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These Air Fryer Pork Chops Are The Juiciest Ever
If you want a totally foolproof way to make ’em, my easy air fryer pork chops are here for you! Here’s why I cook them using this recipe more than any other:
- Moist, tender, and juicy inside – Cooking pork chops in the air fryer is a lot more foolproof than baked pork chops or cast iron pork chops. It’s nearly impossible to dry them out with this method. I’ve never had them juicier.
- Simple ingredients – My trusty 5-ingredient pork chop marinade makes these totally irresistible in the simplest way. I also have faster seasoning options below.
- Works for bone-in or boneless pork chops – I’ve used this method with both types, and even made a time chart to cover both.
- Fast, flavorful dinner – It’s a little savory, a little sweet, and a whole lot of dinner stress taken away. I love these air fried pork chops for a fuss-free dinner on busy days. I usually work on my side dish (or homework with the kids, lol) while I wait for the marinade, but you can marinate them ahead, too.
Once you try how tender these are, you might never go back to the oven. 😉 Make them with me!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fryer pork chop recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Pork Chops:
One of the things I’m proud of with this recipe is that you can use it for any kind of pork chops you have, as I’ve tested different types and thicknesses. Both loin chops and rib chops work fine. Two aspects will affect the cooking time:
- Bone-in vs. boneless: I usually cook boneless pork chops in the air fryer, because they’re easier to eat. I’ve tested bone-in pork chops as well, and they do have more flavor, but take a bit longer to cook.
- Thickness: Choose ones that are all about the same, so that they cook at the same rate. The best air fryer pork chops I’ve made were 1 inch thick, but if all you can find is 1/2 inch, they will work fine.
Seasonings:
I use this pork chop marinade most often, but I’ve also used my simple seasoning for pork chops on busy days. Here’s what goes into each of them, so you can decide:
- Marinade option – My key ingredients here are olive oil (locks in moisture), lemon juice (makes the pork tender), and coconut aminos (for flavor and a hint of sweetness, but soy sauce or tamari would work, too). You’ll also need Dijon mustard, pressed garlic cloves, salt, and pepper.
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- Seasoning option – If you don’t have time to marinate your chops, you can just brush them with oil, season, and cook right away. My go-to seasoning blend uses spices you probably have: garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme and oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. I recommend 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound of pork. You can also just season simply with salt and pepper.
How To Cook Pork Chops In The Air Fryer
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Pat the pork chops dry. This will help them soak up the marinade and keeps them juicy later.
- Marinate or season. Add the chops to my quick marinade or use my seasoning blend on both sides of the pork chops. (See both options above.)
- Cook pork chops in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer first, then place the pork in the basket in a single layer. (You can spray the basket with cooking spray if you like, but I only do this if using the seasoning option. Otherwise the marinade provides enough oil.) Air fry pork chops, flipping halfway through, until tender and cooked through. I recommend inserting a probe thermometer prior to cooking, as shown in this picture. (See my tips below for more details!)
- Let them rest. Transfer to a plate and let the juices settle before slicing.
My Recipe Tips
- Bring the pork to room temperature if you can. Just take them out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. This allows them to cook more evenly.
- Don’t marinate for longer than 24 hours. They can get mushy if you leave them in the marinade for longer than that. If it will be longer than 1 hour, place in the refrigerator.
- If you’re seasoning instead of marinating, pre-mix the spices in a small bowl. This is faster than flipping the pork chops a bunch of times or dividing each individual spice in half for each side.
- Preheat your air fryer. I don’t do this for some of my other air fryer recipes, but with air fryer pork chops it makes a difference! Adding them to the hot basket makes them sizzle right away for better browning.
- Don’t crowd the basket. I recommend a little space between the pieces. I have this air fryer and 4 pork chops fit at once, but you’ll need to cook in batches if they don’t fit.
- Use a thermometer for the juiciest results. The air fryer can do amazing things, but pork chops are a lean cut of meat, so you can still overcook them! I just stick this probe thermometer into the thickest part of one of the chops before I close the air fryer, just in case. You can also use a regular meat thermometer, I just love the convenience of the probe. The ideal internal temperature is 145 degrees F, but the temp rises a few degrees while they rest. So, I usually remove them at 140-143 degrees F and let them come to 145 while resting. If you don’t have a thermometer at all, my handy time chart below is the next-best thing!
- Frozen pork chops work, too. They do taste better if you thaw them first, but I’ve gotten decent results cooking them frozen last-minute. Just cook for 3-5 minutes first, then season them and return to the air fryer for the remaining time.
- Want to air fry pork chops for a bigger crowd? I keep this air fryer oven in storage for those occasions, as it can hold multiple racks.
Air Fryer Pork Chops (Juicy & Easy)
By
These easy air fryer pork chops turn out tender and juicy, with simple ingredients and a time chart for perfect results.
Instructions
[ See step photos See my tips ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
Marinade Option (Juicier):
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In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, coconut aminos, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, pressed garlic, salt, and pepper.
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Pour the marinade into a large zip lock bag. Add the pork chops, seal the bag, and massage to coat well. (Alternatively, you can marinate in a bowl and cover in plastic wrap.)
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Marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours. (Longer than 24 hours will make the meat mushy.)
Seasoning Option (Faster):
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Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels.
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Skip the marinade, and season with just the salt and pepper instead.
Air Fry:
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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 into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (62 degrees C). Add an extra minute for bone-in pork chops.
Did you make it? Leave a review or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 pork chop
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get, juicy, tender, and evenly cooked pork.
