Parmesan baked pork chops are boneless chops rubbed with olive oil, pressed into a mix of Parmesan cheese and Italian bread crumbs, and baked until the coating is golden brown. There is no egg wash, no flour and no frying. The crust is savory and cheesy with a little garlic, and the whole thing goes from the fridge to the oven in about 5 minutes. It is an easy weeknight dinner for four.
How to make parmesan baked pork chops: Mix Parmesan cheese, Italian bread crumbs, black pepper and garlic powder on a plate. Rub boneless pork chops with olive oil and press them into the mixture until coated. Bake on a foil-lined, sprayed pan at 350°F until a food thermometer reads 145°F, then let the chops rest for at least 3 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
- Six ingredients. Chops, cheese, crumbs, oil and two seasonings.
- No egg wash. A rub of olive oil is what makes the coating stick.
- Baked, not fried. No skillet to watch and no oil to splatter.
- Easy cleanup. The pan is lined with foil.
- Kid-friendly. The flavor is cheesy and mild.
Ingredient Notes
Boneless pork chops. Four chops, about 1/2 inch thick.
Parmesan cheese. One cup, grated. Finely grated cheese blends with the crumbs and sticks to the meat better than large shreds.
Italian bread crumbs. One cup. They are already seasoned with herbs, so the list stays short.
Black pepper and garlic powder. One teaspoon of each. There is no added salt, because the Parmesan and the crumbs bring their own.
Olive oil. One tablespoon, rubbed over the chops.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 boneless pork chops, 1/2 inch thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
How to Make Parmesan Baked Pork Chops
1. Prepare the coating. Combine the Parmesan cheese, Italian bread crumbs, black pepper and garlic powder on a plate.
2. Coat the chops. Rub the pork chops with the olive oil. Press each chop into the cheese mixture until coated all over.
3. Prepare the oven and pan. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and spray the foil with cooking spray.
4. Bake and check doneness. Place the chops on the pan and bake. Plan on up to 40 to 45 minutes, but go by a food thermometer, not the clock or the color of the crust. Take the chops out of the oven when the pork reaches 145°F.
5. Rest. Let the chops rest for at least 3 minutes before serving.
When Are the Pork Chops Done?
When a food thermometer pushed into the thickest part of the chop reads 145°F. That is the only test that counts. USDA FSIS gives 145°F for pork chops, followed by a rest of at least 3 minutes.
It is tempting to judge by the crust or the timer, but neither one tells you what is happening in the middle of the meat.
| What you might go by | Can you trust it? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A golden brown crust | No | The coating browns on its own schedule |
| The timer | Only as a rough guide | Chops and ovens vary |
| A thermometer reading of 145°F | Yes | It measures the center of the meat |
| The 3-minute rest | Yes, always do it | It is part of the safe-cooking guidance |
Thin chops can reach 145°F before the full bake time is up, so start checking early. Slide the thermometer in from the side, so the tip sits in the middle of the chop and not against the pan.
Tips for Success
How do I get the coating to stick?
Rub the oil over every surface of the chop, then press the meat firmly into the cheese mixture. Turn it and press again. Pat any loose crumbs back onto bare spots.
How do I keep pork chops tender and not tough?
Do not overcook them. Check with a thermometer, pull the chops at 145°F and rest them for 3 minutes before cutting.
Why line and spray the pan?
Parmesan sticks to bare metal as it melts. Sprayed foil lets the chops lift off with the crust still attached.
Should I add salt?
Taste first. Parmesan and Italian bread crumbs are both salty.
Can I mix the coating in a bowl?
A plate or a shallow dish is easier. The chop can lie flat, which coats it more evenly.
How Long Does It Take?
About 53 minutes at the most: 5 minutes of prep, up to 45 minutes in the oven and a 3-minute rest. The hands-on part is over as soon as the pan goes in.
How Do You Bake Pork Chops?
For this dish, the method is simple: coat, set on a lined pan, and bake at 350°F in a single layer with a little space between the chops. No flipping is called for. The one tool you need is a food thermometer.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, in shallow, covered containers. They keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator or 3 to 4 months in the freezer. Thaw frozen chops in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Reheat to 165°F. The oven keeps the coating in better shape than the microwave does.
What to Serve With It
Mashed potatoes, buttered noodles or a green salad all go well. For more pork chop dinners, try smothered baked pork chops, French onion pork chops or honey garlic pork chops. If you want the potatoes cooked in the same dish, make pork chop supreme with potatoes or garlic butter pork chops with cheesy potato bake. And for a hands-off day, there are slow cooker Amish pork chops and apples.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make parmesan crusted pork chops in the oven?
Rub the chops with olive oil, press them into Parmesan and Italian bread crumbs, and bake at 350°F until they reach 145°F.
How to cook pork chops so they are tender and not tough?
Use a food thermometer, take them out at 145°F and let them rest for at least 3 minutes.
Do I need eggs for the breading?
No. Olive oil holds the coating on.
Can I use bone-in pork chops?
The recipe is written for 1/2-inch boneless chops. With any other cut, go by the thermometer.
Final Notes
I keep one hand for the oil and one for the crumbs, which keeps the coating on the chops and off my fingers. If you make it, leave a comment to tell me how it turned out or ask a question.
Parmesan Baked Pork Chops
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 boneless pork chops 1/2 inch thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Combine the Parmesan cheese, Italian bread crumbs, black pepper and garlic powder on a plate.
- Rub the pork chops with the olive oil. Press each chop into the cheese mixture until coated all over.
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and spray the foil with cooking spray.
- Place the chops on the pan and bake. Plan on up to 40 to 45 minutes, but go by a food thermometer, not the clock or the color of the crust. Take the chops out of the oven when the pork reaches 145°F.
- Let the chops rest for at least 3 minutes before serving.
