This air fryer tonkatsu is a leaner version of traditionally deep-fried Japanese fried pork cutlet, and it turns out so juicy and crispy! Served with a delicious, homemade tonkatsu sauce! This recipe is Paleo, Whole30, and Keto!
What is Pork Tonkatsu?
Tonkatsu is a super popular dish in Japanese cuisine. Tender pork cutlets breaded with crispy Panko breadcrumbs and then deep fried in hot oil. The deep-fried pork cutlet is served with a delicious sweet and tangy Tonkatsu sauce, with a side of cabbage and rice. It’s such a comfort food for me!
The name “tonkatsu” is a combination of “ton” (meaning pork) and “katsu” (short for “katsuretsu,” which is the Japanese word for cutlet).
Pork Katsu or Tonkatsu was a meal on rotation in our house growing up. While it’s a Japanese dish, it’s wildly popular in Korea, and you can find a variety of restaurants specializing in it with different variations (like chicken katsu or beef katsu) and flavors there.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This crunchy and juicy Pork Tonkatsu recipe is made healthier and easier in the air fryer! I was shocked at how much it tasted like the traditional, deep-fried (or pan-fried) version.
Even better, since we’re not deep frying, there’s no mess or splatter. You don’t have to wipe up excess oil with a paper towel or worry about your clothes getting stained. Just prep, place in your air fryer, and enjoy the easy cleanup! The BEST tonkatsu coming right up!
I used pork panko instead of breadcrumbs, which is such a tasty and low-carb alternative to breading, and you can hardly notice the difference! The delicious, easy, and savory tonkatsu sauce really pulls the dish together so it tastes like the authentic, classic version.
Ingredient Notes
The ingredients are fairly simple, using many pantry staples. The homemade tonkatsu sauce actually requires more ingredients than the pork! To source ingredients, check your local Asian grocery stores or regular supermarket.
Air Fryer Pork Tonkatsu
- Boneless pork chops: The pork loin chop should be about 1/4 inch thick. If they are thicker, you can use a meat mallet to pound them down.
- Coconut flour
- Egg
- Pork Panko: These are just crushed-up pork rinds, and you can find them already prepared HERE. You can also grind them up yourself, and I suggest you use a food processor.
Easy Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe
- Ketchup: To keep it Whole30 and keto, make sure you use sugar-free ketchup. I love this one.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Coconut aminos
- Molasses
- Coconut sugar
- Dijon mustard: This one is a Whole30-compliant brand.
- Spices: Onion powder, garlic powder, and ground ginger
How to Make Pork Tonkatsu
- Make the homemade tonkatsu sauce first. Whisk together all ingredients together, then chill while you make the pork cutlets.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F.
- Set up an assembly line of 3 shallow bowls for the dredging station. Fill the first bowl with coconut flour, the second bowl with whisked egg, and the third bowl with the pork panko. Dredge each juicy pork chop into coconut flour, then dip into egg, then dredge in pork panko.
- Cook in the air fryer for 5 minutes per side. Increase the heat to 400 degrees F, then cook for an additional 2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Serve your pork tonkatsu with the tonkatsu sauce.
Expert Tips
Keto/Whole30 Option: The base recipe uses molasses and coconut sugar in the sauce, but to make keto or Whole30 tonkatsu, you just need to make a small substitution for the sweetener.
For keto tonkatsu sauce:
- Omit molasses and coconut sugar, and add Swerve sweetener instead. I 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.
Panko: If you’re okay with regular breadcrumbs, feel free to substitute regular panko bread crumbs for the pork panko. Just be aware that the nutritional information in the recipe card below accounts for pork panko.
Serving Tips
Serve this pork tonkatsu with coleslaw or shredded cabbage, along with white rice or cauliflower rice.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer to keep it crispy!
Recipe FAQs
The difference is simple: “Katsu” is a general term for breaded and deep-fried cutlets made from various types of meat like chicken breast, beef, or pork, while “Tonkatsu” specifically refers to a pork cutlet prepared in this style.
For the perfect Tonkatsu, choose pork loin. It’s tender and ideal for creating the crispy, juicy cutlet that defines this classic Japanese dish.
It’s typically served with steamed rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage, Tonkatsu sauce, and pickles for a well-rounded Japanese meal.
More Easy Recipes
Extra Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks
Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken
Keto Zucchini Fries in the Air Fryer
Easy Paleo Pork Chops with Grilled Peach Salsa
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Air Fryer Pork Tonkatsu (Japanese Fried Pork Cutlets)
Ingredients
Tonkatsu
- 1 lb boneless pork chops thin cut (about 4)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp coconut flour
- 1 large egg whisked
- 1½ cup pork panko or ground up pork rinds
Tonkatsu Sauce
- 1/4 cup sugar-free ketchup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tsp molasses omit for Whole30 and keto
- 1 tsp coconut sugar Use 1 tsp Swerve for keto (see Notes for nutrition info), or ½ medjool date for Whole30
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/8 tsp onion powder
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- 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
Expert Tips
Keto/Whole30 Option: The base recipe uses molasses and coconut sugar in the sauce, but to make keto or Whole30 tonkatsu, you just need to make a small substitution for the sweetener. For keto tonkatsu sauce:- Omit molasses and coconut sugar, and add Swerve sweetener instead. I start with 1 tsp, then taste to add more if desired.
- 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.
Serving Tips
Serve this pork tonkatsu with coleslaw or shredded cabbage, along with white rice or cauliflower rice.Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer to keep it crispy! Here’s the nutritional breakdown for the keto version using Swerve:
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Such a delicious recipe! The pork panko adds so much flavor and crisps up perfectly! Can’t wait to make again
Thanks so much!! <3
This was great! I had bought a pork tenderloin that I cut up and smashed into cutlets to make Tonkatsu with, but didn’t really want to fry them in oil too badly. I searched for air fryer Tonkatsu and found this. I don’t think I’ll ever fry my Tonkatsu in oil again unless I’m cooking for a larger group of people.
Thank you so much for the review! I’ll have to try with pork tenderloin.
I’ve made this recipe so many times! It’s always delicious and easy. The pork chops come out moist and the sauce is fantastic. Definitely a favorite!