Juicy Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops

These Juicy Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops are an easy way to get tender, flavorful pork chops on the table in about 20 minutes. A simple seasoning blend adds plenty of flavor, and the air fryer cooks the pork quickly while keeping it nice and juicy. The chops are flavorful enough to serve on their own, but we especially like them topped with our easy No Cook BBQ Sauce.

I developed this recipe after having one too many pork chops come out dry. I experimented with different combinations of cooking time, temperature and preparation, using AI as one resource for ideas along the way. After several rounds of hands-on testing, I landed on a method that consistently gives us juicy boneless pork chops.

Jump to:

• What makes these air fryer pork chops juicy?
• Ingredients
• How to make air fryer pork chops
• Serving suggestions
• Wine pairing
• Recipe card

What makes these air fryer pork chops juicy?

A few simple steps help keep these boneless pork chops juicy in the air fryer:

• Start with thick pork chops. I use boneless pork chops that are a little over 1 inch thick and about 8 ounces each. Thicker chops are easier to keep juicy than thin chops, which can quickly dry out in the air fryer.
• Get the timing and temperature right. Air frying at 390°F for 5 minutes per side has consistently worked well with the pork chops I use. I had previously cooked them at a slightly higher temperature, but lowering the heat and adjusting the cooking time helped keep the pork juicy.
• Use a light coating of oil. Lightly spraying the seasoned pork chops with cooking oil was another change I made while testing this recipe. It helps the exterior cook and brown nicely in the air fryer without adding much oil.
• Check the temperature. An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining when the pork is done. Look for an internal temperature of 145°F in the thickest part of the chop.
• Give the pork time to rest. Let the chops rest for 5 minutes after cooking before cutting into them.

Air fryers and pork chop sizes can vary, so use the cooking time as a guide and rely on the internal temperature to determine when your pork chops are ready.

Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients to make these air fryer pork chops.

• Boneless pork chops: I developed and tested this recipe using boneless pork chops that are about 8 ounces each and a little over 1 inch thick. The thickness is important for keeping the pork juicy. You could use bone-in pork chops, but they will likely require additional cooking time.
• Salt: I use 1 teaspoon of salt for two pork chops. Feel free to reduce the salt to suit your taste or dietary needs.
• Garlic powder: Adds savory flavor to the pork without the risk of fresh garlic burning in the air fryer.
• Smoked paprika: Just ⅓ teaspoon adds a subtle smoky flavor that works especially well if you serve the pork with BBQ sauce.
• Cooking oil spray: A light coating helps the outside of the pork chops cook and brown nicely.

How to make air fryer pork chops

Here’s a quick overview of how to make Grilled Paprika Pork Chops. Head to the recipe card for more detail.

Start by making the rub. Combine the garlic powder, salt and paprika in a bowl.

Prep the pork chops. Remove the pork chops from the packaging, pat dry, and then set them on a clean work surface. You can use a disposable paper plate here for convenience, or a cutting board dedicated to raw meat.

Sprinkle half of the rub on one side of the meat, gently rub in with your fingers. Then turn the pork chops over and repeat on the other side.

Prepare the air fryer: Line the air fryer basket the some parchment paper.

Air fry the pork chops:Lightly spray the seasoned pork chops with cooking oil, then place them in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 390°F for 5 minutes, then carefully flip the chops with tongs.

Cook for another 5 minutes at 390°F, then check for doneness. Check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the pork chop with an instant-read thermometer. You’re looking for 145°F.

In our testing, 10 minutes total cooking time has consistently been just right for the thick boneless pork chops used in this recipe. Since pork chops and air fryers can vary, cook for another minute or two if yours haven’t reached doneness

Transfer the cooked pork chops to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This final rest is another important step for keeping the pork nice and juicy.

Serving suggestions

We especially like these air fryer pork chops topped with our No Cook BBQ Sauce, which is how we served the chops pictured here. The tangy, savory sauce is a great match for the smoked paprika in the pork seasoning.

For a different flavor profile, try serving the pork chops with our chimichurri sauce. The simple seasoning on the chops makes them versatile enough to work with a variety of sauces and sides.

For the meal pictured with this recipe, we served the pork chops with quinoa and sautéed spinach. We’ve also enjoyed the air fryer pork chops with sautéed red cabbage and our Spanish roasted potatoes. Rice, farro or a green salad would make easy sides, too.

For another hearty side dish that pairs well with pork, try our Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens.

Wine pairing

For a red wine pairing, we enjoyed these air fryer pork chops with the 2022 Dry Creek Vineyard Spencer's Hill Petite Sirah ($44, 14.2% ABV). The wine showed plenty of dark fruit along with an elegant mouthfeel. Compared to many Petite Sirahs I've tasted, this wine felt balanced and approachable from the first pour, with the fruit taking center stage rather than being dominated by tannins. See our Petite Sirah pairings post for more ideas of food to serve with this bold red wine.

The Petite Sirah worked especially well when we served the pork chops with our No Cook BBQ Sauce. The wine has enough body and flavor to stand up to the sauce, while the smoky paprika in the pork and sauce complements the wine nicely.

We tasted the Spencer's Hill Petite Sirah as part of our Virtual Winery Visit with Dry Creek Vineyard, where we talked with Darren Abel from the winery and Stephen Nasiatka about the wine, the vineyard and other pairing ideas.

Another red wine that we have enjoyed with these pork chops and BBQ sauce is Cahors Malbec. The earthy character of the Malbec worked nicely with the smoked paprika, while the wine had enough heft to match the pork and flavorful sauce. The pairing also benefits from the BBQ sauce being savory and tangy.

Syrah is another good option to consider. We haven’t tested it specifically with these pork chops, but a Yakima Valley Syrah paired very well with the same BBQ sauce served with steak. The wine’s plum fruit and peppery notes were a particularly good match for the smoky paprika in the sauce.

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