Go Back

Air Fryer Pork Chops - Juicy & Tender 12 Min

Pork chops are the most underrated air fryer protein. Most people think of chicken wings and fries first, but pork chops cook beautifully in the air fryer — fast, evenly, and with a gorgeous golden crust that locks in every drop of juice. These air fryer pork chops need no breading, no flour, and no
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 boneless pork chops (about 200g each, 2cm thick)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary (or thyme)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Bring to Room Temperature and Score: Remove pork chops from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Cold meat going into a hot air fryer cooks unevenly — the outside overcooks while the center stays cool. Pat the chops completely dry with paper towels. If there's a band of silver skin or fat around the edge, make shallow cuts through it every 2cm. This prevents the chops from curling up as they cook.
  2. Step 2: Make the Seasoning Paste: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir into a thick paste. Rub this mixture evenly over both sides of each pork chop, using your fingers to massage it into the meat. The oil helps the spices adhere and promotes browning. You can cook immediately, or let the chops marinate for 15–30 minutes for deeper flavor.
  3. Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket: Place the seasoned pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them. Do not overlap or stack. The hot air needs to circulate freely around each chop for even browning and cooking. If you're cooking more than 2 chops, work in batches. Crowding the basket is the fastest way to end up with pale, steamed pork instead of golden, seared pork.
  4. Step 4: Air Fry at 200°C for 12 Minutes: Cook at 200°C (390°F) for 12 minutes. At the 6-minute mark, flip the chops using tongs. The first side should be lightly golden. After flipping, continue cooking until the second side is equally golden and the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F). Use an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chop — this is the only way to guarantee perfect doneness without guessing.
  5. Step 5: Rest and Serve: Transfer the cooked pork chops to a plate and let them rest for 3–5 minutes. This rest period is crucial — it allows the juices that were driven to the center during cooking to redistribute back into the meat. Cutting immediately causes those juices to run out onto the plate, leaving you with dry pork. After resting, slice against the grain and serve with your favorite sides.