Skip to Content

Easy Air Fried Pork Chops

Air frying has become increasingly popular over the past decade, but it wasn’t always that way.

The first air fryers were originally designed as tools used by professional chefs to prepare food quickly without any fuss or mess.

What Is The Best Way To Cook Air Fried Pork Chops?

The secret behind this recipe is not only how fast they come out of the oven, but also how tender and flavorful they taste.

This method works with all kinds of meat from chicken to beef.

It doesn’t matter if you buy them pre-cut, cut them yourself, or use your own meat.

Pork chops can be cooked either on top of the stove or in an oven.

If you don’t have an air fryer, you should try these recipes instead:

  • How to deep fry a pork chop
  • Best Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

To learn more about air frying, check our guide below.

What Are Some Tips For Making Air Fried Pork Chops?

There are many different ways you can cook your pork chops using an air fryer, including baking, broiling, grilling, sautéing, and even poaching.

But if you want to try something new with your pork chops, then we recommend trying air frying them.

Pork chops are quick-cooking meats, so they work well when cooked in the air fryer – especially since you don’t need to worry about overcooking them.

When you use air frying, you will be able to get crispy skin on your pork chop while keeping the meat moist and flavorful.

This means that you won’t have to spend too much time at the stove preparing these tasty treats!

What Is The Best Temperature To Cook Air Fried Pork Chops?

The standard advice for cooking with an air fryer is to select your desired internal temperature (IBD) based on the type of food you want to eat.

For example, if you plan on eating meatloaf, then selecting IBD 170°F would be appropriate.

However, when dealing with pork chops, you will need to decide whether you want your pork chop cooked medium rare or well done.

  • Medium Rare – When choosing this option, the pork chop should still have a bit of pinkness around its edges, but not enough that it looks like blood dripping from the bone. Medium rare pork chops can typically be eaten within 15 minutes after they come out of the air fryer. This cooking method also produces the most tender pork chops.
  • Well Done – If you prefer your pork chops to be more evenly browned, choose this option instead. Well-done pork chops can usually be consumed immediately after they come out of the air fryer because there isn’t much difference between them and their raw counterparts.

How long do air fried pork chops take?

When using the recommended IBD setting, these pork chops took about 10 minutes to reach 145°F inside the center.

So, depending on how thick your pork chops are, you might find that they require a little longer than expected.

To achieve this level of doneness, we recommend turning up the fan speed until the display reads “Normal” at which point you will see the air fryer heat up significantly faster.

Once the air fryer reaches Normal mode, place the pork chop into the basket, close the lid, and let sit for 2 minutes before checking the temperature again.

Easy Air Fried Pork Chops

What Is The Best Oil To Use For Air Fried Pork Chops?

Pork chops can be delicious when cooked properly.

However, they aren’t exactly known for their tenderness.

This makes them perfect candidates for air frying.

But what kind of oil should I use?

That depends on your preference.

If you want something with more flavor, then olive oil will work well.

It won’t add much moisture to the cutlets which means it won’t affect how crispy they end up being.

You could also try using vegetable oil if you prefer a lighter taste.

The most important thing for an air fryer recipe is to ensure there is enough fat.

For this type of cooking, it’s very important to have plenty of grease because it allows the meat to brown evenly while retaining its juices.

So, depending on whether you like your pork chops extra fatty or not, choose a different oil based on your preferences.

How Long Do You Cook Air Fried Pork Chops?

The answer depends on how thick your pork chop was when you bought them at the butcher shop.

If they were thin enough, then 5-6 minutes should be sufficient time to get them up to medium rare temperature (120° F).

However, if you have thicker chops, then 7-8 minutes will work better for them.

This recipe comes from Food Network Magazine and uses boneless pork loin chops with an average thickness of 1/4 inch.

You can find similar cuts at most grocery stores.

It also calls for using a nonstick cooking spray instead of oil because the spray contains no fat.

I prefer using extra virgin olive oil for this recipe because it adds another layer of taste to the dish.

My preference may differ based upon what type of pork product you choose to buy at the store.

Preparation

  • Remove excess fat from pork chops.
  • Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat until hot.
  • Place pork chops into pan and cook for 3–5 minutes per side, depending upon their size.
  • Once done, place in an air fryer basket and return to the heated air fryer basket.
  • Cook for 6 – 8 minutes, turning halfway through cooking process.

Step 2: Cook air fried pork chops

  • Turn off air fryer basket and remove pork chops from basket.
  • Cut each pork chop into 4 pieces.
  • Season both sides of pork chops with salt & pepper.
  • Return pork chops back to basket and turn on your air fryer.
  • Cook for 5 -7 minuets, flipping once during cooking process.
Easy Air Fried Pork Chops

What Is The Best Way To Season Air Fried Pork Chops?

In this recipe I show you how to cook pork chops with an amazing seasoning sauce made from scratch using only pantry staples like soy sauce, chili powder, and cornstarch.

This recipe will take less than 30 minutes to prep and cook, so don’t worry about spending too much time on it.

  • Ingredients:
  • 1 pound pork loin chops (about 4 pieces)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Soy Sauce (I use Kikkoman brand)
  • Cornstarch
  • Hoisin Sauce (optional)
  • Lemon Juice
  • Instructions:
  • Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F / 190 degrees C.
  • Season your pork chops liberally with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Mix together 1 tablespoon of soy sauce with 2 teaspoons of corn starch.
  • Add one teaspoon at a time until mixture reaches desired consistency.
  • Pour hoisin sauce into a small bowl if you would like to add some extra flavor.
  • Brush both sides of each pork chop with the hoisin sauce.
  • Place pork chops into the air fryer basket and place them close together to ensure even cooking.
  • Cook for 15 – 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they reach 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Once cooked remove pork chops and allow to rest before serving.

