Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fryer pork chop recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Pork Chops:
One of the things I’m proud of with this recipe is that you can use it for any kind of pork chops you have, as I’ve tested different types and thicknesses. Both loin chops and rib chops work fine. There are two aspects that will affect the cooking time:
Bone-in vs. boneless: I usually cook boneless pork chops in the air fryer, because they are easier to eat and with this method there’s not much concern with dryness, anyway. But I’ve tested bone-in pork chops as well, and they taste delicious! Bone-in cuts do have more flavor, but take a bit longer to cook. Thickness: My recipe will work with chops of any thickness, but choose ones that are all about the same, so that they cook at the same rate. The best air fryer pork chops I’ve made were 1 inch thick, but if all you can find is 1/2 inch, they will work fine.
Seasonings:
I go for my quick and easy pork chop marinade most often, but I’ve also used my simple seasoning for pork chops on busy days. Here’s what goes into each of them, so you can decide:
Marinade option – My marinade makes the best pork chops I’ve had! You only need 5 ingredients — olive oil, coconut aminos (or soy sauce or tamari would also work), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and pressed garlic cloves — plus salt and pepper. The key ingredients here are the oil (locks in moisture), the lemon juice (makes the pork tender), and the coconut aminos (for flavor and a hint of sweetness).
Seasoning option – If you don’t have time to marinate your chops, you can just brush them with oil, season, and cook them right away instead. My go-to seasoning blend includes simple staples most home cooks have on hand: garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. I recommend 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound of pork. You can also just season simply with salt and pepper if you’re really in a rush.
How To Cook Pork Chops In The Air Fryer
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
How Long To Cook Pork Chops In The Air Fryer?
Typical 1-inch-thick pork chops in the air fryer take about 12-14 minutes to cook. Thinner ones will cook more quickly. There’s also a difference between boneless and bone-in cuts — on average, air fryer boneless pork chops will cook 1-2 minutes faster than bone-in.
Bring the pork to room temperature if you can. Just take them out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. This allows them to cook more evenly. Don’t marinate for longer than 12 hours. They can get mushy if you leave them in the marinade for longer than that. If it will be longer than 1 hour, place in the refrigerator. Preheat your air fryer. I don’t do this for some of my other air fryer recipes, but with air fryer pork chops it makes a difference! Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. There should be a small space between the pieces. If there isn’t enough room, cook them in batches. Use a thermometer if possible. The air fryer can do amazing things, but pork chops are a lean cut of meat, so you can still overcook them! I just stick this probe thermometer into the thickest part of one of the chops before I close the air fryer, just in case. You can also use a regular meat thermometer, I just love the convenience of the probe. The ideal internal temperature is 145 degrees F, but the temp rises a few degrees while they rest. So, I usually remove them at 140-143 degrees F and let them come to 145 while resting. If you don’t have a thermometer at all, my handy time chart below is the next-best thing! Frozen pork chops work, too. They do taste better if you thaw them first, but I’ve gotten decent results cooking them frozen last-minute. Just cook for 3-5 minutes first, then season them and return to the air fryer for the remaining time.
After preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees F, use my handy cook time chart below for perfect, juicy results:
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. I usually dice them and toss into soups or serve sliced over salads, but you can also enjoy them whole later. Reheat: You can reheat pork chops in the air fryer, too! I prefer to set the temperature low, about 200 degrees F, and heat for about 10 minutes. But if you don’t have much time, just a few minutes at 350 degrees F or even reheating in the microwave will work just fine. Freeze: You can freeze cooked pork chops in a zip lock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer pork chops are kind of a blank canvas — they go with almost everything! Here are some ways I like to serve them:
Air Fryer Vegetables – This is my go-to side dish with these! I usually cut and season the veggies while I have the pork chops in the air fryer, then quickly air fry them while the meat rests. Try my air fryer brussels sprouts, air fryer cauliflower, or just make mixed air fryer vegetables with whatever you have on hand. Potatoes – Pairing this main dish with my simple roasted potatoes or creamy mashed sweet potatoes makes it feel like true comfort food! I actually make air fryer roasted potatoes most often, though, by my kids’ request. If you need a lighter alternative, my fried radishes or cauliflower mash are for you. Simple Salads – When I want a lighter meal, I serve these with my sweet kale salad, crunchy and creamy cucumber salad, or tangy artichoke salad. Roasted Veggies – If you want to time your side dish to be done at exactly the same time as your air fryer pork chops, you can start roasting vegetables while the pork is marinating. Some of my favorites are roasted asparagus, roasted zucchini, and roasted eggplant. When I took the pictures in this post, I opted for roasted broccoli.
More Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
It might come as a surprise that my all-time fave main dish to cook in this little appliance has been air fryer filet mignon! But when you need more common everyday staples, here are my most popular ones:
My Tools For This Recipe
Air Fryer – This one is my go-to basket-style air fryer, shown in the photos, as it cooks very evenly and has a large basket. When I want to make pork chops in the air fryer for a bigger crowd, I take this air fryer oven out from storage, as it can hold multiple racks. Probe Thermometer – This one I have beeps when your meat reaches the correct temperature. It’s so convenient for pork chops, and I also use it for all my steaks, like sirloin and New York strip.
Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Only 1/4 of the marinade is included in the nutrition calculation, as a lot is discarded after marinating.
