Why This Recipe Works

A simple stir-together honey-mustard mixture gives these pork chops their sweet-tangy flavor and helps keep the crunchy bread crumb topping in place. Kid helpers might enjoy using a pastry brush to paint the pork chops with the honey mustard and using their hands to press on the panko bread crumbs. To give the panko even more flavor, we start by toasting them in some butter on the stovetop until they’re golden brown. Browning creates lots of new flavorful compounds that aren’t present in the untoasted panko. Have kids smell and taste some bread crumbs right out of the container, then compare with the toasted bread crumbs at the end of step 2. How are they similar? How are they different? Which do they like better?

Before You Begin

For the best results, be sure to use pork chops of a similar size so that they cook evenly.

Instructions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 275 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set 1 cooling rack in baking sheet. Spray cooling rack with vegetable oil spray.

In 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add panko and cook, stirring often with rubber spatula, until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn off heat. Transfer toasted panko to small bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in second small bowl, use spoon to stir mustard, honey, mayonnaise, brown sugar, salt, garlic, pepper, and paprika until well combined.

Use paper towels to pat pork chops dry. Place pork chops on greased rack in baking sheet, leaving space between chops.

Use pastry brush to paint mustard mixture over top and sides of each pork chop (leave bottoms uncoated). Top with toasted panko following photo, “Step-by-Step: How to Coat Pork Chops.” Wash your hands.

Place baking sheet in oven and bake until pork registers 140 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 50 minutes to 1 hour (ask an adult for help).

Use oven mitts to remove baking sheet from oven and place on second cooling rack (ask an adult for help). Let pork chops rest for 10 minutes. Serve.