Air Fryer Pork Chops (golden & juicy!) - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to juicy tender pork chops? ›

Fat is key to keeping pork chops moist

Basting them with fat, such as butter. Add in aromatics while basting for more flavor — similar to how you might cook a steak — and then you have the added bonus of browned butter and crispy garlic and/or herbs to serve with the meat.

We recommend using a good cooking thermometer so you can prevent overcooking—this will result in dry pork chops. Once done, let your pork chops rest for at least 10 minutes so all of the juices can sit and meld into the meat.

Coat the pork chops with olive oil and rub in the mix. Rub it in well and liberally. Use almost all of the rub mix for the 2 pork chops. Cook pork chops in air fryer on the air fry setting at 400°F for 12-14 minutes or until internal temperature of 140°F. Flip pork chops over after 6 minutes.

Why are my air fryer pork chops tough? If your pork is tough, it's most likely because they are overcooked. Cooking to an internal temperature of 145F is the perfect temperature for juicy, tender pork chops.

Best Seasoning for Pork Chops

Thyme and sage add herby and floral notes complementing pork's flavor exceptionally well. There's also a combination of smoked paprika, pepper, and a little bit of cayenne pepper, which all give your pork chops a lovely, not overly spicy, kiss of heat.

Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop. Even a quick 30-minute brine (or up to four hours) makes a big difference. It's not strictly necessary — you can still use this method to make great pork chops even without brining — but if you have some extra time, I recommend it.

Whether a childhood of overcooked pork chops left you with an adulthood aversion or you are their biggest fan, these flavorful Air Fryer Pork Chops will have you falling freshly in love. They're lightly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside (NOT DRY), and ready in just 20 minutes.

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

Baking pork chops at 400 degrees F will result in a slightly crisper, more caramelized exterior. It's the ideal temperature for breaded pork chops, because the hotter temperature will crisp up the crumbs, as well as complete sheet pan meals, since 400 degrees F is the best temperature for roasting most vegetables.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

What is the best method to cook pork chops? ›

Because one of the best ways to bake pork chops is to start in an oven-safe skillet on the stove and then transfer them into a hot oven. High-heat frying sears them to a golden brown; and a moderately hot oven (400 degrees F) bakes the pork chops gently enough to keep them from drying out.

"We recommend using a three-minute preheat for most models," says Shah. For larger and oven-style air fryers, preheat for five minutes. Once the preheat timer has elapsed, add the food in a single layer (handling the basket carefully since it will be hot) and cook according to the recipe.

Tip #3: Rub the chops with spices and some flour.

Whichever you choose, add a little flour to it. Rubbing a small amount of flour over the chops helps to add a flavorful crust.

Try a Marinade or Brine. A marinade or brine can introduce more moisture or lots of flavor into your meat before you cook it. A marinade is a sauce that introduces extra flavor to your pork, depending on the aromatics or herbs you choose to include. A brine pulls more moisture into the meat, which keeps your pork juicy ...

Marinate the Pork Chops

Mild tenderizing is accomplished through the use of acidic ingredients. Lemon juice, flavored vinegar, red wine, and coffee are all recommended as marinade ingredients that can soften the meat a little.

Combine water, salt, and any additional seasonings in a large container. Stir well to dissolve the salt and sugar. Soak the pork chops in the brine solution, making sure they're fully coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

A brine is essentially just salt and water. It helps prevent moisture loss during cooking, and the salt also helps tenderize the meat from the inside out. If you want an extra juicy piece of pork, brine it before cooking. You can make an effective brine just with salt and water, but additional seasonings do help.