These boneless air fryer thin pork chops are one of my easiest weeknight dinner recipes. If you're looking for an easy way to cook thin pork chops in the air fryer without drying them out, this is it. They're quick, juicy, and full of flavor - no breading, no marinating - and ready in about 10 minutes.
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Finding the perfect timing for air fryer thin pork chops took some trial and error in my kitchen. Because they are so lean, they can turn into 'hockey pucks' in a matter of seconds. I've used this no-breading method for years because it uses a high-flavor dry rub and precise timing to ensure the pork stays juicy and tender, even without a marinade.
Recipe at a Glance
- Cook Method: Air Fryer
- Equipment: Any standard air fryer (Ninja, Cosori, Instant Vortex).
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Pork Chop Type: Thin-cut, boneless
- Best For: Busy weeknights, quick dinners
- Diet: Gluten-free, low carb
Jump to:
- Recipe at a Glance
- Why These Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops Work
- What People Are Saying
- Reader Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How to Cook Thin Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
- Doneness Notes
- Jeri's Top Tips
- What to Serve with These Pork Chops
- Variations
- Storage and Reheating
- Recipe FAQs
- More Easy Pork Recipes
- More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Printable Recipe
- Comments
Why These Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops Work
- Fast cooking: Thin pork chops cook in about 10 minutes total.
- Even heat: The air fryer's circulating fan prevents hot spots.
- Juicy results: Quick browning locks in moisture.
- Minimal oil: You get great texture without frying.
- Consistent results: No guessing, no dry pork chops.
Serve these pork chops with Asian Broccoli or Greek Cucumber Salad for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
What People Are Saying
Don't just take my word for it; here's what some folks on Pinterest who've tried this recipe had to say:
Reader Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"These were delicious! The rub gives them a great flavor. Even my picky 4 and 5 yr old ate them and asked for seconds!" - Lauren
"Made these last night in my air fryer. They were wonderful- tender and juicy. We will have them again soon." - Judy
Amazing - I would never have tried air fryer for thin pork chops. I used the rub that came with the recipe which was good but I like a little heat so next time I will use Cajun seasoning. My chops could have done with a little less cooking time. Next time I will reduce by 5 minutes. - Eva
Ingredients You'll Need
The secret to juicy pork chops lies in the simple ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- Pork chops. I use ½-inch thick boneless pork chops, which are perfect for the air fryer. If your chops are thicker, slice them horizontally or increase cook time slightly. If using bone-in, follow my Air Fryer Bone-in Pork Chops recipe instead.
- Seasoning. I use my Homemade Pork Rub, which includes brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground mustard, salt, and black pepper. It caramelizes quickly and gives you that 'grilled' look. My Homemade Rub for Chicken is delicious, too. Shortcut: Store-bought pork seasoning, Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or lemon pepper all work well.
- Oil. A light brush of olive oil or avocado oil (which has a higher smoke point) helps the seasoning stick and keeps the pork juicy. You can also use a thin layer of Dijon mustard for a no-oil option.
How to Cook Thin Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
It's super easy to make these tender pork chops. Here's what you do:
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F. Mix the seasoning in a small bowl.
- Dry pork chops with a paper towel. Brush the pork chops all over with olive oil.
- Season the chops generously on all sides.
- Arrange the seasoned pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them.
- Air fry pork chops at 360°F for 5 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Check that they're done - they should be golden brown and 145°F internally when you use a meat thermometer. Let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Doneness Notes
- Thin pork chops cook quickly - start checking at 8 minutes.
- Overcooking is the #1 reason pork chops turn dry.
- Slightly pink in the center is okay at 145°F.
Jeri's Top Tips
- Use pork chops that are the same thickness.
- Leave space between the chops in the air fryer basket for airflow.
- Flip halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Pull at 145°F - don't guess.
What to Serve with These Pork Chops
These pork chops go great with all sorts of side dishes. Some of my favorites are:
Variations
- BBQ Pork Chops: Brush with BBQ sauce during the last 2 minutes.
- Parmesan Crusted: Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese after flipping.
- Ranch Flavor: Use ranch seasoning mix instead of my spice blend.
- Breaded: Dip in egg, coat in Panko breadcrumbs, and spray lightly with oil.
Related Recipes: Air Fryer Thin Chicken Breasts and Instant Pot Boneless Pork Chops.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap them with plastic wrap, then put them in a freezer bag. They'll keep for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Let them thaw in the fridge overnight if they're frozen. Then warm them in the air fryer at 350° for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Cook quickly, use oil or mustard, and don't exceed 145°F.
Yes, season and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead.
Yes. Cook in batches so the pork chops are not crowded.
Printable Recipe
Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 thin-cut boneless pork chops (approx. ½-inch thick)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 tablespoon dry pork rub recipe below - store leftovers in a jar for future use
Homemade Pork Rub
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 360°F. Preheating ensures the pork chops begin browning immediately to lock in those juices.
- Season: Pat the chops dry with a paper towel. Brush both sides with olive oil (or a thin layer of Dijon mustard). In a small bowl, mix your rub: 2 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon dry mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Coat the pork generously on all sides, using your hands to press the spices into the meat.
- Air Fry: Place the chops in the basket in a single layer. Do not overlap. Air fry at 360°F for 8-10 minutes total, flipping halfway through at the 5-minute mark. Start checking the internal temp with a meat thermometer at the 8-minute mark. Pull the pork chops when they reach 145°F.
- Rest: Transfer them to a plate and let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This gives the juices time to redistribute so they don't run out the moment you cut into them.
Video
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Notes
- Check Early: Every air fryer is different. Thinner chops can finish as early as 7 or 8 minutes. Always pull at 145°F to prevent them from drying out.
- No Oil Option: You can swap the oil for a thin layer of Dijon mustard to help the seasoning stick.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat at 350°F for 2 minutes to keep them from getting rubbery.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
**This post was originally published in June 2022. I have recently updated it with more information and helpful tips, but the recipe remains the same.
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Tina says
My whole family loved these pork chops! So delicious!
Katie says
These pork chops were so good! Definitely making them all summer long!
Leslie says
Oh how I love my air fryer! What a great dinner recipe that's ready in just 15 minutes~so perfect!
Alexandra says
This is a fantastic way of preparing pork chops! I am new to air fryer cooking, but I was thrilled with how they came out - juicy and perfectly cooked. Thank you for the tip for using a thin layer of oil to help keep the chops moist.
Oscar says
I love easy air fryer recipes like this one. The pork chops came out juicy and tender, the spice rub was perfect.
Sherri says
Thank You So MuchLove ❤ Really Good !!! Love Chick ✔ ✅ 🛫 it
Jeri Walker says
You're very welcome, Sherri! I'm happy you enjoyed the recipe and found it delicious - thank you for leaving a comment and showing your love for it! 🙂
Rod says
Great, Delicious, Fast.
Pam says
I like that you say ‘why’ you use olive oil. It keeps them moist AND seals in the juices. I’m having trouble cooking thin pork chops. This recipe helped. I think I’ve been over cooking them for fear of eating raw pork. The pork chop still looks pink near the bone, but the juices run clear, so I think it’s okay.
Jeri says
Thank you for trying out my pork chop recipe, Pam! I'm so glad to hear you found it helpful! It's true that cooking pork chops can be a little tricky, but as long as they're cooked to a safe internal temperature and the juices run clear, they should be just fine. 🙂
Cheryl says
Loved the pork Chops came out nice and juicy. Thanks for sharing
Jeri Walker says
Thanks so much, Cheryl! I'm glad you liked them! 🙂