Air-Fried Marinated Pork Chops: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking marinated pork chops in an air fryer is an easy way to make delicious, tender meat without having to turn on the oven or fire up the grill. The process is simple: marinate the pork chops, cook them in the air fryer, and then let them rest. The air fryer should be preheated to 400˚F, and the chops should be cooked for 8-10 minutes, depending on their thickness, flipping them halfway through. The internal temperature should be 145˚F when they're done.

Marinating the pork chops

Once you have your marinade, place the pork chops in it and allow them to sit at room temperature for around 30 minutes. It is important to ensure that all sides of the pork chops are coated in the marinade.

Shortly before it's time to cook, remove the pork chops from the marinade and place them in the air fryer basket. It is important to discard the remaining marinade. You can lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking oil before adding the pork chops.

Preheating the air fryer

It is important to note that you should only preheat the air fryer if you are using a marinade on your pork chops. If you are using a seasoning blend, you do not need to preheat the air fryer. This is because the marinade provides enough oil, whereas a cooking spray may be needed if you are only using seasoning.

If you are using a marinade, you should brush the air fryer basket with cooking oil before preheating. This will help to ensure that your pork chops do not stick to the basket. Once the air fryer has preheated, you can then remove the pork chops from the marinade and place them into the basket.

It is also worth noting that the thickness of your pork chops will affect the cooking time. Thinner pork chops will require less time in the air fryer, so you may need to reduce the cooking time accordingly.

Cooking the pork chops

If you are using thinner pork chops, reduce the cooking time. For thicker pork chops, you may need to cook them for a little longer. Once the pork chops are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a plate. Loosely tent the plate with foil and let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.

While the pork chops are resting, you can use the remaining marinade to make a sauce. Place the saucepan with the marinade on the stove over medium heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half. This will give you a delicious, flavourful sauce to serve with your pork chops.

It's important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, so be sure to refer to the manufacturer's instructions. Additionally, if you are using a seasoning blend instead of a marinade, you may want to spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Resting the pork chops

Once the pork chops are done cooking, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a plate. Tent the plate with foil and let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat is tender and juicy.

It is important to let the meat rest after cooking to allow the juices to settle. If you cut into the meat too soon, the juices will run out, leaving the meat dry and less flavourful. By letting the meat rest, you are giving the juices time to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and juicy bite.

Additionally, resting the meat gives it time to finish cooking. Even after removing the meat from the heat source, the internal temperature will continue to rise for a few minutes as the heat from the exterior transfers to the centre. This is known as carry-over cooking or residual heat cooking. By letting the meat rest, you ensure that the internal temperature reaches the desired level without overcooking the exterior.

Finally, resting the meat gives you time to prepare any sides or sauces to accompany the pork chops. While the meat rests, you can quickly whip up some mashed potatoes, roast some vegetables, or make a pan sauce using the reserved marinade. This way, you can ensure that all components of the meal are ready and served at the same time.

Seasoning the pork chops

If you prefer to use a seasoning blend, add the blend to both sides of the pork chops, making sure all sides are coated. You can also add cooking spray to the basket if you are using the seasoning option.

For the best results, it is recommended to insert a probe thermometer into the pork chops prior to cooking. This will help you determine when they are done. The internal temperature of the pork chops should reach 145˚F when inserted into the side of the chops.

Once the pork chops are seasoned or marinated, you can place them in the preheated air fryer. If you are using the marinade method, discard the remaining marinade.

Frequently asked questions