper in a third shallow dish.

  2. Sprinkle salt over both sides of the pork. Dredge each pork chop in flour, shaking off the excess. Coat in egg mixture, then panko, pressing to adhere. Place on the prepared rack. Coat the pork chops with cooking spray. Bake until the chops are beginning to brown and are cooked throughout (an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center should register 145°F), 18 to 20 minutes.

Equipment

Wire rack, large rimmed baking sheet

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, January 2018; updated November 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

194 Calories
6g Fat
12g Carbs
22g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 pork chop
Calories 194
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 22g 44%
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 94mg 31%
Vitamin A 56IU 1%
Folate 8mcg 2%
Sodium 326mg 14%
Calcium 24mg 2%
Iron 1mg 8%
Magnesium 20mg 5%
Potassium 265mg 6%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.