Air-Fryer Thick Pork Chops: The Perfect Quick Dinner

Thick pork chops are a favourite for many, with their perfect balance of fat and meat. The air fryer is a great way to cook these chops as it provides a hands-off method to achieve a lovely sear and flavour on the outside while keeping the centre moist and tender. The air fryer's ability to rapidly cook the meat without heating up the entire house also makes it a convenient option. This paragraph will discuss the best methods for cooking thick pork chops in an air fryer, including pre-heating, seasoning, and cooking times.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your pork chops cook evenly and helps to create a beautiful char on the outside of the meat.

To preheat your air fryer, start by checking the settings on your model. Some air fryers have a pre-heat setting, which you can turn on. If your air fryer does not have this setting, you can manually preheat it by turning the temperature dial to the desired setting and letting the air fryer run for a few minutes before adding your food.

For thick pork chops, you will want to preheat your air fryer to a high temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating to around 400°F (200°C), but this may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your pork chops. Check your user manual or the manufacturer's website for specific instructions for your air fryer.

Set the temperature to your desired level and let the air fryer run for 5 minutes. This will ensure that the air fryer basket and the air inside are heated to the correct temperature. After preheating, you can add your seasoned pork chops to the air fryer and follow your recipe's cooking instructions.

Remember, the cooking time for thick pork chops will be longer than for thin chops, and you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your chops. As a guide, thick pork chops will take around 10-15 minutes to cook at 400°F (200°C), but always use a meat thermometer to check that they have reached the safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) before serving.

Prepare the pork chops

Preparing thick pork chops for the air fryer is simple and only requires a few steps. Firstly, select your pork chops. For the best results, choose thick, centre-cut, bone-in pork chops, as these will give your meat a beautiful char on all sides. Aim for chops that are between 1 and 2 inches thick.

Next, rinse the pork chops with cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel. This step is important, so don't skip it! Then, coat the chops lightly with olive oil. You can also add a teaspoon of seasoning to the oil and toss the chops to coat them thoroughly.

Now it's time to make the rub. In a small bowl, mix together your chosen dry ingredients. There are many different seasoning blends you can use, but a simple option is a mixture of brown sugar, paprika, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add Parmesan cheese for a delicious crust. Get creative and tinker with the formula to find what works for you. Once your rub is mixed, apply it liberally to both sides of the pork chops, rubbing it in well.

Make the rub

To make the rub, you'll need a mix of spices and herbs. The exact blend is up to you, but here are some common ingredients:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Brown sugar
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Oregano
• Basil
• Thyme
• Rosemary

You can also add Parmesan cheese to the mix for a crusty texture and extra flavour. If you want a spicier kick, include some cayenne pepper or chilli powder. For thick pork chops, a simple rub of salt and pepper can also work well.

Once you've gathered your ingredients, mix them together in a small bowl. You can eyeball the measurements and adjust the blend to your taste preferences. If you have time, let the pork chops sit with the rub for a while to absorb the flavours.

Before applying the rub, coat the pork chops with a little olive oil. This will help the rub stick to the meat and also promote even cooking. Use your hands or a brush to apply the rub liberally to both sides of the pork chops, making sure to cover all the nooks and crannies.

Cook the pork chops

To cook thick pork chops in an air fryer, start by rinsing the chops with cool water and patting them dry with paper towels. Next, coat the chops with olive oil and a rub or seasoning mix.

The rub or seasoning mix can be made by combining dry ingredients such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Parmesan cheese, parsley, brown sugar, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. You can also try an Italian seasoning blend, which typically includes dried oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and sage.

Once the pork chops are coated with olive oil and the seasoning mix, place them in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each chop to allow for air circulation. Set the air fryer to the air fry setting at 375-400°F (190-200°C) and cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping the chops halfway through the cooking time.

For thicker pork chops, you may need to increase the cooking time. The USDA recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145°F, which can be measured with a food thermometer. Remove the pork chops from the air fryer when they reach this temperature and let them rest for at least 3-10 minutes before serving.

Let the pork chops rest

Letting your pork chops rest is an important step in the cooking process. Once you've cooked your pork chops, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. Ideally, you should let them rest for at least 3 minutes, but 10 minutes is even better. This allows the juices to sit and meld into the meat, resulting in juicy and tender pork chops.

During the resting time, the pork chops will continue to cook and the internal temperature will rise a few degrees. For example, if you remove the pork chops from the air fryer when they reach an internal temperature of 140°F, they will reach 145°F while resting. This is the recommended internal temperature for cooking pork, according to the USDA.

While your pork chops are resting, you can prepare any side dishes to serve with them. There are plenty of options that pair well with pork chops, such as potatoes, green beans, broccoli, or zucchini. You can also use the meat juices that collect in the bottom of the air fryer basket to make a simple gravy.

Finally, after the resting time is complete, you can cut and serve your juicy and flavorful thick-cut pork chops.

Frequently asked questions