Air Fryer Pork Chops (No Breading)

by

🍽️ Air Fryer Pork Chops (No Breading)

🔥 Crispy edges, juicy inside — no breading required!

⏱️ Total Time: 20–25 minutes

🍖 Servings: 2–4

📝 Ingredients:

  • 2–4 boneless or bone-in pork chops (¾ to 1 inch thick)

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Dry Rub (mix in a small bowl):

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp onion powder

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)

  • ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning

  • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • Optional: ¼ tsp chili powder or cayenne (for heat)

🔧 Equipment:

  • Air fryer (any model)

  • Tongs or spatula

👨‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Prep the Pork Chops:

  • Pat pork chops dry with paper towels.

  • Rub each chop with olive oil on both sides.

2. Season:

  • Generously coat both sides of each chop with the dry rub mixture.

  • Let rest for 5–10 minutes while you preheat the air fryer.

3. Preheat Air Fryer:

  • Set air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for 3–5 minutes if your model doesn’t preheat automatically.

4. Air Fry:

  • Place pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer (don’t overlap).

  • Cook for:

    • Boneless chops: 9–12 minutes total

    • Bone-in chops: 12–15 minutes total

  • Flip halfway through cooking (e.g., at the 5–7 minute mark).

5. Check Internal Temp:

  • Pork chops are done when they reach 145°F (63°C) internally.

  • Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.

6. Rest:

  • Remove from air fryer and let rest 3–5 minutes before serving (juices will redistribute).

🍽️ Serving Suggestions:

  • Garlic mashed potatoes

  • Roasted veggies or green beans

  • Apple chutney or grilled peaches on the side

  • Over a salad for a low-carb meal

❓ Q&A: Common Questions

Q: Can I use frozen pork chops?

A: Yes, but they must be thawed for even cooking and seasoning. For frozen-to-air fryer, increase cook time by 4–5 minutes and flip halfway.

Q: Can I marinate instead of dry rub?

A: Absolutely. A quick marinade of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs works great. Just dry the chops before air frying to avoid excess moisture.

Q: Why are my pork chops dry?

A: Likely overcooked. Use a meat thermometer and pull them at 145°F. Let them rest to retain moisture.

Q: What thickness works best?

A: Chops ¾” to 1″ thick are ideal. Thinner chops can dry out quickly; thicker ones may need a few extra minutes.

Q: Can I cook multiple chops at once?

A: Yes, as long as they’re in a single layer with space around each chop. Cook in batches if needed.

Q: How do I store leftovers?

A: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes.

Leave a Comment