Air Fryer Pork Katsu (2024)

Juicy, tender pork cutlets wrapped in a crispy layer of breadcrumbs with a sweet-and-savory sauce drizzled over the top makes this Air Fryer Pork Katsu an easy dish to fall in love with.

This breaded pork cutlet may resemble myPork Schnitzel, but there are a couple of things that make it katsu. The thick, sweet and savory sauce served over the cutlet, steamed rice, and shredded fresh cabbage served on the side.

Much like the pork schnitzel this recipe is very basic and simple and comes together pretty quickly. You end up with crunchy panko crumbs on the outside and tender and delicious pork inside.

Scroll down to read more about how it all comes together or click here to jump straight down to the recipe.

Jump To:

See Also

10 Minute Homemade Egg Drop Soup RecipeHow to Make Aspic (Meat Jello) in Slow CookerPaleo Egg Roll in a Bowl with Chicken {Whole30, Keto} -Instant Pot Recipes For Gastric Bypass Patients - The Instant Pot Table

1. What Is Katsu?
2. Making Pork Katsu
3. How To Serve Pork Katsu
4. More Air Fryer Pork Recipes
5. Podcast Episode About Making Air Fryer Pork Katsu
6. Air Fryer Pork Katsu Recipe

What Is Katsu?

Katsu is a Japanese dish that gets breaded with panko and deep fried. When it’s specifically pork katsu, it’s known as tonkatsu. For this tonkatsu recipe though, we’re skipping the mess of the deep fryer and making it in the air fryer instead!

For the pork, you need thin pork cutlets. I like to use pork sirloin, but you can also use pork tenderloin, the important thing is that they are turned into cutlets. You can try another version with thisBreaded Pork Cutlets in the Air Fryerrecipe too.

Making Pork Katsu

You can purchase pork cutlets or prepare them yourself bypounding pork sirloin chops to 1/4-inch thickness. If you’re not entirely sure how to do this, don’t worry. I have a tutorial for making your own chicken cutlets over here, and it’s the same process. After flattening the meat, you’ll bread it by dredging each cutlet in flour, dipping it in an egg wash, and then coating with panko bread crumbs.

I love using panko bread crumbs when I’m breading meat, but this reciperequirespanko. It just wouldn’t be katsu without them. For this recipe, olive oil is combined with the panko to aid in the browning in the air fryer.

I prefer to season the cutlets with salt and pepper prior to breading rather than seasoning the breadcrumbs. I feel like they are more evenly seasoned that way.

Make sure that there’s enough room around the cutlets when you place them in the air fryer. If there isn’t enough room, the breading will not crisp up and the whole point of a katsu – or any breaded cutlet – is to get the crispiest, crunchiest crust.

You may need to work in batches to accomplish this. If so, pre-heat your oven to 180˚F to keep the cooked katsu warm and crisp while the remaining cutlets are cooking.

How To Serve Pork Katsu

Traditionally, katsu is cut into thin strips before serving and the sauce is spooned over the top. You can purchasekatsu saucein most grocery stores or if you prefer, you can make it at home. It’s kind of a Japanese BBQ sauce with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and a few other ingredients.Serious Eatshas a simple recipe that utilizes things that you’re likely to have in your pantry.

A side of steamed rice and shredded cabbage or a simple cabbage salad and you’ll have dinner on the table in no time at all.

More Air Fryer Pork Recipes

This post originally appeared in January 2020 and was revised and republished in August 2023.