With this recipe for juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops, getting dinner ready has NEVER been easier! Thanks to the air fryer, you can have tender, juicy pork chops on the dinner table in just under 30 minutes.
Table of Contents
Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops
At the end of a crazy day, you deserve a home-cooked dinner that is hassle-free, quick, and easy! These pork chops cooked in the air fryer check every single one of those boxes and more. On top of being easy-peasy, they’re also downright delicious, super juicy, and bound to make your mouth water.
The best part about serving up these pork chops is knowing that even the pickiest eaters at the table will gobble them up. They’re neutral enough to satisfy just about everyone, but still flavorful enough to really hit the spot. It’s the best of both worlds! Plus, they plate well with just about every side dish you can think of.
Using the air fryer to whip up some tender pork chops may be simple, but that doesn’t mean that this recipe takes any shortcuts where texture and flavor are concerned. The outside of the meat is seared to perfection, while the inside yields a deliciously juicy bite. This is a quick and easy weeknight dinner your family will thank you for!
If you’re all about using the air fryer when dinnertime rolls around, you’ll also love these Air Fryer Steak Bites and these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fried Pork Chops
Air fryer pork chops are just as good as grilled pork chops or baked pork chops! Here’s why we love this method so much:
- Depth of flavor. These pork chops are seasoned with a homemade rib rub that contains brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and more. The result is sweet, savory, and spicy pork chops that will receive rave reviews!
- Perfect texture. Tender and juicy on the inside, seared and crisped up on the outside. Each bite of these pork chops is heavenly!
- Quick and easy. With just 3 ingredients (if the rub is made ahead of time), these pork chops can be plated in just 30 minutes with only 5 minutes of prep work!
What You’ll Need
You will only need 3 ingredients to make these easy pork chops. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below to find the exact measurements for each one.
- Pork Chops: Use boneless pork chops that are about 1 inch thick for the best results.
- Olive Oil: You can use avocado oil or another neutral flavored oil if you’d prefer.
- Rib Rub: While you can certainly use some store-bought stuff, we highly recommend using our favorite homemade Rib Rub recipe! It’s perfectly balanced, loaded with flavor, and super easy to mix up.
How to Make Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
These tender air fryer pork chops come together in a flash. Follow this step-by-step guide to see how it’s done (find the full set of exact directions in the recipe card below, though!):
- Rub the spices into the meat. Generously coat your pork chops with oil on both sides. Cover both sides with seasoning, then let the meat rest for about 10 minutes so that the rib rub can set into the pork chops.
- Pro Tip: At this point, you can also pop the pork chops into the fridge for a few hours if needed. This will allow the seasonings to really settle in!
- Cook the pork chops. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Add the prepared pork chops to the air fryer basket and cook them for 16 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Enjoy. Let the pork chops rest for about 3 to 5 minutes, covered in foil, before serving. Allowing the meat to rest before you cut into it will make it extra tender and juicy. Serve and enjoy this quick and easy dinner!
Tips for Success
These air fryer boneless pork chops are pretty much a no-fail recipe, but here are a few handy tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t overcook. Avoid overcooking the pork chops! Use a meat thermometer to help you know when the meat is fully cooked and safe to eat. Remember, it should be at least 145°F before you serve it.
- Use thick pork chops. Try to make sure you have thick pork chops that are about a 1 inch cut. If they’re too thin, they might not come out as juicy as you’d like them to be.
- Let the meat rest. Remember to let the meat rest before you dig in! This gives the juices time to settle into the meat. If you cut into the pork chops immediately after they’re pulled out of the air fryer, they’ll lose a lot of their juices.
- If you want to use bone-in pork chops, they will need a little longer to cook. Start by adding 2 to 3 minutes of cooking time and check them with a meat thermometer to be sure that they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nope! Because of the olive oil, these pork chops will come out juicy and tender instead of dry and tough. Don’t go crazy with it, but definitely make sure you apply a generous coating to each side!
This can change depending on the air fryer, but we find it’s best to cook these pork chops for 8 minutes on each side, or 16 minutes in total, at 375°F. If when you flip them you see that they’re cooking faster than you expected, adjust the remaining cooking time accordingly.
Serving Suggestions
As previously mentioned, these air fried pork chops plate well with an abundance of side dishes! Everything from comfort food to healthy vegetables… these juicy pork chops will complement it all. Here are just a few easy sides we like to enjoy with this entree:
- Sweet potatoes. Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes taste amazing with these pork chops, as do Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes and Candied Sweet Potatoes With Pecans!
- Mashed potatoes. Traditional Garlic Mashed Potatoes work well with this meal, too. You might even try this Twice Baked Potato Casserole if you’re feeling adventurous!
- Vegetables. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are a go-to side for us, and so are Southern Green Beans With Bacon and Skillet Fried Corn!
How to Store and Reheat Extras
Got some leftovers? Save ’em for later! Here’s the best way to do that:
- To store. Cooked pork chops can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To reheat. You can use the microwave or your air fryer! To reheat in the air fryer, simply preheat your air fryer to 375°F and cook the pork chop for 2 to 3 minutes, until heated through.
Can I Freeze Air Fryer Pork Chops?
Absolutely! You can freeze them for up to 3 months! We like to let them thaw for 24 hours in the fridge before reheating and serving. We find trying to thaw already cooked meat quickly can sometimes dry it out.
More Easy Pork Recipes
We love pork around here and use it often for easy weeknight dinners. If you love pork too, make sure to check out some of our other favorite pork recipes:
- Pan Fried Pork Chops
- Best Pulled Pork (in a crockpot or instant pot!)
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops With Stuffing
- Pulled Pork Nachos
- Crockpot Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
- Crockpot Ham And Bean Soup
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless pork chops, 1” thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons homemade rib rub
Instructions
- Generously coat pork chops with oil on both sides. Cover both sides with seasoning and set aside for 10 minutes letting the rib rub marinate the chops.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Add pork chops to air fryer basket and cook for 16 minutes, flipping pork chops half way through cooking, until pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Let pork chops rest for 3 to 5 minutes, covered in foil, before serving. Allowing the meat to rest will make it extra tender and juicy. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- To store: Cooked pork chops can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To reheat: You can use the microwave or the air fryer! To reheat in the air fryer, heat your air fryer to 375°F and cook pork chop for 2 to 3 minutes, until heated through.
- To freeze: You can freeze them for up to 3 months! We like to let them thaw for 24 hours in the fridge before reheating and serving. We find trying to thaw already cooked meat quickly can sometimes dry it out.
