Hemp and Herb Crusted Pork Chops

Are you looking for breadcrumb alternatives for fried pork chops? They are frugal and tastier than regular breadcrumbs. Also, I am sharing a family-favorite pork chop recipe. Pairs wonderfully with Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables or Lemon Butter Asparagus. Don’t forget to try this Almond Crusted Baked Chicken too!

Southern fried pork chops are my ultimate favorite! Especially with a crispy crust on the outside, juicy and tender inside, with the perfect accompaniment to some steamed veggies and stove-top mac and cheese or smashed sweet potatoes. Serve it alongside some homemade applesauce and this just might be my new favorite dish.

The frugal foodie in me loves the fact that pork chops can be an inexpensive main dish. I love how the breading is versatile.

Let’s talk about different breading options for cooking fried pork chops. I will also share a family favorite meal: Hemp and Herb Pork Chops. The hemp hearts add a delicious nutty flavor!

Perfect Fried Pork Chops Recipe

Now, before you start thinking that pan-frying pork chops are no better for you than deep-frying pork chops, hear me out.

• First, they’re pan-fried in practically the healthiest oil on the planet: coconut oil. With all the health benefits of coconut oil, we should be chomping at the bit to eat more of it. It’s way better than canola oil. Go ahead, let that be an excuse to make pork chops for dinner. I won’t stop you.
• Second, that super-healthy oil makes the pork chops taste even better! There’s something about the slightly sweet goodness of the coconut oil mixed with the nutty goodness of hemp hearts that is so darn tasty, you’ll be doing yourself a disservice trying to cook them without it.
• Oh yes, and did I mention that these lovely chops are gluten-free? I bypassed the traditional wheat flour this time and chose a very special flour to mix with the hemp hearts – one that complimented and enhanced the natural nutty flavor: almond flour.
• So to recap, we’ve got coconut oil and almond flour, and hemp hearts all working together to create this crispy crust of yum covering our pork chop.

Basic Breading Ideas for Fried Pork Chops

• Almond Crusted Breading
• Sweet Rice Flour
• Brown Rice Flour
• Coconut Flour
• Rolled Oats
• Shredded Coconut
• Crushed Nuts
• Pretzels
• Crackers

You can store your homemade breadcrumbs in the fridge (in an airtight container) for up to one month, or the freezer for up to six months. If you keep them in the pantry, they will last two weeks.

Basic Seasoning Ideas for Southern Fried Pork Chops

• sea salt
• dried oregano
• dried thyme
• onion powder
• paprika
• black pepper
• cayenne pepper
• or simply seasoned salt

Ingredients for Hemp and Herb Crusted Pan Fried Pork Chops

• boneless pork chops
• milk (or non-dairy substitute)
• hemp hearts
• almond meal OR almond flour
• garlic powder
• sea salt
• Italian seasoning
• ground black pepper
• paprika
• coconut oil

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How to Make Hemp and Herb-Crusted Fried Pork Chops

Step 1. Pat dry the pork chops with paper towels and set aside. Pour almond flour onto a plate.

Step 2. Pour milk into a shallow dish.

Step 3. Combine hemp hearts, almond flour, and seasonings in a separate shallow dish.

Step 4. Heat oil over a cast iron skillet on medium-low. The oil is ready for frying when you drop a drop of water and it sizzles. Note: You want a medium, steady sizzle. A weak sizzle means the oil isn’t hot enough, and a fast, hard sizzle means the oil is too hot.

Step 5. Working with one pork chop at a time, lightly coat both sides of the pork chop in the flour mixture and brush off the excess.

Step 6. Quickly dunk both sides of the pork chops into the milk. Place the pork chop in the seasoned hemp heart dish and thoroughly coat both sides of the pork chop.

Step 7. Add the pork chop to a large skillet and cook on medium-high heat until the sides turn a dark golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side for the same dark golden color. Cook pork until internal temperature reaches 135F and no pink juices remain.

Step 8. Remove pork chop to a cooling rack for a few minutes before serving (this helps to make the crust crispier). Repeat with the remaining pork chops, taking care not to overcrowd the pan.

FAQs for Pan Fried Pork Chops

Pan Cooked Pork Chops Recipe Ideas

This recipe is so versatile, that it would work for pork, chicken, and even fish. Be on the lookout for marked-down meats.

You might not think that one pork chop is very filling, but I found that each 1/4 lb pork chop – when coated with protein-rich hemp hearts and almond flour AND healthy fats – was very satisfying.

If meat doesn’t make appearances in your meal plan often, let this one be the star of the show one night and serve with a salad (and possibly a whole grain). To those from the Midwest – there’s a pork tenderloin sandwich calling your name!

More Pork Recipes

• Maple Glazed Pork Chops
• Leftover Pork and Potato Soup
• Stretching One Pork Loin into Seven Meals
• Slow Cooker Carnitas