Air Fryer Pork Chops are made with a simple dry rub and then air fried to perfection, resulting in juicy, flavorful, tender pork chops that are ready in less than 20 minutes.
Pair Air Fryer Pork Chops with mashed potatoes or cheese grits and a side of homemade applesauce for a delicious, comforting meal.
Say goodbye to dried-out, tough pork chops with this recipe for Air Fryer Pork Chops!
Made with just a handful of ingredients, not only does this recipe come together without much effort in a short amount of time, the results are spectacular.
Just like my recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs and Air Fryer Chicken Breasts, Air Fryer Pork Chops are seasoned with a basic dry rub that is a little bit spicy, a little bit sweet, and a little bit smokey. It gives the pork so much flavor, without any hard-to-find or expensive ingredients.
But the magic all comes down to how the air fryer cooks the pork chops. The air fryer works to quickly crisp up the exterior of the pork chop while keeping the interior juicy and tender. The contrast in texture is spot-on!
What you Need
- Pork Chops: I recommend using thick-cut pork loin chops, either boneless or bone-in, that are between 1 to 1 ½-inches in thickness, for best results. While you can opt to use thinner pork chops, the cooking time will decrease and thin chops will not have a chance to become golden before they are cooked through.
- Seasonings: To flavor the pork chops prepare a dry rub using salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar.
- Oil/Spray: You only need a small amount of oil, which will help the pork chops to brown and not stick to the air fryer. You can brush the chops with canola, avocado, or olive oil or simply spray cooking spray. If you do use cooking spray, I recommend using avocado or olive oil spray.
- Air Fryer: Any air fryer will work. I have a basic GoWise Air Fryer that has worked well for me for several years. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may only be able to cook 2-3 pork chops at a time.
How to Cook Pork Chops in Air Fryer
- If needed per your air fryer model, preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar.
- If not using cooking spray, brush the pork chops with oil. Sprinkle with the spice rub and then rub evenly over the surface of the chops. Flip the pork chops and season the other side.
- If you did not brush the pork chops with oil, spray lightly with cooking spray and place the chops, sprayed side down in basket or on rack in the air fryer. Spray the opposite side of the pork chops with cooking spray as well. I tend to use cooking spray myself, as it uses less and makes less of a mess to clean up.
- Air fry the pork chops for 5 minutes at 380 degrees F. Remove the basket and flip the pork chops and air fry for another 4 minutes.
- After cooking for 9 minutes, remove the basket or try from the air fryer, and check the temperature of the pork chops using a digital thermometer. If the pork chops are between 142 and 145 degrees F, immediately remove them from the air fryer. If the pork chops have not yet reached a safe temperature, continue to air fry at 380 degrees F in 1 to 2 minute intervals.
- Once you remove the pork chops from the air fryer, place them on a platter or cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This will help them to fully reach temperature and gives time for the juices to redistribute through the pork chops.
Recipe FAQs
I do not recommend using frozen pork chops for this recipe, as it will not cook evenly and the rub will not adhere to the pork.
That will depend on your model. Compact models may only fit 2 pork chops in the basket, while larger models can fit 6 to 8 pork chops. You just want to be sure that you do not overlap the pork chops, which would prevent them from cooking and browning evenly.
According to the pork council, pork should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. If you cook the pork much past 145 degrees F, you will end up with dry pork chops. The MOST accurate way to determine the temperature is to use a digital thermometer.
The exact cook time will vary depending on the thickness of pork, whether they are boneless, or bone-in, and the model of your air fryer. I recommend using thick pork chops and checking the internal temperature of the pork chops after 9 minutes. This will ensure that you don't overcook the pork chops.
First of all, cook your pork chops to only 145 degrees F. Secondly, be sure to allow the pork chops to rest before cutting into them. This allows the juices to redistribute through the pork and keeps them tender.
No! You can use any seasoning rub you like to season the pork chops before air frying. Alternatively, you can omit the sugar and/or salt from this rub if needed per dietary restrictions/preferences.
Yes! To double this recipe, you may need to work in batches, if your air fryer is small. Double the dry rub and work in batches to air fry the pork chops. Keep the first batch in the oven at 200 degrees F while the other batch cooks up.
Sides for Pork Chops
Complete your meal by serving these Air Fried Pork Chops with one of the following side dishes.
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts Salad
If you enjoyed these Air Fryer Pork Chops, I would love for you to leave a 5-star review and comment below.
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 boneless center-cut pork chops, about 1 ½ inch thick each
- 1 teaspoon oil or cooking spray
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- If needed per your air fryer model, preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar.
- If not using cooking spray, brush the pork chops with oil. Sprinkle with the spice rub and then rub evenly over the surface of the chops. Flip the pork chops and season the other side.
- If you did not brush the pork chops with oil, spray lightly with cooking spray and place the chops, sprayed side down in basket or on rack in the air fryer. Spray the opposite side of the pork chops with cooking spray as well.
- Air fry the pork chops for 5 minutes at 380 degrees F. Remove the basket and flip the pork chops and air fry for another 4 minutes. Remove the basket or try from the air fryer, and check the temperature of the pork chops using a digital thermometer. If the pork chops are between 142 and 145 degrees F, immediately remove them from the air fryer. If the pork chops have not yet reached a safe temperature, continue to air fry at 380 degrees F in 1 to 2-minute intervals.
- Allow the pork chops to rest on a platter or cutting board, loosely tented with foil for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Betsy
I haven't made porkchop in ages! You inspired me! These are so good and, you're right, perfectly moist! Great flavor and so easy in the air fryer! Love it!
Kristyn
My hubby & I make pork chops for date night in. They are great paired with so many things. I love this air fryer version. They are crisp & delicious!
Melissa
Pork Chops are one of favorites - great and simple recipe!