Air Fryer Pork Chops: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Juicy, tender pork chops cooked in an air fryer are a quick and easy meal. The air fryer's rapid air circulation ensures the chops are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

There are many different recipes for air fryer pork chops, but most recommend preheating the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. The chops are then cooked for 12-14 minutes, flipped halfway through, and left to rest for a few minutes.

The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chops and whether they are boneless or bone-in. Boneless chops will typically take 8-12 minutes, while bone-in chops will take 11-15 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making juicy and tender pork chops. Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for about 5 minutes. This step is essential as it helps ensure your pork chops cook evenly and don't dry out.

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your pork chops. It's important to ensure your pork chops are patted dry with a paper towel. This will help the seasoning stick to the meat and create a nice char on the outside of the pork chops.

After patting your pork chops dry, you can season them. You can use a simple seasoning blend of salt and pepper or get creative with a blend of spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, cumin, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper. You can also make a wet rub with olive oil, coconut aminos or soy sauce, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and pressed garlic cloves.

Once your pork chops are seasoned and your air fryer is preheated, you're ready to start cooking. Place your pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to crowd the basket. Depending on the thickness of your pork chops and whether they are boneless or bone-in, they will need to cook for 8-17 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

When your pork chops are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help keep the juices in the meat and ensure your pork chops are tender and juicy.

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in making delicious and juicy pork chops. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily make perfect pork chops in your air fryer.

Blot pork chops with a paper towel

Blotting pork chops with a paper towel is an important step in the cooking process. It helps to ensure that the meat is dry before cooking, which can impact the texture and taste of the final dish.

When using an air fryer, removing excess moisture from the surface of the pork chops with a paper towel can help the meat develop a beautiful char on all sides. This is especially important if you are seeking to achieve a nice sear on thicker cuts of meat, such as chops that are between 1 ½ to 2 inches thick. Blotting the meat dry helps to ensure that the high heat of the air fryer creates a delicious crust, rather than steaming the meat.

Additionally, blotting pork chops with a paper towel can help the meat absorb any seasonings or marinades more effectively. This is a crucial step if you are using a dry rub or spice blend, as it ensures that the flavours adhere properly to the meat. By blotting the meat dry, you create a surface that can better absorb the flavours and create a more intense taste experience.

Furthermore, removing excess moisture from the meat can help prevent it from sticking to the air fryer basket. This makes it easier to flip the pork chops during cooking and can reduce the amount of clean-up required after your meal.

Finally, blotting pork chops with a paper towel can be a sanitary precaution. By removing any residual moisture, you reduce the risk of bacterial growth on the meat's surface, helping to ensure that your meal is safe to consume.

In summary, blotting pork chops with a paper towel is a simple yet important step that can improve the texture, taste, and safety of your air-fried pork chops. It helps the meat char properly, enhances the effectiveness of seasonings, reduces sticking, and minimises the risk of bacterial growth.

Drizzle olive oil on each pork chop

Drizzling olive oil on each pork chop is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that the meat doesn't dry out and helps to lock in moisture. This is especially important when using an air fryer, as the small size of the appliance means juices can evaporate more easily.

Before drizzling the olive oil, it's a good idea to pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. This will help them absorb the oil more effectively. You can also add other seasonings or spices to the meat before drizzling with oil. For example, a simple seasoning blend could include garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, you could make a rub with brown sugar, paprika, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Once you've drizzled the olive oil and added any desired seasonings, it's time to cook the pork chops. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes, and then place the pork chops inside in a single layer. Make sure they're not overlapping, as this will affect how evenly they cook. Depending on the thickness of your pork chops and whether they're boneless or bone-in, cook them for 8-15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. Aim for an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

Let the pork chops rest for a few minutes after removing them from the air fryer. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in juicy and tender meat.

Combine and apply the spice rub

To make a spice rub for pork chops, you'll need a combination of sweet and savoury ingredients. A good spice rub will include brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, ground mustard, cumin, salt, and pepper. You can also add a little chipotle chilli powder or cayenne pepper for spice.

To make the spice rub, simply combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix them together. You can use a fork or the back of a spoon to break up any lumps in the mixture. This rub can be stored in an airtight container for up to six months.

When you're ready to use the spice rub, start by patting your pork chops dry with paper towels. Then, sprinkle the spice rub over both sides of the pork chops, using your fingers to rub it in and ensure it adheres to the meat. Don't be shy with the seasoning—use it all!

Once the spice rub is applied, your pork chops are ready to be cooked. You can use an air fryer, oven, or skillet to cook them, searing them first to get a good crust and then finishing them in the oven or air fryer to ensure they're cooked through.

Cook for 12-14 minutes

Cooking pork chops in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tasty dinner on the table. This method of cooking yields pork chops that are tender and juicy on the inside, with a beautiful char on the outside.

To cook pork chops in an air fryer at 400°F, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to this temperature for around 5 minutes. Then, when the air fryer is ready, cook the pork chops for 12-14 minutes, flipping them over after 6 minutes. This timing is for pork chops that are around 1-2 inches thick. If your pork chops are thinner, they will cook more quickly, so keep an eye on them. If they are thicker, they may need a couple of extra minutes.

The key to getting juicy, tender pork chops is to ensure they don't overcook. The best way to check this is to use an instant-read food thermometer. You are aiming for an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

You can also cook frozen pork chops in the air fryer. Cook for 3-5 minutes first, then season and return to the air fryer for the remaining time.

Frequently asked questions