The Ingredients
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500g (1.1 lbs) Boneless pork chops (cut into 1-inch cubes)
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2 tbsp Olive oil or melted butter
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1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs (for maximum “shatter” crunch)
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1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
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1 tsp Garlic powder
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1 tsp Smoked paprika
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1/2 tsp Onion powder
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1/2 tsp Salt & cracked black pepper
The Instructions
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Prep the Pork: Pat the pork cubes completely dry with paper towels.
Note: Dry pork = Crispy pork. If they are damp, they will steam instead of fry.
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Seasoning: In a large bowl, toss the pork cubes with olive oil until coated.
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The Coating: In a separate shallow bowl or a large Ziploc bag, combine the Panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
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Dredge: Add the pork to the crumb mixture and shake or toss until every piece is well-coated. Press the crumbs in with your hands to make sure they stick.
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Air Fry: Arrange the bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd!
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Temperature: 200°C (400°F)
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Time: 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
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The Goal: They should be golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F). Overcooking pork chops makes them tough, so watch them closely!
🍯 The Flavor Bridge
Since you have the Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers, try this:
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The Drizzle: Mix 1 tbsp of honey with a dash of hot sauce and drizzle it over the pork bites as soon as they come out of the air fryer. The heat from the meat will melt the honey into the crust.
The “Bite-Sized” Party Platter
You now have a trio of incredible handhelds:
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The Sweet: Cornbread Poppers
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The Creamy: Fried Cheese Bombs
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The Savory: Crispy Pork Chop Bites
Quick Tips for the Air Fryer
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Preheat: Always preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes before adding the meat.
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Spray: Give the bites a quick spritz of oil spray once they are in the basket to help the Panko turn that beautiful deep golden color.