Air Fried Low Carb Pork Chops with Squashy-Saucy "Applesauce"

I LOVE my Air fryer!! I had watched demonstrations on TV and was intrigued.  If it could make fried foods, without using a deep fryer it was for me...except we eat no grain, sugar or beans - basically kind of a Ketogenic Diet.  I looked online and couldn't find any low carb recipes for the air fryer, but I jumped in and bought one and it is the best appliance I've ever used.  So my husband suggested I share my recipes with others, so I just started this blog.

 Let me give you a little information fist.  My husband and I transformed our lives and Health 4 years ago, when we switched our diet.  We read two books that profoundly impacted our lives, Grain Brain by Dr. Perlmutter and When Belly by Dr. Davis. My husband has had terrible heart problems - a triple bypass at 50 and a second bypass at 60, and numerous stints.  He had type II Diabetes, Gerd, Barrett's Esophagus, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and neuropathy.  We are fortunate to live in San Diego and have Scripps Hospital and their great Doctors.  We began seeing Dr. Triffen for Keith's (my husband) cardio issues.  Dr. Triffen is a Lipid Specialist who practices Integrative medicine.  When we told him that following seeing Dr. Perlmutter speak on PBS, we had cut out all grains, sugar and beans, he approved and suggested we also read Dr. Davis' book.  Long story short both Keith and I lost weight, got healthy and Keith was able to reverse his diabetes and get off all his medications.  I had had weight loss surgery in 2008 and had gained 25 pound of my initial weight loss back.  Following this diet/lifestyle I not only lost that 25 pounds but an additional 10.  In addition, I lost my terrible cravings that made me helpless to resist bread, cookies and chocolate.  So that's my back story.

As part of our Low Carb lifestyle, we try to eat antibiotic-free/grass fed meats and organic produce.  This means that I do a lot more cooking then I've ever done before.  Over the last 4 years, I've been able to create almost any dish in a low carb way...but the idea of making "fried" food excited me.

I started looking at reviews of Air fryers, looking at infomercials and presentations on QVC, HSN and EVINE.  I ended up buying the Cook's Companion Model from EVINE.  I bought this brand because of the size it was 5.8 Quarts, which is larger then a lot of the other models I saw.  It was $119.00.  When I was on the line with them, they also offered me the Grill Pan insert and a cookbook "In the Kitchen:Air fryer Cookbook" by Allison Waggoner.  I love the Air fryer, but there are a couple of cons with my Air fryer; The drawer doesn't shut easily.  When I try to shut the drawer, usually it won't shut.  I remember not to force it, but to remind myself to be gentle and it shuts OK.  The other drawback is the Air fryer is very large.  It is like a huge, gigantic red egg.  Fortunately, I found a good home for it in the cabinet under my stove top.  It is light weight and I can easily pull it out and use it at the drop of a hat.  And I will tell you I have been using it almost everyday since I bought it.  This is a picture of the Air fryer I purchased.  But, don't feel that you can't use my recipes with your own brand of Air fryer.

Now for my First Low Carb Air Fryer Recipe:

Low Carb "Fried Pork Chop" and Diane's Squashy-saucy "applesauce"

Pork Chops
3 Antibiotic Free Pork chops (I buy these at Trader Joe's)
1 Egg, beaten
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
1 TBS. Almond Flour

Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees.
Put the shredded Parmesan cheese and Almond Flour in a food processor and process until it forms a powdery mix.
Put the egg in a bowl and whisk it until completely beaten.
Dip the pork chops in the egg and then press the Parmesan/Almond mixture onto one side, flip and put a little on the other.  (I find this easiest if I do it on a piece of parchment paper).
Put in the Air Fryer basket and put into the Air Fryer.  Air fry for 4 minutes and open the drawer and look at it.  It won't hurt to open the drawer and take a peak.  If the chop is golden brown and looks "fried", pull the basket out and turn the chop over.  If some of the breading has come of the bottom, take a little of your egg mixture and brush on the chop and top with a little more of the Parmesan, almond mixture.  Put the basket back in the Air Fryer and cook for 3 minutes and open the drawer and check the chops, again you're looking for a golden brown, "fried" look.  Note:  You can also shake your pork chops after they've been egg dipped in a large zip-lock bag filled with the Parm/almond mixture - it does make a thicker coating so you may need to double your Parm/Almond mix.

Squashy-Saucy "Applesauce"

2 Yellow Squashes
1 TBS. butter
1/4 Cup Erythritol (I use Swerve Powdered)
1 TBS. Cinnamon
2 TBS water
1 tsp. Apple Extract  (I ordered off Amazon Natural Apple Extract - Organic Compliant 4 oz by OliveNation)
Squeeze of lemon (about 1 tsp)

Cut the squash into quarters and then slice into 1/8" to 1/4" slices (this mimics the apple slices, and yellow squash looks like apples and has less carbs than Zucchini which you could also use)  Put all the ingredients in a sauce pot and cook until soft.  Serve with your Pork Chops.  I would also add a side of steamed green beans with chopped red bell pepper.

Yum!

Please share your comments, successes and good techniques.  I love my Air Fryer, I know you will too!