Brown Sugar Pork Chops

Sweet, savory, cheesy, and wonderfully crunchy, these Brown Sugar Pork Chops are an easy dinner with a surprisingly delicious combination of flavors. The pork chops are coated with mayonnaise, then generously covered in a mixture of brown sugar, Parmesan cheese, and Italian-style panko breadcrumbs before baking until golden and delicious.

And when I say generously coat them, I mean it! Don’t be shy with that brown sugar mixture. The more of that sweet, cheesy coating you can get onto the pork chops, the better.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make: A few simple ingredients and very little prep work.
• Big flavor: The sweet brown sugar and savory Parmesan are a surprisingly great combination.
• A crispy coating: Italian-style panko breadcrumbs give these pork chops a wonderful crunch.
• A little smoky heat: Chipotle mayonnaise adds another layer of flavor without requiring any extra seasoning.
• Perfect for busy nights: Everything bakes in one dish, making cleanup easy, too.

Making Brown Sugar Pork Chops

1. Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F, and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Season the pork chops.
Season both sides of the pork chops with the black pepper. And whatever you do, don’t add salt—the Salt Police will come knocking! If you’d like more seasoning, you can also use a salt-free herb and garlic seasoning in place of the pepper or along with it.

3. Make the coating.
In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, Parmesan cheese, and Italian-style panko breadcrumbs.

4. Prepare the mayonnaise.
Add the mayonnaise to a separate bowl. I love using chipotle-flavored mayonnaise for a little smoky heat. If you’re using plain mayonnaise, stir in the Dijon mustard for an extra boost of flavor.

5. Coat the pork chops.
Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over both sides of each pork chop. Then dip each pork chop into the brown sugar mixture, pressing the coating firmly onto both sides. Use as much of the coating as you can—don’t be shy!

6. Bake.
Place the coated pork chops in the prepared baking dish and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the thickest part of the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

7. Serve.
Let the pork chops rest for a few minutes before serving. Then dig in!

Pro Tips

• Don’t skimp on the coating. Press as much of the brown sugar mixture onto the pork chops as possible. That’s where all that sweet, cheesy, crunchy goodness comes from.
• Use chipotle mayo if you can find it. It adds a subtle smoky kick that works beautifully with the sweet coating.
• Watch the temperature, not just the clock. Pork chops can vary in thickness, so use a meat thermometer to make sure the thickest part reaches 145°F.
• Grease the baking dish well. The brown sugar caramelizes as it bakes, so a generous coating of cooking spray or oil will make cleanup much easier.

How to Customize

Want a little more heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the brown sugar mixture.

Use your favorite seasoning, although seriously, avoid adding salt. There’s enough there with the Parmesan cheese.

And if chipotle isn’t your thing, there are other flavors, or plain mayonnaise with Dijon mustard is a delicious alternative.

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Search the site for more simple dinner ideas the whole family will love using key words like “easy,” “pork,” or click on “main meal.”

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Brown Sugar Pork Chops

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