Crispy Breaded Pork Cutlets with Garlic Toasts and Apple Celery Salad

These crispy breaded pork cutlets are a weeknight dinner dream. The genius ‘shake and bake’ method makes breading the meat incredibly quick and easy, resulting in juicy, golden cutlets every time. Paired with buttery garlic toasts and a crisp apple celery salad, this meal is balanced, satisfying, and ready in just 20 minutes.

The salad brings a refreshing crunch with tart apple, celery, peppery arugula, and nutty sunflower seeds, all tossed in a simple lemon dressing. It’s the perfect counterpoint to the rich, savory pork and garlic bread. Whether you’re cooking for family or just want a speedy yet impressive dinner, this recipe delivers on flavor and convenience.

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Ingredients

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce Pork CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Fry SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit AppleView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 unit CeleryView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Ciabatta BreadView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce ArugulaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce Sunflower SeedsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Adjust rack to upper position and preheat oven to 450°F. Wash and dry all produce. Mince 1 clove garlic (use the other as you like). Place panko in a gallon-sized zip-close bag and season with salt and pepper (we used 1 tsp kosher salt).
2. Place sour cream in a medium bowl, then add pork and toss to coat. Place coated pork and fry seasoning in bag with panko and seal to close. Shake until pork is evenly coated. Tip: You may need to move cutlets around in the bag, pressing with your hands to spread out panko and make it stick.
3. Halve and core apple, then slice into thin half-moons. Thinly slice celery on a diagonal. Cut lemon into wedges. Split ciabatta in half (as if making a sandwich).
4. Heat a ¼-inch layer of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat (use a nonstick pan if you have one). Once oil is hot (it should sizzle if you add a breadcrumb), remove pork from bag and add to pan (discard any panko that doesn’t stick). Cook until panko is golden brown and crisp, 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside.
5. Meanwhile, place garlic and 3 TBSP butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until butter melts, about 30 seconds. Place ciabatta halves cut sides up on a baking sheet and drizzle with butter mixture. Toast in oven until crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Halve on a diagonal to create triangles.
6. While ciabatta toasts, toss together apple, celery, arugula, sunflower seeds, 1 TBSP olive oil, and a squeeze or two of lemon in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Divide pork, salad, and ciabatta between plates. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over pork.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Plastic Bag

AmazonShop popular Plastic Bag on AmazonView on Amazon

Medium Bowl

DOWAN 22 OZ White Ceramic Bowls Set of 4 - Perfect for Soup Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl, Ramen Bowl, Microwave Safe for Oatmeal, Fruit,Salad and Rice Bowl - Dishwasher & Microwave SafeView on AmazonMASTERCOOK Plastic Bowls Set of 6 – 15oz Multipurpose Deep Plates Salad and Pasta Bowls Ideal for Home, Kids, Parties – Stackable Bowl for Kitchen – Non-BPA and Food Grade – Cute ColorsView on AmazonMALACASA 26 OZ Porcelain Soup Bowls Set of 4, White Ceramic Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl for Oatmeal, Fruit, Salad, Ramen and Rice Bowl -Dishwasher & Microwave Safe BowlsView on Amazon

Large Pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Paper Towel

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on Amazon

Baking Sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Small Bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use boneless pork chops instead of cutlets?

Yes, you can use boneless pork chops. Just pound them to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch) to ensure they cook quickly and evenly.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and ensure your fry seasoning and other ingredients are gluten-free. The rest of the recipe remains the same.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover pork cutlets, salad, and garlic bread separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the pork and bread in the oven or toaster oven to maintain crispness.