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Easy Oven-Baked Pork Chops with Cracker Crust
Pork chops are one of my favorite budget-friendly meats to buy when they’re on sale. I often pick up a few extra packages and freeze them for later. This easy baked pork chop recipe is a simple way to turn an inexpensive cut of meat into a flavorful family dinner.
The pork chops are coated in salty cracker crumbs and baked until golden on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. It’s an easy dinner that doesn’t require much preparation, making it perfect for a busy weeknight.
Why You’ll Love These Baked Pork Chops
- Budget-friendly: Pork chops are often an inexpensive cut of meat, especially when they’re on sale.
- Easy to make: You only need a handful of basic ingredients.
- Crispy coating: Crushed crackers give the pork chops a flavorful coating.
- Easy to customize: Use different crackers, breadcrumbs, panko, or even pork rinds.
- Family-friendly: The simple seasoning makes these pork chops easy to serve with your favorite sides.
For this recipe, I use thick pork chops, about 3/4-inch to 1-inch thick. If you use thinner pork chops, you’ll need to reduce the cooking time so they don’t become dry.
I recommend using a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145°F, followed by a 3-minute rest time, to be safely cooked. Avoid overcooking to prevent dried-out meat.
Easy Oven-Baked Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tbs milk, cream, or water
- 1 sleeve crushed Saltines
- 1 tsp garlic pepper seasoning
- 6 thick pork chops
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a Silpat mat, parchment paper, or aluminum foil.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk, cream, or water.
- In a separate shallow dish, combine the crushed Saltine crackers and garlic pepper seasoning.
- Dip each pork chop into the egg mixture, making sure it is coated on all sides.
- Transfer the pork chop to the cracker mixture and press the crumbs onto both sides, making sure the entire pork chop is coated.
- Place the coated pork chops on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake until the pork chops reach 145°F in the thickest part, turning once halfway through cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the pork chops. Thick chops generally take around 45–60 minutes.
- Remove the pork chops from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Customize the Crumb Coating
The recipe calls for crushed Saltine crackers, but you can easily substitute whatever you have on hand. Some good options include:
- Dry breadcrumbs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Crushed Ritz or other buttery crackers
- Crushed dry stuffing mix
- Grated Parmesan cheese for a low-carb option
- Crushed pork rinds for a keto-friendly option
This makes the recipe easy to customize based on what you have in your pantry.
Seasoning Options
I seasoned these pork chops with garlic pepper seasoning, but there are plenty of ways to change the flavor. You can use seasoning salt, Italian seasoning, Cajun or Creole seasoning, or simply salt and pepper.
If you like a little extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or your favorite spicy seasoning to the cracker crumbs.
What to Serve with Baked Pork Chops
These pork chops go well with all kinds of simple side dishes. I love to serve mine with warm homemade applesauce, which is one of my favorite pairings with pork.
You could also serve them with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, corn, macaroni and cheese, or a simple side salad.
Tips for Tender Baked Pork Chops
- Use thick-cut pork chops: They are less likely to dry out during baking.
- Don’t rely only on cooking time: Pork chop thickness can vary, so a meat thermometer is the best way to determine when they’re done.
- Don’t overcook them: Once pork reaches 145°F, remove the chops from the oven and let them rest.
- Press the crumbs onto the pork: This helps the coating stick while baking.
- Try different seasonings: Change the seasoning depending on what you’re serving with the pork chops.
How to Store Leftover Pork Chops
Store leftover baked pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3–4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or air fryer to help the coating stay crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should pork chops be cooked to?
Pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145°F when measured in the thickest part of the meat.
Can I use thin pork chops?
Yes. Thin pork chops can be used, but they will cook much faster than the thick pork chops called for in this recipe. Start checking them early with a meat thermometer.
Can I use breadcrumbs instead of Saltines?
Yes. Dry breadcrumbs, panko, crushed crackers, or dry stuffing mix can all be used in place of the crushed Saltines.
Can I make these pork chops keto-friendly?
Yes. Replace the Saltine crumbs with grated Parmesan cheese or crushed pork rinds.
These easy baked pork chops are a great option when you want an inexpensive dinner made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The crispy cracker coating adds plenty of flavor without requiring a complicated breading process.
Basic Baked Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tbs milk, cream, or water
- 1 sleeve crushed saltines
- 1 tsp garlic pepper seasoning
- 6 thick pork chops
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare a baking sheet by covering it with a Silpat mat, parchment paper, or aluminum foil.
- In a shallow dish, whisk eggs and milk together.
- In a separate shallow dish, mix together the crushed cracker crumbs and the garlic pepper seasoning.
- One at a time, dip the pork chops in the egg mixture and then into the cracker mixture, making sure the entire pork chop is coated.
- Place on a prepared baking sheet.
- Bake until the pork chops reach 145°F in the thickest part, turning once halfway through cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the pork chops. Thick chops generally take around 45–60 minutes.
- Remove the pork chops from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
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