One thing I love about air fryers is you can cook just about anything in them. That even includes meats from everything from steak, chicken, pork loin, and pork chops.
They make cooking so easy too. You’ll honestly be amazed and how easy this recipe is and how fast you can cook your pork chops in an air fryer with little effort.
There’s no breading involved, so these are gluten-free and low-carb (yep, they’re keto!)
Growing up, we had pork chops frequently. For some odd reason, we used to eat them dipped in applesauce.
Now that sounds like a horrible combination even to me. I’m not sure why we did it and I don’t recommend trying it.
What I love about this Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe is that it’s pretty versatile. You can use boneless or bone-in pork chops and follow the recipe as is.
You can also use a thin cut or a thick-cut pork chop and adjust the bake time as stated below.
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Want to make pork chops in the air fryer from frozen? Use these directions here.
How to Make Pork Chops in an Air Fryer
First, take your pork chops and season them with salt and pepper. I like to use a ratio of 3:1, double the salt, and a little pepper.
When I first started cooking, I used to try to remove as much salt as possible from all recipes. Sometimes I just wouldn’t even add it!
While I do still like to make things lower in sodium, I realized salt is needed to create flavor and that‘s exactly what the salt does here.
So please, do not make the mistake I did, and just add the salt in.
Once you season your pork chops, place them in a single layer in your air fryer. It’s important to keep things in one layer to ensure the pork cooks evenly on all sides.
Placing them on top of each other will get you half raw and half overcooked pork and who wants that?
If you need to cook more pork chops than can fit in your air fryer, you’ll have to cook in batches. This is the main reason I recommend people buy a larger air fryer from the start.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say they’ve upgraded their small air fryer for that reason. Myself included.
This recipe typically is a no-oil air fryer recipe.
Now, if you’re air fryer tends to stick, spray the basket with a little oil using an oil mister before placing them inside. Here is a list of oils you can use in an air fryer.
Just make sure you are spraying the basket and not the pork chops.
Turn your air fryer on to 400 degrees and cook the pork chops for about 10-15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. The exact time to cook them depends on the thickness of your pork.
If you have thicker pieces of pork chops, they will take longer to cook. Thinner pieces will take less time.
*Note: If you have extra-thick pork chops, they may take up to 20 minutes to cook.
This Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe pairs perfectly with any cooked vegetable (like these air fryer carrots) and a dinner roll.
The best part is it frees up your stove and oven to cook anything else you please. It’s like making two ovens possible in even the smallest of kitchens.
How to Know When Your Pork Chops are Fully Cooked
Your pork chops are officially done when you stick an Instant Read meat thermometer inside them and the temperature hits 145 degrees.
Make sure you are checking the thickest part of the pork chop and check the temperature of each one you cook.
It is completely possible to undercook pork chops just as it is with other meats. I take temperatures of meat very seriously with a 3-year-old in the house.
No need to cause salmonella and get anyone sick because you couldn’t wait an extra 5 minutes.
Once the pork chops are done, pull them out immediately. This means you’ll want to get them as close to 145 as possible.
Pork chops continue to cook for a few minutes outside of the air fryer, making them easy to overcook.
Overcooking pork chops is what makes them taste tough and dry instead of being tender and juicy like they should be.
Keep reading for tips on how to make air fryer pork chops even juicier.
A Few Tips to Cooking Pork Chops in an Air Fryer
Although an air fryer keeps its temperature well when opened for a few seconds, it’s important to leave the pork alone as much as possible.
I recommend flipping these pork chops at about 7 minutes and just look at them for a quick second. If they look basically raw still, give them at least another 5 minutes to cook.
If they are starting to brown, cook them for another 3 and then check the temperature.
This helps cook the pork faster and more evenly. Plus, the less time you touch the pork, the juicier the pork will be.
Yes, that is a trick to get magically moist pork chops too (and of course the overcooking part).
Are Pork Chops Good for You?
Pork chops are on the healthier end of meat when it comes to calories and protein. According to Food Diary, 4 ounces of boneless pork chops contain 180 calories and 20 grams of protein!
Pork chops tend to be on the fattier side with 5 grams of saturated fat. This makes for the perfect combination for a low-carb keto-friendly diet looking for extra fat.
If you’re on any other diet that eats meat, pork chops are okay to eat in moderation.
