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Air fryer pork chops made with a keto friendly breading. The recipe was inspired by a Kansas Farm Food Tour which included a close-up look at meat processing facility.
Disclaimer: This post and the Farm Food Tour was sponsored by the Kansas Farm Bureau, the Kansas Soybean Commission, and the Kansas Pork Association.
This month, I was one of four bloggers to participate in a Farm Food Tour with stops in Kansas and Missouri. It was a follow-up to the tour I did last fall which showed farm side of where food comes from. On this more recent tour, we got to see some of the engineering that makes farming more efficient. And we visited a facility that processes livestock into packaged meat products.
Elanco Animal Health
As a former engineer, I really enjoyed learning more about the science behind farming. Our first stop on the tour was at Elanco Animal Health in Kansas City, Kansas. There, we learned how hormones are used to produce more meat with less environmental impact. We also discussed the use of antibiotics as well as the use of prebiotic and probiotic use to lessen the amount of microbial needed in livestock.
My biggest takeaway from the visit to Elanco is that the use of growth promoting hormones in cattle is not something to worry about. There’s very little, if any, additional hormone actually present in the meat when growth hormones are used.
Another thing I learned is that a lot of meat labeled as “hormone-free” rarely has hormones added. This labeling is used only for marketing purposes. Because of the short lifespan of poultry and pigs, hormones aren’t typically used because the they need more time to work. So you don’t have to worry about hormones when making my air fryer pork chops!
Bayer Crop Science
The most interesting stop on the tour was the Bayer Crop Science facility located in Chesterfield, Missouri. It gave me a much better appreciation for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and how this biotechnology has ensured there’s enough food to feed our growing population. Although artificial gene manipulation sounds really scary, it’s something that can happen naturally over time. Science has just figured out a way to force it in order to grow healthier plants that are resisted to certain conditions like invading pests and drought.
We also spent time discussing the efforts Bayer is taking to protect the monarch butterflies by tracking and increasing milkweed in the environment. They actually have a new app called HabiTally to help the effort. Bayer also has a Bee Care Program to help protect bees.
Meat Processing
Our final stop was in Fulton, Missouri to visit Central Missouri Meat & Sausage. It’s a place that processes local beef and pork from live animals to packaged meat. We did step into the kill area, but were told how the animals are killed without witnessing it. The animals are slaughtered humanely using electricity to stun them unconscious so they feel no pain.
The meat is then hung in a large refrigerated area until it is ready for butchering. We did get to see how fast the butchers work to cut the pig carcass into the various meat pieces including ribs, pork chops, and bacon. The packing machine worked even faster to seal every piece into a package to keep it fresh.
So now I have a much better appreciation of how meat makes it from a farm to my kitchen. And without the farmer and processing facility, it would be tough to share pork recipes as I don’t raise my own pigs.
Keto Air Fryer Pork Chops
Looking for a delicious air fryer pork recipe? This recipe is low carb and with a crispy bread-like coating. And there’s no need to use tons of oil like you do with traditional frying.
Have you ever had those Bake n Shake pork chops? These were popular when I was younger, basically it was a simple way to get crispy pork chops without being fried. Everything came in the box. The seasoning and bread crumbs. What was great about the product is that it gave the pork chops a fantastic flavor while giving a great crust.
With this recipe for Air Fryer Pork Chops, you use the air fryer to crisp the outsides, and use pork rinds as the bread crumbs. With a recipe like this, you are going to feel like you are eating whatever you want, but without the carbs to throw your healthy eating plan off course.
What to Serve with Breaded Pork Chops?
If you like to have a traditional meal eating low carb, then you can serve mashed cauliflower on the side. You can also make “fried cauliflower bites”.
Anything that you love and enjoy can be paired with these low carb pork chops. My personal favorite is to serve some cheesy zucchini gratin on the side.
Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe Variations
If you love these Air Fryer Pork Chops but want to change the flavors of the recipes, you can:
- Change the herbs: If you have a favorite flavor profile, you can certainly use that to flavor these pork chops.
- Flavored Pork Rinds: If you like pork rinds that are different flavors, like ranch or BBQ, these can be used to add an additional layer of flavor to the pork chops.
If you have been looking for a lower fat version of your favorite crispy fried pork chops, then making this air fryer recipe is the way to go.
Other Recipes to Try
Here’s a few of my other low carb recipes that use pork rinds as a keto friendly breading:
You can even make pork rind tortillas! And if you miss those old Shake and Bake mixes, you’ll want to give my Gluten Free Shake and Bake Chicken recipe a try!
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Air Fryer Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 bone In pork chops
- 1 tsp parsley
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp all spice
- 2 cups finely crushed pork rinds Finely Crushed
- olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl (needs to be big enough to dip the pork chops iadd pork rinds, parsley, paprika, onion and garlic powders and all spice. Whisk until combined.
- Drizzle each pork chop on both sides with olive oil, ensuring to cover it all as the pork rinds are going to stick to the olive oil.
- Place each pork chop in the pork rind mixture, coating it entirely on both sides.
- Place pork chops in air fryer, ensuring not to over crowd.
- Set air fryer to 400° for 12 minutes. Once done flip the pork chop over and cook for another 5 minutes at 400°.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
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Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
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Lisa MarcAurele has been creating keto friendly recipes since 2010. She enjoys experimenting in the kitchen to create low sugar foods that taste like high carb favorites!
Judy Purcell says
Crispy fried pork chops are a fond memory from my childhood! Only the air fryer is a much healthier way to do it. 🙂 True comfort food.
Donny says
Pork breaded with more pork! Heck yes! Totally trying this.
ChihYu says
There’s nothing better than a crispy, moist and delicious pork chop! The air fryer makes it even better because it’s so quick to prepare!
Jean Choi says
I have the air fryer but I haven’t attempted pork chops in it yet! Definitely next on my list. Looks so amazing and crispy!
Linda says
Certainly it will be good with loaded cauliflower and green beans.
Erin says
I’m always looking for more ways to use my air fryer! I’ve never tried pork in it.
Sharon says
Can a convection oven be used?
Lisa MarcAurele says
Convection oven is fine, baking time/temp may need to be adjusted.
Milene Wagner says
Time would depend on a very thin, medium, or thick pork chops and also bone or boneless makes a difference in cook time. For this recipe what was the thickness of the pork chop or the weight of each pork chop?
Lisa MarcAurele says
They were standard cut, about 1/2 inch.
Jane says
Can we oven bake and what temp and how long?
Lisa MarcAurele says
You can. I’d say 375°F for 30-35 minutes and flipping once.
Edie Pottenger says
Lisa, I’m dying to try these Air Fryer pork chops but I don’t have an air fryer. Can I get the same results using my Instant Pot and sauteing them instead? I have a kitchen full of different cooking systems (crock pots, power cooker, cooks essential, etc.) each one being better than the last. I don’t want to go out and buy an Air Fryer next. Help please! Thanks, Edie
Lisa MarcAurele says
I’d recommend using the oven instead as it’s more like an air fryer.
Pam says
I can’t afford to purchase an air fryer. Can these be baked in the oven?
Lisa MarcAurele says
Of course! You just need to cook them a bit longer in the oven.