This Air Fryer Pork Tonkatsu (also known as pork katsu) turns out crispy, golden, and perfectly juicy, without a pot of hot oil in sight. With a simple panko coating and a quick homemade tangy tonkatsu sauce, you get that classic crunch and flavor in about 30 minutes. Faster than delivery and way more delicious.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Looking for more pork tenderloin recipes? Check out my Easy Smoked Pork Tenderloin, Juicy Traeger Pork Tenderloin, or Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin.
I use my air fryer almost as much as I use my smoker, cooking everything from Air Fryer Green Beans to Air Fryer Bacon, Air Fryer Chicken Quarters, and even Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies.
Recipe At a Glance
- Cook Method: Air fryer
- Simple Ingredients: This air fryer tonkatsu recipe uses 7 simple ingredients, and the tonkatsu sauce comes together with 5 pantry staples you likely have on hand.
- Total Time: About 30 minutes
- Texture: Crisp on the outside, tender and juicy in the center
- Versatile: Serve the pork as an appetizer or snack. Or, pair it with rice, noodles, or veggies for a main dish.
- Lighter Option: Uses far less oil than traditional deep-fried pork cutlet tonkatsu.
Jump to:
Ingredients You'll Need
- Pork Tenderloin. Use 1 pork tenderloin. Slice it in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 3 pieces to make 6 portions. You can use boneless pork chops, but they won't be quite as tender as pork tenderloin.
- All-Purpose Flour and Panko Breadcrumbs. These create that signature golden brown crust with the perfect crunch. Regular bread crumbs won't be as light or crisp.
- Eggs. Use beaten eggs to help the coating stick to the pork.
- Ketchup and Brown Sugar. Add sweetness to the sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce and Soy Sauce. Add savory, salty, and umami flavor to the sauce, giving it lots of depth.
- Garlic Powder. Enhances the savoriness of the sauce.
See the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities and a full list of ingredients.
How to Make Air Fryer Pork Tonkatsu
Prepare the pork. Slice the pork tenderloin in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 3 equal pieces to make 6 portions. Place each piece between plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to pound it to an even thickness of about ½ inch.
Dredge. Prepare a breading station with shallow dishes. Then, working with one piece at a time, coat each piece of pork in a salt and pepper seasoned flour mixture, followed by the egg mixture, and then panko breadcrumbs.
Air fry. Arrange the breaded pork in a single layer in your air fryer basket, and lightly spray each piece with cooking spray or avocado oil. Cook at 400 degrees F until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through, and spraying lightly again. The coating should look dry and crunchy, not pale or soft. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding and ensure each piece turns golden brown and crispy.
Make the katsu sauce. Whisk all the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan until smooth. Heat the sauce on the stove until warm.
Serve. Slice the cooked pork pieces into thin strips, and enjoy them warm with the tonkatsu sauce.
Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken Tonkatsu (Chicken Katsu): Swap the pork for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Pound them to an even thickness and follow the same breading and air-frying method.
- Spicy Tonkatsu: Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of sriracha or chili paste to the sauce, or mix a pinch of cayenne into the flour to add a subtle kick of heat to the crust.
- Extra Crispy Coating: Lightly toast the panko in a skillet before breading for even more crunch.
- Baked Tonkatsu (No Air Fryer): Bread the pork pieces as instructed in the recipe card. Then, arrange them in an even layer on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. Bake for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the pork is golden and fully cooked.
Jeri's Top Tips
- Pound the pork evenly. You want to get about a ½-inch thickness so it cooks quickly and evenly without drying out.
- Pat the pork dry with paper towels first. This helps the coating stick better and gives you a crispier crust.
- Press the panko on firmly. Don't just sprinkle it on, press it in so it stays put during air frying.
- Don't overcrowd the basket. Leave space between each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
- Spray with oil (twice!). Lightly spray before cooking, then again after flipping, for that golden, crispy finish without deep frying.
- Cook to temperature, not time. Pull it at 145°F and let it rest for a few minutes to keep it juicy.
Serving Suggestions
I usually serve this crispy pork katsu with Instant Pot White Rice and a pile of shredded cabbage or steamed or roasted vegetables, like my Crispy Frozen Broccoli. Try it with my Pickled Carrots, Pickled Red Onions, and Creamy Cucumber Salad for something fresh on the side.
And if you've got leftover slices, tuck them into my Air Buns or No-Knead Sourdough Sandwich Bread with extra sauce… it makes a pretty incredible sandwich the next day.
How to Store and Reheat
- Refrigerator: Store leftover pork tonkatsu in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freeze: You can technically freeze leftover pork for up to 1-2 months, but I don't recommend it. The breading tends to become a little soggy once thawed.
- Reheat: Warm leftover pork in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or just until it's warmed through and crisp.
FAQs
If your tonkatsu isn't crispy, it's usually due to not enough oil, overcrowding, or the coating not sticking properly. Make sure to spray the breaded pork lightly with oil before air frying and again after flipping. This helps create that golden, crunchy crust. Also, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as this traps steam and softens the coating. Pressing the panko firmly onto the pork before cooking makes a big difference, too.
Dry tonkatsu is often caused by overcooking or using pork that's too thin. Cook just until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Any longer, and the meat is likely to turn out dry. Pounding the pork to an even thickness helps it cook evenly, preventing dry edges. Letting the pork rest for a few minutes before slicing also helps retain its juices.
More Pork Recipes You May Like
- Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Tenderloin - Tender, juicy, and packed with BBQ flavor, this one practically makes itself.
- Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops - Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and ready in minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights.
- Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops - Golden, flavorful, and cooked just right every time with a simple seasoning.
- Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites - Crispy, caramelized bites with rich flavor in every piece.
Printable Recipe
Air Fryer Pork Tonkatsu
Ingredients
For the Pork
- 1 pork tenderloin (cut lengthwise, then into 6 pieces)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- Avocado oil spray
For the Tonkatsu Sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2½ tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Slice the pork tenderloin in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 3 equal pieces to make 6 portions. Place each piece of pork between sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness of about ½ inch. This helps it cook evenly and stay tender.
- Set up a dredging station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, salt, and pepper; one with beaten eggs; and one with panko breadcrumbs. Coat each piece of pork in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the eggs, and press firmly into the panko so the coating sticks well.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Place the breaded pork in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray lightly with avocado oil spray. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip, spray again, and cook for another 7 minutes or until the pork is golden brown and crispy. For best results, cook in batches if needed, depending on the size of your air fryer. Note: The pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- While the pork cooks, whisk together the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder in a small saucepan until smooth. Heat slowly on the stove until warm.
- Slice the pork into strips and serve warm with the tonkatsu sauce for dipping or drizzling.
Save This Recipe 💌
Enter your email below and I'll send the recipe straight to your inbox! Plus, you'll get new recipes from me each week!
Notes
- Pork. Pounding the pork to an even thickness helps it cook evenly and stay tender. Trim off any silverskin or excess fat before breading.
- Coating. Press the panko firmly onto the pork so it sticks well and crisps up properly in the air fryer.
- Air Fryer. Cook the pork in a single layer for the best results. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Doneness. The pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy and let it rest briefly before slicing to keep it juicy.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Did you love this recipe?
Then please leave a 5-star rating and/or review below! You can also save it! Just tap the heart symbol ❤️ in the lower right corner of your screen, and the recipe will be stored in your own recipe box!📥
Comments
No Comments