Air Fryer Fried Pork Chops
These juicy air fryer fried pork chops are a simple, healthy, and high protein meal. There’s no breading needed. Just rub both sides of the boneless pork chops with BBQ seasoning and air fry for dinner in 15 minutes!
Air Fryer Fried Pork Chops Recipe
If you’re looking for ideas for 30 minute meals to make, then add this boneless pork chops recipe to your list of new ones to try.
All you need are three ingredients and 15 minutes to make this high protein dinner. This recipe is perfect for beginners, and my favorite way to make fried pork chops without breading.
Thanks to the bbq seasoning, the meal is packed with fragrant, rich, and smoky flavors.
Learn how to cook anything in your air fryer with our free cook time chart!
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!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthier than deep frying. Air fryer fried pork chops don’t require any breading, and only a spritz of oil, so they’re high in protein and low in fat.
- Compliant with diet and eating plans. This pork chop recipe is naturally gluten free, and compliant with keto, Whole30, and paleo diets.
- Quick and easy clean-up. Air fryers are simple to clean! Just wash the basket and any dishes you used to eat, then relax for the rest of the evening!.
Ingredients
Before you head to the grocery store, make sure you have everything you need to make this recipe. For air fryer fried pork chops, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- boneless pork chops – Most boneless chops are between 6 and 8 ounces each. To feed a family of four, I suggest buying 2 pounds of meat. To keep the cook time short, I like to use 1-inch chops in the air fryer.
- cooking oil – Whatever cooking oil you have on hand is fine. I like to use either avocado oil or olive oil.
- BBQ seasoning – Making your own spice blend ensures that it’s sugar-free, and that there are no chemical preservatives.
Substitutions and Variations
- pork chops: If you prefer, you can use thin pork chops or bone-in pork chops. For bone-in pork chops, lower the air fryer temperature to 380° F., and add 1-3 minutes of cooking time.
- BBQ seasoning: My spice blend is made with chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and salt. Feel free to substitute with your favorite store-bought blend.
- For spicy air fryer fried pork chops, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the bbq spice blend. Or, go the other direction and add extra sweetness instead! Just mix in a teaspoon of brown sugar to the BBQ rub.
- For cheesy flavor, add 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese to the seasoning rub. A little cheesy crispiness on the outside of the meat is just perfection. For extra bbq flavor, brush each chop with bbq sauce the last 3 minutes of cooking.
Easily modify the flavor of this dish by substituting any type of seasonings you prefer, like ranch seasoning mix, Italian seasoning, or Greek seasoning.
Would you rather marinate the meat? Use my BBQ pork chop marinade!
How to Make Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Prep the air fryer and chops. While the air fryer is preheating to 400° F., grab a few paper towels or napkins. Use them to pat the pork chops dry.
- Sprinkle with seasoning. After you sprinkle on the BBQ rub, use your hands to gently massage it into both sides of the meat.
- Spray or brush the air fryer basket with a little oil, then carefully place the pork chops in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between each piece.
- Air fry pork chops for 12-14 minutes, stopping halfway to flip them over.
- Check for doneness. Use an instant-read digital thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest portion of the chops.
Per the National Pork Board, pork is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
Tips for Success
For the juiciest air fryer fried pork chops, follow these helpful tips:
- Avoid overcrowding the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook your chops in batches. To get evenly cooked pork chops, the air must be able to circulate around each piece.
- Be sure to flip the pork over halfway through cooking, so both sides have a crispy coating.
- Allow the meat to rest for at least 3 minutes before slicing. If you skip this step, all of the juices inside of the meat will run out onto your plate, leaving you with dry pork chops.
- 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.
- 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.
Looking for a different cooking method? You can also enjoy pork chops made in the Instant Pot or crockpot pork chops.
Serving Suggestions
Traditional Side Dishes: Cooking air fryer pork chops means that you can be a bit more hands-on with the side dishes if you want. So serve up some dairy free mashed potatoes and bacon wrapped asparagus for classic sides.
Air Fryer Sides: You can make the most delicious roasted vegetables, using 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! Make some air fryer baby carrots and air fryer broccoli. Just keep them warm while you cook the pork chops, then everything is ready to go.
Watching that carb intake? Serve up this easy pork chop recipe with some mashed cauliflower and zucchini and onions.
Don't forget some extra bbq sauce as a dipping sauce for air fryer boneless pork chops.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Fried Pork Chops
Store your leftovers in an airtight container, or wrap them tightly in foil. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place back into the air fryer with a few minutes of cook time, or pop them into a 350°F. oven for 15 to 20 minutes. I do not recommend reheating pork in the microwave, as it can easily get tough.
Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tips for Success
- 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.
- 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.
- Leave space between each pork chop. To get evenly cooked pork chops, the air must be able to circulate around each piece. If you have a smaller air fryer, cook one pork chop at time.
Air Fryer Fried Pork Chops Recipe FAQ
Boneless pork chops, bout 1 inch thick, are the best cut for this air fryer pork chops recipe. If you want juicy and tender chops, a thin cut is best so that they cook so evenly and quickly!
Since pork chops are lean cut of meat, they can become tough and dry when overcooked. For an air fryer pork chop recipe that results in juicy pork, make sure to take the chops out of the air fryer basket as soon as the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
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 making these simple air fryer pork chops.
Other Air Fryer Dinner Ideas
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Italian Pork Tenderloin
- BBQ Meatloaf
- Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
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Juicy Air Fryer Fried Pork Chops
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless pork chops 4 chops, each about 8 ounces
- 1 tablespoon oil avocado oil or olive oil
- 2-3 tablespoons sugar-free bbq seasoning or store-bought bbq seasoning blend
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Meanwhile, use paper towels to 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.
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.
- If your boneless chops are thin, 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 ensure even cooking, leave space between each chop so the air can circulate.
- For extra bbq flavor, brush each chop with sugar-free bbq sauce during the last 3 minutes of air frying.
- Add up to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper for extra flavor.
