Air Fryer Pork Rind Coated Pork Chops

A healthy spin on a family favorite

Mmm, pork chops —An American staple! It’s hard not to love that crispy fried breading and tender inner meat, bursting with juicy flavor. And who could hate on mashed potatoes, in all their smooth, buttery, garlicky goodness? There’s just no denying, pork chops and mashed potatoes are a classic meal with the pickyest eater in mind!

But what about the healthy eater? The eater trying to follow a diet like keto? Well, that’s just one place where traditional pork chops and mashed ‘taters fall short. Potatoes are chock-full of carbs—And anything breaded? Forget it! So what’s there to do when you want a big piping-hot plate of pork and potatoes, but want to skip the carbs? Give this meal prep a try, that’s what! As always, MPOF has you covered with today’s recipe—Air Fryer Pork Rind Coated Pork Chops!

We think the inclusion of pork rinds is a perfect (and genius!) way to mimic the crispy outer layer of a traditional pork chop, and if the breading is one of your favorite parts like it is ours, we really think you will agree! Sacrificing aspects of our favorite meals is one of the most difficult parts of following meal plans—But with these Air Fryer Pork Rind Coated Pork Chops, you won’t be left feeling deprived! Check out all the deets below.

These air-fried pork chops are coated in pork rind crumbs and herbs to create an ultra-crispy coating without deep frying or oil! Served alongside sautéed mushrooms and mashed cauliflower, it’s a low carb meal with big flavor! 

How long will Air Fryer Pork Rind Coated Pork Chops last for?

We found these pork chops to last 3-4 days in the fridge—Which is perfect, because this recipe yields 4 servings. We’re certain you’ll want to eat them all in that timeframe! 

Can Air Fryer Pork Rind Coated Pork Chops be frozen?

Yes they can, and they’ll last a long 4-6 months, too! Just make sure that once thawed, you throw them back into the air fryer for a couple of minutes. This way you can restore their crispiness!

Air Fryer Pork Rind Coated Pork Chops Ingredients:

For Pork Chops 

• 2 oz pork rinds or about 4 cups
• 4 (5 oz) boneless pork chops
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For Sautéed Mushrooms 

• 5 cups sliced white button mushrooms
• 2 teaspoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

For Mashed Cauliflower 

• 5 cups cauliflower florets
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried chives
• 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

How do you make Air Fryer Pork Rind Coated Pork Chops?

This meal prep recipe is great because it comes together in under an hour! Here’s how we suggest putting it all together.

Begin by adding the pork rinds to a food processor, pulsing until finely crumbled. Transfer them to a bowl, and mix in the thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Now, take your egg, and beat in a separate, shallow bowl. Remove your pork chops from their packaging, dabbing them dry with a paper towel, then dunk them in the beaten egg. Coat each pork chop in the pork rind mixture, then place into the air fryer basket. Repeat this process with the other 3 pork chops, and remember to leave a small gap between each one to ensure even cooking. Fry for 12 minutes at 400°F on one side, then flip each chop and fry for an additional 11-12 minutes. Voila, your pork chops are done!

How to portion Air Fryer Pork Rind Coated Pork Chops?

Because this meal prep recipe makes one main dish and two sides, we recommend using three-compartment meal prep containers to portion everything. 

More pork chop meal prep recipes:

Love pork chops? We do too! Check out this fresh and fragrant recipe for  Sheet Pan Thyme Pork Chops and Marinated Salad! Or, if you’re in the mood for sweet and savory, our One Skillet Honey Dijon Pork Chops With Apples & Onions can do no wrong!

Other tips for making Air Fryer Pork Rind Coated Pork Chops:

• Always make sure you preheat your air fryer to make sure your pork chops don’t prematurely cook!

• Depending on your air fryer, you may want to experiment with cooking times. Doing so, you can make sure your pork chops come out exactly how you like them, every time.

• Make sure you’re giving your pork chops space in between each other to ensure proper air flow, otherwise they won’t cook all the way through.