Air Fryer Crispy Pork Chops: The Perfect Crunchy Bite

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to cook pork chops, look no further than your air fryer. This handy kitchen gadget gives you juicy, tender pork chops with a crispy exterior—no oil required! The air fryer's rapid air circulation yields pork chops that are crispy on the outside and flavorful and juicy on the inside. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to make perfect air fryer pork chops, including seasoning suggestions, cooking times, and tips for getting that crispy texture just right.

Choosing the right pork chops

Thickness: Opt for thicker pork chops, ideally between 1 to 2 inches thick. Thicker chops, such as those in the range of 1 ½ to 2 inches, allow for a beautiful char on all sides due to the longer cooking time. Thin pork chops tend to cook too quickly and may not develop the desired crispy exterior.

Bone-in or Boneless: You can choose between bone-in or boneless pork chops, depending on your preference. Bone-in chops may require a slightly longer cooking time, but both options work well in the air fryer.

Cut: Look for centre-cut pork chops, as they tend to cook more evenly and provide a better overall texture.

Freshness: Always choose fresh, high-quality pork chops from a reliable source. Check the "best before" date and ensure the meat looks and smells fresh.

Fat Content: Opt for pork chops with a good amount of marbling, which is the flecks of fat within the meat. This fat helps keep the meat moist and juicy during the cooking process, resulting in a more flavourful and tender chop.

Colour: Look for pork chops with a pinkish colour and avoid those with a grey or brownish hue, which may indicate that the meat is older or has been handled improperly.

Preparation: Before cooking, trim any excess fat or silver skin from the pork chops. This helps ensure even cooking and a better final texture.

Remember to pat your pork chops dry with paper towels before seasoning and cooking them. This step helps the seasoning adhere better and promotes even browning.

Making a rub

Firstly, gather your ingredients. A simple yet effective combination of spices includes brown sugar, paprika, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can adjust the quantities of each spice according to your taste preferences. For example, if you prefer a sweeter taste, you can add more brown sugar. Or, if you like it spicy, you might want to increase the amount of ground mustard or add some cayenne pepper.

Once you have measured out your chosen spices, it's time to mix them together. Combine all the dry ingredients in a small bowl and give them a good stir to ensure they are thoroughly mixed. You can also add some olive oil to the mixture to create a paste-like consistency, which will help the rub adhere better to the meat.

Now it's time to prepare the pork chops. Start by rinsing them under cool water and then patting them dry with a paper towel. This step is important as it helps to remove any bacteria and also provides a dry surface for the rub to stick to.

Next, coat the pork chops with a thin layer of olive oil. You can use a brush or your hands to evenly distribute the oil across the entire surface of the meat. This step will help the rub stick to the pork chops and also promote better browning during cooking.

Finally, it's time to apply the rub. Use your hands to generously coat the pork chops with the spice mixture, making sure to cover all sides. Massage the rub into the meat, working it into every nook and cranny. You can also use your hands to press the rub onto the meat firmly, ensuring a nice, thick coating.

At this point, you can either cook the pork chops immediately or let them sit for a while to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat. If you have the time, letting the pork chops rest for about 15-30 minutes will enhance the flavour and result in even more delicious air fryer pork chops.

Breading

The breading is the key to achieving a crispy exterior on your pork chops. Here's a step-by-step guide to breading your pork chops for the air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Breading Station

• Set up three shallow bowls for a standard flour-egg-breadcrumb breading technique.
• In the first bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and any other seasonings of your choice (e.g. paprika, salt, pepper). You can also add grated Parmesan cheese to this mixture for extra flavour.
• In the second bowl, beat an egg with a splash of water. You can adjust the consistency by adding more or less water, depending on how thick you want the egg wash to be.
• In the third bowl, mix together breadcrumbs and more grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned Italian breadcrumbs for extra flavour.

Step 2: Coat the Pork Chops

• Season the pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper, or another seasoning blend of your choice.
• Take each pork chop and coat it evenly with the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
• Immediately dip the floured pork chop into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.
• Let any excess egg drip off, then place the pork chop into the breadcrumb mixture. Coat it evenly, shaking off any excess breadcrumbs.
• Repeat this process for each pork chop.

Step 3: Let the Breading Set

Once all your pork chops are coated, let them sit at room temperature for about 10-20 minutes. This step helps the breading adhere to the meat and ensures a crispier exterior.

Tips for Crispy Breading:

• If you want to use something other than egg to help the breading stick, you can use olive oil, mayonnaise, or Dijon mustard.
• To get an even coating, use your hands to press the breadcrumbs onto the pork chops, ensuring they are fully coated.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the pork chops in batches if needed, to allow proper air circulation.
• Generously spritz or spray the pork chops with oil before and during cooking. This helps the breading crisp up and turn golden.

Now you're ready to air-fry your breaded pork chops! Remember to follow the cooking instructions for your specific air fryer model and adjust the timing and temperature as needed. Enjoy your crispy, juicy, and tender pork chops!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for pork chops in an air fryer depend on the thickness of the meat, whether they are boneless or bone-in, and the temperature setting.

Boneless pork chops that are 1-inch thick should be cooked for around 9-12 minutes at 375-380°F (190°C). If your pork chops are thicker, you will need to increase the cooking time. Bone-in pork chops of a similar thickness may take a little longer to cook, around 10-17 minutes.

For thinner, boneless pork chops (around 1/2-inch thick), cooking time is reduced to 8 minutes at 400°F.

For thicker, bone-in pork chops (1 1/2-2 inches thick), cooking time increases to 12-14 minutes at 400°F.

It is important to ensure that pork chops are cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. Using an instant-read food thermometer, check that the thickest part of the chop registers at least 145°F. If your pork chops are very thick, they may require a few extra minutes of cooking time.

Serving suggestions

There are plenty of side dishes that go well with pork chops cooked in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:

• Roasted broccoli or a baked potato
• Green beans
• Mushroom medley
• Creamy corn casserole
• Roasted beet and kale salad
• Mashed potatoes
• Acorn squash
• Sweet potatoes
• Corn casserole
• Cheesy potatoes
• Asparagus
• Butternut squash
• Baby carrots
• Green beans
• Brussels sprouts
• Caramelized Brussels sprouts
• Creamy Parmesan polenta
• Steamed carrots with hot honey butter
• Mediterranean chickpea salad
• Butternut squash noodles
• Cheesy cauliflower bread
• Air fryer butternut squash
• Shredded Brussels sprouts
• A big green salad or kale salad

Frequently asked questions