Air-Fried Pork Chops: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Air fryers are a great way to cook pork chops, as they provide a crispy exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy. The rapid air circulation of an air fryer ensures an even cook and helps prevent the meat from drying out. This method is also simple and quick, requiring only a few common ingredients and taking less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook.

Choosing the right pork chops

Type of Pork Chop

The first decision you need to make is whether to go for bone-in or boneless pork chops. Both options can work well in the air fryer. Bone-in pork chops have more flavour, but they will take longer to cook. Boneless pork chops, on the other hand, are easier to eat and there is less concern about them drying out. So, if you're short on time, boneless chops might be the way to go.

Thickness

The thickness of your pork chops will impact the cooking time and the overall result. For air frying, it's best to choose chops that are at least 1 inch thick, with thicker chops—up to 2 inches—being even better. Thicker chops will give you that beautiful char on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside. Thin chops tend to cook too quickly and may dry out. So, when shopping, look for chops that are all of a similar thickness, ideally in the 1- to 2-inch range.

Freshness

If possible, buy your pork chops from a butcher rather than a grocery store. This way, you can select the exact chops you want and ensure they are fresh. If you're using pre-packaged chops, check the expiration date and look for any excess liquid in the package, which may indicate that the meat has been sitting for a while.

Preparation

Before cooking, it's important to pat your pork chops dry with paper towels. This will help the meat absorb any marinades or seasonings more effectively and promote even cooking. If you have time, you can also bring the chops to room temperature before cooking by taking them out of the fridge about 30 minutes beforehand. This will help them cook more evenly.

Preparing the pork chops

Choosing the Right Pork Chops

Firstly, select the right type of pork chops for your air fryer. You can use either boneless or bone-in pork chops, but thicker cuts are generally recommended, ideally between 1-inch to 2-inches thick. Thicker chops give a beautiful char on all sides and are less likely to dry out.

Preparing the Meat

Before you begin seasoning, it's important to pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Removing any excess moisture will help the seasonings adhere better and promote even cooking.

Marinade or Seasoning

Now, you have the option to either marinate your pork chops or simply season them. Marinating will add more flavour and make the meat even more tender, but it does require some extra time.

Marinade

For a marinade, you can use a mixture of olive oil, coconut aminos or soy sauce, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and pressed garlic cloves. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place the pork chops in the marinade for 1 to 12 hours, but not longer, in the refrigerator.

Seasoning

If you're short on time, you can simply season the pork chops with a dry rub. First, coat both sides of the chops with olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice. Then, apply a generous amount of your chosen seasoning blend. You can use a simple blend of salt and pepper or create your own mix with spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, cumin, and cayenne pepper.

Cooking Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to between 375°F to 400°F. Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. For thicker, bone-in pork chops, you may need to cook them in batches.

Cook the pork chops for approximately 8 to 12 minutes for boneless chops, and 11 to 15 minutes for bone-in chops. Flip the chops halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Checking Doneness

To check if your pork chops are done, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chops are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

Resting the Meat

Once the pork chops are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your pork chops are juicy and tender.

Your air fryer pork chops are now ready to be served! Enjoy them with your favourite sides, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.

Making a rub

Next, you'll want to make your rub. A simple rub can be made by mixing together brown sugar, paprika, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. You can also add in some olive oil to your rub, or use it to coat the chops before applying the rub.

If you want to get creative, you can try adding other spices to your rub. Smoked paprika, cumin, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper are all great options. You can also try a coffee-based rub for a rich, savoury flavour.

Once you've made your rub, it's time to apply it to the pork chops. Make sure to rub it in well and liberally, using almost all of the mixture.

Now your pork chops are ready for the air fryer!

Cooking the pork chops

The first step in cooking pork chops in an air fryer is to pat them dry with paper towels. This step is important, as it helps the pork chops absorb the marinade and stay juicy during cooking. You can also rinse the pork chops with cool water before patting them dry.

Next, you'll want to create a marinade or seasoning for your pork chops. For a simple seasoning, mix together garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. You can also add other spices like cumin or dried thyme for extra flavour. If you have more time, you can make a marinade by mixing olive oil, coconut aminos or soy sauce, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and pressed garlic cloves in a separate bowl.

Once you've prepared your seasoning or marinade, coat both sides of the pork chops generously. If using a marinade, let the pork chops sit for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator. If you're short on time, you can simply season the pork chops with salt and pepper and cook them right away.

Now it's time to cook the pork chops in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F. Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. If you're cooking more pork chops than can fit comfortably in a single layer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Cook the pork chops for 8-14 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your pork chops and whether they are boneless or bone-in. Boneless pork chops will typically take 8-12 minutes, while bone-in pork chops may take 11-15 minutes. You can check the doneness of the pork chops using an instant-read food thermometer – they are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

Once the pork chops are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and tender pork chops.

And that's it! You've now cooked juicy and tender pork chops in your air fryer. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Air Fryer Vegetables

Air fryer vegetables are a great side dish to serve with your pork chops. You can cut and season the veggies while the pork chops are cooking, then quickly air fry them while the meat rests. Try air fryer Brussels sprouts, air fryer cauliflower, or mixed air fryer vegetables with whatever you have on hand.

Potatoes

Pair your pork chops with simple roasted potatoes or creamy mashed sweet potatoes for a true comfort food experience. Air fryer roasted potatoes are also a great option, and they can be cooked while the pork chops are marinating.

Simple Salads

For a lighter meal, serve your pork chops with a simple salad such as a sweet kale salad, crunchy and creamy cucumber salad, or tangy artichoke salad.

Roasted Veggies

If you want your side dish to be ready at the same time as your pork chops, you can start roasting vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, or eggplant while the pork is marinating. Roasted broccoli is also a great option.

Other Sides

Other side dish options include caramelized Brussels sprouts, creamy Parmesan polenta, steamed carrots with hot honey butter, Mediterranean chickpea salad, butternut squash noodles, and cheesy cauliflower bread.

Frequently asked questions