Fresh from the Kitchen: Recipes & Food Inspiration

Key takeaways

Use similar-sized boneless pork chops for even cooking; thicker chops need longer, use a meat thermometer.
Season with a simple dry blend: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme.
Preheat air fryer to 375°F, rub with oil, cook about 8 to 12 minutes, flip once, remove at 145°F.
Weeknight-friendly and flavorful; compatible with Low-carb, Paleo, and Whole30; refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days.

Easy air fryer pork chops are a quick and flavorful dinner that comes together with simple ingredients. Pork chops are seasoned with a homemade seasoning, then cooked in the air fryer until tender and juicy. This simple yet delicious, this healthy (low-carb, paleo, Whole30) air fryer pork chop recipe cooks in less than 15 minutes!

Ingredients For Air Fryer Pork Chops

Boneless Pork Chops: This recipe uses 4 boneless pork chops. Try to use pork chops that are similar in size and thickness so they cook evenly in the air fryer. Boneless pork chops are lean, quick-cooking, and great for weeknight meals. Thicker pork chops will need more time than thin pork chops, so use a meat thermometer for best results.
Oil Of Your Choice: A little oil helps the seasoning stick to the pork chops and helps the outside brown in the air fryer. Avocado oil, olive oil, or another neutral cooking oil will work. You only need 1 tablespoon because the air fryer does not require much oil.
Salt: Salt enhances the natural flavor of the pork and helps bring out the other seasonings. This recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons, but you can reduce the amount if you are watching your sodium.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds savory flavor without the need to chop fresh garlic. It coats the pork chops evenly and works well in air fryer recipes because it will not burn as easily as fresh garlic.
Onion Powder: Onion powder adds another layer of savory flavor. It pairs well with garlic powder and helps create a simple but flavorful seasoning blend.
Paprika: Paprika adds mild flavor and gives the pork chops a nice color as they cook. You can use regular paprika or smoked paprika if you want a slightly smoky flavor.
Dried Thyme: Thyme adds an earthy, savory herb flavor. It helps balance the garlic, onion, and paprika while giving the pork chops a little more depth. If using fresh thyme instead, use about 1 tablespoon fresh thyme in place of the dried thyme.
Pepper: Black pepper adds a little bite and balances the salt and other seasonings. Use freshly ground black pepper if you have it.

collage of ingredients for Easy Air Fryer Pork Chops

How To Make Easy Air Fryer Pork Chops

Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F.
Rub the oil evenly over the pork chops.
In a small bowl mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and thyme. Rub the seasoning evenly over each pork chop.
Add the pork chops to the air fryer. You may need to cook them in batches depending on how large your air fryer is.
Cook 8 to 12 minutes (see notes below), flipping the pork chops halfway through cooking. You’ll know they’re done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.

overhead shot of uncooked pork chop in a black air fryer — before

overhead shot of cooked pork chop in a black air fryer — after

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Quick and easy: These pork chops cook fast, making them perfect for dinner any night of the week.
Simple ingredients: You only need pork chops, oil, and pantry seasonings.
No breading needed: This recipe keeps things easy with a flavorful dry seasoning blend.
Flavorful: Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper give the pork chops a savory, well-seasoned taste.
Cooks perfectly: The air fryer cooks the pork chops quickly while giving them a lightly crisp outside.
Low-carb, Paleo, Whole30: This recipe is naturally low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 compatible (when using a compliant oil).
Easy to pair with sides: Serve these pork chops with rice, vegetables, potatoes, mashed cauliflower, or a paired with a salad.

FAQs & Tips

What are pork chops?

Pork chops are a versatile cut of pork from the loin of the pig. The loin is a muscle that runs from the shoulder to the rear of the pig. All pork chops are from this area but they can come in different cuts like loin rib chops, shoulder shops, and sirloin chops. You can use your preferred cut for this air fryer pork chop recipe.

Should you use boneless or bone-in?

I like to use boneless pork chops for this recipe but technically bone-in pork chops will work too. Boneless pork chops are the same as a bone-in, just with the bone removed and usually the fat trimmed. If you use bone-in pork chops, please note that they usually take longer to cook. Rule of thumb, pork needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

How do you keep the pork chops from drying out?

Do not overcook them. Boneless pork chops are lean and can dry out quickly. Use a meat thermometer and remove them from the air fryer as soon as they reach 145°F.

Do you need to flip the pork chops?

You do not technically need to but I suggest it. Flipping the pork chops halfway through cooking helps them cook evenly on both sides.

How will you know when it’s done?

Boneless pork chops usually cook in the air fryer at 375°F for 8 to 12 minutes. Thin pork chops will cook closer to 8 minutes, while thicker pork chops may need 10 to 12 minutes. The best way to know when pork chops are done is to use a thermometer. Pork chops are safe to eat when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

How do you store this?

Store leftover easy air fryer pork chops in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

overhead shot of sliced air fryer pork chop on a bed of wild rice in a white bowl

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