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

Cooking boneless pork chops in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tender and juicy weeknight dinner. The air fryer yields pork chops that are crispy on the outside and flavorful and juicy on the inside.

To make boneless pork chops in an air fryer, start by coating the chops with olive oil and seasoning them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Parmesan cheese. Then, cook the chops in the air fryer for around 12 minutes at 380-400°F, flipping them halfway through. The pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making juicy and tender boneless pork chops. Set your air fryer to 380°F–400°F and let it preheat for about 5 minutes. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, simply turn it on at the desired temperature for 5 minutes to warm up.

Preheating your air fryer ensures that your pork chops cook evenly and efficiently. It also helps to create a crispy exterior while keeping the interior moist and juicy. By taking the time to preheat your air fryer, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and perfectly cooked boneless pork chops.

It's worth noting that different air fryer models may have varying preheat settings or instructions, so be sure to refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific guidelines. However, the general principle of preheating remains consistent across different models.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can proceed with the rest of your boneless pork chop recipe, such as coating the chops with olive oil and seasonings, placing them in the air fryer basket, and cooking them to perfection!

Prepare the pork chops

To make boneless pork chops in an air fryer, start by patting your pork chops dry with a paper towel. Then, brush or drizzle both sides of the chops with olive oil. Next, prepare a rub or seasoning for your pork chops by combining ingredients like onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, ground mustard, and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. You can also add some olive oil to this mixture. Now, it's time to coat the pork chops! Generously rub the seasoning mixture onto both sides of the chops, making sure to get a nice, even coating.

At this point, you can choose to let the pork chops sit and marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours to really enhance the flavour. However, if you're short on time or can't wait to eat, you can go ahead and cook them right away!

Before placing the pork chops in the air fryer, make sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping or touching, as this will affect the cooking time and crispiness. Preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F, and then place the pork chops inside. Cook for around 12-15 minutes, flipping the chops halfway through the cooking time. The pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F, which you can check with a meat thermometer.

Let the pork chops rest for a few minutes before serving. This will ensure that the juices are evenly distributed and that the meat is nice and tender.

Make the rub

To make the rub for your boneless pork chops, you'll need a combination of spices and herbs. The exact measurements and ingredients will depend on your taste preferences, but here are some common options:

• Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Brown sugar
• Ground mustard
• Dried parsley
• Olive oil

You can also experiment with other ingredients like fresh or dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, oregano), Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, ground ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon zest, and more.

Once you've gathered your chosen ingredients, combine them in a small bowl and mix well. You can then coat your pork chops with olive oil and rub the spice mixture generously onto both sides of the meat. Make sure to use all of the rub for maximum flavour.

Some recipes suggest rinsing and patting the pork chops dry before coating them in olive oil and the spice rub. This is said to help the rub stick to the meat better.

Cook the pork chops

Now that you've gathered all your ingredients and prepared your pork chops, it's time to cook them to perfection in your air fryer! Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Preheat Your Air Fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer to the recommended temperature. Most recipes suggest preheating to around 380-400°F (190-204°C). If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, simply turn it on and let it run at the desired temperature for about 5 minutes to warm up.

Prepare the Pork Chops: Brush or coat both sides of your pork chops generously with olive oil. This helps the seasonings stick to the meat and promotes even cooking. You can also sprinkle or rub in some salt and pepper to taste at this stage.

Make the Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine your chosen seasonings. This could include a variety of dried herbs and spices such as paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. You can also add Parmesan cheese to the mix for a crispy, cheesy crust. Mix the ingredients well.

Coat the Pork Chops: Take each pork chop and fully coat it with the seasoning mixture. Make sure to pat or rub the seasoning onto all sides of the meat so it adheres well. You want a nice, even coating.

Place in the Air Fryer: Arrange the seasoned pork chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap or touch. This ensures that the hot air circulates evenly around each chop and promotes even cooking and a crispy crust. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the pork chops in batches.

Cooking Time: The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your pork chops and the specific model of your air fryer. For chops that are around 1-inch thick, cook for about 9-15 minutes. For thicker chops, you may need to increase the cooking time. It's always a good idea to check the internal temperature of the pork chops with a meat thermometer to ensure they're cooked through. The target internal temperature for pork is 145°F (63°C).

Flip Midway: To ensure even cooking and browning, it's a good idea to flip the pork chops halfway through the cooking time. This helps prevent overcooking on one side and ensures that delicious crust forms on both sides.

Resting the Pork Chops: Once the pork chops have reached the desired internal temperature, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures that the meat stays juicy and tender. Aim for a resting time of around 3-5 minutes.

Serve and Enjoy: Your air fryer boneless pork chops are now ready to be served! You can slice them into thinner pieces or serve them whole. These juicy, tender pork chops go well with a variety of side dishes, so feel free to get creative!

Rest the pork chops

Resting the pork chops is an important step in the cooking process. Once the chops have been cooked in the air fryer, they should be removed and placed on a plate or cutting board to rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring that they are moist and tender when served. The chops will continue to cook a little during this resting period, so it is important not to skip this step.

The length of time that the chops need to rest will depend on the thickness of the meat and the desired level of doneness. For thinner chops, around 3-5 minutes should be sufficient, while thicker chops may need closer to 10 minutes. An instant-read food thermometer can be used to check that the internal temperature of the chops has reached 145°F. This is the temperature at which pork is considered safe to eat, and resting the meat will help to ensure that it reaches this temperature evenly throughout.

While the chops are resting, the juices will settle, creating a delicious, flavoursome juice on the plate. This can be drizzled over the chops just before serving to enhance their flavour and moisture.

Resting the pork chops is a simple but crucial step that will ensure your meal is cooked to perfection. It allows the meat to relax and ensures a juicy, tender, and flavourful eating experience.

Frequently asked questions