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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 jerk seasoning, 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). Or if you want to do everything in your air fryer, try air fryer vegetables.
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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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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80 Comments
Natasha
1We loved this recipe a lot! It turned out so moist and tender. This air fryer method is the easiest ever! Thanks for this wonderful recipe.
Kristyn
1This is our favorite recipe for pork chops!! Quicker & easy & makes perfectly crisp & delicious pork chops!
Dorothy B.
0These air fried loin chops were sooo good I could not get them photographed before they were devoured.
Jamie
1Couldn’t believe how easy these were to make in the air fryer! They turned out so juicy and flavorful!
Kevin V
1Tried 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!
Jennifer Burris
1These 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.
Gail
0So moist will be adding to list of pork recipes.
Natalie
1I 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
1I 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!
Claudia Lamascolo
1These were so juicy and my husband raved about them thanks for this air frying recipe it was amazing
Matthew
0Ok so Maya…… You’ve done it again. You never fail to impress with your amazing recipes. Whats even better is that these are healthy and can be had anytime and they are sooooooooooo easy to make. This left my pork well cooked yet juicy. Thanks so much for this and all the hard work you and your amazing team put in to keep these recipes coming. God bless you, your team and your family. 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Sally
0This recipe is spot on. My husband has been making this recipe for almost a year. It absolutely needs the seasoning. Excellent!
Patricia
0Love this recipe. I didn’t have all the ingredients for the marinade, so I used the Pork Chop seasoning instead. They were fabulous!
Joe P
0I made these the other night, along with the sauteed eggplant recipe, and man, they were both amazing. The chops I prepared with the marinade, then added a little bit of the spice rub recipe (because I can’t just leave well-enough alone. They turned out SO juicy and flavorful! Definitely adding to my rotation.
I tried reviewing this via the app on the phone, but I can’t seem to find my review. I hope this one gets through!
Rev Jim
0Had these for a late breakfast along with other veggies, wonderful experience and will do again for guests. Thank you
Fran B.
0I’ve made these pork chops twice. The first time, I used the oven method. They were so tender, moist, and delicious. In the past, I have fried pork chops and added chicken broth and a lid, but they were not even close to these in moistness. The second time I air-fryed the chops according to the directions given. Wonderful–even better than the oven-baked. I’m keeping the marinade in the fridge so it’s ready to use anytime.
K Arango
0This marinade was so tasty! I definitely overcooked mine because I’m used to thicker cuts and I was a wee bit distracted by my little ones. But even my picky two year old kept asking for more! Thank you for this quick and easy (and, more importantly, delicious) recipe!
Dorothy B.
0These pork chops were delicious. My husband loved them. There are only two of us so we sliced the left overs and had KETO bread sandwiches for a second meal.
Joe P.
0I made these and the sautéed eggplant along with a salad, and the entire meal blew me away! So easy to make, and my kitchen smelled FANTASTIC. The chops came out moist and flavorful. Definitely going into my rotation!
Murrae
0Delicious family loved it. Didn’t change a thing. Have tried several of your recipes most are keepers. Thanks for sharing them with us. I have both cookbooks that are used daily.
Denise
0These were so easy and so delicious! Marinated the chops (I used bone-in) for three hours, then preheated air fryer for five minutes before cooking for 13 minutes. Will be adding to our repertoire!