You'll love how juicy, tender pork is combined with flavors of fall.
Are you craving a mouthwatering pork chops recipe that’s a cinch to whip up? These Oven Baked Apple Pork Chops contain 100% clean-eating ingredients and deliver 100% drool-worthy flavor. Fruity sweetness meets fork-tender, fall-off-the-bone meat in an impressive dish you’ll definitely make again. As a bonus, this oven baked apple pork chops recipe comes together quickly on busy nights. Best of all, its simplicity makes this recipe a great dish to keep in your back pocket when you’re in a dinner rut.
All in all, the recipe will only steal 30 minutes of your time. Better yet, you’ll finish prepping in ten minutes tops, allowing the oven to work its magic for about 20 minutes until chops are fork-tender and delicious.
How to Make Oven Baked Apple Pork Chops
Unlike chicken dishes, pork-based dishes aren’t as familiar and might come off as a bit intimidating. Rest assured, despite how impressive this recipe tastes, it only calls for a few simple steps on your part. You don’t need culinary experience or kitchen chops to whip up these chops!
First, you’ll arrange the pork chops on a baking sheet and brush them with olive oil. Next, sprinkle each chop with salt, pepper, and thyme to taste. Finish by placing the sliced apples on top of each pork chop, followed by a sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon.
At this point, you’ve done all the heavy lifting. Really? Really. Simply pop the chops into the oven for 20 to 25 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, or until apples are tender and pork is cooked through. And voila! Your sweet and juicy, fork-tender pork chops await.
Baking Pork Chops vs. Frying
Here at Skinny Ms., we definitely advocate for baking over frying whenever possible. Although frying gives you that crispy finish that’s worth dreaming about, it does more harm than good. Baking, on the other hand, shaves off a big chunk of fat and calories. But does it skimp on flavor? Absolutely not. This recipe still delivers chops that are juicy and tender on the inside with a nice sear on the outside.
Furthermore, frying food in oil (especially deep frying) causes the starches in the food to convert to carcinogens. This means the high temperature of this quick-cooking method can contribute to diseases like cancer. For other tips and tricks on how to shave calories and use healthy cooking methods, check out the Top 10 Ways to Make Your Food Healthier.
Full-Flavored and Scale-Friendly
This recipe only uses ingredients you can feel good about. First, we’ll trim off the excess fat on the pork chops. This simple step can save you a boatload of calories, and it makes the recipe leaner and healthier. Ingredients like apples and warm cinnamon add nutrients and drool-worthy flavor to this dish, too.
Unlike so many pork chop recipes, our Oven Baked Apple Pork Chops won’t weigh you down with a heavy calorie count. With just 240 calories and 6 grams of fat per serving, you can enjoy each and every bite of delicious meat without the guilt.
Additionally, this dish packs a protein punch, with 30 grams per chop! That said, you’ll certainly feel satisfied (but not too heavy) for hours on end after devouring this meal. At last; a waistline-friendly pork chop dish that doesn’t skimp on flavor!
For more healthy recipe ideas that would make a tasty companion to these chops, check out:
- Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Shiitakes and Smoked Paprika
- Roasted Spiced Radishes
- Spinach Lentil and Beet Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
- Roasted Sweet Potato and Mango Salad
Oven Baked Apple Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 center cut pork chops fat trimmed off
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- kosher salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 2 apples cored and sliced, peeled optional
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
- Arrange the pork chops on the baking sheet, evenly spaced. Brush with the olive oil and season with the salt, pepper, and thyme. Top the pork chops with the sliced apples and sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon over top.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until apples are tender and pork is cooked through. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information
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Do you cover it when baking it?
Brittany, I would leave them uncovered so they’ll brown better.
Nicole, can you substitute stevia instead of brown sugar?
Jan, I’m sure stevia will work just fine.
I don’t eat pork (or beef or lamb). Can I substitute chicken? I’m thinking chicken breasts, probably skinless and boneless. Your opinion?
Holly, Sound work just fine. 🙂