These air fryer pork chops are a lifesaver for busy weeknights when you need a delicious, homemade meal with minimal hassle. Perfectly cooked, juicy chops with a caramelized crust, all without needing to stand over the stove!
This recipe for cooking pork chops in the air fryer recipe has been a favorite of mine for years. I pull it out at least once a week as it’s just so handy for those busy weeknights when I need to get dinner on the table fast.
They are quick to cook, taste just as good as pan-fried, and the best part is that I don’t have to stand over the stove while they cook, so I can get on with something else (e.g. nagging the kids to do their homework 🙄).
If you are short on time and need a side dish, you can cook a side of potatoes at the same time as your pork chops. See air fryer pork chops and potatoes for more details!
Scroll down for the printable recipe card, or read on for all the details!
What do you need?
Pork chops
Pork loin chops are a good choice, but you can use any pork chops, like shoulder/blade chops, rib chops, or sirloin chops. I used bone-in pork chops, but you can also cook boneless with this recipe – the cooking times will be slightly less, so monitor them closely.
Seasoning
I used my go-to homemade pork seasoning rub for this recipe, but you can sub-in any herbs or spices you like with pork, or use another seasoning rub if you prefer.
Oil
I use light olive oil in the recipe below, but you can use any cooking oil that you would normally use in your air fryer. Choose one with a high smoke point like vegetable oil, or corn oil to reduce the chance of your air fryer smoking during cooking.
Let’s cook these pork chops in the air fryer!
1
Prepare.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F / 200°C. Preheating is important for this recipe because the air frying time is relatively short, so you want it to be hot when you put the chops in.
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat mode, just set it to air fry for 3-4 minutes.
2
Prepare chops.
Pat pork chops dry. If your pork chops have a thick rind, cut through it with a sharp knife at 2cm/ 1-inch intervals to prevent it from curling up while cooking.
3
Season chops.
Place the pork chops in a bowl with a drizzle of oil and the seasoning. Toss to coat thoroughly.
4
Pop them in air fryer.
Place the pork chops in air fryer basket in a single layer, ensure they are not touching. Cook them in batches if required.
5
Air fry.
Air fry the pork chops for 8-12 minutes until they are golden brown and at least 145°F / 63°C in the center of the thickest part (use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature). Flip the pork chops over halfway through the cooking time.
6
Rest.
Remove the chops and cover with kitchen foil to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Resting meat after cooking allows the juices to reabsorb into the meat so it remains succulent.
A note on cooking times
The exact cook times for this recipe will depend on the thickness of your pork chops, and how powerful your air fryer is. Pork chops are cooked correctly when they reach 145°F / 63°C or higher all the way through.
Tip
Use an instant read thermometer to measure the temperature in the center of the thickest part of the meat for an accurate temperature reading.
Estimated pork chop air frying times
| Thickness | Approx. time | Internal temp. |
|---|---|---|
| ½-inch / 1-1½ cm | 10-12 mins | 145°F / 63°C |
| 1-inch / 2-2½ cm | 12-14 mins | 145°F / 63°C |
| 1½-inch / 3-4 cm | 14-17 mins | 145°F / 63°C |
When the initial cooking time is up, air fry for additional 2-3-minute intervals if needed, until the target temperature is reached.
Serving ideas
- Pair with a side of slaw and fries for a tasty family dinner (or try air fryer potato wedges, air fryer French fries, or air fryer sweet potato fries)
- Serve with a side of fresh steamed vegetables and creamy ranch dressing
- Slice and serve with rice, steamed vegetables and teriyaki sauce
- Slice and serve in a sub with slaw and bbq sauce for a delicious crispy pork sandwich
Storing and reheating leftovers
Store any leftover pork chops in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, and use within 3 days.
You can reheat the pork chops in the air fryer, air fry for 3-4 minutes until 165°F / 74°C in the center. See this post for all the details: How to Reheat Pork Chops in the Air Fryer.
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 pork chops bone-in, approx 2½cm/ 1-inch thick, Note 1
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional, Note 2
Seasoning rub [Note 3]
- 2 teaspoons paprika sweet, smoked, or hot
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F / 200°C.
- Pat pork chops dry. If your pork chops have a thick rind, cut through it with a sharp knife at 1-inch / 2cm intervals. Mix the seasoning rub ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Place the pork chops in a bowl or on a plate, drizzle with oil (if using), sprinkle with the seasoning, and toss to coat thoroughly.
- Place pork chops in air fryer basket – if you are cooking more than one, make sure they are not touching.
- Air fry pork chops for 12-15 minutes, or until 145°F / 63°C in the center of the thickest part. Flip the pork chops over after 7 minutes [Note 4].
Notes
- Cook times will vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops used and how powerful your air fryer is.
- You can skip the oil and use the seasoning as a dry rub if you prefer, though oil is recommended for getting good caramelization on the chops.
- Or substitute a pre-made seasoning rub, use around one tablespoon per chop.
- Use an instant-read digital thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
Questions
If your air fryer starts smoking during cooking it is because there is too much fat in the pan. Don’t panic! Simply note how much cooking time is left, stop your air fryer, drain away the fat in the air fryer pan, then set to cook for the remaining time.
You have two options. Either cook them in batches, or you can place them in the air fryer basket overlapping, but you will have to flip and rotate them a few times during cooking to ensure that they cook evenly. Check the temperature in several places to ensure all the chops are cooked through.
Yes you can! For a simple way to bread them, toss the chops in a tablespoon of mayonnaise, then press all sides into breadcrumbs.
