These quick and easy Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops are the best of the best. Rubbed with oil and seasoned to perfection with simple pantry spices, they only take about 10 minutes to cook and always come out juicy, tender, and so delicious.
My top tip: Let your chops rest at room temperature for 30 minutes and pat them dry with paper towels before seasoning. This promotes even cooking and a crispy, golden brown crust. Read on for more!
About This Recipe
You only need a little oil, some simple seasonings, and your favorite air fryer to make the most tender, juicy, and flavorful bone-in pork chops ever! This recipe is quick and easy and perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Use my suggested seasoning mixture, or try your own!
- Taste and Flavor: Savory, smokey, and slightly sweet with mild pork flavor.
- Difficulty: The easiest.
- Freezer-Friendly: Yes! Freeze leftover chops for up to 3 months.
- Air fryer Model: 6-Quart Cosori Air Fryer
- Related Recipe: Are you cooking with boneless pork chops? Check out this Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chop Recipe.
Table of contents
Ingredients and Variations
Below are notes and substitutions for the ingredients included in this air-fryer bone-in pork chop recipe. You will find the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Pork: I’ve written this recipe specifically for bone-in pork chops. Although thin or thick chops can be used, I always recommend using pork chops at least 1 inch thick. Boneless pork chops can also be used.
Seasoning: The dry rub consists of brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. The sweet, savory, and mild heat (from the chili powder) pairs perfectly with the mild pork flavors. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought or homemade dry rub, or try one of these other seasoning mixtures:
- Cajun seasoning: My all-time favorite seasoning blend, it adds bold, smoky, savory layers of flavor with a kick of heat.
- Ranch seasoning: Herby, savory, and a little zesty. If you love classic ranch flavor, you’ll love ranch seasoning on pork chops!
- Shake and Bake Seasoning: For a classic, homey breaded alternative, shake-and-bake seasoning is a delicious and healthier alternative to frying.
How to Avoid Overcooked Pork Chops
The only way to prevent overcooked pork chops is to use a digital meat thermometer, which ensures accuracy and prevents guesswork. The USDA suggests cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). My recommendation (since pork continues cooking after being removed from heat) is to cook the chops until they register 140°F (60°C), then let them rest to reach 145°F.
How to Make Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops: Step-by-Step Instructions with Images
Not all pork chops are the same—before you start cooking, take a moment to read Pork Chops: A Complete Guide to Cuts, Cooking Times, and Temperature to learn which cut you’re working with and how to cook it right.
1. Bring the pork chops to room temperature (this is if you have an extra 30 minutes to spare or remember to plan ahead of time). Remove the bone-in pork chops from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Removing the chill from the refrigerator will help the pork chops cook more evenly.
2. Prepare the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spray the inside basket with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Combine the dry rub. In a small bowl, stir the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Add more or less chili powder depending on your preferred level of heat.
4. Prepare the pork chops. Pat the chops dry (as dry as possible) with paper towels. Brush both sides with a thin layer of olive oil and sprinkle both sides with the prepared spice mix. Rub the mix into the meat with your hands.
5. Air fry. Transfer the prepared pork chops to the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping. Cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking. They are cooked when they register between 140-145°F as measured by a digital meat thermometer.
6. Remove and rest. Remove the pork chops from the air fryer and rest for 5 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with fresh minced parsley, if desired.
Pro Tips
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check for doneness. It is the only way to accurately measure meat’s doneness- and prevent overcooking!
- Rest the chops at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the chops to cook evenly, rather than the warmer outside part of the chop cooking faster than the still-chilly center.
- Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels before seasoning. Removing excess moisture helps create a delicious golden brown crust. If the chops are too wet, they will steam, preventing a good crust from forming.
- Boneless pork chops will take less time to cook in the air fryer (assuming they are the same thickness).
- Serve these air fryer bone-in pork chops with sides like Yellow Rice or Mashed Potatoes and your favorite steamed or roasted veggies.
- Store leftover pork chops in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen leftovers in the fridge overnight before reheating. Reheat in an air fryer preheated to 350°F for 4-6 minutes or until warmed throughout.
I love cooking pork chops, and my family loves eating them! For more delicious pork chop recipes, check out my reader-favorite 15-Minute Garlic Butter Pork Chop Recipe, these Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, easy Pork Milanese, and The Best Baked Pork Chop Recipe (ever!)
RECIPE CARD
Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops - about 1 inch thick
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring the pork chops to room temperature (this is if you have an extra 30 minutes to spare or remember to plan ahead of time). Remove the pork chops from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spray the inside basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Add more or less chili powder to achieve your preferred level of heat.
- Pat the chops dry (as dry as possible) with paper towels. Brush both sides with a thin layer of olive oil and sprinkle both sides with the prepared spice mix. Rub the mix into the meat with your hands.
- Transfer the prepared pork chops to the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping. Cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking. They are cooked when they register between 140-145°F as measured by a digital meat thermometer.
- Remove the pork chops from the air fryer and rest for 5 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with fresh minced parsley, if desired.
Jessica’s Notes
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check for doneness. It is the only way to accurately measure meat’s doneness- and prevent overcooking!
- Rest the chops at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. This will ensure that they cook more evenly.
- Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels before seasoning. Removing excess moisture helps create a delicious golden brown crust. If the chops are too wet, they will steam, preventing a good crust from forming.
- Leftover pork chops can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Thaw frozen leftovers in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheat in an air fryer preheated to 350°F for 4-6 minutes or until warmed throughout.
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
perfect pork chops
Thanks Bob 🙂
I cant believe how simple and delicious this recipe is! 5 stars!
Thanks for the delicious feedback and rating, Beth 🙂
How much brown sugar? it is not listed in the ingredients.
Hi Shirly, I am so sorry about that! It calls for 2 tablespoons of brown sugar 🙂