Japanese Air-Fried Pork Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a Japanese version of deep-fried pork chops with a special tangy sauce. Though the air fryer will never duplicate a true deep-fried taste, the appliance is fast, cleanup is a breeze, and there is no used oil

Basic Details:

Prep time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

45 mins

Servings:

8

Yield:

8 servings

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Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon avocado oil
  • salt to taste
  • 2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 2 pounds pork sirloin chops, about 1/4-inch thick
  • avocado oil cooking spray
  • 4 cups cooked rice (Optional)
  • 2 cups shredded Savoy cabbage, or to taste
  • ¼ cup tonkatsu sauce, or as needed (Optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) according to manufacturer’s instructions.

  2. Stir together eggs, avocado oil, and salt in a small bowl. Place panko crumbs on a separate plate.

  3. Set a length of parchment or waxed paper about 15 inches long on a platter or cutting board.

  4. Dip each pork chop into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl, then turn chops in panko crumbs. Cover the top of the chop with crumbs and press down to encourage them to stick. Place coated chops on the prepared parchment or waxed paper. Repeat until all chops are coated with panko crumbs on both sides.

  5. Spray both sides of each pork chop with cooking spray and place 2 or 3 chops into the air fryer basket, depending on the size of the basket.

  6. Air fry for 6 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 5 minutes more. Transfer chops to a plate and keep warm. Repeat with remaining chops.

  7. Serve chops with rice, shredded Savoy cabbage, and tonkatsu sauce.

Cook’s Notes:

Cooking spray is used to enhance browning.

Tonkatsu sauce can be purchased at any Asian market or you can make your own. Or you can serve the pork chops American-style with your favorite barbecue sauce.

Air fryer brands differ in performance and capacity. Total cooking time depends on the number of batches for your appliance.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories

331

Fat

11g

Carbs

45g

Protein

19g