Air Fryer Tonkatsu
Ready in about 27 minutes.
Updated 7 September 2026
Japanese tonkatsu relies on a crunchy panko crust, and the air fryer delivers that shattering coat with barely any oil. Serve sliced over rice with shredded cabbage and tangy tonkatsu sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 pork loin cutlets (about 350 g)
- 50 g plain flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 100 g panko breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper
- Oil spray
- Tonkatsu sauce, to serve
- Shredded white cabbage, to serve
Method
- 1Snip the fat edges of the cutlets to stop curling, then season.
- 2Dredge each cutlet in flour, dip in egg, and coat thickly in panko.
- 3Preheat the air fryer to 200°C/400°F and spray the basket.
- 4Place the cutlets in, spray the tops generously with oil, and cook 10-13 minutes, flipping halfway.
- 5Cook until the panko is deep golden and the pork reaches 63°C/145°F.
- 6Rest briefly, slice into strips and serve with cabbage and tonkatsu sauce.
Tips for the best results
- Toasting the panko in a dry pan first gives an even more golden result.
- Spraying oil generously is the key to that fried-looking crust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature and time for air fryer tonkatsu?+
Cook at 200°C / 400°F for 10-13 min, flip halfway.
Can I use chicken instead?+
Yes, the same method makes chicken katsu; just cook to 74°C/165°F.