Saltine Crusted Pork Chops

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Saltine Crusted Pork Chops are coated in crushed saltine crackers mixed with spices and are fried in butter for a crispy, salty coating that is totally delicious.   This recipe originally published in March 2012.

A dinner plate with a handful of french fries on the top, a golden brown pork chop to the left, and a mixture of cauliflower and red peppers to the right.

When I was a kid, my dad stayed home with my brother and I during the day while my mom was at work and then he would go to work at night while we were sleeping.  It’s kind of funny because my husband and I do the same thing.  He stays home with J while I work during the day and then once I get home he works. 

So because my dad was home with us during the day I got to spend a lot of quality time with him. One thing he and I used to like to do was “invent” new dishes in the kitchen. One of my favorites was “Chicken ala Fig” which was named after our family surname.  It was basically chicken rolled in Saltine crackers then fried but man did I love it.

So when I came across a recipe for Saltine crusted pork chops it immediately took my back to my childhood.  I didn’t even look at the recipe because I wanted to make it the way I remembered it tasting.   I was almost afraid to try making it for fear it wouldn’t taste how I remembered it.
Pin Image: A dinner plate with a handful of french fries on the top, a golden brown pork chop to the left, and a mixture of cauliflower and red peppers to the right, text overlay, a skillet with four golden brown pork chops in the pan.
 
One of the great things about this recipe is that it’s super easy to make so it’s great as a weeknight meal.  Also, you can change the spices around to use whatever your family likes or whatever you have on hand.
 
For this recipe you will need:
  • pork chops
  • eggs
  • Saltine crackers
  • garlic
  • salt
  • pepper
  • onion powder
  • Parmesan cheese
  • butter

To make the pork chops I simply crushed the saltine crackers using a rolling pin and then added all the seasonings.  I dipped the pork into the eggs then into the cracker mixture.   Then it goes into a pan of melted butter.

The trick to these pork chops is to cook them on medium heat so they don’t dry out and so that the coating doesn’t burn.  It seems to take a while for them to cook but it is totally worth it.

Once the pork chops come out of the pan I like to sprinkle them with a little salt.   They were super golden brown and smelled delicious.  They looked just like I remembered.

Can I use something other than Saltine Crackers?

You can use something other than the Saltines but I find that they add the perfect amount of crispness and saltiness to the pork chops.   You can use Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs in place of the Saltines though if you don’t have any. 

Can I cook these in the Air Fryer?

I’m sure you can though I can’t give you an exact time on it.   I’ve cooked several pork chops in the Air Fryer and they’ve all turned out fine so if you have a good temperature and timing for them give it a shot!   Just omit the butter at the end of the recipe.

Can I add a little spice to this recipe?

Yes!   You can either add a tablespoon of hot sauce to the egg mixture or you can add smoked paprika and cayenne pepper along with the seasonings.

Do you use boneless or bone in pork chops?

Since this is a budget recipe I like to use boneless pork chops.  It takes less time to cook and there’s more of the pork chops to eat.

I shouldn’t have worried about how they were going to taste because they ended up being even better then I remember! The pork chops are so juicy from having the cracker coating seal in the juices. The crackers are lightly seasoned and flavorful. Both my husband and I enjoyed this dish and I can’t wait to make it for my dad.
 

More Pork Chop Recipes:

 
 
A dinner plate with a handful of french fries on the top, a golden brown pork chop to the left, and a mixture of cauliflower and red peppers to the right.

Saltine Crusted Pork Chops

Yield: serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Saltine Crusted Pork Chops are coated in crushed saltine crackers mixed with spices and are fried in butter for a crispy, salty coating that is totally delicious

Ingredients

  • 4 thin cut boneless pork chops
  • 2 eggs
  • 8 oz. Saltine crackers, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons butter

Instructions

  1. Place the eggs in a shallow dish and beat well.
  2. In another shallow dish combine the crushed crackers, garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, and Parmesan cheese.
  3. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  4. As soon as the butter is melted dip each pork chop into the egg mixture then press into the cracker mixture.
  5. Fry the pork chops for 5-7 minutes per side in the pan or until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees and the coating is golden brown.

Notes

A Hezzi-D Original recipe

A dinner plate with a handful of french fries on the top, a golden brown pork chop to the left, and a mixture of cauliflower and red peppers to the right.

 

11 Comments

  1. We love breaded pork chops and when I make them again, I will definitely be trying this recipe. So glad I found it!

  2. My husband loves breaded pork chops and we don’t have them nearly enough. This is a great way to make them!

  3. Aww! So sweet of you to share the special recipe you made with your dad! Food makes memories! This sounds absolutely delicious!

  4. I’ve made these with panko crumbs before and they’re great! Will definitely try saltines now. That sounds fabulous too.

        1. Unfortunately no because the cracker mixture will get soggy and won’t crisp up in the skillet because it turns into a paste.

  5. I forget how easy it is to use crackers as bread crumbs… and so much flavor. I have thawed pork chops for tonight and I think I might just do this.

  6. Hi Heather,
    This is a great crust for the chops, they look delicious! Hope you are having a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
    Miz Helen

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