These boneless air fryer thin pork chops are a real winner for busy weeknights. They're super juicy, full of flavor, and ready in no time. With just a few pantry staples and 10 minutes in the air fryer, you'll have a dinner that everyone will love.
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Why I Love These Air Fryer Pork Chops
As a busy mom who's always rushing to get dinner on the table, I'm always looking for quick recipes that actually taste good. These air fryer pork chops have now become my go-to when I need something fast and delicious.
I was pretty skeptical at first about cooking pork chops so quickly. I mean, who hasn't had a dry, tough pork chop before? But let me tell you, these turned out amazing. They were perfectly cooked - nice and brown on the outside but still juicy inside. And the seasoning? It's simple but so good - a little sweet, a little spicy, and it really adds a ton of flavor.
Serve these pork chops with Asian Broccoli or Greek Cucumber Salad for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Why the Air Fryer Works So Well for Pork Chops
I'm a huge air fryer fan, especially for these pork chops. I love how:
- It cooks evenly: No more pork chops burnt on one side and raw on the other.
- It's fast: 10 minutes, and you're done—no waiting for the oven to heat up.
- It makes the pork chops crispy outside and juicy inside: You get that nice browned outside without drying out the meat.
- It's healthier: You get crispy pork chops without using much oil.
The quick cooking in the air fryer is the key to keeping these pork chops juicy. It browns them quickly on the outside, keeping all the juices inside. They come out perfectly cooked without being dry or tough.
Ingredients You'll Need
The secret to juicy pork chops lies in the simple ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- Pork chops. I used ½-inch thick boneless pork chops. They're perfect for quick cooking in the air fryer. If you've got thicker chops, slice them in half. Using bone-in pork chops? Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- My homemade pork rub takes these pork chops from good to great. I used my homemade pork rub, which has brown sugar (for a touch of sweetness and nice browning), paprika (for color and smoky flavor), onion powder and garlic powder (for that savory taste that goes so well on everything), chili powder (just enough for a little kick), ground mustard (adds a slight tang and balances out the sweetness), and salt and black pepper. (You can also use my homemade rub for chicken too).
- Olive oil helps the seasoning stick and keeps the meat from drying out. But you've got options—avocado, vegetable, or canola oil all work. Or try a thin layer of Dijon mustard for a different flavor.
If you don't feel like mixing up your own spice rub, you can use your favorite pork seasoning or rub. You could even try lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, or Cajun spices. You can even add dried herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary.
How To Make These Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops
It's super easy to make these tender pork chops. Here's what you do:
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
- Mix all the spices in a small bowl.
- Brush olive oil all over the pork chops.
- Sprinkle the spice mix all over the top, bottom, and side of the pork chops.
- Place 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 inside when you use a meat thermometer.
- Let them sit for a couple of minutes before serving. That's it! Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Mix It Up: Variations to Try
Want to try something different? Here are some ideas:
- BBQ Style: Brush on some BBQ sauce
- Cheesy: Sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on top.
- Ranch Flavor: Use ranch seasoning mix instead of my spice blend.
- Crispy Coating: Dip the chops in egg, then in Panko breadcrumbs before air frying. Spray the outside with avocado oil so they brown nicely.
Related Recipes: Air Fryer Thin Chicken Breasts and Instant Pot Boneless Pork Chops.
Storage Tips for Leftovers (If You Have Any!)
If you somehow end up with leftovers, here's what to do:
Refrigerator: Store leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Wrap them up well or put them in a freezer bag. They'll keep for about 2 months.
Reheating: Let them thaw in the fridge overnight if they're frozen. Then warm them up in the microwave or air fryer until they're hot all the way through.
Top Tips
- Try to use pork chops that are all about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Don't squish the pork chops together in the air fryer. They need space around them to get crispy.
- Thinner pork chops will cook faster than thick ones, so keep an eye on them. Start checking for doneness at the 7-8 minute mark.
- Don't overcook them! That's the fastest way to end up with tough, dry pork chops. Once they hit 145°F, they're done.
Recipe FAQ's
The two big things are to not overcook them and to always brush them with a little oil or mustard before cooking.
The best way is to use a meat thermometer. They're done when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
You can cut into one and take a look. If the juices are clear (not pink), they're probably done.
Yes, you can season the pork chops and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours.
Yes, but you will need to cook the pork chops in batches.
What to Serve with These Pork Chops
These pork chops go great with all sorts of side dishes. Some of my favorites are:
What Other 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 as 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
Recipe
Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 thin pork chops, boneless
- 1 tablespoon olive 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 the air fryer to 360℉.
- If making the homemade pork rub, combine brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, dry mustard powder, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Brush the pork chops all over with olive oil.
- Season the top, bottom, and sides of the pork chops liberally with dry rub.
- Place pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them.
- Air fry pork chops for 10 minutes at 360℉, flipping over halfway. The pork chops are fully cooked when they are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Let the chops rest for a few minutes before serving with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!
Video
Recipe Notes:
- Try to use pork chops that are all about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Don't squish the pork chops together in the air fryer. They need space around them to get crispy.
- Thinner pork chops will cook faster than thick ones, so keep an eye on them.
- Don't overcook them! That's the fastest way to end up with tough, dry pork chops. Once they hit 145°F, they're done.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. 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.
About Jeri Walker
Jeri Walker is the founder and CEO of Winding Creek Ranch. She is a self-taught home cook who specializes in easy family-friendly recipes. Jeri is also a food writer who regularly writes articles for MSN. Read about Jeri's journey and connect with her on your favorite social media channels!
Tina
My whole family loved these pork chops! So delicious!
Katie
These pork chops were so good! Definitely making them all summer long!
Leslie
Oh how I love my air fryer! What a great dinner recipe that's ready in just 15 minutes~so perfect!
Alexandra
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
I love easy air fryer recipes like this one. The pork chops came out juicy and tender, the spice rub was perfect.
Sherri
Thank You So MuchLove ❤ Really Good !!! Love Chick ✔ ✅ 🛫 it
Jeri Walker
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
Great, Delicious, Fast.
Pam
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
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
Loved the pork Chops came out nice and juicy. Thanks for sharing
Jeri Walker
Thanks so much, Cheryl! I'm glad you liked them! 🙂