Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Cooking pork chops in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, tender, and juicy meal. You can cook frozen pork chops straight from the freezer with minimal prep and seasoning of your choice. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chops and whether they are boneless or bone-in, but it usually takes between 12 and 27 minutes. The key is to cook the chops until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

Cooking times and temperatures for frozen pork chops

Cooking frozen pork chops in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious dinner. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chops and whether they are boneless or bone-in. Boneless pork chops will generally cook faster than bone-in chops. It is recommended to use pork chops that are at least 1-inch thick, as thinner chops may overcook quickly.

To cook frozen pork chops in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to 375°F-380°F. Place the frozen chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 4-5 minutes to defrost. You can then add seasonings to the chops, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. Return the chops to the air fryer and cook for an additional 10-18 minutes, or until the middle is no longer pink and the internal temperature reaches 140°F-145°F. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure the chops are cooked to the safe internal temperature.

Let the pork chops rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy bite. Overall, cooking frozen pork chops in an air fryer typically takes between 15 to 27 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chops and the specific air fryer model.

How to season frozen pork chops

You can season frozen pork chops in an air fryer in a few simple steps. Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 375°F-380°F. Place the frozen pork chops inside the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes to defrost. You can then remove the chops and separate them if they are stuck together. Next, spray the chops with cooking spray or olive oil spray and sprinkle a dry rub seasoning over them. Return the chops to the air fryer and continue cooking for 10-18 minutes, or until the middle is no longer pink. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chops and whether they are boneless or bone-in, with boneless chops cooking quicker. The chops are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 140°F-145°F. Allow the chops to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

There are various seasoning options you can use for your pork chops. A simple mix of salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme or rosemary works well. You can also add a touch of cayenne for some heat. Alternatively, you can use a ranch dressing dip mix packet, or your favourite dry rub. It is better to slightly over-season pork chops than to under-season them, so season them evenly on both sides.

How to defrost frozen pork chops in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen pork chops in an air fryer. It is a quick and easy way to cook pork chops, and they will turn out tender and juicy.

To defrost frozen pork chops in an air fryer, first, preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. Then, spray the inside of the air fryer basket with non-stick spray. Place the frozen pork chops inside the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes to defrost. If your pork chops are stuck together, separate them at this point.

After 5 minutes, open the basket and spray the pork chops with olive oil spray or avocado oil spray. You can also use other oils, but avoid aerosol cooking sprays with additives as these can damage the non-stick surface of your air fryer. Sprinkle a dry rub on top of the chops. Close the basket and cook the pork chops at 380°F for 13-18 minutes, or until the middle is no longer pink. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chops and whether they are boneless or bone-in. If your pork chops are boneless, they may be ready in 12 minutes. If they are bone-in, they will likely take longer, around 19 minutes.

When the chops are cooked, allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving. The chops are ready to serve when the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

How to cook frozen boneless pork chops in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen boneless pork chops in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 375°F-380°F and preheat it for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Pork Chops

Place the frozen pork chops inside the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure the chops are not overlapping. If your chops are stuck together, separate them. For even cooking, it is important that the chops are placed in a single layer.

Step 3: Initial Cook

Cook the chops for 5 minutes at 375°F-380°F to defrost them.

Step 4: Prepare the Seasoning

While the chops are defrosting, prepare your seasoning. You can use a dry rub with brown sugar, or a mix of salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and rosemary. You can also use a store-bought ranch dressing mix.

Step 5: Season the Pork Chops

Once the initial 5 minutes are up, open the air fryer basket and spray the chops with cooking spray or brush/drizzle them with olive oil. Then, sprinkle the dry rub or seasoning mix on both sides of the chops.

Step 6: Final Cook

Return the basket to the air fryer and cook the chops for another 10-18 minutes at 375°F-380°F. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your chops. For 1-inch thick chops, check the temperature after 10 minutes. For thicker chops, check after 18 minutes. The chops are ready when the internal temperature reaches 140°F-145°F.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Once the chops are cooked, let them rest for 3-10 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• For thin pork chops (less than 1-inch thick), cook at 375°F for 6-8 minutes.
• Do not use aerosol cooking sprays as they can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer. Instead, use a spray bottle with avocado oil or olive oil.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, the subsequent batches will cook faster, so check on them early.
• Always use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chops.

How to cook frozen bone-in pork chops in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen bone-in pork chops in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 380°F or 375°F. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the pork chops by seasoning them. You can use a dry rub with seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. You can also add brown sugar to balance the heat of the cayenne pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over the frozen pork chops.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the seasoned pork chops inside the basket in a single layer. Cook the pork chops for 5 minutes to defrost them.

After defrosting, remove the pork chops from the basket and spray them with cooking spray or olive oil spray. Then, sprinkle more of the dry rub on the pork chops. You can also flip the pork chops and add the dry rub to the other side.

Close the basket and cook the pork chops at 380°F for 13 to 18 minutes, or until the middle is no longer pink. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the pork chops and may take longer for bone-in chops. Use an instant-read thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached 140°F to 145°F.

Once the pork chops are cooked, let them rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. You can serve them with sides like coleslaw, baked potato, roasted vegetables, or air fryer asparagus.

Frequently asked questions