Cheese Stuffed Pork Chops with Apple
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These baked stuffed pork chops might just be the best thing to come out of your oven all week. We cut a pocket into thick boneless chops, fill them with slices of sweet apple and creamy Gouda cheese, then wrap the whole thing in bacon before baking. The result? A stuffed pork chop in the oven that comes out juicy, tender, and honestly a little gourmet — but it only takes 15 minutes of prep.
If you’ve been stuck in a dinner rut, this is your way out. The sweet-savory combo of apple and Gouda with salty bacon is one of those flavor combinations that just works. And since everything bakes together in one dish, cleanup is easy too.
Stuffed Pork Chops with Creamy Gouda Cheese and Apple couldn’t be easier. This stuffed pork chop recipe combines salty smoky bacon with sweet apples and creamy Gouda. Nothing is missing in this simply delicious recipe!
We love pork chops, but Stuffed Pork Chops with Cheese and Apple that have been wrapped in bacon? That’s a recipe you can make easily for one or a dozen and it’s so easy that it makes a great weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Pork Chops – we used thick (1-1/2 to 2″) boneless pork loin chops.
- Cheese – we used a block of Gouda.
- Bacon – thinly sliced is recommended and the variety is your choice (hickory, apple smoked, etc.).
- Apple – we’ve used green apples and red apples and both work great. We recommend using a good baking apple such as Granny Smith or Braeburn to prevent them from getting too soft.
- Fresh Thyme – this is optional but thyme goes so well with pork. You could also combine it with some rosemary or sage.
Cheese & Filling Substitutions
One of the best things about this stuffed pork chop in the oven recipe is how easy it is to switch things up based on what you have on hand. Here are our favorite swaps:
Cheese Options:
- Gouda (original) — mild, creamy, melts beautifully
- Pepper Jack — adds a little heat that pairs great with the sweet apple (reader favorite!)
- Gruyère — nuttier flavor, melts like a dream
- Sharp Cheddar — bolder flavor, still delicious
- Brie — richer and more decadent for a dinner party twist
Apple Options:
- Granny Smith (recommended) — tart and firm, holds its shape while baking
- Braeburn or Honeycrisp — slightly sweeter, still holds up well
- Avoid Red Delicious — they get mushy in the oven
Other Filling Ideas:
- Spinach + cream cheese — for a rich, savory option
- Caramelized onions + Gruyère — classic French bistro vibes
- Dried cranberries + brie — perfect for fall and holiday dinners
Can’t do bacon? Wrap the chops in prosciutto instead — it crisps up just as nicely and adds a slightly more delicate flavor.
How to Make Baked Stuffed Pork Chops
- Pat the pork chop dry and using a sharp knife, slice a deep pocket into the center of the pork chop. Be careful not to slice all of the way through the bottom or sides so you don’t lose your filling or its flavors.
- Cut the apples into 1/8″ slices. We didn’t bother to peel them.
- Slice the cheese into 1/4″ slices.
- Insert two slices of cheese with an apple slice in between into the opening of the pork chop.
- Wrap the stuffed pork chop with bacon and secure it with toothpicks.
- Place the cheese stuffed pork chops into a baking dish that’s been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and bake.
Tips For Perfect Baked Stuffed Pork Chops Every Time
- Take the pork chops out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before you cook them. Bringing the meat to room temperature helps them cook evenly.
- Overcooked chops are tough. A slightly pink interior is perfect.
- Use an instant-read thermometer and cook to 145. Insert the thermometer in several places to ensure a correct reading, and try to measure the temperature of the meat only. Not the filling.
- Allow the cooked pork chop to rest for 5 minutes after they’re cooked. This allows the fibers to relax and for the juices to absorb, making a juicy, tender chop.
- We use a thicker chop 1-½ to 2” since we were going to split it open to stuff it. If you used a thin pork chop, the meat would be cooked before the apple was baked.
- We don’t cover the pork chops. Wrapping them in bacon keeps them moist and crisps up our bacon. If your bacon isn’t crisping, you may need to increase the temperature of your oven to 400 for the last 10 minutes.
FAQ’s
Q: How long do baked stuffed pork chops take to cook?
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A: At 375°F, thick boneless pork chops (1½ to 2 inches) typically take 25–35 minutes. Always use an instant-read thermometer and pull them when the meat (not the filling) reads 145°F. Let them rest 3 minutes before cutting. Here are some more pork safety tips.
Q: What’s the best way to keep the filling from falling out?
A: Slice a deep pocket but stop before you cut through the sides or the bottom — you want a pouch, not a slit all the way through. Secure the open edge with a toothpick or two after stuffing. Wrapping in bacon also helps hold everything in place.
Q: Can I prep stuffed pork chops the night before?
A: You can! Slice the pocket, add the cheese, and wrap in bacon the night before. Wait to add the apple slices until right before baking — cut apple will brown in the fridge overnight. Store the prepared chops covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Q: Can I use boneless or bone-in pork chops?
A: We use thick boneless pork loin chops because they’re easy to stuff and portion. Bone-in chops work too — just choose ones that are at least 1½ inches thick so you have room to create a good pocket.
Q: How do I store and reheat leftover stuffed pork chops?
A: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, place in a 325°F oven covered with foil for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through. We don’t recommend freezing these — the apple and cheese filling can change texture when thawed.
Q: What can I substitute for Gouda cheese?
A: Pepper Jack, Gruyère, sharp cheddar, and brie all work great. See our Substitutions section above for more ideas and tips!
More Pork Recipes You’ll Love
- Pork Tenderloin with Peach sauce
- Spinach & Goat Cheese Pork Roulade
- Pork Chops with Cranberry Sauce
- Cast Iron Boneless Pork Chops
- Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf
Still looking for delicious pork recipes? Find all of our delicious pork recipes here.
I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.
Cheese Stuffed Pork Chops Recipe with Apple
Ingredients
- 6 pork chops Boneless 1-1/2″ thick
- 4 oz Gouda Cheese
- 12 slices bacon thin or regular cut
- 1 green apple cored and sliced thinly
- 1 tbsp thyme chopped
- 18 toothpicks
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F. Spray a 9×13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Make a deep slit into the side of each pork chop being careful not to go through the sides or bottom.
- Slice the apple into 1/8″ pieces, one for each chop
- Cut the Crystal Farms Gouda Cheese block into 1/4″ slices, two for each chop.
- Sandwich each apple slice with cheese slices and insert it into the chop and sprinkle with thyme.
- Wrap each chop with two slices of bacon tightly. Secure with three toothpicks and place them into the pan.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the chop registers 145 °F Allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes. Remove the toothpicks and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
The perfect side dish for Cheese Stuffed Pork Chops
When choosing a side dish, our go-to would be recipes that cook on the stovetop in the same amount of time that it takes to cook this Stuffed Pork Chop recipe since our oven is in use. Recipes that or don’t require cooking at all are perfect too!
This post was originally sponsored by Crystal Farms Cheese® but the opinions here are all my own.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!
Originally published: May 13, 2021. Updated: June 24, 2026 – Enhanced with more detailed instructions, tips, and serving suggestions. No changes were made to the recipe.
This is one of our go to camping meals. We just cook it on the grate over the fire and it comes out great. Just keep an eye out that your cooking over hot coals and not actual flames.
Thank you so much, Sherri! What a special camping meal!
This was delicious! I made this tonight for my husband and I. I used pepper jack cheese and gala apples. Next time I’ll do a thicker slice of cheese to have more flavor. Making this again for sure! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Katherine! I love the idea to use pepper jack. The spiciness of the cheese with the sweetness of the apple are a match made in culinary heaven!
Can you prep everything the night before and just put in oven next day for Sunday lunch or will apples turn once sliced and put in chops?
Hi Sharon! I’ve never prepped this recipe the night before but as you say, the apples are going to turn. You could slice the chops and the cheese and just add the apple the next day which would make a quick Sunday lunch.
These are so good, even my picky kids gobbled them up!
Thank you, Megan!
Super easy and delicious! I’ll definitely be making this again. Thank you!
Thank you, Amanda! It’s a great way to dress up pork!
Horrible
Cheese never melted
Meat tough and I brinded the meat
I’m sorry that this didn’t work for you, Christine. Others have had great results with this recipe. Without knowing the exact ingredients you used, I can’t comment on why it didn’t work for you.
Mmmm, these pork chops were just what I needed to get us out of our dinner rut. They were do different and delicious and they came out perfectly cooked!
Thank you! We like putting them together on date night in!
So delicious! I love the cheese and apple combo with pork!
I agree thank you, Nikki!
This recipe is definitely going on my dinner party menu list — love all the flavor combinations here and of course, the BACON. Great recipe indeed!
Thank you! I hope you love it as much as we do.
Juicy, easy and so DELICIOUS! Made for a special birthday dinner!
Thank you! Fancy enough for Sunday dinner but easy enough for any time.
I didn’t think you could make pork chops any more perfect and you have rocked my world! I love apples with my pork chops. That is how my mom served them. With applesauce. But the addition of the cheese too makes these so crazy good!!
Thank you! These chops are delicious and we love serving them with applesauce too!
Yum! Pork and apples are the perfect combination.
We agree, Biana and they’re so easy too.
Oh yum! I love that melty cheese! Such an incredible combination of flavors and so perfect for weeknights with the minimal prep.
We love this combo too Tara! Thank you.
I am in love with these cheesy and fruity pork chops. They are the best!!! I made them for our lunch today; well, my family asks for more. 🙂
Thank you, Irina!
We made this for our Sunday family meal and it was a hit!! So easy and so good! Thank you!
Thanks, Tawnie! I’m happy that you enjoyed it!
This is such a unique and delicious recipe. Love to try it for some party. Love the combinations of ingredients too. Yum..
Thank you! It’s one of our favorites!
These were so good. I did use boneless pork chops but will switch to pork loin next time. And there will be a next time.
Thank you, Charlene! I appreiate you letting us know.
Can you make this with a pork loin?
You sure can April. I would use cut the meat in similar sized thickness. It will be amazing!
Omg I just made it and it smells amazing!!!
Thank you, Jame! We love this one too.
Haven’t made this yet but I’m going to make it in a couple of days! My only question is do the pork chops need any seasoning besides the thyme? I realize the bacon should add some salt and flavor but sometimes pork needs some extra seasoning. Anybody have comments about this? Thank you!!
Hello Kay. I would definitely salt and pepper the pork chop exterior. I’ll update the post to reflect this and appreciate you asking! Please stop back and tell me what you think?
Can this be reheated and still be delicious? (Concerned about the melted cheese and apple stuffing once it cooks.)
It can be reheated but as you’ve pointed out it may become a little deconstructed.
This looks so tasty! And you couldn’t be more right, good ingredients make all the difference – sometimes you have to spend a little more and sometimes you just need a little more knowledge!
Thank you Michelle!
I remember my first years living away from home too. Very hit and miss in the kitchen department. Shared refrigerators were my pet hate along with no cupboard space to store my food. I never would have attempted anything as luscious as these chops though and cheddar cheese was most likely my limit. I wouldn’t go back to those years, but second helpings here? Yes please.
Thank you, Jane! I guess those days were character builders right? I wouldn’t have been able to afford a pork chop but would have loved melting this cheese on anything that I could afford.
WI makes more than 600 kinds of cheese??!! What? That means i need to get to Wisconsin ASAP 😉
LOL! Pick me up on your way!
This looks so delicious! I use gouda in EVERYTHING… but Ive never tried it in my chicken… going to fix that very soon!
Thank you, Michele! I love gouda’s flavor and the way it melts.