Air Fryer Pork Chops: The Perfect Timing Guide

Cooking pork chops in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, juicy result. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your pork chops and whether they are boneless or bone-in. For 1-inch-thick pork chops, you can expect to air fry for around 12-14 minutes, but if you like a golden crust, you might want to leave them in for a little longer.

Boneless vs bone-in pork chops

Cooking 1-inch pork chops in an air fryer takes about 12-14 minutes. However, there is a difference between boneless and bone-in cuts. Boneless pork chops will cook 1-2 minutes faster than bone-in pork chops. For example, 1-inch-thick boneless pork chops will take about 12 minutes to cook, whereas bone-in pork chops of the same thickness will take 13-14 minutes.

Boneless pork chops are a good option if you're short on time, as they cook slightly faster than bone-in chops. They are also easier to eat, as you don't have to worry about bones. However, some people prefer the flavour and juiciness of bone-in pork chops. The bone helps to conduct heat into the centre of the chop, ensuring even cooking.

If you're using frozen pork chops, it's best to thaw them first for the best results. However, you can cook them from frozen if necessary. Just cook them for 3-5 minutes first, then season them and return them to the air fryer for the remaining time.

When cooking pork chops in an air fryer, it's important to preheat the appliance to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) for 5 minutes. You should also remove the chops from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking. Place the chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer and flip them halfway through cooking. For boneless pork chops, the internal temperature should reach 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your pork chops. For example, 1 1/4-inch thick pork chops will take about 14 minutes to cook, while thicker chops (1 1/2 - 2 inches) may take up to 14-17 minutes. It's always a good idea to check the internal temperature of your pork chops to ensure they're cooked properly.

Pre-heating the air fryer

After pre-heating, you can place the pork chops in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. This will ensure even cooking.

For thicker pork chops, you may need to adjust the cooking time. One recipe recommends pre-heating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes, then cooking 1 1/2-inch thick pork chops for 12-14 minutes.

It's also important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on whether your pork chops are boneless or bone-in. Boneless pork chops will cook faster, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.

Preparing the pork chops

Before you start cooking, remove the chops from the fridge and leave them to rest for 30 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes. If your pork chops are frozen, you can cook them from frozen, but they will taste better if you thaw them first.

Next, rinse the chops with cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel. You can now season your chops. One option is to coat them with olive oil and rub in a mix of dry ingredients. Alternatively, you can use a rub made from Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, salt, parsley, and pepper.

Place the chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer. For 1-inch-thick boneless pork chops, air fry for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). If your chops are bone-in, add an extra 1-2 minutes. If your chops are thicker than 1 inch, you will need to cook them for longer. For example, 1 1/4-inch-thick chops will take around 14 minutes, and 1 1/2-inch-thick chops will take 17 minutes.

Cooking time

If you are using frozen pork chops, cook for 3-5 minutes first, then season and return to the air fryer for the remaining time.

If you are using 1 1/4-inch thick pork chops, cook for 14 minutes.

For 1-inch thick boneless pork chops, one user recommends cooking for 17 minutes at 380°F (190°C).

Internal temperature

The internal temperature of your pork chops is important to ensure they are cooked properly. For 1-inch-thick boneless pork chops, you should air fry for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). If you are cooking bone-in pork chops, add an extra 1-2 minutes.

One user recommends cooking 1-inch-thick boneless pork chops for 17 minutes at 380°F (190°C), which resulted in a golden brown crust. However, this is longer than the recommended cooking time of 12 minutes.

For 1 1/4-inch-thick pork chops, 14 minutes is the perfect cooking time.

If you are cooking frozen pork chops, it is recommended to cook them for 3-5 minutes first, then season them and return them to the air fryer for the remaining time.

Frequently asked questions