- Time chart: Don’t miss my time chart to ensure that your air fried pork chops turn out perfectly juicy, no matter what thickness or cut you’ve got.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I usually dice them and toss into soups or serve sliced over salads, but you can also enjoy them whole.
- Reheat: You can reheat pork chops in the air fryer, too! I usually just pop them in the basket for 1-2 minutes at 350 degrees F.
- Freeze: You can freeze cooked pork chops in a zip lock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Note on nutrition info: Only 1/4 of the marinade is included in the nutrition calculation, as a lot is discarded after marinating.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Air Fryer Bundle!
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Air Fryer Pork Chops
How Long To Cook Pork Chops In The Air Fryer?
My typical 1-inch-thick pork chops in the air fryer usually take 12-14 minutes. Thinner ones cook faster. There’s also a difference between boneless and bone-in cuts — on average, air fryer boneless pork chops will cook 1-2 minutes faster than bone-in.
Here is the timing that works consistently for me at 400 degrees F — but like I mentioned above, a probe thermometer set to 140 degrees F will get you the best results.
| 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 |
Serving Ideas
Air fryer pork chops are kind of a blank canvas — they go with almost everything! Here are some ways I like to serve them:
- Air Fryer Vegetables – I usually cut and season the veggies while I have the pork chops in the air fryer, then quickly air fry them while the meat rests. Try my air fryer brussels sprouts, air fryer cauliflower, or just mixed air fryer vegetables with whatever you have on hand.
- Potatoes – Pairing this main dish with my simple roasted potatoes or creamy mashed sweet potatoes makes it feel like true comfort food! I actually make air fryer roasted potatoes most often, by my kids’ request. If you need a lighter alternative, my fried radishes or cauliflower mash are for you.
- Simple Salads – When I want a lighter meal, I serve these with kale salad, creamy cucumber salad, or artichoke salad.
- Roasted Veggies – If you want to time your side dish to be done at exactly the same time as your air fryer pork chops, you can start roasting vegetables while the pork is marinating. Some of my favorites are roasted asparagus, roasted zucchini, and roasted eggplant. When I took the pictures in this post, I opted for roasted broccoli.
More Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
It might come as a surprise that my all-time fave main dish to cook in this little appliance has been air fryer filet mignon! But when you need more common everyday staples, here are my most popular ones:
132 Comments
Natasha
2We 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.
Lucinda
1Made these air fryer pork chops for our anniversary dinner, with sauteed mushrooms and spinach. Hubby said it was the best pork chops ever. He requested I make them next week when his family visits. WooHoo, a winner.
Donna
1Great chops!! Very easy!!
Hilda
0What are the measurements for the dry rub seasoning! Eager to try this recipe. My chops are always too dry.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Hilda, This air fryer pork chop recipe uses this pork chop marinade, but you can also make it using my pork chop seasoning here. Hope this helps. These are going to be the juiciest pork chops you’ve ever made!
Matthew
1Ok 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. ????????
Linda
0I made these pork chops and they are so moist and tender. The marinade is so easy and it gave the chops a very good flavor.
Wholesome Yum D
0Thank so much, Linda! I’m so glad the pork chops turned out tender and flavorful for you and yes, that marinade really is so simple!
Fran B.
1I’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.
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
Jules
0These came out super juicy!!! Maybe a stupid question but I’m new to the air fryer – whatever temp you tell us to preheat to is the same temp we should cook at correct? My air fryer button has a preprogrammed temp that I’ve been accidentally using so I think that I’ve been doing it wrong and wanted to confirm.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m so glad they turned out so juicy, Jules! No stupid questions at all. Yes, cook at the same temperature that you preheat to.
Helen
0This recipe was the best. I used the marinade and followed the recipe to a tee and the pork chops were moist and delicious and it was so quick and easy.
Wholesome Yum D
0Helen, that’s so great to hear! I love that you followed the marinade exactly and got such moist, delicious pork chops. So glad it turned out so well for you!
Dorothy Fisher
0This was one of the best pork chop recipes I have tried. The marinade I used with soy sauce was tasty, and I had roasted vegetables with it.
Wholesome Yum D
0I’m so happy to hear that, Dorothy! Your version with the soy sauce marinade and roasted veggies sounds absolutely delicious. So glad it was a hit!
Charles C Rock
0Perfect!
Wholesome Yum D
0Thanks, Charles! Glad to hear it was a hit.
Dorothy Beckner
0I made the air fryer pork chops and also made the marinade. The meat was delicious and cooked perfectly. I also made the honey carrots and Greek Lemon potatoes. Great meal.
Wholesome Yum D
0That sounds like an amazing dinner, Dorothy! I’m so glad you enjoyed the pork chops and marinade and pairing them with honey carrots and Greek lemon potatoes sounds absolutely perfect.
Lynn B Otto
0I marinaded my center cut porkchops for 4 hours and cooked in my air fryer for 12-13 min. The chops were DELICIOUS – juicy and seasoned perfectly. Thank you for this easy and tasty recipe!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m glad they turned out so well for you, Lynn! Enjoy your pork chops!
Barbara R Hill
0I give it a 10, I have made it 3 times, my husband really likes it.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Wow, thank you, Barbara! What a kind review. You and your husband enjoy!
Theresa
0Can I use my toaster oven type counter top unit that has an ‘air fryer’ selection for any or all of your air fryer recipes?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Theresa, Yes, I’m sure you can, but that’s not the type I have so the time might be slightly different. I would start with the same time and you can adjust as needed based on the internal temp.