Air Fryer Pork Chops (Boneless or Bone-In)

Air fryer pork chops are one of the quickest dinners you can make: about 12 minutes for 1-inch chops, with a golden crust and a juicy center, and no pan to scrub. The secret is the right time for your chops’ thickness, and pulling them out at 145°F63°C.

How to cook pork chops in the air fryer

1. Pat the chops dry and let them sit out for 15–20 minutes.
2. Rub with oil and seasoning. The garlic paprika rub below works for any chop.
3. Preheat to 400°F205°C, then cook in a single layer.
4. Flip halfway, and start checking the temperature a couple of minutes early.
5. Take them out at 145°F63°C and rest for 5 minutes.

How long to cook pork chops in the air fryer

Thickness matters more than anything else. Measure your chops, or check the package, and use the times table above. As a guide, at 400°F205°C:

• ½ inch (thin): 7–9 minutes boneless, 8–10 minutes bone-in
• ¾–1 inch (regular): 10–14 minutes boneless, 12–16 minutes bone-in
• 1½ inches (thick): 15–18 minutes boneless
• 1½–2 inches, bone-in: 18–24 minutes at 380°F195°C

Air fryers vary, and smaller or lower-wattage models take a little longer. The thermometer is what tells you they’re done.

Boneless or bone-in?

Boneless pork chops are the most popular. They’re lean, cook a minute or two faster and are easy to slice. Because there’s less fat, they dry out quickly, so don’t cook them past 145°F63°C.

Bone-in pork chops, such as rib or center-cut chops, have more flavor, and the bone helps keep the meat next to it juicy. They take a couple of minutes longer. Check the temperature in the thickest part, away from the bone, which heats faster than the meat.

Thin pork chops

Thin chops, about ½ inch or less, cook in under 10 minutes. Check them at 6 minutes, because a minute too long makes them tough. A quick salt and pepper or a light dusting of the rub is enough. They’re done when they’re opaque all the way through and reach 145°F63°C.

Thick pork chops

For thick-cut chops of 1½–2 inches, use 380°F195°C instead of 400°F205°C. The lower heat gives the center time to cook before the outside gets too dark. Salting them a few hours ahead seasons them all the way through, and resting them for 5 minutes matters even more than with thin chops.

Breaded pork chops

1. Set up three shallow bowls: ⅓ cup flour with ½ teaspoon salt, 1 beaten egg, and 1 cup panko mixed with ¼ cup grated parmesan, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon paprika.
2. Pat 4 boneless chops (about ¾ inch thick) dry. Dip each one in the flour, then the egg, then press it into the panko mixture.
3. Spray both sides lightly with oil, so the crumbs turn golden instead of staying pale.
4. Air fry at 380°F195°C for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and 145°F63°C inside.

Seasoning ideas

• Garlic paprika: the recipe below.
• Ranch: 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning mix with the olive oil.
• Honey garlic: cook as usual, then brush with 2 tablespoons honey mixed with 1 minced garlic clove and 1 teaspoon soy sauce for the last 2 minutes.
• Italian herb: Italian seasoning, garlic and parmesan, with a squeeze of lemon to serve.
• Cajun: Cajun seasoning, with a little brown sugar to balance the heat.

Tips for juicy air fryer pork chops

• Use a thermometer. It’s the only reliable way to catch them at 145°F63°C.
• Salt ahead. Salting 30 minutes to a few hours before cooking makes a big difference.
• Don’t overcrowd. Chops touching each other steam instead of browning.
• Watch sugary rubs and sauces. If the crust darkens too quickly, lower the heat to 380°F195°C.
• Rest before cutting. Five minutes keeps the juices in the meat.

What to serve with pork chops

Air fry a side while the chops rest, or before you cook them: crispy roasted potatoes, garlic parmesan green beans, roasted cauliflower or sweet potatoes. For a different cut, try our pork steaks or pork tenderloin.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate leftover pork chops within 2 hours for up to 4 days. Reheat them at 350°F175°C for 3–5 minutes, until hot in the center. Thick chops reheat more evenly if you slice them first. See our reheating guide for other leftovers.