These Air-Fried Pork Chops are moist, delicious, and packed with fantastic flavor. Learn the tips and tricks for making tasty, juicy pork chops in your Air Fryer every time.
The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
Pork chops are perfect for quick dinners, and cooking them in an air fryer is ideal, as they cook quickly.
I’ve done pork chops in my Air Fryer before; I made these thin Japanese Tonkatsu Pork Chops. I’m now sharing this herb-crusted pork chop recipe for thick and juicy chops.
When cooked properly, pork chops are moist and delicious and can be prepared in under 20 minutes. The trick is not to cook them too long, as they will dry out.
Be sure to try my smothered pork chops and my sous vide pork chops.
A Quick Look at the Ingredients
Here is what you will need for this recipe:
- Pork Chops - I usually grab pork loin chops that are about 1-inch thick.
- Olive oil - Adding a little oil will help the pork chops brown and add delicious flavor.
- Seasoning - Dried sage, dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Tools Needed
- Air fryer (5–6 qt basket style)
- Instant-read meat thermometer
- Small mixing bowl
- Kitchen tongs
- Plate or cutting board for resting
- Aluminum foil (tenting)
How to Make Air Fryer Pork Chops
Step 1: First, remove your chops and allow them to sit at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes to remove the chill. In a small bowl, combine the sage, thyme, oregano, rosemary, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
Step 2: Preheat your Air Fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
While your Air Fryer is preheating, pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then, rub a little olive oil over the pork chops and sprinkle the herb mixture over the chops, covering all sides.
Step 3: Place in the Air Fryer basket, making sure the chops don’t overlap. If your air fryer is not large enough to hold all of them, cook them in batches.
Cook at 360°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Pork chops are done when they have reached an internal temperature of 145°F.
Step 4: Remove pork chops from the Air Fryer and loosely cover them with foil. Allow them to sit for about 5 minutes.
And there you have it, quick and delicious juicy pork chops.
Tanya's Top Tips for the Most Tender Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
- Get to know your air fryer - Air fryers cook differently based on factors such as shape, wattage, and altitude. The cook times listed below are for guidance; however, your chops may require less or more cooking time.
- The quality of the meat matters - I’ve cooked pork chops to the proper temperature and texture, yet they still tasted off. The issue wasn’t the seasoning; it was the quality of the meat itself. Invest in well-marbled, responsibly raised chops, and the same recipe suddenly shines with real flavor.
- Rest the chops after cooking - once cooked, allow the pork chops to rest under foil paper for about 5-10 minutes. It’s the same method I use in my air fryer steak recipe to ensure even cooking. Resting the meat allows the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat, resulting in moist and tender pork chops.
- Cook to perfection with a thermometer - Invest in a quick-read thermometer to ensure your meat reaches 145°F and doesn’t exceed that temperature. The reason why most pork chops become tough and dry is that they can easily be overcooked.
Cooking Times for Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
| Chop Thickness & Type | Air Fryer Temp | Cook Time | Target Internal Temp* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in / 2.5 cm boneless | 360 °F | 10–12 min | 143–145 °F |
| 1 ½–2 in bone-in (recipe) | 360 °F | 14–16 min | 143–145 °F |
| Thin ¾ in boneless | 375 °F | 8–10 min | 143–145 °F |
| Frozen 1-inch chops | 360 °F | 18–20 min | 145 °F |
*Remove chops 2–3 °F early; carry-over heat during the rest will finish the job.
Flavor Variations
- I've used bone-in, thick-cut pork chops, but this recipe will also work well with thinner chops, boneless pork chops, or a pork steak. Just ensure you adjust the cooking times accordingly.
- Pork works well with many spices. I've used paprika, but you can use any other ground spices you enjoy, like anise, cinnamon, coriander, or cumin.
- Add some chili heat to the marinade by incorporating chili powder or red pepper flakes.
How to serve Air Fryer Pork Chops
I like serving potatoes and at least two other vegetable sides with these pork chops.
Air fryer pork chops and potatoes are a perfect combination, so try my Air Fryer Baked Potato or Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. Sweet potatoes are a great alternative to regular potatoes; try my Mashed Sweet Potatoes or my Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes.
How to store leftover air fryer pork chops
To refrigerate: Keep any leftover pork chops in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat the next day and warm the pork in the air fryer or oven at 350°F until warmed through.
To freeze: Once cooked and cooled, place any leftover pork chops into an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. As the pork is already cooked, it can be reheated from frozen in a preheated oven at 350°F. When ready to enjoy, place the frozen chicken onto a baking sheet and place it in the oven for 30-40 minutes to reheat.
FAQs:
Yes, absolutely. I cook raw pork in the air fryer on a regular basis. Make sure to place the pork in the basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
360 degrees Fahrenheit is my preferred temperature for cooking pork chops
The bone and fat in pork chops add great flavor to the pork and help retain moisture, stopping the chops from drying out.
Looking for more Air Fryer Pork recipes? Try these out:
If you've tried this Air Fryer Pork Chop recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and share your feedback in the comments below!
Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Combine the sage, thyme, oregano, rosemary, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Preheat your Air Fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (182°C).
- While you Air Fryer is preheating, rub a little bit of olive oil over the pork chops and sprinkle the herb mixture over the chops, covering all sides.
- Place in Air Fryer basket making sure the chops don’t overlap.
