Air Fryer Low Carb Pork Cutlets with Arugula Salad
Published Jan 24, 2026
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A Crispy, Golden Cutlet Made Low Carb and Gluten-Free
There is something universally appealing about a crispy cutlet. Whether it’s chicken, veal, eggplant, or pork, that golden crust and tender interior is pure comfort food. But when you’re eating low carb or gluten-free, traditional breaded cutlets are usually off the table—until now.
Table of Contents
These Air Fryer Low Carb Pork Cutlets have quickly become our new favorite version, thanks to the incredible crunch and flavor from Pork King Good Pork Rind Crumbs. They deliver everything we love about a classic cutlet—crispy, savory, satisfying—without the carbs or gluten, and they cook up beautifully in the air fryer.
Why Pork Rind–Crusted Cutlets Are a Game Changer
All the Crunch, None of the Carbs
Pork King Good Pork Rind Crumbs create a coating that fries up ultra-crisp, golden, and full of flavor, mimicking the texture of traditional breadcrumbs while keeping the recipe:
- Low carb and keto-friendly
- Naturally gluten-free and grain-free
- High in protein and satisfying
They also hold seasoning extremely well, giving the cutlets that crave-worthy, well-seasoned crust you expect from a restaurant-style schnitzel or Milanese.
The Air Fryer Advantage
Cooking these cutlets in the air fryer means you get that fried texture with far less oil and no messy cleanup. The circulating heat crisps the pork rind coating evenly while keeping the pork juicy and tender inside. It’s weeknight-friendly, fast, and consistently reliable.
Why We’ll Never Get Tired of a Good Cutlet
Thin, Tender, and Perfectly Crisp
Pounding the pork into thin cutlets means:
- Faster cooking
- More surface area for crispy coating
- Juicy meat with a delicate bite
It’s the same reason classic cutlets are so beloved across so many cuisines—the texture is simply unbeatable.
Balanced with a Fresh Arugula Salad
A bright, lemony arugula salad piled on top cuts through the richness of the crust and pork. The peppery greens, olive oil, citrus, and shaved Parmesan create a contrast that makes every bite feel complete and restaurant-worthy.
What You’ll Need
For the Pork Cutlets
- Boneless pork chops, pounded thin
- Pork King Good Pork Rind Crumbs (any flavor)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
- Dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Kosher or fine sea salt
- Black pepper
- Egg
- Dijon mustard
- Olive oil spray
For the Arugula Salad
- Baby arugula
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Fresh lemon juice
- Kosher or fine sea salt
- Black pepper
- Shaved Parmesan cheese
Why This Dish Works for So Many Lifestyles
These pork cutlets check a lot of boxes, making them perfect for a wide range of eaters:
- Gluten-free
- Grain-free
- Low carb and keto-friendly
- Nut-free
- Refined sugar-free
- High in protein
They’re elegant enough for entertaining, simple enough for weeknights, and satisfying enough that no one misses the traditional breadcrumbs.
A New Cutlet Classic
We’ll always love a good cutlet in any form, but these low-carb pork cutlets have earned a permanent spot in our rotation. The combination of crispy Pork King Good crust, juicy pork, and fresh arugula salad proves that eating low carb doesn’t mean giving up texture, comfort, or that golden crunch we crave.
Air Fryer Low Carb Pork Rind–Crusted Pork Cutlets with Arugula Salad
Ingredients
Pork Cutlets Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops, about ½ inch thick
- 1 cup Pork King Good Pork Rind Crumbs, any flavor
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Olive oil spray
Arugula Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups baby arugula
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 4 minutes.
- Place the pork chops between two pieces of parchment paper or waxed paper and pound them to about ¼ inch in thickness.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the Pork King Good Pork Rind Crumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- In a second bowl, whisk together the egg and Dijon mustard.
- Pat the pork cutlets dry. Dip each into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then press firmly into the pork rind crumb mixture to coat both sides.
- Lightly spray both sides of the breaded cutlets with olive oil spray. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 4 to 5 minutes, flip, then cook another 4 to 5 minutes, until golden and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- While the pork cooks, toss the arugula with the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Gently fold in the shaved Parmesan.
- Let the cutlets rest for 2 to 3 minutes, then top each with a mound of the arugula-Parmesan salad and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
