You and your family will surely love this pork Milanese recipe. This crispy Italian pork cutlet is a quick dinner recipe to make for any weeknight and it doesn't contain a long list of ingredients. It's so cheap to make but fancy enough to serve at a dinner party.
This cheap and quick pork recipe can be ready in less than 30 minutes from preparation to cooking time. The pork loin is lightly coated with batter and seasoned to perfection.
Best of all, you can also cook this Pork Milanese in an air fryer. Just keep reading and I'll be showing you how to do it on the recipe card below.
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What is Pork Milanese
Pork Milanese is one of the most popular menu items served at many Italian restaurants.
This classic Italian pork dish is made with thin pork cutlets that are breaded and pan-fried until golden and crispy. It is probably one of the easiest Italian recipes you can make at home.
You can serve Pork Milanese with fresh arugula salad, lemon wedges, pasta, or any side dish of your choice.
Ingredients for Italian Pork Cutlet
To make these crispy and crunchy breaded pork cutlets you'll need boneless pork chops, panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
How to Make Pork Milanese
1. Flatten the Pork
It's very important to flatten the meat to an even thickness. This process tenderizes the meat and helps it cook faster and more evenly.
In this recipe, I used a 5 oz boneless pork loin chop. I also flattened the meat to ¼-inch thickness.
2. Season the Pork
With your hand at least 12 inches away, sprinkle salt and black pepper on all sides of the meat in a single layer.
3. Coat the Meat in Egg Wash
In a bowl, whisk the egg. Dip the meat in egg wash then gently shake off excess.
4. Bread Meat
Thoroughly coat the meat with panko breadcrumb mixture and shake off excess.
5. Pan-Fry
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Gently lay the breaded meat in your pan. Do not overcrowd the pan. Turn the meat over when it's browned, about to 2 minutes on each side.
Remove the cooked pork cutlet from the pan and set it on dry paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
FAQ and Cooking Tips
You can keep the leftover pork Milanese in an airtight container. Properly stored, it can last 3-4 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer.
You can reheat the leftover in the oven at 425°F for 10 minutes.
If you are going to double this recipe, make sure that you change the oil and clean the pan before frying the second batch. I recommend a maximum of 3 pork chops per batch using the same oil, which will help keep the oil from burning.
Check Out More Delicious Pork Recipes
- Baked Bone-In Pork Chops
- Japanese Pork Cutlets - Tonkatsu
- Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Bowls
- Best Pork Tenderloin Stir Fry
- Minced Pork Noodles
- Vietnamese Pork Chops
- Taiwanese Braised Pork - Lu Rou Fan
📖 Recipe
Pork Milanese
Ingredients
- 3 boneless pork chop loin (about 5 oz each), trim off the fat then flatten to ¼-inch thickness.
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup panko breadcrumb
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (lightly packed)
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- kosher salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
- lemon wedges
- arugula
Method
- With your hand at least 12 inches away, lightly sprinkle salt and black pepper on all sides of the meat in a single layer.
- In a large bowl, season coarsely crush panko with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine. In another bowl, lightly beat the egg.
- Dip the meat in egg wash then gently shake off excess. After that, thoroughly coat the meat with breadcrumbs and shake off excess.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Gently lay the breaded pork in your pan. Do not overcrowd the pan. Turn the meat over when it's lightly golden browned, about 2 minutes on each side or longer until cooked through. Do not overcook.
- Remove the cooked pork cutlet from the pan and set it on dry paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Let the pork rest for at least 3 minutes before serving. Serve with lemon wedges and/or arugula salad. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- Follow #1, #2, #3
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Spray the breaded pork with cooking spray or add about 1½ tablespoons of oil to the panko mixture before you dip the meat in.
- Place the breaded pork cutlets inside the air fryer basket, in a single layer.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Pam says
Great recipe, and I have never thought to flatten pork chops like I do chicken. It makes all the difference in how tender they are.
Rika says
Hi Pam,
Thanks for sharing your feedback. I am glad that you liked it.
Best,
Rika
Alison says
This recipe is super easy to make, and great for busy weeknights! Totally satisfying and family friendly!
Rika says
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Alison! I am glad that you liked it.
Tavo says
thank you. I found them really easy to make and delicious!
Rika says
You're welcome, Tavo! I am glad that you found this recipe easy to make and delicious.
Mahy says
I've got to try your Pork Milanese recipe - it looks so delicious!
Rika says
Thanks, Mahy!
Beth says
Yummy! This was such a delicious and very tasty dinner the other night! My family loved it and is begging to have this again. So excited to make this again!
Rika says
Thanks, Beth! It sounds like a great plan.