How Do You Know When Air Fried Pork Chops Are Done?

Pork chops are one of our favorite foods for dinner because they can be prepared so many different ways.

However, this isn’t an excuse to eat them every day.

A lot of times we cook these tasty treats too often, which leads to us eating unhealthy.

That said, if you want to enjoy some fresh pork chops at home on special occasions such as birthdays, holidays, or even just once in awhile, then you should definitely learn how to properly cook them.

You may have heard about air frying before, but you might not know what it entails.

This method of cooking uses hot oil instead of traditional ovens.

If you don’t already own an air fryer, then consider buying one now.

It will help you save time and money while also giving your kitchen a much-needed upgrade.

If you decide to purchase an air fryer right away, then keep reading below for tips on how to care for your new appliance.

  • Don’t use aluminum pans with nonstick surfaces inside your air fryer.
  • Always preheat your air fryer to 375° F (190° C) before using it.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your cooked pork chops. You can find some great options online like this one from Amazon.
  • Remember to remove all racks and shelves after they cool down completely.
  • When storing your air fryer, never place it directly on its side.
  • Never put anything metal into your air fryer, including utensils.
  • Keep your air fryer clean and dry.

How to Season Your Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

The next step is to start preparing your pork tenderloin.

To achieve the best results, follow these simple steps:

Place your pork tenderloin onto a cutting board.

Remove the skin and excess fat around the edges of the meat.

Then cut the meat along both sides of the bone and discard the bones.

Cut each piece of pork into two pieces, making sure to leave enough uncut meat attached to the main body of the pork to create a flat surface.

Season your pork tenderloins with salt and pepper before placing them back on the cutting board.

Can You Overcook Air Fried Pork Chops?

Pork is one of those foods that can take on many different tastes depending on how well-done it is cooked.

In this case, we mean “well-done” in terms of tenderness rather than temperature.

You can definitely overcook an air fried pork chop if you don’t pay attention to timing.

However, with some careful planning, you can easily get your pork chops perfectly cooked every time.

What Are Some Common Mistakes People Make When Cooking Air Fried Pork Chops?

The biggest mistake most people have is not fully prepping their ingredients before placing them into an air fryer basket.

This can lead to undercooked meat, which will dry out and toughen up during storage, resulting in unappetizing flavors and textures.

If this happens, your pork chop may taste slightly bland and chewy instead of tender and juicy, with a crispy exterior.

Another big problem is overfilling your air fryer.

In order for your air fryer to cook your foods properly, they must be placed in a single layer so that all sides get equal exposure to heat.

If too many items are placed inside at once, they will steam rather than air fry.

Also, if there isn’t enough space between each item in the bowl, then the fat from one item could drip onto another food causing flare-ups and possibly burning everything on top.

Overcooking your air fried pork chops

When cooking pork chops, it’s important to remember that these cuts like to be cooked through.

Even though air frying doesn’t add much time to the process, it still takes longer than traditional methods because the temperature needs to remain constant throughout the entire cooking process.

If you place your pork chops directly into an oven after removing them from the air fryer basket, the internal temperature will continue to rise until it reaches well above 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 Celsius).

At such high temperatures, proteins begin to break down and lose moisture, making your pork chops tough and very difficult to chew.

To avoid overdone pork chops, follow these steps:

  • Remove pork chops from air fryer immediately after cooking.
  • Place pork chops in serving dish, cover tightly with foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Slice and serve.

Not cleaning your air fried pork chops thoroughly

Cleaning your air fryer is essential to ensure that bacteria and other contaminants don’t transfer from one batch of food to the next.

To clean your air fryer, simply run water through the basket using an air fryer brush.

For more information about how to clean your air fryer, check out our article here.

What Are Some

Common Mistakes When Cooking Air Fried Pork Chops

  • Overcooking: If you cut into your pork chop before it is cooked through, then you will end up with tough meat. It’s important to cook your pork chop all the way through because overcooking can cause it to dry out.
  • Not searing the chops on both sides: You should sear the outside of each pork chop so they get nice crispy edges. This allows for even browning and prevents them from drying out too much during the rest of the cooking process.
  • Under-frying: Don’t under-cook your pork chops because this will result in mushy pork or soggy breading. Make sure you cook them until no pink remains inside the center.
  • Using frozen pork chops: Be aware that using frozen pork chops may not be recommended if you want perfectly done, tender, moist pork chops. Frozen pork chops tend to have a lot of ice crystals which means less moisture than fresh pork chops.

How to Cook Pork Chops in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

If you don’t own an air fryer, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy delicious pork chops at home.

Here are two great options, one being how to cook pork chops in an instant pot pressure cooker.

Easy Air Fried Pork Chops

Easy Air Fried Pork Chops

There are many different ways you can cook your pork chops using an air fryer, including baking, broiling, grilling, sautéing, and even poaching. But if you want to try something new with your pork chops, then we recommend trying air frying them.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy Air Fried Pork Chops
Servings: 4
Calories: 452kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Air fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pork loin chops (about 4 pieces)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • Cornstarch Hoisin Sauce
  • 2 teaspoon Lemon Juice

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F / 190 degrees C.
  • Season your pork chops liberally with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Mix together 1 tablespoon of soy sauce with 2 teaspoons of corn starch.
  • Add one teaspoon at a time until mixture reaches desired consistency.
  • Pour hoisin sauce into a small bowl if you would like to add some extra flavor.
  • Brush both sides of each pork chop with the hoisin sauce.
  • Place pork chops into the air fryer basket and place them close together to ensure even cooking.
  • Cook for 15 – 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they reach 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Once cooked remove pork chops and allow to rest before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 2.5g | Fiber: 12g | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Follow me