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The Ultimate Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops with Crispy Crust

Two seasoned and perfectly cooked air fryer pork chops resting on a white plate, showing a juicy interior.

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Achieve perfectly tender, juicy air fryer pork chops with a crispy exterior every time. This simple, no-fuss recipe is engineered for fast weeknight dinners and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (1-inch thick) boneless or bone-in pork chops
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil spray
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork chops completely dry using paper towels. This step is critical for achieving a crispy exterior.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and thyme to create the spice rub.
  3. Lightly spray both sides of the pork chops with oil or brush with a thin layer of oil.
  4. Generously coat both sides of the pork chops with the spice rub, pressing the seasoning onto the meat.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for at least 5 minutes.
  6. Place the seasoned pork chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
  7. Air fry for 10 to 14 minutes total, flipping the chops halfway through the cooking time (around the 6-minute mark). The exact time depends on the thickness of your chops.
  8. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Remove the pork chops when they reach 140°F (60°C) for medium-rare or 145°F (63°C) for medium.
  9. Transfer the cooked pork chops to a cutting board and let them rest, tented loosely with foil, for 5 minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, guaranteeing a tender result.

Notes

  • For the juiciest results, use thick-cut pork chops (at least 1 inch). Thin chops cook too fast and are easy to overcook.
  • If you are using bone-in chops, add 1-2 minutes to the total cook time.
  • For an extra crispy crust without breading, spray the chops lightly with oil again just before the final flip.

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