These juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops are easy as can be to make, plus they’re actually good for you! The pork is rubbed with a tasty BBQ seasoning blend and no breading, so you just need 3 ingredients and 15 minutes!
Why It Works
If you’re looking for delicious, juicy pork chops cooked in the air fryer, this is the recipe for you!
You might be surprised to learn how easy it is to cook delicious pork chops in the air fryer. You only need three ingredients and fifteen minutes to make them!
You might be more surprised to learn that they’re jam-packed with delicious flavor, even when prepared without breading!
That’s because the bbq seasoning rub has a fragrant, rich, and smokey flavor, which perfectly compliments the tender pork chops.
Just like when cooking eggs and chicken drumsticks in the air fryer, there are some important tips and tricks to make sure they’re delicious, so read on!
Ingredients
Ingredients Notes:
- I prefer to use boneless pork chops, about 1 inch thick, but you can use thin pork chops or bone-in pork chops (just note that it will adjust the cooking time).
- The bbq seasoning rub is made with chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and salt. You can use your favorite store-bought blend or make your own following the recipe below!
- Easily modify the flavor of this recipe by substituting any type of seasonings you prefer, like Ranch Seasoning, Italian seasoning, or Greek seasoning.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the pork chops.
While the air fryer preheats, grab a few paper towels or napkins and pat the pork chops dry on all sides.
Next, sprinkle them generously with the bbq seasoning. Use your hands to rub the seasoning in a bit, so each piece is seasoned evenly on all sides.
👉 Tip: You can prep the pork chops in advance! Once the pork chops are seasoned, cover the plate with plastic wrap or place the chops in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking.
Step 2: Air fry the pork chops!
Spray or brush the air fryer basket with a little oil, then carefully place the pork chops in the basket, leaving space between each piece.
Cook for 12-14 minutes, stopping halfway to flip the pork chops.
👉 Tip: Use long, plastic-tipped tongs to add and flip the pork chops. It helps to avoid burning your wrists and also protects the air fryer from scratches.
Step 3: Finish cooking and serve.
Once the internal temperature of the pork chops reaches 145°F (63°C), remove the pork chops and set them aside to rest for at least 3 minutes, per USDA.
Recipe Variations
- To make spicy pork chops, add 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the bbq spice rub.
- For extra sweetness, add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar to the bbq spice rub.
- For extra flavor, add 2 Tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese to the spice rub.
- If you’re cooking thin pork chops, subtract 1-2 minutes from the cooking time.
- If you’re cooking bone-in pork chops, lower the air fryer temperature to 380°F (204°C) and add 1-3 minutes of cooking time.
- Try my Double BBQ pork chop marinade for extra flavor!
Expert Tips
- Make sure to preheat the air fryer! This will lead to juicy and evenly cooked chops.
- For extra bbq flavor, brush each chop with bbq sauce the last 3 minutes of cooking.
- Leave space between each pork chop. To get evenly cooked pork chops, the air must be able to circulate around each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to cook anywhere from 1-4 pork chops at a time.
- To make sure you don’t overcook and dry out the meat, make sure to use an instant-read meat thermometer to determine when the pork chops have reached 145°F (63°C).
- For the most delicious roasted vegetables, use the rendered grease at the bottom of the air fryer basket in place of oil. Toss any kind of veggie in the grease, then roast or air fry them!
Recipe FAQ
Boneless pork chops (about 1 inch thick) are the best cut for the air fryer if you want juicy, tender chops because they cook so evenly and quickly!
Boneless pork chops cooked in the air fryer at 400°F (204°C) should take about 12-14 minutes to cook, depending on the thickness of the chops.
Because pork chops are lean, they become tough and dry when they’re overcooked. For tender, juicy pork, make sure to take the chops out of the air fryer as soon as the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
Serve pork chops with extra bbq sauce and your favorite air fryer sides like zucchini and onions, baby potatoes, roasted baby carrots, broccoli, or spaghetti squash.
You can cook frozen pork chops in the air fryer, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Pork chops are a very lean cut, and the longer cooking time required to bring frozen meat to proper temperature would result in the loss of a lot of the moisture in the meat. That means the cooked pork will likely be very dry and tough. For best taste, it’s better to fully defrost pork chops before cooking.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Kielbasa (Polish Sausage)
- Italian Pork Tenderloin
- 1 lb. BBQ Meatloaf
- Crispy Pork Belly Bites
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I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe!
Please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom.
Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops (No Breading)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2/3 lb. boneless pork chops (about 1/3 – 1/2 lb. each chop)
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 2-3 Tablespoons bbq seasoning or mix together 3/4 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder.
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Meanwhile, pat the pork chops dry on all sides. Sprinkle them generously with the bbq seasoning. Rub the seasoning on all sides so each piece is seasoned evenly.
- Spray or brush the air fryer basket with a little oil, then carefully place the pork chops in the basket, leaving space between each piece. Cook for 12-14 minutes, stopping halfway to flip the pork chops.
- Once the internal temperature of the pork chops reaches 145°F (63°C), remove the pork chops and set them aside to rest for at least 3 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- To prep the pork chops in advance, coat the chops in the rub, then cover the plate with plastic wrap or place the chops in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking.
- Add up to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper and/or 1 teaspoon brown sugar to the bbq spice rub for extra flavor.
- If cooking thin pork chops, subtract 1-2 minutes from the cooking time.
- If cooking bone-in pork chops, lower the air fryer temperature to 380°F (204°C) and add 1-3 minutes of cooking time.
- To get evenly cooked pork chops, leave space between each chop so the air can circulate.
- For extra bbq flavor, brush each chop with bbq sauce before the last 3 minutes of cooking.