You typically use less oil (or even no oil) when cooking them in an air fryer, making them even healthier than cooking them in a saute pan on the stove or even in the oven.
More Air Fryer Pork Recipes
- Breaded Air Fryer Bone-in Pork Chops
- Shake and Bake Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
- Chili Lime Air Fryer Thick Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Pork Chops with Flour
- Reheating Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops with Parmesan Crusting
- Air Fryer Pork Steak
Looking to vamp up these juicy Pork Chops? Try these Honey Garlic Air Fryer Pork Chops!
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Air Fryer Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops boneless, bone-in, thin, or thick
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Season each pork chop with salt and pepper generously.
- Place pork chops in the air fryer in a single layer.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes*, flipping halfway through until the pork chops JUST hit 145 degrees at its thickest point.
Notes
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
These pork chops were perfect. Tasted amazing
Happy to hear, Donna! It’s crazy how juicy they stay while cooked in an air fryer!
Your initial article states:
“Growing up, we had pork chops frequently. For some odd reason, we used to eat them dipped in applesauce. Now that sounds like a horrible combination even to me. I’m not sure why we did it and I don’t recommend trying it.”
Are you kidding me. That is the ultimate combination – ask Peter Brady (“PORK CHOPS AND APPLESAUCE!”) I think that a majority of people dip their pork into their applesauce! It’s a natural. That being said, these sound delicious and I am gonna try them out tonight. Will have a big ole bowl of applesauce on the side. I’ll let you know how they turn out – have a blessed day!
Yes, Brenda! So many people think I’m crazy for dipping them in applesauce. I’m so glad someone else does it too!
I can not eat pork chops without the applesauce. It’s the best…
It really is!
Made these porkchops last night in the airfryer! My husband was thrilled with how they turned out! So grateful for this website! I’ve already used 2-3 air fryer recipes from you in just over a week!
That is so great to hear, Chasity! I test everything multiple times until it’s perfect, so that is very flattering to me!
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I need air fryer recipes for 7 qt.
Hi Delva, each of our air fryer recipes on this site will work for 7qt air fryers!
Just got my air fryer. I bought 1/4″ center cut pork chops and wonder how long that would take. I don’t want our first try to result in dry chops.
Thank you for any help!
Hi Diana, I would start checking them after about 7 minutes with an Instant-Read Thermometer and then pull them out as SOON as they hit 145 degrees. If you overcook them, that’s how they end up dried out.
Apple sauce with pork is a British thing and is great.
Beef you use horseradish sauce.
Lamb you use mint sauce
Turkey Blackcurrant jam.
Hare (Jack rabbit) also Blackcurrant jam.
Thank you, David! I love hearing where different flavor combinations come from and I did not know the British eat pork chops with applesauce!
My mom, old yankee women, always told us girls the reason applesauce is served with pork disses is to stimulate the GI tract so the pork doesn’t sit there. Personally, I love the flavor of pork combined with apples ..
100%
We British actually have Cranberry Sauce with turkey. Yum. And pork and apple sauce is THE BEST.
I used 1 inch center cut chops and was a little worried about the temperature – I think my air fryer runs hot. Reduced to 395 for 15 minutes. As luck would have it my instant read thermometer had a dead battery. Worrying was a waste of time – these were the juiciest pork chops I have ever made. Thanks for the great recipe and seasoning recommendation!
Hi! My pork chops are frozen, how much time do I add?
Hi Christie, I would add about another 5 to 7 minutes for frozen boneless pork chops depending on the thickness.
Could I use parchment when cooking these chops or other meat?
Hi Bill, yes! Parchment paper is great to use for clean up with many foods, including pork chops. If you haven’t already, make sure to read this article about using parchment paper in the air fryer too: https://www.everydayfamilycooking.com/air-fryer-parchment-paper/
Had this for dinner tonight! First time having pork in the air fryer. It turned out delicious and it was so juicy! Thanks for the recipe 💕
We are new to air frying but so far we are in love with this little machine! Tonight I’m making this recipe using thick pork chops! Cannot wait to try this! Thank you!
Made them tonite …. Very moist indeed
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Bonnie!
I can’t wait to cook these tonight. I will be adding cream cheese and jalapeños to my pork chops. My husband and I love those two ingredients on pork chops. Thanks for the time and temp to cook in air fryer.
Wow, Renae, that sounds amazing! Enjoy!