Lightly crispy outside and super juicy inside, Air Fryer Pork Chops are here for pork chop redemption. Never dry and seasoned with a simple pork rub, they’re ready in just 20 minutes!
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Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe
- Pork Chops Worth Getting Excited About. Forget the dry, bland pork chops of your childhood! Using the right method makes all the difference. The air fryer is perfect for lean cuts like pork chops (try Crock Pot Pork Chops and Grilled Pork Chops too!).
- Simple Ingredients. Like this Air Fryer Steak, you don’t need many ingredients to cook a great piece of protein in the air fryer. My homemade pork seasoning rub made with pantry spices you likely already have on hand.
- Quick and Easy. The air fryer is FAST. Thick-cut bone-in pork chops cook for 9 to 11 minutes in the air fryer, and your hands-on time is minimal.
5 Star Review
“My husband claims these were the juiciest chops we’ve ever made!”
— Danielle —
How to Make Air Fryer Pork Chops
The Ingredients
- Pork Chops. Thick, bone-in, center-cut pork chops are the perfect choice for this recipe. If you prefer boneless pork chops in the air fryer, make sure you use thick-cut chops to ensure they don’t overcook and dry out.
- Pork Rub. A mixture of chili powder, ground coriander, dry mustard, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper is my secret to the best-tasting, most delicious pork chops. It has a little kick (but not too much), lots of smokiness, and a wonderful depth of flavor.
The Directions
- Prepare. Dry the pork chops, and coat them with oil.
- Make the Rub. Stir the spice rub ingredients together.
- Season. Rub the mixture onto the top, bottom, and side of the pork chops.
- Cook. Place the chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you cannot stack pork chops in an air fryer). The temperature you should air fry pork chops at is 375 degrees F. Cook them for 5 minutes, then flip them over.
- Finish. Cook for 4 to 7 more minutes. Place the pork chops on a plate, cover them, and let them rest for a few minutes. ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- BBQ. Slather the cooked chops with this homemade Barbecue Sauce or your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce. I recommend warming up the sauce first, then brushing it on liberally once the pork has rested.
- Smothered. Take a note from my Smothered Pork Chops and make Mushroom Gravy to layer on top.
- Breaded. Add the coating from my Breaded Pork Chops.
- Stuffed. Use the filling from my Stuffed Pork Chops.
- Parmesan. Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the spice mixture.
- Ranch. Swap the pork seasoning blend used here with a ranch seasoning mix.
- Garlic. Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder to the spice mixture.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Potatoes. Air fryer pork chops and potatoes are a perfect match. Try Grilled Potatoes or Potato Skins.
- Veggies. Zucchini Fries coated in bread crumbs are a crowd-pleaser. Or throw Air Fryer Asparagus into your air fryer while the pork rests.
- Salad. Apple Walnut Salad is a delicious choice.
- Rice. A simple side of brown rice or white rice will let the pork’s flavors shine.
- Applesauce. You can’t go wrong with a side of Crockpot Applesauce or Instant Pot Applesauce.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Choose Thick-Cut Chops. Look for the thickest ones you can find, and don’t be shy about asking the butcher counter if needed. For juiciness guaranteed, I recommend pork chops that are at least 1 1/2-inches thick.
- Go Bone-In. Boneless pork chops are far easier to overcook than ones with the bone in. The bone gives the meat extra flavor too (which is why bone-in is also perfect for Honey Garlic Pork Chops).
- DO NOT OVERCOOK. Unlike a tougher cut of pork like pork shoulder, pork chops are lean and do not become more tender the longer they cook. Use an instant-read thermometer like this and check the pork early (especially if your pork chops are thinner) and often. Per the FDA, pork is considered safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. I typically remove my pork around the 135-140 degrees F, cover it, then let the carry-over cooking bring it to temperature.
- Let It Rest. Resting the meat is MANDATORY. It allows the juices to reincorporate. If you cut the pork chops right away, all those lovely juices escape onto the plate.
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
I've got the secret to tender, juicy air fryer pork chops! This recipe is quick and easy, perfectly seasoned, and crispy on the outside. Yum!
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Ingredients
For the Pork Chops:
- 2 thick, center-cut pork chops (I recommend bone-in—look for chops that are at least 1 ½ inches thick)*
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Crockpot Applesauce or Instant Pot Applesauce, optional for serving
- Barbecue Sauce optional for serving
For the Pork Rub:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F accordingly to the manufacturer’s instructions (for my air fryer, that’s 3 minutes of preheat time).
- With paper towels, pat the pork chops dry on both sides. Coat the outsides with olive oil.
- In a medium bowl, combine the rub ingredients: chili powder, coriander, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
- Rub all over both sides of the pork.
- Lay the pork chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket; do not overlap them (if they both do not fit in a single layer, cook them in batches). Air fry for 5 minutes, then with tongs, carefully flip the chops.
- Continue cooking for 4 to 7 additional minutes, or until the meat registers 135°F on an instant read thermometer. If your pork chops are boneless, start checking 2 minutes earlier to ensure they do not overcook.
- Remove the pork chops to a plate. Cover and let rest for at least 5 minutes. Serve hot with warmed barbecue sauce as desired.
Video
Notes
- *You can also use this recipe for boneless center-cut pork chops; still look for thick ones that are at least 1 1/2 inches thick. I do not recommend thin pork chops, as they will dry out ultra quickly. If you decide to experiment with thin chops, start checking several minutes earlier to gauge their progress.
- As with ovens, air fryer models vary, so your pork chops may take a bit longer or a bit shorter (this is the air fryer model I used to test the recipe). The safest option is to check the meat’s temperature earlier to make sure it doesn’t overcook. As soon the pork chops 135°F at the thickest part of the meat, remove mine for resting.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover pork chops in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm pork chops in the air fryer or oven at 350°F, in the microwave, or in a skillet on the stove.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze leftover pork chops in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 2)Calories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 51gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 156mgPotassium: 963mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1793IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 3mg
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