Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe
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These air fryer pork chops make a simple, delicious dinner that deserves a spot in your weekly rotation. They’re beautifully golden brown on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and perfectly seasoned with your favorite spices. They only take 9 minutes to cook – the perfect quick dinner that the whole family will love.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve struggled with cooking pork chops in the past. I’ve tried pan-frying and oven-roasting them, but they would always come out tough and chewy. I know better now, and I found that the quickest and easiest way to cook them perfectly is through an air fryer!
I air fry boneless pork chops, then make delicious air fryer zucchini fries or air fryer sweet potato fries as a side – and I have a delicious, hearty meal to serve for dinner in just minutes. Air fryer pork chops are my go to for busy weeknights and I love that I can serve them as is or dress them up according to my mood or what I have on hand. Either way, you get something impressive and you’ll never cook boneless pork chops any other way again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: This recipe comes together in 15 minutes or less, including prep time. Perfect for anytime you need a quick, delicious dish to serve for lunch or dinner.
- Simple ingredients: All you need are 3 ingredients – pork chops, olive oil, and spices – and you’ll have a complete dish that goes well with just about anything.
- Juicy and flavorful: Enjoy pork chops that are tender on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside, with the right balance of flavor from easily available spices and seasonings.
- Minimal cleanup: Forget the greasy stove top – the air fryer keeps the mess contained for quick cleanup.
- Customizable: Easily add your favorite herbs and spices to the mix to make this recipe your own.
- Meal prep-friendly: Make a batch, and you’ve got protein for salads, sandwiches, or meals throughout the week.
How to Make Air Fryer Pork Chops
This recipe is for all those times you’ve had to eat dry, chewy pork chops. From here on out, you can enjoy perfectly tender and juicy chops, and fast! All you have to do is make the rub, coat the pork chops with it, and your air fryer will do the rest. Unbelievably easy for a “wow, that was good!” dinner.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Pork chops: We’re using boneless pork chops for this recipe. Bone-in works, too, but they take longer to cook. I recommend using thick pork chops for that perfectly seared exterior and juicy interior.
- Olive oil: Adds moisture and helps the seasoning stick to the pork chops.
- Italian seasoning: For that delicious savory flavor. You can use ready-made Italian seasoning or make a homemade mix using dried basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
- Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and depth.
- Garlic powder: For that delicious garlic flavor we all love.
- Salt and ground black pepper
Step-By-Step Instructions
Air fryer pork chops are a breeze to make. Simply prep the pork chops, combine the seasonings to make the rub, coat the chops with it, and pop them in the oven! Follow the simple steps below and you can’t go wrong.
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the air fryer to 375 F.
Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel. Rub both sides of each chop with olive oil.
Step 2: Rub
To make the rub, combine the dry seasonings in a small bowl. Rub the mixture evenly over both sides of each pork chop.
Step 2: Air-fry
Arrange the pork chops in the air fryer basket. Cook for 9 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. Internal temperature should read 140 F.
Let rest for 5 minutes until carryover heat raises the temperature to 145 F.
Substitutions
This recipe only calls for simple ingredients that you most likely already have at home. Here are my recommended substitutions in case you’re missing an ingredient or prefer to use an alternative:
- Olive oil: No olive oil? Substitute with avocado oil or any vegetable oil. You can also use melted butter for an extra layer of richness.
- Italian seasoning: If you don’t have Italian seasoning or don’t have enough dried herbs to make a mix, you can use just dried basil and/or oregano.
- Smoked paprika: Regular paprika or sweet paprika can be used in a pinch, or add a dash of chili powder if you’d like a slight kick to balance the other seasonings.
- Garlic powder: If you’re out of garlic powder, substitute with fresh minced garlic (about 1 to 2 cloves) or a bit of onion powder for a similar punch of flavor.
Expert Tips
- Choose thick chops: I recommend using pork chops that are 1 ½ to 2 inches thick. Thin pork chops will cook too quickly and won’t achieve that “crisp on the outside, tender on the inside” texture that we’re aiming for.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: If you have a smaller model, you may only be able to cook two at a time in batches. Overcrowding can result in uneven cooking and soggy edges.
- Flip halfway through: For a consistent, golden-brown finish on both sides, flip the pork chops halfway through cooking. This encourages even browning and prevents the meat from becoming tough and chewy on all sides.
- Let them rest: After cooking, let the pork chops rest for 3 to 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, making them extra juicy when you cut into them.
- Make them extra crispy: If you want crispier pork chops, lightly coat them in panko breadcrumbs or parmesan cheese before air frying. This adds both flavor and texture to your dish.
- Season creatively: If you’re craving different flavors, experiment with other seasonings. Try cumin and chili powder for a kick of heat, or add a bit of brown sugar to the rub for a hint of sweetness.
How to Store This Recipe
Place leftovers in a shallow airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To freeze, cool the pork chops completely, transfer to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, and keep in the freezer for up to 1 month. To reheat, return to the air-fryer until heated through.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Pork Chops
Air fryer pork chops pair well with just about anything. For a hearty meal, serve with sides like make-ahead mashed potatoes, broccoli rice casserole, Longhorn Steakhouse rice pilaf, or a thick soup like Chili’s baked potato soup. For a lighter option, enjoy with Popeyes coleslaw, a light salad, some crusty bread or dinner rolls, or simply with slow cooker applesauce on top.
More Dinner Recipes To Try
- Popeyes blackened chicken tenders
- Ruth’s Chris stuffed chicken
- Herb-crusted Texas Roadhouse chicken
- Pineapple teriyaki pork chops
- Cheesy chicken and asparagus bake
If you make this air fryer pork chops, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Boneless Pork Chops In Air Fryer Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 1.5-inch pork chops boneless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F.
- Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel. Rub oil over both sides of each chop.
- Combine the dry seasonings in a small bowl. Rub the mixture evenly over both sides of each pork chop.
- Arrange the pork chops in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 9 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. Internal temperature should read 140 °F. Let rest for 5 minutes until carryover heat raises the temperature to 145 °F.
Video
Notes
- Use pork chops that are 1 ½ to 2 inches thick. Thin pork chops will cook too quickly and won’t achieve that “crisp on the outside, tender on the inside” texture that we’re aiming for.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you have a smaller model, you may only be able to cook two at a time in batches.
- For a consistent, golden-brown finish on both sides, flip the pork chops halfway through cooking. This encourages even browning and prevents the meat from becoming tough and chewy on all sides.
- After cooking, let the pork chops rest for 3 to 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, making them extra juicy when you cut into them.
- If you want crispier pork chops, lightly coat them in panko breadcrumbs or parmesan cheese before air frying. This adds both flavor and texture to your dish.
- If you’re craving different flavors, experiment with other seasonings. Try cumin and chili powder for a kick of heat, or add a bit of brown sugar to the rub for a hint of sweetness.
