Recipe for bone in pork chops in air fryer

Whether a childhood dotted with overcooked pork chops has left you with an adulthood aversion or you are their biggest fan, Air Fryer Pork Chops will have you falling freshly in love.

Pork chops cooked in the air fryer are juicy (NOT DRY) inside and crispy outside.

A simple pork seasoning rub made with a reasonable list of spices you likely already have on hand gives the pork chops a rich smokiness and a little bit of a kick.

To the pork chops skeptics: I see you.

Until I perfected Crock Pot Pork Chops and Grilled Pork Chops, my only experience with the cut was as a hard-to-saw (and even harder to chew) piece of protein I did my best to pick around.

Cooked properly, however, you can make pork chops that are melt-in-your-mouth tasty and (I really can’t emphasize this enough) NOT DRY. Just like Air Fryer Steak. Here’s how!

How to Cook Pork Chops without Drying Them Out

• Choose Thick-Cut Chops. Look for the thickest ones you can find, and don’t be shy about asking the butcher counter if needed. For juiciness guaranteed, I recommend pork chops that are at least 1 1/2-inches thick.
• Go Bone-In. Boneless pork chops are far easier to overcook than ones with the bone in. Cooking air fryer bone-in pork chops gives you more wiggle room. The bone gives the meat extra flavor too (which is why bone-in is perfect for Stuffed Pork Chops and Smothered Pork Chops too).
• DO NOT OVERCOOK. Unlike a tougher cut of pork like pork shoulder, pork chops are lean (like Stuffed Pork Tenderloin and Grilled Pork Tenderloin) and do not become more tender the longer they cook. Use an instant-read thermometer like this and check the pork early and often. It’s the absolute best way to know when your food is ready.

Tip!

Per the FDA, pork is considered safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. I typically remove my pork around the 135-140 degree F-mark, cover it, then let the carry-over cooking finish the rest.

Lest Rest. Similar to my Baked Chicken Breasts, resting the meat is MANDATORY. It allows the juices to reincorporate into the meat. If you cut the pork chops right away, all those lovely juices escape onto the plate.

Try the Air Fryer! Of all the ways I’ve tried making them, the air fryer is the best way to cook pork chops (it also makes delicious Air Fryer Chicken Breast and Air Fryer Salmon). Because it circulates air so effectively, the air fryer crisps the outsides beautifully and leaves the inside of the pork chops moist (similar to Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin).

How to Cook Air Fryer Pork Chops

In addition to its prowess at making pork chops juicy, the air fryer offers a further benefit: it is FAST.

How Long to Cook Pork Chops in An Air Fryer

• Thick-cut bone-in pork chops cook for 9 to 11 minutes in the air fryer. Flip them halfway through.
• The total cooking time will vary based on your air fryer model and the exact thickness of your chops. I tested this recipe in this Ninja air fryer with pork chops that were 1 ½ inches thick.
• Be sure to check the temperature of your pork chops several minutes early, especially if your pork chops are thinner (1-inch pork chops may finish cooking in 7 minutes or less). You can easily return the basket to the air fryer if they need to cook a few additional minutes.

Now let’s talk FLAVAH! We are going to season these beauties with an easy pork rub.

• One of my pet peeves is when meat recipes call for you to make an entire batch of a large-scale seasoning blend it will take you a year to work through. That’s why I’ve included just enough of the pork seasoning ingredients to generously coat the two chops called for in this recipe.
• If you’re serving a larger group or you do want to keep extra on hand in a jar for pork rub on demand (good for you!), you can scale it up to your heart’s content.

I opted to make these simple air fryer pork chops (no breading), if you’d like to see a crispy breaded version from me in the future, be sure to leave a comment below. I am listening!

The Ingredients

• Bone-In Pork Chops. Thick, bone-in, center-cut pork chops are the perfect choice for this recipe. Pork is a wonderful source of lean protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Ingredient Swap

If you prefer boneless pork chops, you can use them here instead. Just make sure you still use thick-cut chops to ensure they don’t overcook and dry out.

• Smoky Spice Rub. A mixture of chili powder, ground coriander, dry mustard, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper is my secret to the best-tasting, most delicious pork chops. It has a little kick (but not too much), lots of smokiness, and a wonderful depth of flavor.

