Crispy Baked Pork Cutlets

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Crispy Baked Pork Cutlets made with only five ingredients that is packed with flavor, low in calories, and will become a dinner favorite.

227 CAL 6g CARBS 6g FAT 33g PROTEIN 5
7 Comments

These Baked Pork Cutlets are so good. You will never believe that it actually a lightened up version of a fried pork cutlet or schnitzel. Made with just a few simple ingredients, it is a meal we eat all the time.

These simple and delicious crispy pork tenderloin cutlets will quickly become a go-to recipe in your weekly menus.

The basic concept couldn't be simpler - coat the pork in a thin layer of mustard, press it into some spiced Panko breadcrumbs, and lightly fry.

However, the thing I really love about this recipe is how many ways you can make it your own. Use a different type of mustard, try a jelly or jam, use Thai sweet chili sauce, swap in eggs or buttermilk, the possibilities are endless.

By swapping out the coating of the pork and spicing up the breadcrumbs, you can make so many different dishes.

Crispy Baked Pork with lemon wedges on a white plate.

Now before anyone asks, this can definitely be made with chicken instead. I like making it with pork since it is something we don't eat as often, but I know there are lots of people who don't eat pork or may just prefer chicken. Chicken breast tenderloins or sliced chicken breasts will work best for the recipe. It's also a huge hit for kids. I mean it's basically a baked chicken tender.

How long does it take to bake thin pork cutlets?

For crispy pork cutlets, they will take about 15 minutes total to cook. First, you will want to start by searing them in a pan so the outside gets nice and brown. Then they will finish in 8-10 minutes in 450 degree oven. If you simply want to bake them, place them on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 13-15 minutes at 450 degrees. The baking time may change slightly depending on the thickness of the pork.

What cut of meat is used for pork cutlets?

Normally pork tenderloin is used for pork cutlets since you want a cut that is lean, thin, and tender. The loin is the most tender part of the meat and therefore is ideal for a cutlet style preparation.

How do you cook pork cutlets?

Traditionally pork cutlets are fried in vegetable oil or a deep fryer. To lighten things up, this recipes for baked cutlets starts in a hot pan so the outside breading cuts nice and crispy. Then the pork finishes cooking in the oven until the pork is cooked through.

Serving Ideas

There are so many different ways to use these cutlets. They are delicious on their own but you can get really creative as well. Consider:

  • Pork Parmesan: Instead of using chicken, make this traiditonal Italian dish using lean pork instead. Make the cutlets, top with marinara sauce, and add mozzarella cheese.
  • Sandwiches: These make the most delicious sandwiches. Add pickles, Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard, lettuce, and tomatoes. Delicious. You can also make an Italian style Parmesan sandwich with marinara sauce and cheese.
  • Salads: Grab a big bowl of greens and add tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, apples, and Skinny Ranch dressing.
  • With dipping sauce: Instead of making chicken tenders, slice the pork into strips and make pork tenders. Serve with ketchup, honey mustard, ranch dressing, or any of your go-to dipping sauces.

Recipe Ideas for Baked Pork Cutlets

  • Dijon mustard and thyme: This is the version I included in the recipe. It's a classic combination and has just the right amount of spice and punchy herbal flavors.
  • Sweet Thai Chili Sauce and shredded coconut: Swap in Thai sweet chili sauce for the mustard and add some shredded coconut to your Panko breadcrumbs.
  • Buffalo sauce and ranch: Use buffalo sauce instead of the mustard and add dried ranch seasoning into the breadcrumbs.
  • Italian dressing and spice: Use a light Italian dressing to coat the pork and then add some Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes to the breading.
  • Eggs and cajun seasoning: Coat the pork in a traditional egg wash and then add lots of Cajun seasoning to the Panko breadcrumbs.
  • Barbecue sauce and grill seasoning: Use barbecue sauce to coat the pork and then add some grill seasoning to the breadcrumbs mixture.
  • Orange and rosemary: Lightly coat the pork in orange marmalade and add some rosemary to the breading.
  • Pesto and Parmesan: Coat the pork in a store bought pesto sauce and throw some Parmesan into the Panko.

Looking for more healthy pork recipes?

This recipe was originally posted in 2012 but has been updated with new pictures and recipe info.

The Recipe
Baked Pork cutlets with a crispy breading on a plate with lemon.

Crispy Baked Pork Cutlets

227 CAL 6g CARBS 6g FAT 33g PROTEIN 5
PREP TIME: 10 Min
COOK TIME: 15 Min
TOTAL TIME: 25 Min
7 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1.67 lbs. lean pork tenderloin (sliced)
  • 3 tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 2/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

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1

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

2

Stir the thyme, salt, and pepper into the mustard.

3

Spread the mustard mixture evenly over the pork.

4

Coat each piece of pork with the panko breadcrumbs.

5

Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add the olive oil and once it is hot, lightly fry the pork for 2 minutes on each side or until brown and crispy.

6

Place the whole skillet in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until cooked to your liking.

Equipment

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Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 6 oz
Amount Per Serving
Calories 227
Calories from Fat 57
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g
10%
Saturated Fat 1g
7%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 98mg
33%
Sodium 308mg
13%
Total Carbohydrate 6g
2%
Dietary Fiber 0g
1%
Sugars 0g
Protein 33g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
7 Comments
On Crispy Baked Pork Cutlets
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C shore
July 21, 2023 - 15:18
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5
This recipe was amazingly informative and helpful.
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Finnia
May 7, 2018 - 19:24
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5
I have a question about the 1 tablespoon of oil olive. How do you make it last for 1.67 lbs of pork? I think I'm doing something wrong because it seems like 1 tbsp gets absorbed before I can flip the pork. I love, love, love these flavors - any advice would be much appreciated.
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Gene
April 23, 2022 - 11:18
Add table spoon of butter
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Donna
May 17, 2018 - 13:30
I had the same issue as well as the crumbs not sticking to the pork after frying....love the flavours but will add egg next time to see if that helps?
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Barbara
May 12, 2024 - 10:18
I had the same problem, but the second time I did it, I deep-fried them for about (3) minutes then I transferred them to the oven with marinara sauce and mozzarella just like chicken Parmesan.
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May 13, 2018 - 21:49
I haven't had that problem! Maybe try using a combination of olive oil and cooking spray.
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Michelle Jacobus
March 14, 2018 - 16:46
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5
This was fabulous. Per one of your substitutions, I chose the sweet chile Thai sauce and coconut mixed with the panko. I could have eaten every pork loin. This is a new favorite from your site. It was super to have the taste of something other than chicken. I urge you to post more recipes as I'm tiring of crockpot WW recipes. This was absolutely yum ...of course hubby ate 3 chops. Grrrrrr. Thnaks to my favorite "go to" WW site.
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