With just the right amount of seasoning, this breaded pork chops recipe is ready in 30 minutes and will be juicy and delicious. The pork chops are covered in a thin layer of mayonnaise, which keeps the meat very moist, and then they are breaded with a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
Growing up, I was not really a fan of the “other white meat”, aka, pork. Today, though, we’ve been changing things up, and I must say, I don’t mind at all!
When cooked well, pork chops are incredibly delicious and juicy. And this recipe, it’s ready in about 30 minutes, which is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!.
We’re often in a hurry to make dinner by the time the kids get home from school and do their homework. With after-school activities or playing with neighbors, it’s a real mess when it’s time for dinner.
This recipe is incredibly versatile, can be prepped ahead of time, and is truly a family favorite!
Pork chops fried in bread crumbs are a tasty and easy dinner that can be made ahead of time. The crispy, golden breading pairs perfectly with the tender, juicy pork inside. But what do you do with breaded pork chops that you don’t eat right away? Can you freeze them to eat later?
Yes, you can freeze breaded pork chops. Freezing is a great way to save time and keep food from going to waste. When frozen for up to three months, breaded pork chops can keep their great quality and taste as long as they are stored properly.
Below is a complete guide to freezing breaded pork chops, including how to freeze them properly, storage times, how to prevent freezer burn, and the best reheating methods to keep them crispy
Benefits of Freezing Breaded Pork Chops
Freezing breaded pork chops provides several advantages
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Saves money and reduces food waste: Freezing leftovers prevents having to throw out uneaten pork chops. This saves money since you don’t have to keep buying more.
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Makes meal planning easier: Having breaded pork chops in the freezer gives you quick access to an easy dinner option anytime.
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Lets you prep in advance You can bread a large batch of pork chops in advance to freeze, saving you time later on busy nights.
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Locks in freshness: Freezing prevents pork chops from spoiling quickly in the fridge. Frozen breaded pork chops can taste just-prepared when reheated.
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Extends shelf life: Frozen breaded pork chops stay good for 2-3 months in the freezer versus just 3-5 days in the fridge.
How to Freeze Breaded Pork Chops
Follow these simple steps for freezing breaded pork chops correctly:
1. Allow to fully cool
It’s important that breaded pork chops are completely cooled before freezing. Hot food will cause moisture and ice crystals to form, damaging texture. Allow chops to come to room temperature after cooking.
2. Wrap chops individually
Wrap each breaded pork chop tightly in plastic wrap, foil, or place in a freezer bag. This prevents them from sticking together and protects the breading from damage.
3. Exclude air
Press out as much air as possible from the wrapping to minimize freezer burn, which can make breading soggy.
4. Portion into meals
For convenience, wrap chops in individual portions or meal-sized packs you can simply defrost and reheat later.
5. Use freezer bags or containers
Place wrapped chops in zip-top freezer bags or airtight freezer-safe containers. This gives an added layer of protection.
6. Freeze right away
Once breaded and wrapped, freeze pork chops immediately so they stay as fresh as possible. Place bags or containers flat in the freezer so chops freeze evenly.
How Long Do Breaded Pork Chops Last in the Freezer?
When stored properly, breaded pork chops can keep well in the freezer for 2-3 months. The colder the freezer temperature (0°F is ideal), the longer breaded pork chops will maintain quality texture and flavor.
For best results, try to eat frozen breaded pork chops within 2-3 months. After about 4-6 months, they can suffer more moisture loss and damage to the breading.
Write the freeze date on bags or containers so it’s easy to track. Also, freeze breaded pork chops in individual meal portions so there’s less repeat thawing and refreezing.
Tips for Freezing Breaded Pork Chops
Follow these tips to successfully freeze and store breaded pork chops:
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Double wrap chops in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn.
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Exclude as much air as possible from wrapping to avoid ice crystals.
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Portion into meal-sized packs for easy reheating later.
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Use heavyweight freezer bags or airtight freezer containers.
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Freeze breaded pork chops immediately after cooking and cooling.
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Maintain a consistent 0°F freezer temperature for longest storage.
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Avoid refreezing previously frozen breaded pork chops more than once.
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Label bags or containers with the freeze date and reheating instructions.
How to Prevent Freezer Burn
Freezer burn is one of the biggest threats to frozen breaded pork chops. It happens when air reaches the frozen food, causing moisture loss and dry spots. Here are some tips to avoid freezer burn:
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Wrap each pork chop individually in plastic wrap before freezing.
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Remove as much excess air as possible from bags and containers.
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Use heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer paper to double wrap.
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Choose high-quality freezer bags designed to be airtight.
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Portion into smaller meal-sized packs rather than freezing all together.
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Maintain a consistent freezing temperature close to 0°F.
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Avoid opening the freezer frequently, which introduces warm air.
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Consume frozen breaded pork chops within 2-3 months for best quality.
How to Thaw Frozen Breaded Pork Chops
It’s best to thaw frozen breaded pork chops gently and slowly in the refrigerator. This helps retain moisture and prevents the breading from becoming soggy:
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Place frozen breaded pork chops in a single layer in a shallow dish or pan.
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Refrigerate for 12-24 hours depending on thickness, until completely thawed.
