These juicy air fryer pork chops are the quick dinner main you need for busy weeknights! With a few simple ingredients, they turn out tender and flavorful every single time. Plus, you can use bone-in or boneless pork chops, depending on what you prefer.
I highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer for this recipe. Pork chops are notorious for drying out at the drop of a hat, and using a meat thermometer is the simplest way to avoid overcooking them. And if you’re looking for more easy air fryer recipes, try my air fryer chicken breast, air fryer turkey breast, or air fryer steak.
Ingredients
Pork chops — opt for thicker pork chops, about 1-inch thick, for the juiciest air fryer pork chops. I went with bone-in, but you can also use boneless chops.
Seasoning mix — paprika, salt, Italian seasoning, ground black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder combine to make a homemade spice rub so the pork chops are loaded with flavor.
Oil — olive oil helps the seasonings stick to the pork chops and keep them moist. You can also use a neutral-flavored oil like canola oil or vegetable oil if you prefer.
How To Make Air Fryer Pork Chops
1. Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel.
2. Combine the paprika, salt, Italian seasoning, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
3. Brush the pork chops with olive oil.
4. Sprinkle the seasoning mix all over the chops.
5. Place the seasoned pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space around each one. You may have to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Mine could accommodate 2 chops at a time. Air fry the pork chops at 400°F for 7 minutes.
6. Flip the chops and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes or until the internal temperature of each chop reaches 145°F. Let the air fryer pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.
The Best Pork Chops For The Air Fryer
Thick-cut pork chops are the best option for juicy and tender air-fried pork chops. Thinner pork chops are more prone to drying out and overcooking.
I chose bone-in pork chops that were 1-inch thick and they cooked perfectly in the air fryer. You can also use thick-cut boneless pork chops and they will cook in less time than bone-in chops.
Recipe Variations
- Add parmesan cheese: Grated parmesan cheese makes a great addition to the dried spice mixture to create a golden brown crust on the chops.
- For subtle heat: Add cayenne or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix. Add as much or as little as you like, depending on your heat preference.
- For smokiness: Use smoked paprika in place of regular in the spice blend.
- Add brown sugar: For a sweeter pork chop, add a tablespoon or 2 of brown sugar. This also helps create a sticky and delicious outer crust.
- Use dried herbs: If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can use a mixture of different dried herbs, like oregano, rosemary, sage, marjoram, and thyme.
- Use your favorite premade spice blend: Pork chops take well to a variety of flavors, so feel free to season them with your favorite premade rub or spice blend, like lemon pepper seasoning, steak seasoning, Old Bay, or Creole seasoning.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Pork Chops
There are so many ways to serve these pork chops! Here are some ideas:
- Air fryer vegetables: Try my air fryer green beans or air fryer Brussels sprouts.
- Potatoes: This air fryer pork chop recipe pairs so well with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, and sweet potato fries.
- Roasted veggies: Roasted carrots and roasted butternut squash are delicious sweeter vegetables that complement the flavor of pork chops.
- Salad: A roasted vegetable salad, crunchy kale salad, or Brussels sprout salad are all excellent options.
- Sweet side: it might seem unconventional, but I love serving these with skillet fried apples!
Storing And Reheating Leftovers
Once cooled completely, transfer air fryer pork chops to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the microwave, air fryer, or oven.
- To reheat in the microwave, cover the pork chops with a damp paper towel and microwave until warmed through. Microwave them in 30-second increments to prevent the chops from drying out. This is the quickest reheating method, but the risk of drying the chops out is much higher.
- To reheat in the air fryer, preheat air fryer to 350°F and air fry for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. It’s a good idea to lightly spray them with olive oil first to keep them moist.
- To reheat in the oven, place the chops in a ceramic or glass baking dish with a little broth or water (approximately 1 tablespoon of liquid per pork chop). Cover with foil and place in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
To freeze leftover air fryer pork chops, let them cool to room temperature and store in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then follow one of the abovementioned heating methods to warm them up.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Set the chops out in advance. Take the pork chops out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you start cooking so they can rise to room temperature. That way, the whole chop will cook evenly, rather than the outside cooking much faster than the still-cold center.
- Don’t skip the oil: Since pork chops are a leaner cut, oil is needed to seal in moisture. It also helps the seasonings stick to the chops.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: The chops need to have space all around them so the heat from the air fryer can circulate freely and cook them properly. If the air fryer is crowded, the pork chops will not cook evenly.
- For thinner chops: Reduce 2 to 3 minutes of the cook time on the second side.
- Don’t overcook the pork chops. According to the USDA, pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. Overcooking them will turn them dry and chewy. Use your meat thermometer to make sure they are done and not cooking for too long.
- Let the air fryer pork chops rest: It might seem like a skippable step, but allowing the chops to rest for 5 minutes after cooking is arguably the best way to ensure you have tender, juicy pork chops. While they rest, the juices in the chops redistribute, infusing the meat with moisture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main cause of dry, tough air fryer pork chops is overcooking. There’s a lot of fear around cooking pork properly, but according to the USDA, pork chops are safe to serve when they have an internal temperature of 145°F. Cooking the chops past this point will cause them to dry out and lose their tenderness. Be aware, too, that thin pork chops dry out and toughen much faster than thick-cut chops.
You can use bone-in or boneless pork chops for this recipe. For boneless chops, subtract about 2 to 4 minutes from the total cook time. Flip after 6 minutes, then check the internal temperature after another 4 to 5 minutes.
It’s all based on the size and kind of pork chop you are cooking. For bone-in pork chops that are about 1-inch thick, the total cook time will be 12 to 14 minutes at 400°F in the air fryer. Thinner chops will cook in less time (8 to 12 minutes), and chops thicker than 1-inch will need a bit more time. Bone-in pork chops take longer to cook than a boneless pork chop would. The best way to make sure your chops turn out perfectly is to use an instant-read thermometer to keep an eye on the internal temperature.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this air fryer pork chops recipe recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops 1-inch thick (2¼ pounds, 1kg)
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Pat the pork chops very dry with a paper towel.
- In a small bowl, stir to combine the paprika, salt, Italian seasoning, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Brush all of the pork chops evenly with the olive oil. Then sprinkle the dried seasoning mix evenly over all sides of the chops.
- Place the pork chops in the basket of an air fryer, leaving space in between each chop. (Cook them in batches, if necessary.).
- Air fry the pork chops at 400°F for 7 minutes. Flip to the other side, then cook for another 5 to 7 minutes or until the internal temperature of each chop reaches 145°F.
- Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Set the chops out in advance. Take the pork chops out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you start cooking so they can rise to room temperature. That way, the whole chop will cook evenly, rather than the outside cooking much faster than the still-cold center.
- Don’t skip the oil: Since pork chops are a leaner cut, oil is needed to seal in moisture. It also helps the seasonings stick to the chops.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: The chops need to have space all around them so the heat from the air fryer can circulate freely and cook them properly. If the air fryer is crowded, the pork chops will not cook evenly.
- For thinner chops: Reduce 2 to 3 minutes of the cook time on the second side.
- Don’t overcook the pork chops. According to the USDA, pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. Overcooking them will turn them dry and chewy. Use your meat thermometer to make sure they are done and not cooking for too long.
- Let the air fryer pork chops rest: It might seem like a skippable step, but allowing the chops to rest for 5 minutes after cooking is arguably the best way to ensure you have tender, juicy pork chops. While they rest, the juices in the chops redistribute, infusing the meat with moisture and flavor.
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