Air Fryer Tonkatsu (Japanese Fried Pork Cutlet) (Edit recipe)

Tonkatsu is a Japanese fried pork cutlet dish that’s breaded with Panko breadcrumbs then deep fried in oil. It’s served with a delicious sweet and tangy sauce, with a side of cabbage and rice. These crunchy and juicy paleo, Whole30, and keto pork cutlets are made healthier and easier in the air fryer. There’s no mess or splatter involved, and I was shocked at how much it tasted like the deep fried version.

10 minutes

14 minutes

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Show nutritional information

This is our estimate based on online research.
Calories:	818
Fat:	55 g
Carbohydrates:	15 g
Protein:	74 g
Cholesterol:	192 g
Sodium:	1224 mg
Fiber:	2 g
Sugars:	10 g
Calculated per serving.

by What Great Grandma Ate

View original recipe

Serves: 4

Ingredients

Tonkatsu

1 lb Pork Chop, thinly cut
Salt, to taste
Black Pepper, to taste
3 Tbsp Coconut Flour
1 whole Egg, large; whisked
1 1/2 cups Pork Panko, or ground up pork rinds

Tonkatsu Sauce

1/4 cup Ketchup, (sugar-free)
2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tbsp Coconut Aminos
1 tsp Molasses, (omit for Whole30 and keto)
1 tsp Coconut Palm Sugar, (use 1 tsp Swerve for keto, or 1/2 pitted medjool date for Whole30)
1 tsp Coarse-Dijon Mustard (Noble Made)
1/8 tsp Onion Powder
1/8 tsp Garlic Powder
1/8 tsp ground Ginger
1/8 tsp Sea Salt

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Process

Note, these instructions are written assuming the standard serving size, since you have modified the number of servings, these steps may need to be modified for best results

Make the tonkatsu sauce first by whisking together all its ingredients. If you are making a Whole30 version, blend the ingredients together so the date can break down. Taste to add more sweetener if desired. Chill until ready to use.
Preheat air fryer to 360 degrees F.
Pat the pork dry, then generously season with salt and pepper.
Set up an assembly line of 3 bowls, each with coconut flour, whisked egg, and pork panko.
Working one at a time, dredge each pork chop into coconut flour, dip into egg, then dredge in pork panko. Press to coat.
Add the pork into the air fryer in a single layer. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip to cook for 5 more minutes. Increase the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F, then cook for 2 additional minutes on each side until golden and crispy.
Serve immediately with tonkatsu sauce.

Notes

For keto tonkatsu sauce: Omit molasses and coconut sugar, and add Swerve sweetener instead. I would start with 1 tsp, then taste to add more if desired. // For Whole30 tonkatsu sauce: Omit molasses and coconut sugar, and add 1/2 of a medjool date. For this version, you’ll have to blend the sauce so the date can break down. Taste and add more, if desired.