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Keep thawed breaded pork chops refrigerated and use within 3-5 days.
You can also thaw breaded pork chops sealed in a zip-top bag submerged under cold running water. Change the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Or, thaw in the microwave using the “defrost” setting if in a pinch.
Avoid thawing at room temperature as this can cause bacteria to grow. Cook thawed breaded pork chops immediately, never refreeze raw pork that has been thawed.
How to Reheat Breaded Pork Chops
The goal when reheating frozen breaded pork chops is crisping up the exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Here are some excellent reheating methods:
Oven (350°F): Place thawed breaded pork chops on a baking sheet and bake 15-20 minutes until hot and crispy.
Air Fryer: Air fry thawed chops at 380°F for 6-10 minutes depending on thickness for quick crisping.
Skillet: Pan fry over medium-high heat in oil to crisp both sides, about 4 minutes per side.
Microwave: Microwave individual chops on a microwave-safe plate for 2-3 minutes. The breading may lose some crunch.
No matter which reheating method you use, remember to cook thawed pork chops to an internal temperature of at least 145°F. Track with a meat thermometer for food safety.
Tips for Reheating Crispy Breaded Pork Chops
Follow these tips for reheating breaded pork chops while maintaining a crispy exterior:
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Completely thaw breaded pork chops in the fridge before reheating.
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Use a high heat method like the oven, air fryer or skillet to crisp the breading.
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Coat the chops in a little oil or butter before reheating to encourage browning.
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Flip/rotate chops during reheating to evenly crisp all sides.
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Cook until breaded pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
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Let chops rest 5 minutes after reheating so inside finishes cooking gently.
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Serve immediately for hottest and crispiest results.
Enjoy Delicious Crispy Breaded Pork Chops Again!
By mastering freezing and reheating methods, you can enjoy deliciously crispy breaded pork chops over and over again. Follow proper techniques for wrapping, portioning, thawing and reheating to get the same fresh taste and crispy texture each time.
With a well-stocked freezer, you always have access to a hearty and satisfying meal with minimal work. Breaded pork chops are inexpensive, family-friendly and can be prepped in advance. Keep your freezer stocked so you have this tasty dinner option ready anytime!
Crispy Breaded Pork Chops Recipe
- ▢ 4 boneless pork chops about 1″ thick
- ▢ salt and pepper to taste
- ▢ 1 1/2 cups plain breadcrumbs
- ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt
- ▢ 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ▢ 1/2 tsp black pepper
- ▢ 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- ▢ 1/4 tsp onion powder
- ▢ 1/4 tsp celery seed
- ▢ 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- Warm the oven up to 425°F and put aluminum foil or parchment paper around the edges of a baking sheet with a lip. Set aside.
- Place pork chops on paper towels to dry them well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Breadcrumbs, salt, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, celery seed, and Parmesan cheese should all be mixed together in a shallow bowl. Stir to combine well.
- In a small bowl, spread mayonnaise on one side of the pork chop. Then, place the chop, mayo side down, in the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to coat well.
- On the other side of the pork chop, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise and then sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture. Gently press the mixture to stick.
- Place the pork chop on the baking sheet that has been prepared. Do steps 1 and 2 again with the other pork chops.
- Put all the chops on the baking sheet and spray them with cooking spray. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the pork reaches 145°F on the inside.
- Allow the pork chops to rest for a few minutes. Then, serve them with lemon wedges and some fresh, minced parsley on top.
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- You can easily double this recipe if you need to make more than four pork chops.
Recipes to serve with breaded pork chops
I love using this meat thermometer for making sure the meat is finished cooking! Easy for beginners & totally worth the $17 cost! If you’d like to treat yourself and get a wireless thermometer probe that stays IN the meat, and will alert you when it gets to the temperature you want, this smart meat thermometer works with your phone! It’s been so much fun to use.
If you made it, please rate it below and tag me on Facebook and Instagram @the_chunky_chef!
How To Make Perfect Breaded Porkchops In The Oven
FAQ
Can you freeze battered pork?
Can you freeze already cooked pork chops?
Can I bread my pork chops ahead of time?
Can you freeze cooked breaded pork chops?
Yes, you can freeze cooked breaded pork chops. You can freeze breaded pork chops raw or cooked, just like any other meat. It’s best to freeze them raw because this increases their shelf life. Just wrap the uncooked pork chops in plastic and place them inside a freezer bag for longer-lasting storage.
Can You refrigerate breaded pork chops?
Refrigerate leftover breaded pork chops in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. To Reheat. Warm up leftovers in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees F, in the microwave, or in a skillet on the stovetop. To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months.
What happens if you freeze cooked pork chops?
The thing to watch for when freezing cooked pork chops is freezer burn. When your frozen food loses moisture, it can result in frozen crystals forming. This is called freezer burn and results in dry, tough food. Pork is especially prone to this.
Can you freeze cooked pork chops in gravy?
Cooked pork chops in gravy can be frozen, but you have to make sure that the gravy hasn’t been cooked with dairy products. This way, the sauce will not curdle when reheated and the flavor of your pork chop dish won’t be affected. Plus, your meal will taste just as good as it was fresh out of the oven or stovetop.