These juicy air fryer pork chops are so quick and easy to make you’ll want to put them in your regular dinner rotation. Fortunately, since this air fryer recipe is healthy and budget friendly, you can easily make them any time.
Easy Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe
Tender and juicy with tons of flavor from multiple spices, and a slightly crispy outside, these flavorful air fryer pork chops bring all of the taste and texture to the table.
This is the kind of delicious meal you can easily whip up on busy weeknights as it requires minimal prep and about 10 minutes of cooking time. Although there are different ways to cook pork chops to perfection (we love this recipe for Baked Pork Chops) air fry pork chops cook in less time than in the regular oven.
What’s in these Air Fryer Pork Chops?
These juicy pork chops can be made with boneless pork chops as well as bone-in pork chops that are about 1 to 1.5 inch thick (thinner pork chops could be used but the air frying time would have to be adjusted as thinner chops tend to dry up easily).
A simple homemade spice blend combines warm spices such as ground cumin, chili powder and paprika which make these air-fried pork chops succulent and flavorful. Feel free to use your favorite spice blend although we know you are really going to love our mix. Maybe this may become one of your new favorite air fryer recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Pork Chop Recipe
- Healthy: Pork chop recipes are a great source of lean protein, are low in carbs and full of nutrients.
- Simple Ingredients: Budget friendly pork chops and the common spices used in the seasoning rub can be found at any grocery store (check your pantry first, you may already have them).
- Quick and Easy: Make the perfect air fryer pork chops in less than 10 minutes of cook time. A great option if you are looking for an easy weeknight dinner.
Air Fryer Pork Chops Ingredients and Substitutions
This is a list of the simple ingredients you need for these delicious pork chops. For the complete list with quantities, check the printable recipe card below.
- Pork Chops: Boneless and bone-in pork chops can be used. Pick chops that are similar in thickness for even cooking. Thick-cut pork chops that are 1-inch to 1.5-inch thick for best results.
- Oil: I used olive oil but any neutral oil such as avocado and grape seed oil will work
- Brown sugar – I use light brown sugar. Dark brown, which has a more pronounce molasses taste is also an excellent option. If you are following a non-sugar or keto diet, you can omit the sugar.
- Seasonings: Chili powder, paprika (sweet or smoked), garlic powder. You can also add seasonings like onion powder and cayenne pepper for heat. Spice blends like Italian seasoning and even taco seasoning work very well.
How to Make this Air Fryer Pork Chop Recipe?
Here’s the quick version of how to make these simple pork chops. Find all of the details on the printable recipe card below.
- Pat pork chops dry with paper towels.
- Mix together the brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, ground cumin, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Drizzle or brush the oil over both sides of the pork chops.
- Rub the chops with the spice mix. At this point, you are ready for air frying the pork but if time permits, marinate them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Place the pork chops into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure you leave some room between each chop so the hot air can circulate and cook the meat evenly. Do this in batches if needed.
- Cook in the preheated air fryer until your desired doneness, flipping halfway through cooking.
- Remove from the air fryer and rest the meat briefly before serving.
How Long Should you Cook Pork Chops in an Air Fryer?
Exact times will depend on the thickness of each pork chop and will also vary if you use boneless pork chops or bone-in. As a general rule pork chops should be cooked between 8 to 12 minutes in a preheated air fryer (flipping them half way through). Thick pork chops will need extra time and may take up to 15 minutes. For accuracy, check the chops’ internal temperature with an instant read thermometer.
Why Are my Pork Chops Tough in the Air Fryer?
Pork chops are typically tough if they’ve been overcooked. You can avoid this by stopping the cooking time when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chop reaches 135 to 140 degrees F. Transfer the pork to a plate and allow them to rest tented with aluminum foil. During this time, the internal temperature will come up to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Long Do You Air Fry Thin Pork Chops?
I don’t recommend air frying thin pork chops as they tend to dry up. Choose pork chops that are at least 1-inch thick.
Is it Better to Cook Pork Chops at 350 or 400 F?
I prefer cooking pork chops at 400ºF when using and air fryer or a regular oven.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Pork Chops
You can enjoy these delicious pork chops with many different side dishes. Here are a few of our favorite:
- Oven Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Israeli Couscous Salad
- Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
- Easy Garlic Butter Pasta
- Roasted Asparagus
Storage Tips
Storing: Store leftover pork chops in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container or resealable bag.
Reheating: Pork chops can be reheated in a preheated 350ºF oven or air fryer or in a microwave in small intervals until warm through.
Freezing: Freeze leftover pork chops for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
Air Frying Pork Chops Pro Tips
- Boneless center-cut pork chops are my absolute favorite but any other type of pork chop can be used.
- You can substitute the spice rub with your favorite meat rub.
- Adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your chops. Thicker pork chops as well as bone-in chops will need extra cooking time.
- Depending on your air fryer model, you may have to adjust the cooking time as different models and brands cook differently (just like your oven!)
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray prior to cooking.
- Leftover pork chops can be used to make other meals. Chop them up to make burritos, quesadillas or to top salads.
- The best way to know if the pork is done cooking, is to check the internal temperature with an meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the pork. Remove the pork from the air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 135º to 140º F. Allow them to rest. During this time the temperature will rise and reach 145ºF
Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops (without Breading)
Ingredients
- 4 (6 ounces) center-cut boneless or bone-in pork chops cut 1 to 1.5 inches thick (see notes)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl mix the brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, ground cumin and black pepper. Set aside.
- Coat the pork chops with the oil on both sides. Rub the spice mix all over, on both sides of the pork chops. You can cook the pork immediately or you can let the meat marinade in the refrigerator for 4-8 hours. Remove the pork from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400º F (204ºC) for 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place the seasoned pork chops in the air fryer basket, on a single layer (cook in two batches if needed).
- For boneless pork chops: Cook for about 10 to 12 minutes, flipping half way through or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of pork chop registers 145° F.
- For bone-in pork chops: Cook for 13-15 minutes flipping halfway through until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of pork chop registers 145°F
- Remove the pork from the air fryer basket and transfer the meat to a plate. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment
- Air fryer
Recipe Notes
- The recipe asks for four 6-ounces pork chops. This is just a guideline as the pork chops can be a bit smaller or bigger.
- Make sure all the chops are about the same thickness for even cooking.
- Buy pork chops that are between 1 and 1.5 inches in thickness.
- Exact cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops and if they are bone-in or boneless.
- You can customize the spice blend to your taste however, we really love our seasoning mix (with or without brown sugar).
- Storing: Store leftover pork chops in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container or resealable bag.
- To reheat leftovers: Reheat in a preheated 350ºF oven or air fryer until warm through or in a microwave in small intervals until warm through.
- Freezing: Freeze leftover pork chops for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
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