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When it gets too hot to make baked pork chops, or if you want a totally foolproof way to make ’em, easy air fryer pork chops are just the thing! They cook up tender and juicy (no breading needed), without having to turn on the oven. And — bonus — air fryer boneless pork chops are even quicker to make than the oven version. Once you learn how to cook pork chops in the air fryer, you might never go back!
Just like air fryer chicken wings and air fryer chicken breast are some of my basic air fryer staples for chicken and air fryer filet mignon (or any air fryer steak) is my go-to for steak night, this is one of those basic air fryer pork chop recipes you’ll want to bookmark for anytime you want to make ’em — boneless and bone-in versions included. The method is also similar to air fryer lamb chops!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe
- Moist, tender, and juicy every time
- Savory and slightly sweet flavor
- Simple 5-ingredient marinade (or use seasonings instead)
- Quick 12 minute cook time
- No eggs, flour, panko breadcrumbs, or dredging needed
- Packed with protein
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for air fryer pork chop recipes, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Choosing The Pork Chops:
You can make air fryer pork bone-in pork chops or boneless, at your preferred thickness. Use these tips to choose the best ones:
- Bone-in vs. boneless: Bone-in cuts will have more flavor, but take a bit longer to cook. Boneless cuts (typically a loin or rib with the bone removed) have a quicker cooking time and are a easier to eat. Pick your preference.
- Rib vs. loin chops: Rib chops contain a bit more fat, while loin chops are leaner. Both have a mild flavor.
- Thickness: Choose pork chops that have a similar size and thickness, so that they cook at the same rate. The best air fryer pork chops will be at least 3/4 to 1 inch thick, but if all you can find is 1/2 inch, they will work fine.
- Appearance: A firm chop with some marbling is ideal — look for firm, pinkish-red flesh and avoid chops that look very pale or have dark spots.
Seasonings:
I used my quick and easy pork chop marinade for this pork chop air fryer recipe. It contains olive oil (or avocado oil), coconut aminos (or soy sauce or tamari would also work), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, pressed garlic cloves, sea salt, and black pepper.
If you don’t have time to marinate them, you can use pork chop seasoning instead, or season simply with salt and pepper. You could also add other seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, grated parmesan cheese, or cumin depending on your flavor preference.
How To Cook Pork Chops In The Air Fryer
This section shows how to make pork chops in the air fryer, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Pat dry. Pat the meat dry with paper towels. (This will help them soak up the marinade and keeps them juicy later.)
- Make the marinade. Prepare the pork chop marinade according to the instructions here.
- Marinate. Add the pork chops to the marinade and make sure all sides get coated. Let the meat marinate in a bowl or bag in the fridge. Remove them from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking and shake off any excess marinade.
VARIATION: Season with your favorite seasonings instead.
If you’re short on time, skip the marinade and simply use oil and your favorite seasonings on all sides of the pork chops. My go-to in this situation is pork chop seasoning (1/2 tablespoon per chop), but see more ideas above.
- Air fry. Preheat the air fryer first, then place the pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer. (You can spray the basket with cooking spray if you like, but I don’t find this necessary since the marinade provides enough oil.) Air fry, flipping halfway through. I recommend inserting a probe thermometer prior to cooking, as shown below.
- Rest. Allow chops to rest for a few minutes to keep them juicy.
What Temp To Cook Pork Chops In The Air Fryer?
The perfect air fryer temperature for pork chops is 400 degrees F. This cooks them quickly to avoid drying out.
How Long To Cook Pork Chops In The Air Fryer?
Cooking pork chops in the air fryer can take anywhere between 7 and 15 minutes, depending on the thickness, and whether you are using boneless or bone-in.
For perfect results, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes first. Then, add the pork and cook using the following chart…
| Bone-In Or Boneless | Thickness | Air Frying Time |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless | 1/2 inch | 7-9 minutes |
| Boneless | 1 inch | 11-13 minutes |
| Bone-in | 1/2 inch | 9-11 minutes |
| Bone-in | 1 inch | 13-15 minutes |
On average, air fryer boneless pork chops will cook 1-2 minutes faster than bone-in.
For chops that are both juicy and safe, the final internal temperature should reach 145 degrees F. However, the temperature can rise several degrees while they rest, so you may want to remove them when your thermometer reads around 140-143 degrees F.
A probe thermometer like this will narrow your air fryer time down to the second — it beeps when it reaches the right temp! However, a regular meat thermometer can work as well.
Tips For The Best Air Fryer Pork Chops
Whether you choose bone-in or boneless cuts, follow these guidelines for juicier, more flavorful meat:
- Bring meat to room temperature. Recipes for pork chops in the air fryer work best if you bring the meat to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This allows them to cook more evenly and avoid drying out.
- Don’t marinate for longer than 12 hours. They can get mushy if they are left in the marinade for longer than that.
- Give them space. Avoid crowding the air fryer basket. There should be a small space between the chops. If there isn’t enough room, cook in batches.
- Don’t overcook. Since pork chops are a lean cut of meat, they can dry out easily if you cook them too long. I recommend sticking a probe thermometer into the thickest part of one of the chops before you close the air fryer. This way you don’t have to let heat out to check for doneness.
- Remember to rest. To retain the juices inside, take 5 minutes to let the chops rest before slicing and serving. If you cut into them right away, they will taste more dry.
Can You Cook Frozen Pork Chops In The Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen chops in the air fryer. At 400 degrees F, they will take about 3-5 minutes longer than fresh.
To cook from frozen, cook for about 8 minutes, then flip, insert your probe thermometer, and continue cooking until they reach 145 degrees F. (You can also use the time chart above, and add 3-5 minutes.)
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- Reheat: You can reheat pork chops in the air fryer, too! I prefer to set the temperature low, about 200 degrees F, and heat for about 10 minutes. But if you don’t have much time, just a few minutes at 400 degrees F or reheating in the microwave will work just fine.
- Freeze: Place leftovers in a freezer bag and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Pork Chop Recipes
Now that you know how to cook pork chops in air fryer, here are some ideas for what to serve with them:
- Potatoes – Roasted potatoes or creamy mashed sweet potatoes are a classic pairing, but I often go for lighter swaps like baked sweet potatoes, pan fried radishes, or smooth cauliflower mash.
- Simple Salads – Try a sweet kale salad, a crunchy and creamy cucumber salad, or tangy marinated artichoke salad for a fresh side dish.
- Vegetables – While your air fryer pork chops cook, use your oven to roast zucchini, tender eggplant, or broccoli (pictured above).
More Easy Pork Chop Recipes
Tired of the same old pork meals? Try out these mouth-watering, easy to make pork chop recipes for something new and delicious!
Recommended Tools
- Air Fryer – This one is my go-to basket-style air fryer, shown in the photos, as it cooks very evenly and is so versatile. When I want to make pork chops in the air fryer for a larger crowd, I take this air fryer oven from my basement, as it can hold several rows of racks — so convenient!
- Probe Thermometer – This one beeps when your meat reaches the correct temperature. It’s a must for pork chops, and for steaks like sirloin and New York strip, too. Never overcook again!
Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe
Air Fryer Pork Chops (Juicy & Easy!)
This easy (bone-in or boneless) air fryer pork chops recipe is always juicy, with simple ingredients and a time chart for perfect results.
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels.
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Prepare the pork chop marinade according to the instructions here. Marinate the pork chops for 1-12 hours (but not longer). (Alternatively, you can simply season generously with pork chop seasoning and skip the marinade, but the marinade makes them so juicy!)
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Remove the chops from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking.
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Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) for 5 minutes.
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Place pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Add an extra minute for bone-in pork chops.
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Readers Who Liked This Easy Recipe Also Made:
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 pork chop
Only 1/4 of the marinade is included in the nutrition calculation, as a lot is discarded after marinating the pork chops.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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28 Comments
Eric
0This was amazing as usual Maya! I thought the aminos made it a little sweet so the second time I used soy sauce and it was so good 😋
Kevin V
0Tried this with two 4-ounce half-inch thick boneless chops, marinated for an hour. Preheated air fryer, ran 5 minutes one side, flipped and finished 4 minutes. Temperature checked good. They came out perfect, did not shrink and were tender and delicious! Two meals with pork gravy over a cup of instant mashed potatoes. Thank you!