- Cook on 360F degrees for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Pork chops are done when they have reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove pork chops from the Air Fryer and loosely cover with foil. Allow them to rest for about 5 minutes.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Cook times will vary depending on your Air Fryer model and the thickness of the pork chops.
- This recipe, as shown, uses thick center-cut pork chops about 1 inch thick.
- Thinner pork chops take about 8-9 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This post was originally published on September 24, 2019. It has been updated with additional helpful information and new photos.
Tonya Felder says
I made this dish tonight for dinner and it is so delicious! I cooked it too long but it was still great and has an awesome flavor. I absolutely love your recipes. Tomorrow night I'm making your recipe for lobster tails and crab legs, I'm really looking forward to it!
Tanya says
Thanks so much Tonya! So glad you liked the recipe.
Veronica Mangham says
Hello Thank you for all your air fryer tips. I am new with a Power Air Fryer XL 5.3 Quart. I will try some wings again my thing is I can't taste the season in every bite. My wing taste like hospital food lol.
Thanks
Veronica
Tanya says
lol, I actually season my wings after cooking. It's the best way to make sure they have the best flavor. I put the wings in a very large bowl while they're hot and toss them to make sure they all get covered in the seasoning/sauce.
Melissa says
Do you use your air fryer in the air fry setting or bake for this pork chop recipe?
Looks delicious, I'm anxious to try it!
Thanks!
Tanya says
Hi Melissa, Thanks! I use the air fry setting.
Stacey Mc Whorter says
Hi Tanya!
I love making salmon patties but have always fried them in a skillet. I make mine into patties then dredge them in corn meal mix. Like you would dredge catfish in. So would that work in the air frier? If so about how long?
Thank you in advance,
Stacey McWhorter
P.S. Here are the ingredients of my salmon patties. Of course I usually don't measure but you will get the idea.
1 big can salmon
1 big can mackerel
2 pkgs of club or Ritz
crackers
2 raw eggs
1 small finely chopped.
onion
Aprox 1 Tbsp Italian
seasoning
1/2 tsp of garlic
powder(not salt)
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp of black pepper
1/2 tsp of salt
1Tbsp of liquid smoke
1/2 Tbsp of Worcestershire
sauce
Mix all ingredients together and make patties about 1/2-1in thick and about as round as the inside palm of your hand.
Save some of the liquid from the can fish if needed if patty mixture looks too dry. After patties are formed, dredge in dry catfish mix or dry corn meal mix and here is where I would fry them. So can I still dredge them in the cornmeal or would I have to omit that? Usually I would fry them on each side from 5-7 min or until golden brown. But oh the grease! Eventhough I would place them on paper towels, sometimes the patties would still be pretty greasy. I quit making these as often when my husband found out that he was a type 2 diabetic so he will be ecstatic if I can make these in the air frier and a little more healthy. Thank you.
Stacey
patty-anne Lea says
I make Yorkshire puddings but missed the gravy, so I started experimenting,
I made a white rue, 1 Tbsp butter melted in a small pan. I melt it with 1/2 c water and 1/2 c milk. I add bisto about 1 tbsp. more if it does not thicken as you want it. Keep stirring so it will not burn. While stirring add 1.5 tbsp coffee from you coffee pot ( leftover, don't make fresh. You will not taste the coffee but it gives it a lovely colour.
Hint. If you are a soup maker and have a ham bone left. Make pea soup. Oh doesn't it look pale? Add the dry outside onion skins, this will make it a nice golden. I use these for dying wool as well.
Brandi says
How long would it tale for THIN breakfast chops? I dont want to overcook them.
Tanya says
Hi Brandi, I would start checking them around 7 minutes.
brenda says
I did my four pork loins,,, thinish last night.. I have a Tower basket air fryer// the temp only goes to 200 but in recipe it says 360... would this make a difference?
Tanya says
Hi Brenda, sounds like your air fryer is in Celcius rather than Fahrenheit. I would cook on 180C.
Michele says
This is my third time making these pork chops using your recipe! They are SO DELICIOUS! Thank you Tanya, I love your site! so many great recipes /ideas!❤️
Tanya says
Thank you so much Michele! So glad you like the recipes 🙂
Mike says
After making & thoroughly enjoying several of your recipes, I had to make this one. Quick, easy & very, very good. Even my picky sister-in-law enjoyed them!
Tanya says
Thanks so much Mike 🙂
Tracy says
These were so simple to make and delicious. My husband said they were some of the best pork chops I have made.
Tanya says
Awesome! So glad you both liked the recipe 🙂
Rick says
can't wait to make these tonight!
Mike says
Once again, making one of your recipes was delicious! The pork chop came out perfectly cooked, tender and juicy, with a great flavor. I used the leftover seasoning for air fryer roasted potatoes. Even my mom could eat it !
Tanya says
Thank you so much Mike 🙂
Darlene Harris says
1st time using my air fryer to cook any type of meat. I followed your recipe to the T and my pork chops came out perfect!!! We definitely be using this recipe again. Thank you!
Tanya says
Thank you for the feedback Darlene 🙂 So glad you liked the recipe. I also love your last name 🙂
Anita says
We just recently purchased an air fryer. I love pork chops and just happened to google search recipes for them, and yours appeared under air fryer search...thrilled it did. They were delicious, moist, and cooked perfectly! I would not change a thing. I love to cook and will certainly being trying other recipes of yours. Happy cooking!
Anthony Barnes says
I always, salt, pepper, flour into hot oil. This recipe changes everything. Thanks So Much. Very Delicious!