How to Make Juicy Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
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If you’re wondering how to make Juicy Pork Chops in the Air Fryer, you’re not alone! Pork is notorious for quickly drying out, but this Air Fryer Pork Chops (bone-in) recipe results in perfectly tender pork chops with a slightly crisp outside.
Why you’ll love Air Fryer Pork Chops (no breading)!
I LOVE using the air fryer to make pork chops! It’s one of the most fool-proof methods for ensuring the chops come out nice and juicy. Not only is it an excellent choice because it’s less messy and has a quick cook time, but it also prevents dryness.
Ingredient notes
- Pork chops | Thick pork chops yield the best results when air frying. So, choose a couple of 2-inch, bone-in pork chops for this delicious recipe.
- Oil | Rub the pork chops with extra virgin olive oil to produce a slightly crisp outside and help the seasonings stick to the surface. Avocado oil or whatever is your favorite also works.
- Salt and pepper | Sprinkle the pork chops with kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper for a little flavor.
- Seasonings | The bulk of the pork chop’s taste will come from a simple dry rub containing paprika, chili powder, mustard powder, and granulated garlic. If preferred, substitute the granulated garlic with garlic powder. You can also swap the standard paprika for hot paprika for a kick of heat. And finally, feel free to replace one of these seasonings with onion powder or add it to the mix.
Equipment needed
- air fryer
- instant read thermometer
How long to cook pork chops in air fryer?
This easy pork chop recipe is ready in just under half an hour. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
STEP 1 | Preheat
The first thing you need to do for this easy recipe is set the air fryer at 400 degrees and let it preheat for 15 minutes.
STEP 2 | Prep the pork
Next, pat pork chops dry with paper towels and lightly drizzle both sides with olive oil, smoothing it to coat the entire surface of each pork chop.
STEP 3 | Apply the dry rub
In a small bowl, combine the seasoning rub. Mix the salt, paprika, garlic, chili powder, dry mustard, and pepper, then gently rub the spices on both sides of the chops.
STEP 4 | Air-fry the pork chops
Set the pork chops in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Next, cook the chops for 12 minutes at 400 degrees.
Be sure to flip them halfway through the cooking time. Before removing the pork chops from the basket, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. When it reaches 145 degrees, it’s finished cooking!
STEP 5 | Rest and serve!
Finally, remove the pork chops and set them on a plate or baking sheet. Tent them with aluminum foil and let the chops rest for 2 minutes to seal in the juices.
Then, dig into these delicious, perfectly cooked, air-fried pork chops! This savory Mushroom and Wild Rice Casserole is the perfect accompaniment!
tips
- If you’re not in a rush, boost the flavor of the pork by removing it from the fridge early and letting it sit at room temperature, covered in the oil and seasonings. After no longer than 30 minutes, you can pop them into the preheated air fryer.
- Preheating the device before diving in is a must for this air fryer recipe.
- To prevent damaging your air fryer basket, brush the pork chops with oil instead of using an aerosol-powered spray oil.
- Remember not to overcrowd the basket to ensure the pork chops cook evenly.
Variations and substitutions
- If you have a favorite BBQ rub, you can use that instead of the spices in this recipe.
- Boneless pork chops may be used, but be careful not to cook for too long, as they may dry out quickly. Keep in mind that bone-in chops will produce better results.
Storage and reheating tips
- If you have leftovers of this main dish, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days.
- For longer storage, place the air-fried pork chops in freezer bags, remove all the air, and seal to keep in the freezer for three months max.
Frequently asked questions
When it comes to pork, the color of the meat does not reflect its doneness. An instant-read thermometer is the best way to check if your pork chops are finished cooking. If you don’t have one yet, I highly recommend investing in a quality device. It’s one of the essential tools when it comes to cooking and food safety.
At 145 degrees, pork chops are cooked and safe to eat. However, they are medium-rare, so some pink may be in the center. If you prefer no pink, cook until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees.
Sure! But if you’re following this particular recipe, I recommend using bone-in pork chops. If you choose boneless pork chops, you might not have to cook them for as long as this recipe directs. They should do fine in the air fryer as long as they are thick enough. Use a thermometer to check their doneness. Otherwise, you can follow the rest of the recipe as is.
It certainly is possible, but it is a little trickier and may result in dryer pork chops if you’re not careful. Firstly, it’s best to choose thin pork chops if you’re cooking them from frozen.
Nevertheless, you’ll start with defrosting the meat by placing it in the basket at 380 degrees for around four minutes. If the pork chops are thicker than one inch, defrosting may take closer to 8 minutes. Then, adjust the temperature to 400 degrees and cook as directed. Just check the internal temperature to ensure they are finished cooking.
What to serve with Air Fryer Pork Chops (Bone-In)
These tender and flavorful pork chops can be served with a wide variety of sides. You can serve it with classic side dishes like these easy Instant Pot Green Beans slowly simmered to perfection and creamy and comforting Fresh Herb Potato Salad.
But you can also serve them with salad, like this refreshing Wedge Salad with Crispy Fried Shallots, which pairs well with tender Lemon Garlic Smashed Potatoes for some more substance.
Looking for more Air Fryer recipes?
Take a quick look at these Crispy Chips made with Sweet Potatoes, sweet and spicy Chicken Legs, or these Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers — YUM!
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Air Fryer Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 1-1/2 to 2-inch bone-in pork chops center cut
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 ¼ teaspoons granulated garlic
- 1 ¼ teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels, then drizzle both sides with olive oil.
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, paprika, garlic, chili powder, dry mustard, and pepper. Gently rub the spices on both sides of the chops.
- Place the pork chops in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook the chops for 12 minutes at 400 degrees, turning midway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.
- Remove the pork chops to a plate and tent them with aluminum foil. Let the chops rest for 2 minutes before serving to seal in the juices.
Notes
- If you’re not in a rush, boost the flavor of the pork by removing it from the fridge early and letting it sit at room temperature, covered in the oil and seasonings. After no longer than 30 minutes, you can pop them into the preheated air fryer.
- Preheating the device before diving in is a must for this air fryer recipe.
- To prevent damaging your air fryer basket, brush the pork chops with oil instead of using an aerosol-powered spray oil.
- Remember not to overcrowd the basket to ensure the pork chops cook evenly.
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Beyond the recipe
The Air fryer was introduced to home kitchens around 2010. It didn’t take long for them to become all the rage, and for good reason, too!
These handy kitchen appliances make cooking easy and much quicker than traditional cooking methods. But the best part is that they cook by circulating hot air, resulting in delicious dishes with the perfect texture!
To top it all off, it also allows home cooks to make healthier dishes! While you can always use a little oil, it’s never required. So, you can make fried chicken wings without the added grease– Now, that’s quite revolutionary!
About Sheila Thigpen
Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer
Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.
Such a quick and easy way to make yummy pork chops!
Absolutely delicious! Even my picky eaters gave it two thumbs up!
I can never make pork chops juicy, until NOW! My go-to recipe from now on! Love the rub!
So juicy and full of flavor! Go to for weeknight dinner!