The Directions

1. Dry the pork chops, and coat them with oil.

1. Stir the spice rub ingredients together.

1. Rub the mixture onto the pork.

What Temperature Do You Cook Pork In An Air Fryer?

1. Place the chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry the pork chops for 5 minutes at 375 degrees F, then flip the chops over.

1. Cook for 4 to 7 more minutes.
2. Place the pork chops on a plate, cover them, and let them rest for a few minutes. ENJOY!

Pork Chops In Air Fryer Variations

• Air Fryer BBQ Pork Chops. Slather the cooked chops with this homemade Barbecue Sauce or your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce. I recommend warming up the sauce first, then brushing it on liberally once the pork has rested.
• Air Fryer Pork Chops Parmesan. Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the spice mixture. YUM!
• Air Fryer Ranch Pork Chops. Swap the pork seasoning blend used here with a ranch seasoning mix.

Storage Tips

• To Store. Refrigerate leftover pork chops in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
• To Reheat. Gently rewarm pork chops in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees F, in the microwave, or in a skillet on the stove.
• To Freeze. Freeze leftover pork chops in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

• Air Fryer. This is the model I own and love!
• Mixing Bowls. Ideal for preparing the spice mixture.
• Instant Read Thermometer. The best way to know when your pork is cooked through.

The Best Air Fryer

Enjoy all the delicious crispy goodness of fried food with less guilt. This high-quality air fryer has a number of different functions and cooks food fast.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought!

Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.

Crispy. Juicy. BBQ-y. Air fryer bone-in pork chops, you’ve redeemed this dinner forever more!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are My Air Fryer Pork Chops Tough?

If your air fryer pork chops are tough, it’s likely because they are overcooked.

Are These Pork Chops Spicy?

While these pork chops do have a little kick from the spice rub, they are not overly spicy. If you want your pork chops to be less spicy, you can adjust the seasonings to your tastes.

Can I Use a Different Spice Mixture?

Yes, you can swap the seasonings in this recipe for another spice rub you prefer. I think Cajun air fryer pork chops (using Cajun seasoning) or air fryer pork chops with herbs and Parmesan would be delicious.

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FOR THE PORK CHOPS:

• 2 thick, center-cut pork chops (I recommend bone-in—look for chops that are at least 1 1/2 inches thick)*
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Crockpot Applesauce optional for serving
• Barbecue Sauce optional for serving

FOR THE PORK RUB:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F accordingly to the manufacturer’s instructions (for my air fryer, that’s 3 minutes of preheat time).

• With paper towels, pat the pork chops dry on both sides. Coat the outsides with olive oil.

  

• In a medium bowl, combine the rub ingredients: chili powder, coriander, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper.

  

• Rub all over both sides of the pork.

  

• Lay the pork chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket; do not overlap them (if they both do not fit in a single layer, cook them in batches). Air fry for 5 minutes, then with tongs, carefully flip the chops.

  

• Continue cooking for 4 to 7 additional minutes, or until the meat registers 135 degrees F on an instant read thermometer. If your pork chops are boneless, start checking 2 minutes earlier to ensure they do not overcook.

  

• Remove the pork chops to a plate. Cover and let rest for at least 5 minutes. Serve hot with warmed barbecue sauce as desired.

• *You can also use this recipe for boneless center-cut pork chops; still look for thick ones that are at least 1 1/2 inches thick. I do not recommend thin pork chops, as they will dry out ultra quickly. If you decide to experiment with thin chops, start checking several minutes earlier to gauge their progress.
• As with ovens, air fryer models vary, so your pork chops may take a bit longer or a bit shorter (this is the air fryer model I used to test the recipe). The safest option is to check the meat’s temperature earlier to make sure it doesn’t overcook. As soon the pork chops 135 degrees F at the thickest part of the meat, remove mine for resting.
• TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover pork chops in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
• TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm pork chops in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees F, in the microwave, or in a skillet on the stove.
• TO FREEZE: Freeze leftover pork chops in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving: 1(of 2)Calories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 51gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 156mgPotassium: 963mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1793IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 3mg

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