Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe

Air fryer pork chops are my newest obsession.

They’re a delicious, healthy twist on classic pork chop recipes with all the flavor but much less grease. 

Expect a wonderfully crispy coating and perfectly juicy meat in every single bite. All that, and they’re ready in a flash!

Air Fryer Pork Chops 

If you’ve never made air fryer pork chops, this recipe will blow your mind. It’ll absolutely and irrevocably change the way you look at cooking chops.  

These juicy, tender pork chops are healthy, convenient, and lip-smackingly delicious.

You’ll love their golden parmesan crust and bold flavor. 

And you won’t be the only one who does! Your spouse, kids, parents, siblings, and friends will go nuts for this simple pork chop recipe. 

Plus, it’ll allow you to cut weeknight dinner preparation time in half. And you won’t have to sacrifice any taste or enjoyment, either!

How’s that for a win-win?

Ingredients 

Believe it or not, this scrumptious recipe only calls for a handful of pantry staples. And you can change up the spices as you like!

• Parmesan Cheese. For a robust, salty, and savory flavor. 

• Spices. My blend includes paprika, garlic powder, salt, dried parsley, and black pepper. Along with the cheese, they make an incredibly flavorful but light “breading” for the chops.

• Pork chops. I prefer bone-in chops but feel free to use boneless. Either way, try to find 1.5-2 inches thick chops that are about 5 ounces.

• Olive oil. This helps the seasoning mixture stick to the chops. It also prevents them from sticking and burning in the air fryer. 

How to Make Air Fryer Pork Chops 

Since the ingredients list is so small, it won’t be surprising to hear this recipe is extremely easy.

You’ll find more details at the bottom of the post. But here’s a super quick rundown of what you need to do:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees. 

2. Make the coating. Mix the cheese and seasonings in a small, shallow bowl. 

3. Coat the pork chops. Cover each pork chop in olive oil. Then, coat each side of all four chops with the parmesan mixture.  

4. Cook the pork chops two at a time in the air fryer, or all four if you have the room (they shouldn’t touch). Cook for 5 minutes, flip them over, and cook for another 3-7 minutes. 

5. Rest and serve. Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes after they finish cooking. Then, serve and enjoy! 

How Long to Cook Pork Chops In the Air Fryer 

One of the most significant issues with pork chops is that they turn dry fast. How many tough chops have you had to choke down over the years?

Well, not anymore! These babies are as juicy as it gets – if you cook them right, that is.

Bone-in, 1.5-2 inch thick pork chops need about 10-15 minutes to cook. That’s 5-7 minutes per side.

Boneless, 1.5-2 inch thick pork chops need only about 10 minutes in total. That’s 5 minutes on one side and anywhere from 3-5 minutes on the other side.

Of course, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time if your chops are larger or smaller, thick or thin.

I suggest adding a minute for every extra half-inch of meat. In contrast, cook for a minute less per side for every half-inch thinner.

Check for doneness by inserting a digital thermometer into the center of each chop. It’s ready to eat at 145 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Pork Chops 

Worried about dry meat? Check out these simple tips for cooking pork chops in the air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer. Like a regular oven, if you put the meat in cold, it won’t cook quite right. So be sure it’s hot before you start cooking.  

• Don’t overcrowd the basket. The chops shouldn’t touch – each other or the side of the basket – which may mean cooking in batches.

• Don’t skip the resting time. Pork chops, like steak, need time to rest after cooking. That gives the juices time to settle and will lock in the flavor. 

• Remember to check the temp. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, invest in one. It’s the easiest way to guarantee perfectly cooked meat.

Recipe Variations 

As mentioned, you can easily change up the flavor of these pork chops. Just play around with the spices until you find something you like.

Here’s a few options:

• Make them extra garlicky. I love garlic on just about everything. If you do, too, add an extra teaspoon of garlic powder to up the umami, garlicky goodness of the chops. Or, top the finished chops with melted garlic butter. 

• Add some heat. Mix some cayenne or red pepper flakes into the spice mixture. 

• Give them an Asian flair. Swap the parmesan for Panko breadcrumbs and add a dash of ginger. Those small changes will give you that sweet-n-savory Asian flavor. 

• Make BBQ chops instead. Cover the chops in BBQ sauce instead of coating them in a seasoning mixture. They’re a bit messier, but they taste just as good. 

What to Serve with Pork Chops 

You can serve whatever sides you like best with pork chops. But if you need inspiration, here are a few of my favorites sides: 

• Roasted Brussels sprouts. These crispy, caramelized Brussels sprouts are one of my all-time favorite sides. They taste fantastic with anything, including these pork chops. 

• Cracker Barrel mac and cheese. You can never go wrong with mac and cheese as a side dish. And this copycat Cracker Barrel mac and cheese is one of the best. 

• Green beans almondine. There’s something special about the salty crunch and garlicky goodness of these buttery beans. It’s an incredible side dish that’ll really set off your pork chops. 

• Texas Roadhouse rolls. You can’t have meat like pork chops or steak without fluffy, buttery rolls. These copycat Texas Roadhouse rolls definitely fit the bill.

• Oven-baked potato wedges. Move over, baked potatoes. These baked potato wedges are the perfect accompaniment to any main course. 

Storage Instructions 

You can store leftover chops in the fridge or freezer, depending on how soon you want to eat them.

Here’s how:

To Store in the Refrigerator. Transfer leftover chops to a shallow container (it doesn’t have to be airtight). Cover them with a lid or aluminum foil, and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

To Store in the Freezer. Place the cooled chops in freezer-safe bags. They should remain fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months. 

To Reheat. Reheat the chops in the air fryer at 380 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes until heated through. 

Other options include reheating them on the stove or in the microwave. Use a non-stick pan over medium heat or microwave on high in 30-second intervals. 

More Air Fryer Recipes To Try

Air Fryer Meatballs
Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks
Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Air Fryer Hash Browns
Air Fryer Quesadillas