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Air fryer pork chops are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. In under 25 minutes and using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, you’ll get restaurant-quality boneless pork chops that never come out dry.

If you are looking for more pork air fryer recipes, you have to try out Korean air fryer pork ribs. They are insanely tender and juicy!

Air Fryer pork chops on a plate with salad

Boneless pork chops are one of the most full-proof air fryer recipes. When pan-fried or baked, this cut tends to be finicky and prone to drying out and turning rubbery. What a shame! However, when you leverage the powers of the air fryer, the pork chops turn out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside – just the way it should be.

This easy air fryer recipe is also super versatile. You can use air fried pork chops as your main entree, a salad topping, or as a sandwich protein. Make a batch for the week to have quick pork chops on hand for a variety of meals. What’s better? You can quickly reheat them in the air fryer to return them to that fresh-out-of-the-fryer state.

How to Cook Pork Chops in an Air Fryer

  • Season the Pork Chops – Pop pork chops into a plastic storage bag. Add in salt, pepper, olive oil, parsley, and pressed garlic. Massage the bag to distribute the seasoning and allow it to marinate for 10 minutes.
  • Air Fry the Pork Chops – Spray the air fryer tray with cooking oil and place the seasoned pork chops inside in a single layer. Set the temperature to 360°F and air fry for 15 minutes, flipping the chops halfway through to ensure that both sides get equal love and attention from the hot air.
  • Serve the Pork Chops – Serve the air fryer pork chops hot and fresh, alongside your favorite side dish, atop a fresh salad, or sandwiched between bread.

Looking for a great air fryer? If you are on the market for an air fryer, the most affordable and quality model is the Gourmia Digital Air Fryer. It worked great for us when we were just starting out. Recently, we have upgraded to Cosori Air Fryer. To find a model that works best for your specific needs, take some time to read reviews. There are so many models out there to choose from!

Pork chops in a ziplock with marinate
Air fryer basket with pork chops

What are the Best Types of Pork Chops to Air Fry?

When it comes to air frying, the best pork chops to use are the thickest ones you can find. General rule of thumb: the thicker the pork chop, the more juicy it will be on the inside. From boneless to bone-in pork chops, use the quick-hitter guide below to help you choose the right cut when you’re at the butcher shop:

  • Shoulder Chop: Cut from the shoulder, fair amount of gristle and blade bone, tends to be a bit tougher
  • Rib Chop: Cut from the rib section of the loin, bone-in, medium amount of fat, tender yet lean
  • Loin Chop: Cut from combination of hip and loin meat, very lean and mild flavor, the more tenderloin present the more tender the cut
  • Boneless Chop: Cut from head of the loin and above loin chops, boneless, very lean
  • Sirloin Chop: Cut from hip area toward back of the loin, highest amount of bone in relation to other pork chops, lots of pork flavor, tends to be on the tougher side

How Long Does It Take to Cook Pork Chops in an Air Fryer?

Pork chops can take anywhere between 15-20 minutes to cook in an air fryer depending on how many inches thick they are and your preferred doneness (see temperature guide below). Typically, 1-inch thick pork chops will take about 15 minutes. Note: Keep in mind that using bone-in chops will extend the cooking time as well.

Pork Chops Temperature and Doneness

Pork chops can be eaten at a range of temperatures, spanning from well-done to medium-rare. Check out quick guide below to help you gauge doneness and cooking time:

  • Medium-Rare: 145-150°F
  • Medium: 150-155°F (Recommended)
  • Medium-Well: 155-160°F
  • Well-Done: 160°F

Meat Thermometer Recommendation: The Thermapen is my thermometer of choice at the moment. For less expensive options, venture over to Amazon.

Pork chops with a plate and a fork

Serving Air Fryer Pork Chops

Serve your air fryer pork chops alongside a classic cucumber and tomato salad (a Ukrainian favorite!) for a quick and healthy dinner. If you’re looking to make a more elaborate spread, pair your chops with air fryer asparagus (you already have it out, so why not use it twice?!) and some crispy smashed potatoes.

Leftover Alert: You can substitute leftover pork chops for shredded pork in our Cuban pork sandwich recipe.

Making Pork Chops Ahead of Time

Air fryer pork chops are even better when making ahead of time. Although you can get away with a quick, 10 minute marinade, the longer you let them marinate the better! You can whip up the bagged marinade up to 2 days in advance and pull out individual chops as you need them for air frying.

Reheating Air Fryer Pork Chops: Reheat your air fryer pork chops with – you guessed it – the air fryer. 1-3 minutes in the tray will return them back to their fresh and crispy state.

FAQ

How long does it take to cook boneless pork chops in the air fryer?

1-inch thick pork chops will take about 15 minutes in the air fryer. Be mindful to flip them halfway so that each side cooks evenly. Raise the cooking time up to 20 minutes if they are bone-in or ultra-thick.

Can you stack meat in an air fryer?

For best results, meat should not be stacked in the air fryer. Since air fryer operates by the circulation of hot air, stacking meat will prevent the air fryer from cooking food properly. If you really must stack meat in the air fryer, move chops around every 3-5 minutes to allow all sides to cook and increase the overall cooking time to compensate.

How do you cook pork chops without drying them out?

Prevent your pork chops from drying out by not overcooking them. Investing in a meat thermometer will really help you gauge accurate doneness.

How do you preheat an air fryer?

Depending on the model, your air fryer might already come programmed with a preheating setting. If you don’t have a preheating setting, just preheat it manually. Simply set the temperature to 350°F and give it about 2-3 minutes to warm up.

Why are my pork chops tough?

Pork chops become tough if they are overcooked or haven’t been marinated.

How can you tell if pork chops are done?

You can tell your pork chops are done and safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 145°F (medium-rare). See the guide above for more detailed temperature information as it relates to doneness.

Can I use frozen pork chops in the air fryer?

You can definitely use frozen pork chops in the air fryer. Simply increase the cooking time by a couple of minutes. Halfway through, remove the pork chops. Season them according to the recipe. Return them to the air fryer basket and finish cooking.

Other Air Fryer Recipes to Try

Recipe

Air Fryer pork chops on a plate with salad

Easy Air Fryer Pork Chops

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Servings
4 servings
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
Air fryer pork chops are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. You'll get restaurant-quality boneless pork chops that never come out dry.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs pork chops
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 3 tbsp fresh or dry parsley
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • salt to taste
US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Gather your ingredients.
    Ingredients for air fryer pork chops
  • Place pork chops into a plastic storage bag. Add salt, black pepper, olive oil, parsley, and grated garlic. Massage the bag until the pork chops are completely covered with the marinade. Allow the bag to sit on the counter for 10 minutes or pop in the fridge to marinate overnight.
    Pork chops in a ziplock with marinate
  • Place pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Set cooking time to 15 minutes at 350°F. Halfway through, flip the pork chops over.
    Air fryer basket with pork chops
  • Check the internal temperature of pork chops with a meat thermometer to gauge doneness. Serve hot alongside your favorite side dish!
    Plate with fork, pork chops and salad
Nutrition Facts
Easy Air Fryer Pork Chops
Amount Per Serving
Calories 416 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Cholesterol 151mg50%
Sodium 109mg5%
Potassium 845mg24%
Protein 49g98%
Vitamin C 0.5mg1%
Calcium 19mg2%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted July 23, 2021

About Author

Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.