You don’t have to follow a low carb or keto diet to LOVE my Low Carb Breaded Pork Chops in the air fryer. Juicy, flavorful and delicious and ZERO net carbs!
Low Carb Breaded Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
Several months ago, I was working on my book edits and time had gotten away from me.
I called out to Ed and said “if I give you a really easy recipe, will you make dinner in the air fryer“?
It was a recipe I had already created on paper based on my Air Fryer Southern Catfish recipe.
Ed said yes and in 20 minutes, dinner was on the table.
We love our large air fryer so much and use it on a daily basis. You can also use your Mealthy CrispLid for this recipe.
Those pork chops were delicious and incredibly juicy. They made the dinner rotation.
I converted that recipe to a low carb and keto recipe!!!!
Cast of Ingredients for Low Carb Breaded Pork Chops
I have to start out by saying that I strongly dislike pork rinds. Like, really, really dislike.
The smell, the texture, the taste, no no no no.
Ed loves them and since we are trying to adhere to a low carb diet, well, I’ve been trying to get used to them.
Not gonna happen.
My little love, Junie Moon, however, loves them and loves them a lot.
So, I put on my big girl panties, held my nose and got cracking.
Smashed Pork Rinds and Italian Seasoning
So many flavor possibilities with this recipe.
I used individual seasonings for an Italian flavor.
Premade Italian seasoning works in a pinch.
Cajun seasonings can be used too.
How about Chinese Five Spice with a little sugar substitute for a sweet chop?
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How to Make Low Carb Crispy Breaded Pork Chops.
Pork rinds. Pork rinds will work the same as Bread Crumbs for adding a beautiful breading without carbohydrates.
Pork rinds have ZERO carbs and are perfect for low carb and keto followers!
Seasonings that you love to make seasoned pork rind crumbs.
A wet rub is used, so that the seasoned pork rind crumbs will adhere to the pork chops.
Lightly Coat Pork Chops with Mustard
Don’t be afraid of lean meat in the air fryer.
If prepped and cooked properly, air fried pork chops will be very juicy and tender.
Why Use Mustard on Air Fryer Pork Chops?
- In the air fryer, mustard is a nice substitute for spraying food with oil and acts as a substitute for deep fat frying by allowing the food to cook, without drying.
- A wet condiment, such as mustard and mayonnaise will adhere nicely to the pork, so that a dry coating will stick.
- Mustard will keep the pork most as it cooks and prevent dry pork chops.
- Seasoned pork rind crumbs will stick to the mustard well and ensure a crisp crust.
- The mustard flavor does not transfer the taste to the finished pork chops.
Plain yellow mustard is great for coating fish.
Spicy brown mustard works well on pork chops and chicken.
Dredge Pork Chops in Crushed Pork Rinds
Tips and Tricks.
- Use a light and even coating of a wet condiment such as mustard, or even mayonnaise.
- Make sure pork rinds are crushed very well.
- Push the crushed pork rinds into the mustard and make sure they are completely coated.
- Use a good oil sprayer, such as the Olive Oil Sprayer / Mister for Cooking to spray the basket of the air fryer.
- When turning over the pork chops, a stiff wooden spatula works better than tongs, so that you can get right under the chop, without causing the coating on the sides to break off.
- Buy extra pork rinds, as you will love the result!
Pork Chops in Oiled Air Fryer Basket
For this Low Carb Breaded Pork Chops recipe, no oil is sprayed on the pork chops.
But, make sure to spray the basket of the air fryer or CrispLid, so that they won’t stick.
Make sure to keep a big batch f my TOG All Purpose Low Carb Seasoned Breading.
It’s great on my Air Fryer Southern Fried Catfish recipe.
Air Fryer Low Carb Breaded Pork Chops
I served my Low Carb Breaded Pork Chops with a side of my Pressure Cooker Cauliflower Faux Mac and Cheese (Link Removed) recipe.
Other Low Carb and Keto Air Fryer Recipes to Enjoy.
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Jalapeño Poppers
- Lemony Middle Eastern Air Fryer Crispy Sumac Chicken
- Low Carb Air Fryer Radish Hash Browns / Home Fries
- Air Fryer Cleo Hollywood Brussels Sprouts
If you share a picture of something you make from our blog, tag it with #thisoldgalcooks so we can see it. We might feature it on Instagram! It makes my day when I see you’ve made one of our recipes!
Kitchen Equipment and Essentials
- Ultrean 8.5 Quart Air Fryer or Mealthy CrispLid
- J.A. Henckels Classic 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
- J.A. Henckels Classic 8 inch Chef’s Knife
- Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- Simply Gourmet (Dry) Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
- Cilio Olivewood Spatula
- Olive Oil Sprayer / Mister for Cooking
- My FANTASTIC Teak Cutting & Charcuterie Board & Compartments
- Pork Rinds
Caring is sharing! If you would like to support This Old Gal, please share this recipe on Social Media, so that I can continue to bring you more wonderful recipes!
Here is the handy printable recipe:
Air Fryer Low Carb Breaded Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pork Rinds
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley Flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1/4 teaspoon Granulated Onion Powder
- 1/4 cup Spicy Brown Mustard
- 2 1-inch thick Pork Chops
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Instructions
- Smash pork rinds and add to a shallow bowl. Mix in seasonings.
- Spread mustard on both sides of pork chops and coat well with pork rind coating.
- Spray air fryer basket and place chops in basket.
- Cook at 350 degrees for 14 minutes, turning over after 7 minutes.
Notes
- For 1 1/2 inch chops, cook for 16 minutes, turning over after 8 minutes.
- For thin pork chops, cook for 10 minutes, turning over after 5 minutes.
- Stone Ground Mustard and Horseradish Mustard, would also be delicious in this recipe.
Nutrition
PIN this Air Fryer Low Carb Breaded Pork Chops Recipe!
This was amazing! This is a definite keeper!
Thanks, Linda! Jill
Can you cook these in the oven also, I don’t have an air fryer? I love the recipe and want to try it. Thank you for sharing
First, thank you for the recipe!
I was wondering how the timing changes for pork chops with a bone.
Time should be the same. Jill
I really want to make this, but 2,387 mg sodium??? Since I am on a low sodium diet and that is 387 mg more than the whole day’s of sodium. I would not use the sea salt .. hopefully that will help. Also, I wonder if there is a low-sodium version of the pork rinds. Now I am depressed…I wanted so much to make these!!
This is wonderful! Thanks so much!
Thanks, Tara. Jill
Would this work on boneless chicken breasts, using Italian bread crumbs instead of the pork rinds?
I am sure it will. Enjoy. Jill
If I take a couple bags of pork rinds and grind them up and add the seasoning to them then keep them in a baggie in the freezer so whenever I want to use the breading it’s already to go. Most of the time it’s for chicken nuggets which I make myself from the chicken breast but I think this would be great on the pork
Dear Jill, I found your blog just in time. I was looking for a low carb pork chop recipe using pork rinds to cook in my new air fryer and BAM I found you. I made your low carb pork chops and they were so yummy! The only thing I changed was the mustard. I had to replace the brown mustard for honey mustard and it worked great.
Thanks for the recipe ,I put it on my face book page so others could enjoy it.
Debby
Hi Debby. I am glad you enjoyed the recipe. Changing the mustard is fine, but honey mustard is not low carb. Jill
I never did chops in my air fryet But these sound so good with the pork rinds and mustard. I cant wait to try. Thsnk you for recipe.
I bet you will love this recipe, Sandy. Jill
Your recipe looks wonderful. We are eating Keto and always on the lookout for yummy recipes. Thanks for the recipe, can hardly wait to try it. Blessings~~
Hello Jill,
First let me say i really love your recipes, always look forward to reading them.
I love pork chops, takes me back to my childhood when mom fried them. I love the thinner one with a small ring of fat cooked till fat is getting crispy and make sandwiches out of them.
I also agree with the pork rinds
Found them at the Dollar Store long time ago and use them when ever possible. I use them making meat loaf and the BBQ ones also work well.
Say Pork and i am there with a fork, always my favorite.
Thank you for all your work i know a site like this is work but i for one love it, so Thank You!
Old person of 78 in Arizona.
Darr
Thank you for your kind words, Darr. The pork rinds work well. I just wish I liked them plain as a treat. 🙂 Jill