Air Fryer Pork Chops

Tender and juicy, perfectly seasoned air fryer pork chops are easy and fast, making them a convenient weeknight dinner.

 

Are you looking for an easy dinner recipe that you can have on the table in less than a half hour? Aren’t we all? Sometimes the days go by in a whirlwind and you wonder what happened to the week. Dinner sometimes gets lost in the shuffle, doesn’t it? You simply don’t have time to think about it.

That’s why I love easy recipes like these air fryer pork chops. They 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.

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 spatters of grease all over your stove.

And most importantly, the food 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!

Be sure to try air fryer burgers, too. They are really good. Put them 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. You’ll find lots more air fryer recipes near the end of the post.

About this Pork Chop Recipe

I wanted to give you an easy recipe for pork chops with no breading. (If you want breading, check out my air fryer breaded pork chops or baked pork chops!) The pork chops are seasoned well with a brown sugar based rub that give the chops a nice golden “crust” due to caramelization.

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.

I’ll get you started on this easy recipe and give you lots of helpful tips. As always, look for the printable recipe card near the end of the post. You’ll find complete instructions, measurements, and nutrition information.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 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 directions for those as well. If you only want to cook 2 chops, that’s perfectly fine too. 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.

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.

FAQs

Make It Your Own

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Interested in a weekly meal plan (it’s free!) that includes this pork chop recipe? Take a look at my Meal Plan #23. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. Let me do the planning for you this week!

We’ll be adding a new meal plan weekly. If you’re interested, browse all of our meal plans.

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.