Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops (Ready in 9 minutes!)

These air fryer pork chops are the BEST way to cook pork! Juicy, tender, and ready in under 20 minutes, you’ll never cook boneless pork chops any other way again!

For all those times you’ve made pork chops and fear they will turn out dry or chewy, fear not. Using the air fryer to cook them will transform the way you cook pork from now on.

It’s no secret that I love using my air fryer for almost anything, including desserts (hello, cookies and donuts) and fun snack foods (like pizza rolls). However, my favorite kind of food to cook in this amazing gadget are proteins. When done correctly, it can make dinner time a breeze and yield perfectly juicy and tender protein every single time.

We’ve done it with chicken breasts and with salmon and now, we are obsessed with pork chops.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• 3 Ingredients. Pork chops, oil, and spices are all that you’ll need. 
• BETTER than pan fried. While baked or pan-fried pork chops are delicious, air fried ones are even better. There is just no comparison! 
• Juicy and tender every time. Using thick pork chops and a touch of oil guarentees the pork is cooked perfectly every single time. 
• Ready in under 10 minutes. This is the easy and healthy dinner you can make in no time! 

Ingredients needed

• Pork chops- Boneless and skin-off pork chops. Choose thicker cuts of pork as there is potential for the dry ones to overcook and dry out. 
• Olive oil- Or any flavorful oil. 
• Spice mix– Smoked paprika, cumin, and onion powder all give robust and smokey flavors. 
• Salt and pepper- To taste.

How to make pork chops in the air fryer? 

Marinate the pork chops: Add pork chops and olive oil to the bowl. Rub the olive oil all over the meat. Add all the spices and coat the pork chops on both sides. 

Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer (190C.375F) for 5 minutes. 

Cook the pork chops: Add the pork chops in a single layer into the air fryer basket and cook for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Serve: Serve your pork with your favorite sides.

What are the best pork chops for the air fryer?

The best pork chops to cook in the air fryer are thick, center-cut, boneless pork chops. The recommended thickness is between 1 ½ to 2 inches.

Using thick pork chops (as opposed to thinner ones) in the air fryer gives them a lovely seared exterior and juicy middle, which is what you’d expect from a well-cooked pork chop.

How long to cook pork chops in the air fryer?

It will depend on the pork chops you choose for air frying, either boneless or bone-in. Here is a quick guide to give you an idea of how long it will take for pork chops to cook in the air fryer: 

• Boneless pork chops- 8-12 minutes with flipping halfway through the cooking time. 
• Bone-in pork chops- 11-15 minutes with flipping halfway through the cooking time. 

You can also check the internal temperature of pork chops. If the internal temperature is 145F, they are ready to serve. 

Tips for success 

• Don’t add all the pork chops at once if they crowd the air fryer basket. If your air fryer isn’t big enough to hold them all comfortably, cook the chops in batches. 
• Use an instant thermometer to check the internal temperature to avoid overcooking the chops. 
• Allow them to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. This will redistribute the juices all over the meat. 

What to serve with pork chops

Simple sides are the best accompaniment to pork chops. If I could have it my way, I’d eat it with a heaping of mac and cheese, but here are some other options-

• Vegetables- Air fried zucchini, roasted Brussels sprouts, or roasted cauliflower. 
• Potatoes- A higher carb side, we love grilled sweet potatoes, scalloped potatoes, or low carb mashed potatoes.
• Salad- We love a simple coleslaw, mock potato salad, and cauliflower potato salad. 
• Bread- Low carb options include tortillas, buns, and classic bread. Traditional options are garlic bread, low calorie bread, and low calorie wraps. 

Storing, freezing, and reheating instructions

• To Store: Use air-tight containers to refrigerate pork chops. They will keep well for up to five days. 
• To Freeze: Place leftovers in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to two months. 
• Reheating: Either microwave the chops for 20-30 seconds or reheat in a non-stick pan until hot. 

More pork recipes to try

Frequently Asked Questions

• 4 medium pork chops boneless
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teapoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• Preheat the air fryer to 190C/375F. 

• Pat dry the boneless pork chops, then add into a bowl and rub the oil generously over them all. 

• Mix the spices in a bowl, then rub on both sides of the pork. 

• Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket and cook for 9 minutes, flipping halfway through.

• Remove the pork from the air fryer and serve immediately.

TO STORE: Use air-tight containers to refrigerate the pork chops. They will keep well for up to five days. 
TO FREEZE: Place leftovers in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to two months. 
TO REHEAT: Either microwave the chops for 20-30 seconds or reheat in a non-stick pan until hot.

Serving: 1pork chop | Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 13g | Sodium: 357mg | Potassium: 540mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 506IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg