Convection ovens have revolutionized home cooking by utilizing fans to circulate hot air and promote even browning. This makes them especially well-suited for cooking pork chops to tender, juicy perfection. Follow my guide to mastering pork chops using your convection oven and you’ll be enjoying delicious dinners in no time.
Benefits of Cooking Pork Chops in a Convection Oven
There are several advantages to using a convection oven for pork chops:
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Even cooking The fanned hot air ensures the pork chops cook evenly from all sides preventing hot and cold spots.
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Speed Convection ovens can reduce cooking time by 25% thanks to efficient air circulation
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Juiciness: The constant movement of hot air seals in moisture. Pork chops are much less likely to dry out.
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Ideal browning: Convection fans promote caramelization for a crispy, browned exterior on the pork chops.
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Consistency: Convection ovens provide consistent results batch after batch. Settings are easy to replicate.
If you want tender, quick-cooking pork chops with mouthwatering browning, a convection oven is by far your best bet.
Choosing the Right Pork Chops
While any cut of pork can be used, I recommend choosing chops that are:
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1 to 1 1/2 inches thick – This thickness prevents drying out while still cooking quickly.
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Bone-in or boneless – Both work well, so choose based on preference. Bone-in has more flavor.
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Enhanced or natural – Enhanced chops have been injected with a salt solution for added moisture. Opt for natural if you want to better control the seasoning.
Some good options are rib chops, sirloin chops, or center-cut loin chops. Avoid very lean chops, which lack flavor and tenderness.
Seasoning Your Pork Chops
The seasoning is key for maximizing the flavor of your pork chops. Here are some approaches:
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Simple rub – Coat chops evenly with salt, pepper and spices like garlic powder, paprika and oregano.
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Marinade – Soak chops for 30 mins to an hour in a marinade of olive oil, vinegar, herbs and seasonings.
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Dry brine – Sprinkle chops generously with kosher salt and refrigerate 1-2 hours before baking.
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Compound butter – Top chops with a flavored butter before or after cooking. Think citrus, garlic, herbs and more.
Get creative with seasonings! The convection oven seals in the flavors beautifully.
Setting Up the Convection Oven
Preheating is key for properly cooked pork chops:
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Temperature – Preheat oven to 375°F-400°F. Higher heat helps get a good sear.
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Racks – Place chops on middle or lower rack so they aren’t too close to the heating element.
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Prep pan – Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Make sure the oven is fully preheated before baking or the chops may overcook on the outside while staying underdone inside.
Baking Times for Juicy Pork Chops
The thickness of your chops determines the baking time needed.
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1 inch thick – Bake for 9-12 minutes in a convection oven preheated to 400°F.
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1 1/2 inches thick – Bake for 12-15 minutes at the same temperature.
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2 inches thick – Increase baking time to 15-18 minutes.
Always rely on a meat thermometer to confirm doneness rather than time alone. Pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
If desired, do a quick sear in a hot skillet before baking. This adds flavor and color.
Allowing Time to Rest
Never skip the resting period for pork chops! Resting for 5-10 minutes after removing chops from the oven allows juices to redistribute so meat stays tender and moist when you cut into it.
Tenting chops loosely with foil while resting prevents cooling too quickly. The residual heat continues to gently cook the meat during this time.
Serving Your Succulent Pork Chops
The possibilities for serving baked pork chops are endless. Here are just a few ideas:
- Roast vegetables like potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts
- Mashed, baked or fried potatoes
- Rice, quinoa or other grains
- Fresh green salad
- Roasted butternut squash
- Sauteed peppers and onions
A pan sauce from the pork drippings is also an easy way to add lots of flavor. Your perfect pork chop meal awaits!
Troubleshooting For Best Results
Having trouble getting tender, juicy pork chops? Here are some tips:
- Don’t crowd chops on the baking sheet. Give them space.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
- Adjust bake time for thicker/thinner chops.
- Let chops rest sufficiently after baking.
- Brine or marinate chops for added moisture.
- Avoid very lean chops lacking in fat and flavor.
With my guide to convection oven pork chops, you have all the tools needed for success! Enjoy this easy yet impressive dinner option any night of the week. The convection oven helps you achieve a gourmet meal with convenience.
Need dinner in a hurry? These Crispy Breaded Pork Chops are ready in record time!
You probably have many of the ingredients for this simple weeknight meal already on hand. It will only take twenty minutes to make dinner if you buy some pork chops and salad ingredients. This idea for CRISPY BREADED PORK CHOPS is really simple!.
One of the fabulous things about this recipe is that you don’t need to fuss about your sides. It’s so easy to make this main dish that you can make a healthy salad while the chops bake. When they’re done, you’re ready to eat!
Easy salads like this GRATED CARROT and SIMPLE SALAD are always nice as is our EASY ASIAN SLAW. Eat the chops with our SPICED APPLESAUCE and a lemon slice to make the flavors stand out. It’s really tasty.
Here’s what you need to remember when you make these CRISPY BREADED PORK CHOPS at home:
Use bone-in chops of the same thickness, and in my opinion the thicker the better. I always ask my butcher to cut chops that are at least an inch thick and have a thin line of fat around the edge. That fat will crisp up during the baking, adding a delicious flavour.
This recipe has been made with gluten-free breadcrumbs, Japanese panko, store-bought breadcrumbs, and quick breadcrumbs I made at home. Mixing the breadcrumbs with fine-chopped fresh herbs and grated cheese adds a wonderful flavour.
Baking the breaded chops in a hot oven ensures that they come out with that all-important crispy-outside-juicy-inside finish. Also, I believe this is the best time to use the convection setting on your oven, if you have one. Just make sure to put the breaded chops on a wire rack inside the baking sheet so that hot air can flow around the chops from top to bottom.
Pork Chops in the OVEN Recipe, Extremely Tender & Juicy |This is a Must Try!!
FAQ
How long should I cook pork chops in a convection oven?
Is it better to Bake Pork Chops covered or uncovered?
What is the best way to cook pork chops without them drying out?
How long do you cook pork chops in a convection oven?
Place the seasoned pork chops on the prepared baking sheet and insert them into the preheated convection oven. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) as measured by a meat thermometer. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the pork chops.
Can you cook boneless pork chops in a convection oven?
When cooking boneless pork chops in a convection oven, it’s important to remember that they cook faster than bone-in chops. To ensure that your boneless pork chops are cooked to perfection, preheat your convection oven to 400°F and set the rack to the upper third of the oven. Lightly grease a baking sheet and place the pork chops on it.
How do you cook pork in a convection oven?
The hot circulating air in a convection oven can cause meats to cook faster than in a conventional oven. Lowering the oven temperature slightly will result in more even cooking and help retain the pork’s moisture. For boneless pork chops, preheat the convection oven to 375°F (190°C).
How do you cook pork chops in the oven?
One way to get extra flavorful pork chops is to start by searing them on the stovetop before finishing them in the oven. To do this, heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a small amount of oil or butter. Season the pork chops and place them in the skillet, cooking for two to three minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust.