How long it takes: 20 minutes Equipment you’ll need: air fryer Servings: 4 An easy dinner idea. Easy recipes like these air fryer pork chops cook up so quickly with very little prep yet they taste great. The meat is tender and delicious, perfectly seasoned. If you add a couple of easy sides like frozen vegetables and a bag of salad, dinner can be on the table in less than a half hour. No preheating and easy clean up. Air fryers are just the greatest thing for busy cooks. They heat up very quickly so you don’t have to wait around for the oven to preheat. Cleanup is minimal because the cooking surfaces of an air fryer are nonstick and contained so you don’t have deal with grease spatters all over your stove. Perfectly cooked. Most importantly, food cooked in an air fryer tastes great. Because of the high temperature and the circulating air, most foods get a nice sear on the outside but remain juicy and tender on the inside. It’s similar to a broiler or grill but better! More air fryer meals. Be sure to try air fryer burgers, air fryer hot dogs, and air fryer Italian sausage, too. Put ’em on a bun with toppings and add a veggie or chips to the plate. Easy! Do you have a package of chicken in the fridge? Try air fryer chicken drumsticks or air fryer chicken thighs; they turn out juicy and delicious. Try air fryer meatballs; my kids love them. Air fryer tilapia is ready to eat in less than 15 minutes. You’ll find lots more air fryer recipes near the end of the post.
About These Pork Chops
The pork chops are seasoned, not breaded. The pork chops are seasoned well with a brown sugar-based rub that give the chops a nice golden “crust” due to caramelization. If you prefer breading, check out my air fryer breaded pork chops or baked pork chops. This is a fork and knife meal, similar to a steak. The pork isn’t going to be fall-apart tender, like slow cooker pork chops, slow cooker pulled pork or Instant Pot pulled pork. The pork chops are cooked fast and hot just until they are done. Because they are lean, if you overcook them, they will be tough and dry, so be careful with cooking time. Are pork chops good for you? Wondering if pork fits into a healthy diet? Leaner cuts like sirloin and tenderloin have less fat than New York or ribeye cuts. All pork is high in good quality protein and contains important nutrients, especially selenium (Healthline). Air frying is a healthy way to prepare pork because there’s very little added fat and excess fat drains off while the meat cooks.
Ingredient Notes
Pork Chops: This recipe is written for four boneless pork chops, about one and half pounds total. If you prefer bone-in chops or thick cut chops, we have instructions for those as well. If you only want to cook 2 chops, that’s perfectly fine. Just halve the seasonings. Brown Sugar: The porks are seasoned with a rub. The chops brown nicely because the heat caramelizes the sugar in the rub. Dark or light brown sugar are both fine. Paprika: While paprika doesn’t have a lot of flavor, it adds a nice color to the outside of the pork chops. Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is simply dehydrated garlic that is finely ground. It has a milder garlic flavor than fresh garlic. Onion Powder: Onion powder is a good way to add flavor. Don’t confuse onion powder with onion salt. They are not the same thing. Salt & Pepper: What would we do without salt and pepper? Olive Oil: A bit of oil helps the rub adhere and gives the chops a crisp exterior.
How to make Air Fryer Pork Chops
Take the pork chops out of the fridge. In a small bowl, combine the seasoning rub: brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. You’ll find that an air fryer is one of the most used small appliances in your kitchen! We use ours nearly every day. It’s easy to clean and is really versatile. This is the one we have and we love it! Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel and gently rub the olive oil on both sides. Evenly sprinkle on the seasoning and rub it into the chops. Arrange the chops in a single layer on the rack of your air fryer. Set the temperature for 380ºF and air fry the chops for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them about halfway through the cooking time. Check the internal temperature of the meat with an instant read thermometer. It should be 145ºF. Remember: Don’t overcook the pork chops! They’ll become tough and dry. Remove the pork chops from the air fryer and put them on a serving plate. Let them rest for four or five minutes. The internal temperature will continue to rise just a bit.
What to serve with pork chops
Serve air fryer pork chops with stovetop scalloped potatoes and sugar snap peas. Roasted green beans with parmesan and basil go nicely with pork chops; a panzanella salad is perfect, too. Try a classic combination of pork chops with sweet and sour German red cabbage. Dress the pork chops up with sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or homemade BBQ sauce.
cooking Tips
Why are my air fryer pork chops tough? My best guess is that you are overcooking the pork chops. It’s a fine line between perfectly done (tender and juicy) and overdone (tough and dry). Guidelines have changed over the years; pork no longer needs to be cooked to “well done”. Helpful Hint: Pork chops that have a sauce are a little less tricky. Try my pork chops with caramelized onions, smothered pork chops, Instant Pot pork chops, or slow cooker pork chops. How do you know when pork chops are done? Pork should have an internal temperature of 145ºF. Use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Remember that the pork will continue cooking a little bit after you remove it from the heat. Let it rest a few minutes before serving.If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the center of the chop with a sharp knife. The inside should be slightly pink but not red, with clear juices, and the chop should feel firm but not hard.
Recipe Variations
Change up the seasoning. Pork will adapt well to many different seasonings. Use your favorite rub, whether it’s homemade or commercial. For a shortcut, substitute my all purpose seasoning for the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. It contains all of those plus a few extra flavor enhancers. Another great choice is homemade BBQ rub or Cajun seasoning. Make it keto/Whole 30 compliant by eliminating the brown sugar. Try different cuts of pork. Remember that thicker cuts and bone in cuts will take slightly longer to cook; thin chops will cook more quickly. Be sure to try air fryer pork tenderloin, too. It’s amazingly good! Breaded pork chops: Try my breaded air fryer pork chops or oven breaded pork chops. Don’t care for pork? Try air fryer chicken breasts or air fryer salmon. The seasoning rub in this recipe can be applied to either chicken or salmon.
Make-Ahead Ideas
To get a little head start on this recipe, the seasoning rub can be made ahead and stored in a small container or bag. It will keep indefinitely.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Refrigerate: Leftover pork chops should be be stored in the refrigerator. They will keep for three to four days. Reheat: Pork can become a little dry when reheated. It’s best to heat the pork chops low and slow with a bit of added water or broth. Simmer them a few minutes in a covered skillet or dish covered with foil in the oven (350ºF). Don’t forget to add a few tablespoons of water, broth, or some type of sauce.
Leftover Love
Slice the cold pork thinly and add it to your favorite salad for a main course. Chop the pork in small pieces and stir it into mac and cheese. Make a veggie hash and stir in chopped pork chops.
Interested in a weekly meal plan that includes this recipe? Take a look at my Meal Plan #23 or Meal Plan #80 (Meals for 2). You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. Let me do the planning for you this week! We add a new meal plan weekly.
