Air Fryer Pork Chops

Name: Air Fryer Pork Chops
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 16 min
Ingredients: 4 pork chops (we recommend boneless pork chops); 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1 teaspoon paprika ((optional)); 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 4 teaspoons dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon olive oil (alternatively you can use olive oil spray)

This Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe is a quick and easy main dish that’s ready in under 20 minutes! Follow our ultimate guide to cooking pork chops in the air fryer, from air fryer boneless pork chops to bone-in pork chops.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

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Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe

If you’ve been a reader of The Busy Baker for awhile you’ll already know that we LOVE a good kitchen shortcut that doesn’t sacrifice on flavour. This Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe is one of our favourite main dish recipes because it’s easy to make in minutes and it creates ultra juicy pork chops.

These Air Fryer Pork Chops are perfect for an easy weeknight meal because you can customize the recipe to whatever cut of pork you happen to have on hand! Got a freezer full of boneless or bone-in pork chops? Not a problem! Our comprehensive guide to pork chops in the air fryer covers bone-in, boneless, or even frozen pork chops. Whatever you’ve got, we’ve got you covered!

How to Buy Pork Chops for Air Frying

Here’s our breakdown of what kinds of bone-in and boneless pork chops are best for air frying:

Bone-in Rib Chops: These are one of the most common and are great for grilling, frying, or air frying. The bone provides some insulation which makes them juicy and flavourful. The bone helps to retain moisture and flavour. Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness.
Loin Chops: These chops have a T-shaped bone with loin on one side and tenderloin on the other. They are flavourful and tender but can be a bit more expensive. Cooks evenly and retains moisture well, but can be a bit costly.
Boneless Pork Chops: These are rib chops or loin chops with the bones removed (sometimes called top-loin chops). They’re very commonly found in supermarkets and they’re both an economical choice and a simple one since they require little to no preparation (trimming, etc.) and they cook quickly. They’re versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes and cooked in a variety of ways.
Shoulder Chops (Blade Chops): These are cut from the shoulder area and contain more connective tissue, making them less tender.
Sirloin Chops: These chops are lean and cut from the rear leg area. They are less tender and are best suited for slow cooking methods.

Tips for Air Frying Pork Chops

Season them well: Whether you prefer a simple seasoning with salt and pepper or an elaborate marinade, make sure to season well in advance for better flavour.
Preheat your air fryer: Always preheat your air fryer for the best results.
Oil: Even though an air fryer uses hot air to cook, a light coating of oil can help achieve a crispy texture.
Flip and rotate: To ensure even cooking, flip the chops halfway through the cooking process and rotate their positions if cooking multiple chops at once.
Don’t overcrowd: Make sure that the pork chops are not touching each other to allow for better air circulation and even cooking.
Check the temperature: Pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) to be safe for consumption. Always use an instant read meat thermometer (paid link) to check for doneness.
Let them rest. Letting the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before enjoying will ensure they’re nice and juicy!

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Cooking Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

If you’ve been gifted an air fryer for the holidays and it’s been sitting on your shelf collecting dust, or if you’ve been thinking about picking up an air fryer for awhile but haven’t yet, we’d HIGHLY recommend getting started. An air fryer is a fantastic kitchen appliance for achieving that oven-crisp or fried texture in a fraction of the time with next to no added fat, and to be honest it’s a kitchen appliance we’d have a hard time living without!

Cooking dinner in the air fryer is one of our favourite ways to save time! We’ve shared many of our favourite air fryer recipes with you, like these Air Fryer Chicken Breasts, these Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks, these Air Fryer SteakFajitas, this Air Fryer Whole Chicken, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes, and Air Fryer Roasted Veggies. All these recipes are on the table in a fraction of the time they’d take in the oven or on the stovetop, thanks to the air fryer, our new favourite kitchen appliance!

