Shake and Bake Pork Chops: A Homemade Delight!

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The Easiest Way to Make Shake and Bake Pork Chops

I bet most busy parents have reached for that box of Shake ‘n Bake at one time or another. It’s so convenient, creating a delicious, crispy exterior with minimal cleanup. But let me tell you, this homemade version does all that and more, using just a bag, some pantry spices, pork chops, and breadcrumbs!

When you make homemade shake and bake pork chops, you not only get juicy, breaded meat on the table and happy kids, but also easy cleanup and tons of versatility. You can even customize the mix with your favorite herbs and spices. Plus, the same mix can be used for fish, veggies, and of course, chicken!

Why I LOVE this Recipe!

  • Super Easy: With just a bag, you can make the mix and coat the pork chops. Prep and cleanup don’t get much easier!
  • So Versatile!: Use your favorite pork chop cuts or even swap them out for chicken, fish, or veggies.
  • 3 Cooking Methods: Whether you like to bake, pan fry, or use your air fryer, all three methods work great with this recipe.
  • More Delicious: It’s so easy to add more or less of your favorite seasonings, so it’s always exactly the way your family likes it.

Recipe Notes

This shake and bake pork chop recipe is as simple as promised! It takes just 15 minutes to make a family-friendly meal. In this section, I’ll share a few tips and tricks to get the absolute best and most delicious results.

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Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.

Ingredients to make shake and bake pork chops

Ingredients + Substitutions

  • Pork chops: We’re using thin, boneless pork chops. They cook fast and create a yummy ratio of breadcrumbs to meat. But you can use any type of pork chop you like! Thicker cuts will take longer, so adjust the bake time accordingly. If you have thicker pork chops but want thinner ones, you can slice them into thin cutlets with a good knife.
  • Breadcrumbs: I recommend panko breadcrumbs for their great, crunchy texture. But you can use any unseasoned breadcrumbs you like, even homemade. We’ll be adding all the flavors ourselves.
  • Oil: I use vegetable oil, but any unflavored oil like canola or grapeseed works great too.
  • Seasonings: We use celery salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika to season the breadcrumbs, just like classic Shake ‘n Bake.
  • Dried herbs: Dried parsley, basil, and oregano create Italian flavors in our shake and bake breadcrumb mixture. I recommend all three, but if you don’t have one, feel free to omit it.
  • Salt & pepper

How to make shake and bake pork chops

Recipe Tips

  1. High heat and thin cuts are essential for crispiness: To achieve the most crisp texture and juicy pork, use a hot oven and thinner cuts. Lower heat can make the breadcrumbs soggy due to the meat’s moisture.
  2. Be generous with the crumb coating: The best flavor comes from lots of breadcrumbs on each pork chop. Make sure they’re well coated, and feel free to add extra shake and bake before baking if needed.
  3. Place near the bottom rack: Position your baking sheet near the bottom of the oven to help the underside of the pork chops get crisp instead of soggy.
  4. Watch the internal temperature: Overcooked pork chops can be tough and chewy, so keep an eye on the internal temperature. Invest in a meat thermometer if you don’t have one, so you know exactly when your pork chops are juicy and perfectly cooked.
  5. Use a cooling rack for frying: If you choose to pan-fry your pork chops, place them on a cooling rack set on top of a baking sheet lined with paper towels. This trick helps maintain the crispiness by allowing excess oil to drip down and absorb into the paper towels.
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Recipe Shortcuts

If you’re short on time, here are a few ideas to make this recipe even faster!

  • Prep homemade shake and bake ahead: This recipe is super easy to double or triple with hardly any extra effort. Portion out enough shake and bake mix to coat enough pork chops for one meal. The rest can be stored in the fridge for another night. One batch is enough to coat about 2 pounds of pork. Just remember not to store any breadcrumbs that have been tossed with raw meat. Make a large batch of breadcrumbs, take out what you need, and store the rest for quick and easy dinners.
  • Use the thinnest cutlets: Thinner cuts cook faster. Slice the pork chops into thin cutlets to get dinner on the table faster.
  • Use pre-seasoned breadcrumbs: If you’re in a hurry, pre-seasoned Italian breadcrumbs can save you some time. Check if they include salt and add it if necessary. Then proceed with adding the oil for the recipe.

Recipe Variations

If you love this recipe and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, try these variations:

  • BBQ Shake and Bake Pork Chops: Skip the basil, parsley, and oregano. Instead, add 1/2 teaspoon each of cumin, chili powder, and ginger, plus 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to create a breadcrumb mixture with BBQ flavor. Continue with the recipe as directed and toss with BBQ sauce after cooking if desired.
  • Cajun Shake and Bake Pork Chops: Replace the seasonings, herbs, and salt in the recipe with 2 tablespoons of store-bought or homemade Cajun seasoning blend. Then continue with the recipe as written.
  • Shake and Bake Ranch Pork Chops: Add 2 tablespoons of store-bought or homemade dried ranch mix to unseasoned breadcrumbs instead of the Italian herbs, seasonings, and salt. Make the rest of the recipe as directed.
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Crispy oven-baked shake and bake pork chops

Pork Shake and Bake Leftovers

If you have leftovers from making homemade shake and bake pork chops, consider yourself lucky! They save and reheat well, making the start of another delicious dish.

To save leftovers, separate them into meal-sized portions and place them in an airtight container:

  • In the refrigerator for 3-4 days
  • In the freezer for up to a month

Leftover Recipes

Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover:

  • Crispy Pork Chop Sandwiches: Lightly toast buns, shred lettuce, and slice pickles. Reheat the pork by lightly crisping it again in a hot pan. Lay it onto a bun and top with pickles, thousand island dressing, and shredded lettuce.
  • Pork Chop Salad: Toss mixed greens with your favorite toppings like cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and red onion. Add sliced leftover pork chop. Drizzle over homemade buttermilk ranch dressing, jalapeno ranch, or creamy Italian dressing and serve.
  • Crispy Pork Chop Tacos: Warm small flour tortillas and fill them with warm, sliced leftover pork chops. Top with pineapple jalapeno salsa or mango avocado salsa and serve.

More Easy Pork Chop Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, take a moment to check out a few more easy recipes for another busy night!

You can find all of my easy dinner recipes here, or see a few of our readers’ favorite recipes below:

  • Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops
  • Pan Seared Pork Chops with Corn Salsa
  • One Pan Tuscan Pork Chops
  • Southwest Bone in Pork Chops