Thin Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

Name: Thin Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 thin pork chops, boneless; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp dry pork rub (link for homemade rub is down below in the notes)

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Say goodbye to dry and tough pork chops! These thin pork chops in the air fryer are cooked to perfection in only 10 minutes! They are covered in a delicious spice rub, making them crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. These are perfect as a main dish on busy weeknights. This recipe is simple and easy to follow, so you will have dinner on the table in no time!

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Thin pork chops are one of my favorite things to cook in an air fryer. They cook evenly and quickly, and always come out juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

This is an easy pork chop recipe made with a simple dry rub that makes an easy weeknight dinner. Pork is a healthy protein that everyone loves, and these delicious air fryer pork chops have so much flavor.

Another great thing about cooking thin pork chops in an air fryer is that they're really versatile. You can season them any way you like.

I love using my Homemade Pork Rub recipe. Or you can get more creative with different herbs and spices.

These tender juicy pork chops pair well with all sorts of sides, from Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus to Oven-Roasted Potatoes to Broccoli Crunch Salad to a simple green salad.

If you haven't tried cooking thin pork chops in an air fryer yet, I highly recommend it! I think you'll love it as much as I do!

Another easy air fryer recipe for an easy dinner is my Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recip e, Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings, and Air Fryer Halibut.

👩🏻‍🍳 More easy air fryer recipes

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👩🏻‍🍳 More easy air fryer recipes
❤️ Why this recipe works
🐖 Ingredients
♨️ How to make boneless air fryer pork chops
📖 Substitutions
📖 Variations
🍽 Equipment
🌡️ Storage
💭 Top tips
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
🥗 What side dishes to serve with pork chop air fryer recipe?
🐖 More easy pork recipes
📋 Recipe
📑 Food safety
💬 Comments

❤️ Why this recipe works

The pork chops come out so tender and juicy, making for a delicious meal!
This is an easy recipe made with simple ingredients.
Very little effort is required to prep these chops.
These flavorful air fryer pork chops use far less oil than if you cooked them in a frying pan.
Because the pork chops are so thin, they cook quickly in the air fryer; meaning less time waiting for dinner!
This recipe will work for thick pork chops as well.
The cleanup is a breeze since the air fryer takes care of all the grease for you. Just wipe out any grease with a paper towel!
You can cook up to 6 pork chops at once, so it's perfect for feeding the whole family.

🐖 Ingredients

Thin pork chops are a great option for a quick and easy weeknight meal. And, when cooked in an air fryer, they come out nice and crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside.

The best part of this recipe is that all of the ingredients can be easily found in any grocery store.

Ingredients for pork chops in the air fryer on a wooden table.

Boneless pork chops. You can slice the pork chops in half to adjust their thickness. This easy air fry pork chops recipe works best with a single layer and thinner pork chops, but it is also excellent with thick boneless pork chops.
Dry rub for pork, or your favorite pork seasoning rub. The rub flavor seeps into the meat, giving it fantastic flavor. I used my favorite pork rub made with brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, ground mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper. This homemade rub for chicken also tastes great on pork too!
Olive oil. You can also use avocado oil.

See the recipe card for quantities.

♨️ How to make boneless air fryer pork chops

This recipe is super simple to make. Start by preheating the air fryer to 360° F.

Make the dry rub by mixing all the seasoning in a small bowl.

Choose equally-sized pork chops.

Brush the olive oil on the pork chops. This is used so the spice rub has something to adhere to.

A hand brushing oil onto the pork chops.

Apply the dry rub liberally to the pork chops. Cover the pork chops with oil and mixed seasoning on the top and the bottom as well as the sides of the pork chop.

A hand using a spoon to sprinkle dry rub on the pork chops.

Place the seasoned pork chops in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them.

Pork chops placed in the air fryer basket.

Air fry the pork chops at 360° F for 5 minutes, then flip them over.

A hand using tongs to flip the pork chops over halfway through the cooking time.

Cook them for 5 minutes more, until the internal temperature of the pork chops is 145° F.

A closeup of air fried pork chops in the air fryer basket.

Check the internal temperature of the pork chops with an instant read thermometer. Once the internal temperature of each piece reads 145 degrees F, remove pieces from the air fryer basket.

Allow the pork to rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

And that's it! Enjoy these tender pork chops with your favorite sides!

A closeup of tender pork chops placed on a cheese board.

📖 Substitutions

When it comes to easy air fryer pork chops, feel free to modify the ingredients to suit your taste. Some substitutions are:

Pork chops. Thinner chops will cook more quickly than thick chops, but feel free to cook any type of pork chop. Just remember that bone-in chops will take longer to cook than boneless chops. You can also use frozen pork chops instead, just increase the cooking time by a few extra minutes. This can be a convenient option if you don't have time to defrost the meat beforehand.
Spice rub. Use your favorite spice rub for pork. You could also use lemon pepper seasoning, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, thyme, or cayenne pepper to add a different flavor to the pork chops.
Olive oil. Olive oil is a neutral oil that goes great with anything. You could also use avocado oil since it has a high smoke point. Other options are vegetable oil or canola oil.

📖 Variations

You can use, tweak, and even add your own twist to give your juicy boneless pork chops distinct flavor variations each time you make them.

My favorite variations include:

BBQ Pork Chops: Apply your favorite BBQ sauce to the air fryer pork chops. Warm the sauce first, then brush it on the pork once it has rested at room temperature.
Air Fryer Pork Chops Parmesan: On top of the seasoning mixture, just add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Your kids will love this pork chop variation!
Air Fryer Ranch Pork Chops: Add a sprinkle of ranch seasoning mix. This is an excellent flavor your whole family will enjoy.
Breaded Air Fryer Pork Chops: Dip the pork chops in egg and then dredge in your favorite breadcrumbs for crispy pork chops. You can pair it with spaghetti sauce or simply dip them in your favorite dips, everyone will love it!

Or check out this recipe for Instant Pot Boneless Pork Chops!

🍽 Equipment

To make this air fryer pork chop recipe, you will need an air fryer. There are many different models of air fryers, and they all cook differently. Some are hotter and cook faster than others.

I made these pork chops in an Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer, and they cooked pretty quickly in it. However, my Ninja Foodi Air Fryer cooks a little slower so the cooking time needed to be increased slightly.

The cook times stated above are for reference only; depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your pork chops, they may require additional time.

Make sure you always consult the manual, which contains all the air fryer instructions and crucial safety information.

🌡️ Storage

Refrigerate leftover pork chops in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.

You can also store leftover pork chops in the freezer for up to 2 months. Make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag before freezing.

To reheat, thaw the frozen pork chops in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in the microwave or in the air fryer until warm.

💭 Top tips

For best results, make sure that the pork chops are similar in size to ensure even cooking.
Ensure the pork chops have some space between them so the hot air cooks the chops evenly.
Choose pork chops of excellent meat quality. Even if it is cooked to precision and seasoned to perfection, poor meat quality can have bad results.
The total cook time will depend on several factors, including the thickness of the pork chops and how hot your air fryer is.
Always use a digital thermometer to guarantee that your pork chops reach 145° F.
Don't cook the pork chops past 145 degrees F. The most common cause of tough and dry pork chops is that they are overdone.
Let the chops rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help ensure that they are nice and juicy!

A closeup of pork chops on a cutting board.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you keep thin pork chops from drying out?

Pork chops dry out if they are overcooked, so make sure not to overcook them. Also, always brush the pork chops with a thin layer of oil.

How do you know when thin pork chops are done?

The best way to tell if thin pork chops are done is to use a meat thermometer. Pork chops are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Should you wash off pork chops before cooking?

No, you should not wash off pork chops before cooking them. Washing meat can cause it to release harmful bacteria into the sink, which can then contaminate other foods. So it is best to just cook them as is.

How can you tell if a pork chop is done without a thermometer?

You can tell if a pork chop is done without a thermometer by cutting into it with a knife. If the juices run clear, the pork chop is done.

🥗 What side dishes to serve with pork chop air fryer recipe?

One of the best things about pork chops is that they go well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few ideas for sides:

🐖 More easy pork recipes

This air fryer thin pork chops recipe is fantastic for busy weeknights. This simple recipe, with its fast cooking time and convenient cooking process, will undoubtedly make it so much easier for you to make a healthy and nutritious meal for your family. The best thing is that it is not only simple to make, but also super tasty!

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