Here are our favourite air fryers we recommend (affiliate links):

A great Air Fryer for space-saving (2 quart capacity)
The perfect Air Fryer for large families with a dual basket feature
A standard Air Fryer for everyday use (works well for a family of 2 to 4 people)
A large Air Fryer for everyday use (works well for a family of 2 to 4 people)

Kitchen Equipment Needed for Air Fryer Pork Chops

One of the most important kitchen tools to use when cooking meat is an instant read thermometer. Measuring the internal temperature of your chicken thighs is the BEST way to ensure they stay nice and juicy. Here’s a list of our favourite instant-read thermometers (affiliate links):

Aside from an air fryer and an instant read thermometer, you’ll need these basic kitchen tools to make this recipe (affiliate links):

Ingredients for Air Fryer Pork Chops

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make pork chops in the air fryer (paid links):

4 pork chops (we recommend air frying boneless pork chops, rib or loin chops for a tender result)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp garlic powder
4 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp olive oil

herb roasted pork chops in the air fryer

Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe Variations

Try one of these delicious variations on the basic air fryer boneless pork chops recipe!

Spicy Cajun: Add a generous amount of Cajun seasoning to the pork chops before air frying for a deliciously spicy option.
Honey Garlic: Drizzle a blend of honey and minced garlic over the pork during the last minute of cooking, creating a sticky-sweet glaze.
Lemon Herb: Marinate the pork chops in zesty lemon juice and fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley for a burst of bright flavours.
Savoury Parmesan: Coat the pork chops with grated parmesan and a touch of paprika before air frying for a golden, crunchy crust.
Teriyaki: Dip your pork chops in a homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce for a sweet and savoury Asian-inspired dish.

How to Cook Air Fryer Pork Chops

Time needed: 16 minutes

Follow these steps for the perfect air fryer pork chops!

Preheat your air fryer.
Set air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and let it preheat while you get everything else ready.
Prep the pork.
Pat dry the pork chops with a paper towel and cut any excess fat.
Add the flavour.
Mix all the spices in a bowl. Spread the mustard on the pork chops on both sides. Rub your spice mix on all sides of the pork chops, massaging them in well.
Add a small amount of oil.
Oil your air fryer basket or tray with olive oil or oil spray.
Air fry.
Place your pork chops in the air fryer, fat side outwards, being careful not to overlap them.
Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for 4 minutes. You can spray them with a bit of olive oil before air frying, if you want.
Flip halfway through cooking.
Flip the pork chops and air fry for another 2-4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius).
Let them rest.
Take the pork chops out on a plate, cover with aluminum foil and rest for 5 minutes.

How to Cook Frozen Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

Cooking frozen pork chops in the air fryer is so easy! Just follow these steps:

To start, separate the frozen pork chops (unseasoned) and if there’s excess ice buildup on the pork, rinse them under water and dry them with paper towels.
Pat the seasoning onto the frozen chops as directed in the recipe.
Spray the inside of the air fryer with cooking spray. Place the frozen pork inside and air fry for about 8 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
Open the air fryer, flip the pork chops and air fry for another 4-8 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an air fryer dry out pork chops?

No! It’s possible to cook perfectly moist and juicy pork chops in the air fryer – just be sure not to over-cook them as this will dry them out!

How long does a pork chop take in an air fryer?

Pork chops take about 8-10 minutes to cook in the air fryer. Since the thickness of the pork chops can affect the cooking time, be sure to test them for doneness with an instant read thermometer and remove them from the air fryer as soon as they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Why are my pork chops tough in the air fryer?

If your pork chops are tough after air frying they’re likely over-cooked. Be sure to test them for doneness with an instant read thermometer and remove them from the air fryer as soon as they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

How do you keep pork from drying out in an air fryer?

Choosing the right cut of pork and avoiding over-cooking is the best way to ensure your air fryer pork chops turn out perfectly moist and juicy!

How can I make my air fryer pork chops juicier?

You can marinate the pork chops before air frying to make them juicier. Avoiding over-cooking is also a great way to ensure your pork chops are juicy after air frying.

Can I cook multiple pork chops at once in an air fryer?

Yes, although we recommend leaving space between the pork chops (don’t over-crowd them) so there’s room for air movement. This will help them cook evenly.

Do I need to use oil when air frying pork chops?

We recommend spraying the inside of the air fryer basket with some oil (or brushing with oil), and we recommend using a small amount of oil on the pork chops before cooking too. This creates flavour and helps keep the pork nice and moist.

Can I cook frozen pork chops in the air fryer?

Yes, but extend the cooking time by 50% and check for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

We hope you love this air fryer recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite easy air fryer recipe? We’d love to know!