You’ve got to try these juicy air fryer pork chops! They make for an easy weeknight dinner that tastes so good, you won’t believe they were made in an air fryer.
The BEST Pork Chops
If you’re anything like us here at Fit Foodie Finds, we’re OBSESSED with cooking in our trusty air fryer. Not only does it cook things in less time, but it creates the most delicious and easy meals. After one bite of these tender juicy pork chops, there’s no doubt that this will be one of your new favorite air fryer recipes!
These perfect air fryer pork chops are made with a simple seasoning blend and have a short cooking time of only 10 minutes, making them a great option for dinner with the family or entertaining.
Why you’ll love ’em!
Full of flavor: these air-fried pork chops come out so tender and juicy and are seasoned to absolute perfection!
Perfectly cooked every time: we’ll teach you how to grill pork chops perfectly every time without over or undercooking them!
High protein: per serving, these pork chops pack in 48g of protein.
What is a pork chop?
Pork chops are sliced cutlets from pork loin. They are a leaner cut of pork with some fat marbling that comes pre-portioned. You can either buy pork chops bone-in or boneless. They come in varying thicknesses and are widely available at most U.S. grocery stores.
WHAT KIND OF PORK CHOPS DO I NEED TO AIR FRY PORK CHOPS?
This air fryer pork chops recipe calls for a thicker bone-in pork chop. We recommend going to your local butcher or the meat counter at your local grocery store and asking for 2 lbs. of thick-cut bone-in pork chops.
We used 4 pork chops in this recipe that weighed about 2 lb. in total and were approximately 2 inches thick. However, weight can vary, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
WHY BONE-IN PORK CHOPS?
When it comes to pork chops, we much prefer bone-in chops compared to boneless pork chops. They are typically thicker, and they seem to have much more flavor. This flavor comes from the additional fat often found on the bone-in version that boneless doesn’t have.
So, when in doubt, make air fryer bone-in pork chops every time!
How to Make Juicy Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
SEASON YOUR CHOPS
In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika until combined.
Then season your pork chops with the spiced on either side, using your hands to massage the spices into the pork chops. Allow the pork chops to soak in the spices for at least 20 minutes or longer for the most tender and juicy chops.
PREHEAT AIR FRYER
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer doesn’t heat to 400°F, set it to the closest possible temperature. Then Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the air fryer basket.
COOK THE PORK CHOPS
Place 2 pork chops inside your air fryer basket. You can place all four inside if you have a larger air fryer.
Pro Tip: Make sure your pork chops lay flat in the basket and have enough space to cook. Otherwise, you’ll lose some of the crispiness on the outside.
Cook the pork chops for 5 minutes and then flip. If you are using BBQ sauce, spread 1 tablespoon over each pork chop and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
SERVE + ENJOY
Remove your pork chops from the air fryer. Allow them to cool for 5 minutes, serve, and enjoy!
Internal Temperature for Air Fryer Pork Chops
The best way to know if pork chops are done is by measuring the internal temperature. Everyone likes to eat their pork chops slightly differently, and cooking time can vary based on the method. Some like it well done, and some like it medium-rare.
So, below you will find internal temperatures corresponding to doneness:
- 145-150ºF – medium-rare
- 150-155ºF – medium
- 155-160ºF – medium-well
- 160+ºF – well done
Remember to always let your pork chops rest for at least 5 minutes after removing them from heat so they can continue to rise in temperature by 5ºF.
FAQs
Tough pork chops are likely a result of overcooking them. To avoid this, cook your pork chops to an internal temperature of 140°F. Then, take them out of the air fryer basket and allow them to sit. They’ll cook a bit more and get to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Marinating or brining your pork chops is the best way to keep them from drying. Your pork meat will absorb a lot of moisture and flavor this way, making for super tender and juicy chops.
Pork loin porterhouse is widely regarded as the most flavorful kind of pork chop. It can be grilled, roasted, broiled, or seared. This high-quality meat may be tasty, but it can be a difficult chop to master.
What to Serve with Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops
Looking for some delicious sides to pair with your chops? Check out some of our favorite ones below:
Storage
Our biggest tip when storing baked pork chops is to let them cool completely before refrigerating. So, let the chops cool, transfer them into an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
