Shake and Bake Pork Chops

This Shake and Bake Pork Chops Recipe tastes just like the original boxed Shake ‘N Bake you loved as a kid. Tender pork chops are coated in flavorful seasoned breadcrumbs and baked until golden brown and perfectly crispy. Quick, easy, and always delicious!

Why fry? Shake and Bake!

I love a good breaded pork chop recipe. These parmesan-crusted pork chops are one of my favorites, along with classic pork schnitzel. But nothing, and I mean nothing, can compete with good ole Shake and Bake. Just thinking about these shaken, crispy, breaded chops is enough nostalgia to catapult me back to the days of zero responsibility and my first celebrity crush (Devon Sawa, I know you were just dying to know).

Anyway, pan-frying/baking breaded pork was my mom’s thing in the 90’s. Never deep-frying, always pan-frying, and Shake ‘N Bake was a dinnertime favorite. Truthfully, there was a lot of shaking meat in a bag happening at my house. And since pork chops were always on sale, shake-and-bake pork chops made a (very) regular appearance on our dinner plates.

Considering how much I loved these pork chops as a kid, I knew I needed to share my homemade version of Shake and Bake pork chops with you guys. Honestly, you guys, it’s a million times better than the (stupidly expensive) boxed stuff. All it is is seasoned breadcrumbs, plus meat, which doesn’t even come included anyway. Make a big batch of Homemade Shake and Bake Seasoning and store extras for later use. It is so easy; anyone can do it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make shake and bake pork chops from scratch, you’ll need a few “main” ingredients.

• Pork Chops: This recipe calls for thick(er)-cut boneless pork chops. You can use bone-in chops if that’s what you prefer, but my mama always made her shake and bake pork chops with boneless chops, so that’s how I typically make them.
• Olive oil: Or another oil like canola or avocado.
• Homemade Shake and Bake Seasoning: So, I wrote a whole post about my homemade shake-and-bake seasoning, but it’s pretty simple. You’ll need the following ingredients: plain breadcrumbs, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and black pepper.

*Find the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

Variations

• Seasoning: While this is an excellent recipe for classic shake and bake. You can easily modify the flavor by adding other spices, seasoning blends, and herbs. I enjoy adding homemade ranch seasoning mix or Cajun seasoning.
• Meat: You can use this breading mixture on almost any cut of meat. Try it with bone-in pork chops or chicken thighs, tenders, drumsticks, or breasts. You can even use it on fish fillets, like tilapia or cod.

How to Make Shake and Bake Pork Chops

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking pan, casserole dish, or baking sheet with aluminum foil.

2. Combine the oil and seasoning: Combine one cup of breadcrumbs, one tablespoon of cornstarch, one teaspoon of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley, and salt, plus ½ teaspoon of black pepper in a large gallon-size ziplock bag. Mix well. Add the oil and shake until combined (it should resemble wet sand).

3. Coat the pork chops: Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels, then add them to the ziplock bag with the seasoning mixture. Shake, Shake, Shake. Until the chops are completely coated in seasoning.

4. Bake: Transfer the coated pork chops to the prepared baking dish or baking sheet with space between each chop. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, as measured by a digital meat thermometer.

5. Rest and Serve: Allow the pork chops to cool for 3 minutes before serving with sides like mashed potatoes, Caesar salad, mac and cheese, or Brussels sprouts, and freshly minced parsley for garnish if desired.

Shake and Bake Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

A great alternative to the oven is the Air Fryer! Prepare the pork chops as outlined, then cook them in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, as measured by a digital meat thermometer.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat in the oven, transfer leftovers to a baking dish and bake in a 350-degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Or, reheat in the air fryer preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.