Sarah Casalvera
0These were delicious but how did you get your chops to brown on the edges as shown in the picture? Mine were not at all browned but cooked perfectly and were nice and juicy and tender. I have a Cosori air fryer and used the marinade as written and the cooked according to your recipe chart. Just curious but will be definitely be saving this recipe for future use!
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Sarah, I didn’t do anything special to get that result, but it might have to do with the air fryer model that you have.
Laurence
0Hi, could you give me an alternative way to cook these as I do not have an air fryer?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Laurence, Here is a pork chop recipe that is cooked in the oven.
Laurence
0Thank you!
David
0This was really good. I replaced the coconut with soy sauce and 1 tbsp brown sugar. I’ll definitely make this again.
Mike
0There’s no recipes if your cooking 1 pork chop
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Mike, You can cook 1 pork chop, just change the number of servings on the recipe card.
Janelle Becker
0Biting the bullet and finally utilizing one of two air fryers we received for Christmas. Pork chops to use, and this recipe sounds terrific – my husband and I don’t follow a keto diet, so I used soy since I don’t keep aminos on hand. Excited to see how these turn out – thank you for sharing, sounds like an amazing recipe!
Amanda
0Why rate a recipe before trying it? That’s not helpful to people trying to get actual ratings.
Jennifer Burris
0These pork chops are so good! We omitted the mustard from the marinade as my husband dislikes it, but they still turned out great. They were very moist and flavorful. Thanks for another great recipe to add to our recipe box.
Paula
0so quick and easy!
Natalie
0I think these are the juiciest pork chops!! And, the marinade adds great flavor. You can’t beat such a quick time to prepare & make!
Amy L Huntley
0I love that you used the Air Fryer to make these. I am loving my air fryer and always looking for new recipes. These pork chops were so tender and juicy! The marinade was perfection too!
Swathi
0These air fryer pork chops are delicious.
Andrea
0Is there anything the air fryer can’t do? Yum!
Jere Cassidy
0Cooking pork chops for me results in shoe leather so I am glad you posted this air fryer recipe to try. I just got my AF so this will be my first recipe to try.
Claudia Lamascolo
0These were so juicy and my husband raved about them thanks for this air frying recipe it was amazing
Stephanie
0I have loved getting to use my air fryer lately. This is one that my whole family enjoyed and we will be making again.
Alisa Infanti
0These were so fast to make and tasted amazing.
Kate
0So juicy and crispy, and quick and easy too. My kinda dinner!
Scarlet
0Thanks for the time cook chart. It was just what I needed to get the perfect cook on my pork chops.
Joan
0Oh my word! For once, no false advertising: it really does make juicy chops. Now, I was already impressed with the air fryer cooking non shoe leather meats. But this marinade… wow! I followed the cooking from the marinade page and didn’t know you could put them in an air fryer, so I figured that the cooking temps would be 25% less than in an oven and less time, too. Well… no! I first didn’t let the 1/2 inch bone-in chops come up to room temp (it was getting late) and I set the fryer to 380o for 6 minutes each side… They were definitely undercooked (no need for a thermometer: the appearance sufficed). So, I cooked them for another 5 minutes each side. I used an instant read thermometer and they were still undercooked. So, I upped the temperature to 400o for 6 minutes, flipping halfway. Perfect! I made Seriously Keto’s mashed cauliflower in the Instant Pot and served some with the chop and salad. Again, wow! Thank you for testing and sharing your recipe. It is so refreshing to not have a smoked-filled room and shoe leather chops.
Kora Mott
0I made this tonight so good .would change just one thing. Will save the marinade and heat it up to serve with them.
Janet
0Is that a good idea after raw pork soaked in that marinade?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Janet, If she brings the marinade to a full boil for 5+ minutes, it will destroy any harmful bacteria left from marinating in raw meat. The flavors will not be as intense, but that is really the only way to re-use a marinade.