How Long To Bake Pork Chops At 350? Ultimate In-Depth Guide

Most of the time, people fry breaded pork chops or stuffed pork chops. But baking pork chops has grown in popularity in recent years as it saves you so much time! If you haven’t tried oven-baked pork chops or wondering how long to bake them for, then you’re on the right page!

In this jam-packed article, I will teach you exactly how to determine the final cooking time of pork chops while factoring in some variables.

It’s easier than you think! Now, let me help you make the most tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked chops ever!

If you like to look at more in-depth content and cooking tutorials, you should check out this article on How Long To Boil Chicken Thighs and How Long To Bake Lasagna At 350.

Baking Pork Chops: Is Baking a Good Way To Cook Pork Chops?

While the conventional method of cooking pork chops is by pan frying them, baking pork chops is also a delightful way.

Like when doing any other method, consider marinating them beforehand to infuse delicious flavors into your baked pork chops.

You can experiment with herbs, spices, and acidic ingredients like citrus juice or vinegar. Searing the chops in a hot skillet before baking can also give them a golden crust for extra sizzle.

What Will Affect The Baking Time Of Pork Chops?

When you read the question, “How long to cook pork chops at 350 degrees Fahrenheit?” you would often think 25-30 minutes.

But unfortunately, this doesn’t help people at all! That’s because the answer isn’t as simple as that. But don’t worry!

Today I will discuss everything about what affects the cooking times of pork and how it affects the outcome of the meat. This in-depth breakdown will help simplify things and make it much easier to calculate the final cooking time.

Let’s get started!

Cut Of Pork

Let’s first start with the easiest one. Today we are working with pork chops. Usually, like most chops, this cut is a loin cut taken from the opposite sides of the spine. It is a long lean muscle that usually is cut with a piece of rib or vertebra. 

However, there are other cuts commonly called “chops” too. 

You get a center cut of a pork loin chop. It has a large T-shaped bone which looks similar to a T-bone steak. On both sides of the T-bone, there is some tender, juicy pork meat.

Then, you also get rib chops. They are similar to rib-eye steaks and come from the rib portion of the loin cut. It doesn’t contain a piece of the vertebral column.

You can also purchase blade or shoulder chops, which contain a lot more connective tissue and are cut near the front of the pig. And, of course, I cannot forget to mention the sirloin chop, which is taken from the bag leg (essentially the opposite of the shoulder loin chop).

What I’ve mentioned so far is still only a drop in the bucket of options you have! But what does it matter what type of chop you have?

Size

Well, first and foremost, the different chop cuts have different sizes.

This is pretty common knowledge: the smaller the cut, the shorter the cooking time will become. Pretty simple concept, but a crucial one!

Type Of Meat

Then, believe it or not, the meat itself (from the different parts of the pig) will affect how long to bake pork chops at 350.

For example, any cut with lots of connective tissue (like a blade chop or sirloin chop) takes longer to cook than pork chops without this tissue. The same goes for very fatty cuts.

Not only does this affect the cooking time, but it will also affect the cooking method (more on that later).

Thickness Of The Chops

Now, not only will the size (length and width) affect the cooking time of the chops, but so will the thickness.

Again, the thicker the chops are, the longer their baking time will have to be. If you want to bake thin pork chops of about 1 inch, they will surely take less time to cook than a 2-inch chop.

Bone-In Versus Bone-Out

You may often overlook this one, but bones cause chops to take longer to cook. 

That is why you will see most “quick and easy” pork chops recipes made with boneless pork chops. It can still be any type of chop cut you usually like, but the bone and excess fat has been removed.

Cooking Method

And finally, today, we are looking at baking-based cooking methods. We are also only baking pork chops at 350.

However, as I have briefly touched upon earlier, some specific cuts may need specific baking methods.

One particular example of this again has to do with cuts containing a ton of connective tissue. These cuts benefit from being baked in a braising liquid to help prevent them from becoming dry and chewy. 

But, on top of already just taking longer to cook, the added liquid will further increase this baking time. But trust me; it’s worth the wait. Nothing is worse than dry pork!

How Long To Bake Pork Chops At 350

So, now that we have taken a more in-depth look at what affects the final baking times of pork chops let’s look at specific cooking times.

On average, a pork chop is about 1 1/4 inches in thickness and weighs about 6 ounces. The exact weight differs from cut to cut, as some are larger.

A 1-inch chop takes about 20-25 minutes to bake at 350. This is your starting point. Again, thinner chops will take less time to cook, and thicker chops take more time.

On average, you will add about 5 minutes per 1/2-inch extra height. And you will take away about 5 minutes for every 1/2-inch thinner chop.

Keep in mind to only apply these rules to bone-in chops.

