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Air Fryer Pork Chops

These air fryer pork chops are crispy on the outside, yet mouth-wateringly juicy on the inside. Seasoned to perfection and ready in under 15 minutes, this pork chop recipe guarantees to elevate any dish you pair it with.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer pork, air fryer pork chops, pork chops
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings 3 pork chops
Calories 275kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 pork chops (1 inch thick - dried with a paper towel)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (approximately)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup (approximately)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or more if you desire)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder

Instructions

  • For each pork chop, you will add a dime size drop of olive oil in your hand, rub your hands together and then rub it on both sides of the chop. (So you will do this 3 times if doing 3 chops like I did.)
    3 pork chops, 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • For each pork chop, you will add a dime size drop of maple syrup in your hand, rub your hands together and then rub it on both sides of the chop. (You will also do this 3 times if doing 3 chops like I did.)
    1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • Preheat the air fryer at 380 degrees, it will take 5 minutes. If you have the tray/oven type of air fryer, remove the trays, preheat at 380 degrees and set the timer to 13 minutes.
  • Add the herbs and spices (rub) to a small mixing bowl. Take a whisk and whisk until the ingredients are combined.
    1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard, 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • Sprinkle the rub on each chop and rub it into the meat. Flip over the chops and repeat. I keep rubbing and sprinkling until the rub mixture is used up.
  • If you have the tray type of air fryer, add the chops on the tray, leaving room between each one.
  • Once the air fryer comes to temperature, add the pork chops to the basket leaving room between each chop. Set the temperature to 380 F and the timer to 13 minutes. If you have the tray type, add to the air fryer.
  • After 6 minutes, flip the pork chops over and continue cooking.
  • After 11 minutes, check the temperature. The pork chops are done at 145 F. (I have found it needs the 13 minute cooking time, but each oven is different.)
  • Plate
  • Smile
  • Enjoy

Notes

Helpful tips
  • If you can, get heritage pork because the heritage breeds are usually not kept in confinement so the animals are happier and healthier. Heritage pork also often has more fat which makes it moist, flavorful, and hard to overcook. I get my heritage pork from ButcherBox.
  • The cooking time will be the same whether you use the basket type as I did or the oven/tray type of air fryer. The only difference is how you preheat the equipment: you remove oven trays but leave the basket in while the unit preheats.
  • Pork should be cooked to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. I use an instant-read thermometer. You will need to wait 5 minutes before cutting into the chops to allow the juices to reabsorb and distribute evenly.
  • I prefer to use boneless pork chops in the air fryer, but if you use a chop with bone in, add 2 minutes to the cooking time.
  • Check the temperature of the pork chops in the air fryer after 11 minutes to see if it has come to temperature just to make sure you aren't going to over cook them. I do find the pork chops need the 13 minutes, but it's better to be safe than sorry, especially if your chops are thinner.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pork chop | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 844mg | Potassium: 547mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 232IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg