Making Shake 'N Bake Style Pork Chops in the Ninja Foodi is so quick and easy, AND they taste amazing!
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I have to admit that pork chops were never my favorite thing to make, so when Jeff asked me if I could make Shake 'N Bake Style Pork Chops in the Ninja Foodi, I wasn't that excited.
Not only had I never had a Shake 'N Bake Pork Chop before, but I always manage to overcook pork chops. There is nothing worse than a dried out pork chop. It's like chewing on shoe leather, and who enjoys that?
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Well... I'm happy to report that after making about 15-20 pork chops in the Ninja Foodi, both with the Shake 'N Bake coating and without, I'm a HUGE fan of pork chops cooked in the Ninja Foodi!
I learned a lot with my trial runs and I'm going to share all of that with you, so you can make perfect pork chops in the Ninja Foodi anytime you want!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yep! During my testing of this recipe, I compared the box of Shake 'N Bake to my homemade version and the timing and temperatures are exactly the same.
Once cooked, they are best eaten right away. I have reheated them the next day and they are pretty good, but I have not tried to freeze them. If I wanted to have some in the freezer, I would freeze before cooking. I think this will give you the best outcome. Since I haven't tested the recipe that way, I can't give you exact times and temps cooking from frozen.
Yep! I've cooked pork chops in the Ninja Foodi with and without the breading and the cook time has been the same. You can also make a keto Shake 'N Bake Style Pork Chop and I go over that in this article.
What Can I Serve with These Pork Chops?
Pretty much any side dishes go great with pork chops! You can keep it simple by making a quick and easy potato salad, like this Amish Potato Salad.
Baked Beans go great with pork and potato salad!
Garlic Mashed Potatoes or a Sweet Potato Casserole would also go great with a side of Candied Brussels Sprouts!
Homemade Rolls and Creamed Corn are also great side dishes!
If you are looking for a sauce to put over the pork chops, this Apple Butter Bourbon BBQ Sauce is fantastic!
What Cut of Pork Chop works Best for this Recipe?
My preference is a boneless, center cut, loin chop for this recipe. I usually purchase a pork loin and cut my own so I can control the thickness of them.
I also leave the fat on the pork chop for the best flavor, but you can trim it off, if you prefer.
Thick cut, bone-in pork chops are my absolute favorite, but not when used for a Shake 'N Bake style pork chop. I really recommend sticking with a boneless pork chop for this recipe.
How Thick Should My Pork Chops Be?
Thickness of the pork chop is what determines cook time, assuming that you are using boneless pork chops.
For Shake 'N Bake Style Pork Chops, 1" chops work great.
Often times, the value pack of pork chops that you get at the grocery store will be cut thinner than 1" and they are fine to use, but you will need to decrease your cook time some so you don't overcook them.
Here are my suggested cook times based on the thickness of your boneless pork chops.
¾" thick: Bake or Air Fry on 350℉/175℃ for 6-7 minutes
1" thick: Bake or Air Fry on 350℉/175℃ for 8-9 minutes
1½" thick: Bake or Air Fry on 350℉/175℃ for 11-12 minutes
2" thick: Bake or Air Fry on 325℉/160℃ for 15-17 minutes
The best way to tell if your pork chop is done to the correct temperature is with a thermometer. If you don't have an instant read thermometer, I really suggest investing in one.
There are two thermometers that I use and love. The (affiliate link)Thermapen Mk4 is one of the highly rated instant read thermometers on the market, but it's pricey. In fact, had Jeff not bought it for me as a gift, I'm not sure I would have spent the money on it. However, it is the best thermometer I've ever owned!
The other thermometer I use is the (affiliate link)Pampered Chef dual thermometer. Although I use the Thermapen Mk4 more often, the Pampered Chef dual thermometer is very handy and reasonably priced.
It works as an instant read thermometer and as a probe thermometer and it's half the price of the Thermapen Mk4. The only thing I don't like about it is the on/off button is a little hard to push. It is very accurate and registers the temperature quickly.
I also have a less expensive instant read thermometer in my Amazon store. It is slower to read the temp and mine didn't last that long, but it is an inexpensive thermometer that is pretty accurate.
What Temperature is Perfect for Pork Chops?
It used to be that the USDA recommended that you cook pork to an internal temp of 165℉/74℃, but that is no longer the case.
When you cook pork chops to an internal temperature of 165℉, they are usually pretty dry. Overcooking is the #1 reason your pork is tough and dry, so please don't do it!
The new recommendation is to cook whole cuts of pork (not ground) to an internal temperature of 145℉/63℃ AND let it rest for 3 minutes.
Here is the article that goes over this: Cooking Meat? Check the New Recommended Temperatures
I realize it's hard to change habits, and if it's been ingrained in you that pork must be cooked to 160℉, please try the new recommended temperature. The difference is unbelievable and you can say goodbye to dry, chewy pork forever!
Can I make Keto Shake 'N Bake Style Pork Chops?
Absolutely! In fact, the recipe started out as a keto recipe and we loved them!
The only thing I did differently was omitted the sugar and used crushed pork rinds instead of bread crumbs.
Because the pork rinds are 100% fat, don't spritz them as much with oil. I spritzed the basket, but I didn't spritz the top.
I also decreased the temperature to 325℉/160℃ and cooked them for 9-10 minutes. This allowed the outside to get crispy while not overcooking the pork.
Can I make these Pork Chops without the Ninja Food Pressure Cooker & Air Crisper?
Yep! I've tested the recipe several different ways and it works just fine in any appliance you want to cook with.
Regular Oven: Increase the temperature to 400℉/200℃ and make sure to preheat first. Bake 1" pork chops for 10 minutes and be sure to take a temperature to make sure they are cooked completely. Allow the pork chops to rest for at least 5 minutes.
Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven: Decrease the temperature to 325℉/160℃ and bake 1" pork chops for 8 minutes.
Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill: Decrease the temperature to 325℉/160℃ and bake 1" pork chops for 7-8 minutes.
Air Fryer: I haven't tested the recipe in a stand alone air fryer, but I would suggest using the same instructions as in the recipe and make sure to take a temperature of the pork around minute 6 to see how long you need to cook them or if you need to adjust your temperature.
How to Make Shake 'N Bake Style Pork Chops in the Ninja Foodi
This is such a fast recipe, that you want to start preheating the Ninja Foodi with the basket in for 10 minutes. I use broil for preheating so I get the basket really hot. This helps with getting a good crust on the outside of the pork chops.
If you want to make 4 pork chops at one time, you will need to add a layer to the basket. I use a canning rack to do this and it works great!
The canning rack that fits perfectly in the basket is the (affiliate link)Turbokey 7.9" with 2" legs.
It is important to preheat the rack as well and I recently put a nut and bolt through the middle to create an easy way to remove the rack.
While the Ninja Foodi is preheating on broil, mix up your breading and spices by combining them in a large bag or container.
Make sure you mix it up well and break up any clumps of seasoning.
I let my pork chops sit out for about 15-30 minutes to bring them to room temperature and then simply salt and pepper both sides. Seasoning in layers is the key to great flavor, but you don't need much. I used maybe ¼ teaspoon of fine grind sea salt and black pepper for 2 pork chops.
Beat 2 eggs in a shallow container for dipping the pork chops in. I use the (affiliate link)coating trays from Pampered Chef, but any container will work as long as you can fit at least 1 pork chop in it.
Dip the pork chops in the egg mixture to coat both sides and put 1-2 pork chops in the breading mixture and shake to coat. Repeat with the other 2 pork chops.
Spritz the basket with oil (any kind you like) and place the pork chops in the basket. 2-3 pork chops will fit in the basket at a time or use a rack to create a second level. If using 2 levels in the basket, stagger the pork chops so they aren't directly above the other ones.
Set the bake/roast function to 350℉/175℃ and time to 8 minutes. You do not need to flip, but I do suggest taking a temperature after about 7 minutes of cook time.
There are multiple factors that will impact cook time, including the temperature of the pork chops, thickness of the pork chops, and even the Foodi you are using. 8 minutes is the average time it took during my test batches to reach an internal temp of 145℉/63℃, but yours could take a few minutes longer.
When done, remove the pork chops and let them rest for at least 5 minutes on a cooling rack. The reason I suggest a cooling rack instead of a plate is so you don't steam the bottoms which can result in a soggy crust.
Serve & Enjoy!
Shake 'N Bake Style Pork Chops in the Ninja Foodi
Ingredients
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoon paprika
- 1 Tbsp sugar optional
- 1 teaspoon fine grind sea salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 24 ounces pork chops 4 (6 ounce) pork chops, 1" thick
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Instructions
- Allow your pork chops to come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Lightly season each side of the pork chops with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the Ninja Foodi with the basket in on broil for 10 minutes.Mix bread crumbs and seasonings in a sealable bag or container.Beat 2 large eggs in a shallow container.
- Dip the pork chops in the egg mixture. Place 1-2 pork chops at a time in the bag and shake to coat. Remove and set aside. Repeat with the remaining 2 pork chops.
- Spritz the basket with oil. Place the pork chops in the basket. 2-3 will fit in one layer or you can use a rack to create 2 layers. Lightly spritz the top of the pork chops with oil. Select the bake/roast function and set the temperature to 350°F/175°C and bake for 8 minutes.
- Take a temperature and make sure the internal temp is 145°F/63°C. If your pork chops are not at least 145°F/63°C, then cook another 1-3 minutes. Check the temperature again.
- Place the cooked pork chops on a cooling rack and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve & Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
About the Recipe Author, Louise Long
Louise is a full-time recipe creator and food blogger @ The Salted Pepper. She has over 30 years of experience with cooking and recipe development. She owned a restaurant for several years and was a full-time RN until retiring to blog full-time.
She published her first cookbook in the Fall of 2018 and is very interested in writing several more.
Louise is also the creator of an online Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooking Course with over 100 instructional step-by-step videos. People absolutely rave about the course and all the value they have received from it.
Louise has several very active Facebook groups that help people with the basics of cooking and learning more about the appliances they love.
Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker & Air Crisper 101
Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker
Louise is also a YouTube creator and you can find most of her recipes in video format on The Salted Pepper YouTube channel.
She is very responsive to messages and eager to help in any way she can. Get more Information about Louise & contact information
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Sharon Truesdale
If you rest these pork chops for 5 minutes, won't they be too cold to eat them? I know for me they would be. Do you then reheat them or you eat them cold?
Louise
They don't cool down because of the breading, but you can skip the rest time if you want. Cooling for a few minutes also helps set the breading.
Theresa
Mine turned out delicious? My center chops were frozen in the middle so I had to cook them an additional 10 minutes. My husband loved the breading.
Louise
That's wonderful!
Sharon
I see a jar of what looks like it could be apple butter that looks interesting. Did you use it in this recipe?
Louise
It's an apple butter bourbon bbq sauce:https://thesaltedpepper.com/apple-butter-bourbon-bbq-sauce
Margaret Gibbs
I have recently been gifted with Ninja acti-air-fryer oven and will definitely make this pork chop recipe
Louise
I hope you love it!
Rene
Sooo good! I didn't even know they still sell shake_n_bake an I helped lol I did exactly your instructions except my chops were a bit smaller put the temperature to 135 took out of air fryer an let set for 5 min. SOOO GOOD! I don't remember shake n bake tasting so good but growing up without the air fryer and cooking it to death sure didnt help. These turned out moist and tender. Thank you so much!! # not your Moms shake-n- bake!!!
Louise
I'm so glad everything turned out great!