Regardless of which cooking method you choose, you will have to keep baking them until their internal temperature reaches 145ºF (63ºC). 

Baking Thin Pork Chops At 350

A thin pork chop is anything smaller than 1 inch in thickness. Again, a 1-inch pork chop takes about 20-25 minutes. A 1 1/2-inch pork chop will take between 25-30 minutes.

Anything smaller than an inch in thickness will take anywhere between 8-12 minutes at 350 degrees. The final cooking time will depend on the overall size of the chop, the type of meat, and the exact cooking method you are using.

Baking Thick Pork Chops At 350

Thicker pork chops are anything thicker than 1 1/2 inches. This is where the time per pound rule comes in handier for a more accurate calculation.

On average, a 1 1/2-inch chop will take 25-30 minutes to bake. A 2-inch chop takes about 35-40 minutes to bake.

And again, many factors will affect the final cooking time of the chops. So keep baking them until their internal temperature reaches 145.

Baking Boneless Pork Chops At 350

And finally, as I’ve mentioned before, boneless chops take less time to cook.

You can shave off a couple of minutes from the overall cooking time. If you are working with 1-inch or thicker chops, I would take away at least 5 minutes.

If you are working with thin chops, I would only take away about 2-3 minutes off the overall cooking time.

Tips For The Perfectly Baked Pork Chops

Now that you know how long to bake pork chops at 350 F, it’s time to teach you the tips to have delicious pork chops. Now, here’s the thing about perfectly cooked pork chops: it’s not only about the temperature but choosing the right cut, marinade, seasoning, resting, and garnishing.

In this section, I will be discussing all of them so you can have flavorful pork chops every time!

Choose the Right Cut

Opt for pork chops that are at least 1 inch thick, as thinner cuts can easily dry out during baking. Look for chops with a good amount of marbling, which helps keep them moist and flavorful.

Brine or Marinate

The first and most important tip is to bake pork chops covered in marinade. Consider brining or marinating your pork chops before baking to enhance their tenderness and flavor.

Brining involves soaking the chops in a saltwater solution, while marinating involves using a mixture of herbs, spices, and liquids. Both methods infuse the meat with moisture and deliciousness.

You can choose any spices and herbs, but I personally like mixing olive oil, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for that extra flavor and coating the pork chops with the seasoning mixture evenly.

Moreover, I don’t recommend my readers to bake frozen pork chops to allow even cooking.

Preheat and Season

To preheat your oven, raise the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) to ensure even cooking. Before baking, season your pork chops generously with your desired herbs or spices. This step enhances the flavor profile and adds depth to the final dish.

Sear for Texture

To enhance texture and flavor, sear the meat in a hot skillet before transferring them to the convection oven. Searing creates a beautifully caramelized crust that locks in the juices and adds a delightful richness.

Use a Meat Thermometer

To avoid overcooking or undercooking your pork chops, invest in an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chop, making sure it doesn’t touch the bone. Once the thermometer reads 145°F (63°C), remove the chops from the oven and let them rest.

Rest for Juiciness

Another tip for having juicy pork chops is to allow them to rest. Whether you bake breaded pork chops or bake stuffed pork chops, you have to let pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes.

Resting allows the meat to soak its juices, resulting in a more tender and succulent final product. Cover the chops loosely with foil during the resting period to retain heat.

Garnish and Serve

Once the pork chops have rested, garnish them with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Serve them alongside your favorite side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad, to create a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

FAQs

When Are The Pork Chops Done?

The best way to know when your chops are done is to test their internal temperature, which should be 145ºF (63ºC) at the thickest part. The meat should also be firm (not dry), and there shouldn’t be any juices running out of the meat.

How Long Can Pork Chops Cook At 300?

The lower cooking temperature means that the chops will take longer to bake. This is a pretty low temperature, so usually, people would bake the chops for hours (at least 1 1/2 hours) to get the most tender results. At this temperature, it is also recommended to add liquid so that the chops don’t dry out. 

How Long Can Pork Chops Cook At 400?

Depending on the thickness and whether it is boneless or not, pork chops can cook at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Pork chops are considered done when they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Rest for 3-5 minutes before cutting into them. Enjoy!

How Long Can Port Chops Cook At 425 Degrees?

Pork chops can cook for about 14-18 minutes at 425 degrees, depending on thickness and whether they have bones or not.

Is It Better To Bake Pork Chops At High Or Low Temperatures?

That ultimately depends on your preference. I like to cook cuts that have a ton of connective tissue at lower temperatures for longer times. But most pork cuts do well with medium-high temperatures (350-375 degrees). Note that you can use an air fryer basket if you want to bake pork chops fast.