Cody Casey
Stuffed pork chops are a delicious and juicy meal that can be made in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. The pork chops are cut and stuffed with a variety of ingredients, such as herbed bread, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, cheese, and more. The air fryer gives the dish a beautiful crust on the outside while keeping the meat tender and juicy. This recipe is perfect for a cozy winter dinner and can be served with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple arugula salad.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 30 minutes |
| Taste | Juicy, tender, flavourful |
| Ease | Easy |
| Ingredients | Pork chops, stuffing, olive oil spray, toothpicks, salt, pepper, herbs, bread, butter, celery, onion, mushroom, apples, seasonings, bouillon, water, broth, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, cheese |
| Equipment | Air fryer, meat thermometer, knife, bowls |
| Preheat Temperature | 325-370°F |
| Cook Temperature | 330°F |
| Cook Time | 18-25 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare the pork chops
Preparing stuffed pork chops for the air fryer is a simple process. First, prepare your chosen stuffing according to a recipe or packet instructions. You can add vegetables, herbs, and bread to your mixture for extra flavour. Try to let the stuffing cool slightly before you stuff the chops.
Next, cut a pocket into each pork chop. You can do this by standing the chop upright on a flat surface and making a horizontal slice into the side. Be careful not to cut the chop in half. The pocket should be large enough to stuff with a generous amount of filling.
Once you have prepared your pockets, stuff each chop with the mixture. Use a spoon to gently press the stuffing into the chop. Secure the filling with toothpicks to ensure it doesn't fall out during cooking.
Before placing the chops in the air fryer, spray them with olive oil or another cooking spray. This will help to create a crispy, golden exterior. You can also season the chops with salt and pepper at this stage, if desired.
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How to make the stuffing
To make the stuffing, you will need butter, celery, onion, mushroom, apples, seasonings, bouillon, water, and bread. You can use leftover sub buns, hot dog buns, or any bread you have available. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the celery, onion, mushroom, and apples to the butter and saute for 3-5 minutes until softened. Remove from heat and add your seasonings to the celery mixture, stirring to combine. In a separate bowl, mix together the bouillon and water, then add this to the bread along with the celery mixture.
You can also add in some Thanksgiving spices like poultry seasoning, sage, and thyme, as well as some spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese for extra flavor.
Once your stuffing is ready, it's time to stuff the pork chops. Make a horizontal slice into the side of each pork chop, creating a pocket inside for the stuffing. Spread the pocket opening as far as you can without tearing the meat, then place a ball of stuffing inside, pressing it in gently. The top of the stuffing will be visible, which is what you want. Secure the opening with toothpicks if needed.
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How to stuff the pork chops
To stuff the pork chops, you'll first need to prepare the stuffing. You can make your own stuffing from scratch, with ingredients like onion, celery, mushrooms, apples, and bread. You can also use store-bought stuffing and prepare it according to the box directions. Once the stuffing is ready, let it cool slightly before handling.
Next, you'll need to create a pocket in each pork chop to hold the stuffing. To do this, use a sharp knife to make a horizontal slice into the side of the pork chop, being careful not to cut it in half. You want to create a deep pocket that can accommodate a generous amount of stuffing. A two-inch-thick, center-cut pork loin chop works best for this recipe, as it can stand upright while cooking, helping to keep the stuffing in place.
Now it's time to stuff the pork chops. Gently open the pocket in the chop and place a spoonful of the stuffing mixture inside, pressing it in gently and securing it with toothpicks if needed. Repeat this step for each pork chop, ensuring that the stuffing is secure and won't fall out during cooking.
At this point, you can choose to refrigerate the stuffed pork chops until you're ready to cook them, or you can proceed to the next step of cooking them in the air fryer.
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How to cook the stuffed pork chops in the air fryer
Stuffed pork chops are a hearty and flavorful meal that can be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. This dish is perfect for a cozy winter dinner and can be served with a simple arugula salad or Boursin mashed potatoes.
Step 1: Prepare the Stuffing
Start by preparing the stovetop stuffing according to the box directions, or make your own. Homemade stuffing is made by melting butter in a skillet and adding vegetables such as celery, onion, mushroom, and apples. Saute for a few minutes until softened, then add seasonings and stir. You can also add bread to the mixture. This recipe works great for leftover stuffing.
Step 2: Create a Pocket in the Pork Chops
Using a sharp knife, make a horizontal slice into the side of each pork chop to create a pocket. The pork chops should be at least 3/4" thick so that you have room to stuff them. Bone-in pork chops are recommended as the bone keeps the flavor in and makes the meat juicier.
Step 3: Stuff the Pork Chops
Spread the pocket opening in the pork chop and place a ball of stuffing inside. Gently press the stuffing into the chop and secure it with toothpicks if needed. Some of the stuffing will be sticking out, which is what you want. Repeat this step for each pork chop.
Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to between 325°F and 370°F. The lower temperature is used to prevent the pork chops from drying out.
Step 5: Cook the Pork Chops
Arrange the stuffed pork chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to ensure even cooking. Spray the tops with olive oil spray. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 5-15 minutes, depending on the temperature and thickness of the chops. The total cooking time will be between 15 and 25 minutes.
Step 6: Check the Temperature
Insert a meat thermometer into the center of the pork chop (not the stuffing) to check the temperature. The pork chops are safe to eat when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. The meat may still be slightly pink at this temperature, but it is safe to eat.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Remove the toothpicks and let the pork chops rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. This allows the meat fibers to relax and reabsorb the juices, resulting in tender pork chops. Enjoy your juicy and flavorful stuffed pork chops!
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What to serve with the stuffed pork chops
There are a variety of dishes that can be served with stuffed pork chops. Here are some options:
For a classic combination, mashed potatoes and peas are a great choice. If you're looking for something more indulgent, try Boursin mashed potatoes. For a lighter option, roasted vegetables with rice pilaf or a simple arugula salad are excellent choices.
If you want to add some sweetness to the meal, homemade applesauce or apple-cranberry stuffing are perfect pairings. Lemon roasted asparagus or a summer tomato salad with a smoky twist can add a zesty touch to the meal.
For a comforting Southern-style meal, collard greens or buttermilk cornbread are excellent choices. You can also try grilling peppers and okra for a fun and dippable side dish.
Some other options include root vegetables, Brussels sprouts, homemade dinner rolls, or a simple side salad.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 15 to 30 minutes to cook stuffed pork chops in an air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to between 325 to 370 degrees Fahrenheit.
The pork chops are done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be checked with a meat thermometer.
You can use either bone-in or boneless pork chops. Bone-in pork chops will have a fuller flavor and cook faster than boneless chops.
