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
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops about 1-inch thick
- 2 teaspoons rubbed sage
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon crushed rosemary
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
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.
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.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on September 24, 2019. It has been updated with additional helpful information and new photos.
