The Best Air Fryer Pork Chop Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Pork Chops
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 14 min
Ingredients: 2 boneless (center-cut pork chops, about 1 ½ inch thick each); 1 teaspoon oil or cooking spray; 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

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This recipe for Air Fryer Pork Chops is an easy 15-minute pork chop recipe that results in juicy, tender, perfectly seasoned pork chops that are perfect for dinner any night of the week.

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 with minimal effort, but the results are also spectacular.

Why You Will Love Air Fryer Pork Chops

Flavorful. Just like my recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs and Air Fryer Chicken Breast, this recipe for pork chops is seasoned with a sweet and spicy dry rub. It gives the pork chops so much flavor, without any hard-to-find or expensive ingredients.
Amazing Texture. The magic of this pork chop recipe all comes down to how the air fryer cooks the pork. 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!
Fast. Air Fryer Pork Chops only takes minutes to make! No need to preheat the oven, stand over the stove, or turn on the grill! Once you learn to cook pork chops in the air fryer, you may never opt to make them another way!
Foolproof. This simple recipe results in tender, juicy, flavorful pork chops that take only minutes to make and turn out perfect every time!

Ingredients Needed

Pork chops, spice rub and cooking spray on counter.

Pork Chops: This recipe is designed for thick-cut boneless pork chops. I prefer using lean, flavorful pork loin chops that are about 1 to 1-½ inches thick. However, I have included modified instructions for using bone-in pork chops and thinner pork chops as well.
Seasonings: To flavor the pork chops prepare a homemade 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

How to Cook Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

Step One: Season the Pork Chops. This recipe for pork chops uses a spice rub that is a little bit smokey, a little bit sweet, and a little bit spicy. Use that blend to season the pork chops, really rubbing the mixture into the pork so that every bite is super flavorful.

2 boneless pork chops seasoned with dry rub.

Step Two. Air Fry Pork Chops. Before cooking the pork chops in the air fryer, I recommend spraying each side with a bit of cooking spray. That helps the exterior to really crisp up and caramelize. Also, take care to not overlap the pork chops in the air fryer. You want to be sure they are in a single layer, ensuring even cooking.

2 seasoned pork chops in air fryer basket.

Step Three: Rest Pork Chops. Once you remove the pork chops from the air fryer, place them on a platter or cutting board and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This will help the pork to fully reach temperature and gives time for the juices to redistribute through the pork chops, ensuring juicy air-fried pork!

Sliced air fryer pork chops on cutting board with fork grabbing slice.

How long to air fry pork chops?

Pork, like chicken, is a lean protein and can easily be overcooked. And overcooked pork is dry and lacks flavor. Pork chops are best cooked to a temperature of 142-145 degrees Fahrenheit.

The exact cook time will vary depending on the thickness of the pork, whether they are boneless, or bone-in, and the model of your air fryer. The best way to ensure you don't overcook the pork chops is to use a digital meat thermometer and remove the pork chops from the air fryer once they reach an internal temperature of 142 degrees F.

Cooking Time for Boneless Pork Chops in Air Fryer: When cooking thick-cut, boneless pork chops in the air fryer, I find that it is best to cook them for 5 minutes, flip the pork chops, and air fry for an additional 4 minutes. Check the temperature of the pork, using a digital meat thermometer inserted into the center of the pork chop. If the pork chops have not yet reached 142 degrees F, continue to air fry them in 1 to 2-minute intervals.
Cooking Time for Bone-In Pork Chops in Air Fryer: If you are cooking thick-cut pork chops that still have the bone in them, I recommend cooking for 5 minutes, flipping the pork chops, and then continuing to cook for an additional 5 minutes prior to checking the internal temperature. If the pork chops have not yet reached 142 degrees F, continue to air fry them in 1 to 2-minute intervals. The bone will cause the cooking time to be a bit longer.
Cooking Time for Thin Pork Chops in Air Fryer: While you can opt to use thinner pork chops, the cooking time will decrease to just 3 minutes per side. Keep in mind that thinly sliced pork chops will not have a chance to caramelize or become golden on the exterior before they are cooked through.

AIr fried pork chops in air fryer basket.

∗ Pork Chop Seasoning Options ∗

While the homemade dry rub season these pork chops up beautifully, you can opt to season the pork chops with a different spice blend.

Lower Sodium: To keep this recipe lower in sodium, simply omit the salt or reduce it in half in the rub.
Low-Carb Modification: Simply omit the brown sugar in the spice rub.
Keep it Simple. Use seasoned salt or Adobo seasoning and air fry as directed.
Jerk-Seasoned Pork: Take a trip to the Caribbean and season the pork chops with jerk seasoning and then air fry as directed.

FAQs on Air Fryer Pork Chops

How many pork chops can you fit in the air fryer?

That will depend on the size of your air fryer basket or rack in your air fryer. Smaller baskets may only fit 2 pork chops, while larger models can fit up to 6 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. Work in batches if needed.

Can this recipe be doubled?

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.

How can I prevent my pork chops from being tough?

First of all, cook your pork chops to only 145 degrees F. Secondly, be sure to allow the pork chops to rest before cutting them. This allows the juices to redistribute through the pork and keeps them tender.

Can I air-fry frozen pork chops?

No. I do not recommend using frozen pork chops for this recipe, as they will not cook evenly and the rub will not adhere to the pork.

Make it a Meal

This air fryer pork chop recipe is one of my favorite air fryer recipes, as they cook up so fast and are so full of flavor. Try pairing Air Fryer Pork Chops with one, or two, of the following side dishes for an easy, delicious dinner.