Discover how to cook pork chops in an air fryer with this simple recipe. Rubbed with a blend of brown sugar and spices, then air-fried to delicious perfection, these juicy Pork Chops are ready in just minutes! They’re a sizzling, satisfying weeknight dinner idea!
Have you ever had pork chops turn out dry? That’s a common issue with cooking pork chops at home, but I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way. My secret weapon for no-fail pork chops is air frying! Using your Air Fryer, it’s easy to make thick, juicy pork chops every single time. The reason air fryer recipes work so well is because of convection heating. Essentially, air fryers are mini convection ovens that bake much more effectively than normal ovens. This method allows the chops to cook rapidly, achieving a perfect crispy exterior while retaining a juicy interior.
Also, this air fryer pork chop recipe uses a flavorful, slightly sweet seasoning rub – without any breading. This enhances the pork’s natural sweetness and requires just a minimal amount of oil, proving that less is more for achieving succulent results.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The spice blend in this air fry pork chops recipe is so delicious, you’ll want to use it on everything! Ground mustard is not as common as prepared mustard, but it’s a great way to add tangy, deep flavor to lots of dishes. I recommend making a double or even triple batch of the rub and saving the extra to sprinkle over chicken, pork, steak, etc.
- Pork Chops: Bone-in, center cut pork chops, about one-and-a-half inches thick.
- Olive Oil: For rubbing on the pork chops. You can also use avocado oil here.
- Brown Sugar: A little brown sugar makes the spice rub extra flavorful. Light or dark brown sugar is fine.
- Chili Powder, Paprika, and Ground Mustard: The perfect spice trio for pork! I use sweet paprika, but hot is fine if you want a bit of a kick.
- Salt and Black Pepper: You can use Kosher salt and always reach for freshly ground black pepper.
- Garlic and Onion Powder: These two powders add intensity of flavor with no chopping or mincing.
How to Make Air Fryer Pork Chops
Making these delicious pork chops in air fryer is easy. Combined with simple ingredients and the speed of air frying, this is one of my favorite recipes to pull together on a busy weeknight. There’s nothing like bringing a perfect square meal to the table without standing over a hot stove at the end of a long day.
- Preheat the Air Fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 375˚F. Don’t skip the preheating step – it makes all the difference.
- Season the Pork Chops. Pat dry the pork chops with a paper towel and then rub the oil into the pork chops. Then, in a small bowl, make the spice rub with brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, ground mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season both sides of the pork chops with the rub.
- Air Fry! Arrange the seasoned pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook them for 5 minutes, flip, and cook for 4 to 6 more minutes. The internal temperature of the pork chops should register at 145˚F.
- Enjoy! Transfer the pork chops to a plate and let stand for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite sides.
How Long To Cook Pork Chops In The Air Fryer
- Cook time for bone-in pork chops in the air fryer at 375˚F is 5 minutes on one side and 4 to 6 more minutes on the other. The internal temperature of the pork chops should register at 145˚F when done.
- Cook boneless pork chops in the air fryer at 375˚F for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking. Pork chops are cooked through when their internal temperature reaches 145˚F.
How to Keep Pork Chops From Drying Out
The main culprit behind dry pork chops is overcooking. Pork chops are done when their internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). It’s crucial to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness and pull them out as soon as their internal temperature registers at 145˚F. Also, always allow your pork chops to rest for at least 5 minutes after cooking. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring your pork chops are moist and delicious.
Recipe Tips For Success
- Preheat the Air Fryer: A preheated air fryer ensures even cooking.
- Parchment Paper: If using parchment paper, ensure you use air fryer friendly parchment paper.
- Room Temperature Meat: Let your pork chops sit out for about 15 minutes before cooking.
- Seasoning: A good rub not only adds flavor but also helps to create a delicious crust.
- Dry Brine: If you have time, take the chops out of the refrigerator early, season them, and then allow them to sit, covered, at room temperature for up to 30 minutes before cooking. They’ll be even more flavorful and tender!
- Avoid Overcrowding: Overcrowding the air fryer basket will prevent the pork chops from cooking evenly.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite ways to serve these bone-in chops include a side dish of Lemon Pasta, Crunchy Kale Quinoa Salad, and a sheet pan of Roasted Green Beans with Squash and Tomatoes, all topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It’s a colorful and quick veggie dish that’s full of flavor. Crispy and well-roasted, these Crispy Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are also amazing, as are these Roasted Cauliflower Steaks.
Can I use boneless pork chops in the air fryer?
- Yes, you can! This recipe is great with thick-cut boneless chops, but you will not need to air-fry them quite as long, so be sure to check for doneness a bit earlier using an instant read thermometer.
Can I use thin pork chops in the air fryer?
- You can, but they will cook much more quickly and are easy to overcook. Depending on just how thin they are, they might take only a minute or two per side (for quarter-inch chops) to maybe four minutes per side (half-inch chops). Again, it’s best to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Can pork chops be air fried from frozen?
- Absolutely, you can air fry frozen pork chops with great results. Start by preheating your air fryer to 375˚F. Place the frozen chops in the basket in a single layer and defrost them in the air fryer for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the rub by mixing the ingredients in a small bowl. After the initial 5 minutes are up, remove the chops and arrange them on a cutting board or a working surface. Coat them with cooking spray before generously applying the prepared seasoning on all sides. Return the seasoned pork chops to the air fryer basket and cook them for another 5 minutes. Then, flip them over and cook for an additional 4 to 6 minutes or until their internal temperature registers at 145˚F.
Other Pork Chop Recipes To Try
- Creamy Dijon Pork Chops
- Caprese Pork Chops Recipe
- Easy Honey Garlic Baked Pork Chops
- Stuffed Pork Chops
Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 bone-in center cut pork chops, about 1 to 1-½ inch thick
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer to 375˚F.
- Grease the pork chops with olive oil.
- In a small mixing bowl combine brown sugar, chili powder, sweet paprika, ground mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder; mix until well incorporated.
- Season both sides of the pork chops with the prepared rub.
- Transfer the pork chops to the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 5 minutes. Flip over and continue to cook for 4 to 6 more minutes or until the internal temperature of the pork chops registers at 145˚F. I don’t recommend using thinner pork chops, but if you do, the cooking time will be less. For the best and most accurate results, use an instant-read meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Remove pork chops from the Air Fryer basket and transfer to a plate; let stand 5 minutes before cutting.
- Serve.
Notes
- Pork Chops: This recipe is specifically for bone-in pork chops that are about 1 to 1.5 inches thick, but if you want to use boneless pork chops, they will need about 2 to 3 minutes less cooking time. To be safe, use an instant-read meat thermometer to check for doneness. 145˚F is the safe internal temperature for pork chops.
- Doubling the Recipe: You can easily double this recipe and make four pork chops, but make sure not to overlap the pork chops in the air fryer. If needed, cook the pork chops in batches.
- Dry Brine: If time permits, take the pork chops out of the refrigerator, season them, and then allow them to sit, covered, at room temperature for up to 30 minutes before cooking. They’ll be more flavorful.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftover pork chops in airtight containers for 3-4 days. To freeze leftover pork chops, store them in freezer bags and keep them in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
