These air fryer thin pork chops are first dry-brined in a seasoning mix for at least 30 minutes. Then, I brush them with olive oil and air fry for about 7 minutes. The key to juicy pork chops is avoiding overcooking, as they cook very quickly in the air fryer.
Cooking thin pork chops can be tricky, and many people avoid them because they often turn out tough and dry. The air fryer changes everything - circulating hot air cooks them quickly without drying them out. And do not forget, that even a 30-minute dry brine makes a big difference, adding extra flavor and juiciness.
Looking for more air fryer pork recipes, try our air fryer pork tenderloin recipe.
Jump to:
Why I love this recipe
- This quick and easy dinner idea for any day of the week that goes well with any side dish.
- The pork chops come out tender and juicy with minimum afford and no breading needed.
- You will need only your favorite pork spice rub and olive oil besides the pork chops to make this recipe.
- The air fryer makes the clean-up so much easier, no grease splashes all over the stove.
Ingredients
Please, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the ingredients quantities.
- Boneless pork chops. I used thin-cut pork chop.
- Seasonings. My go-to pork seasoning has always been salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little bit of brown sugar.
- Fresh herbs (optional): I like to add some fresh thyme or rosemary when I have some in the fridge.
- Olive oil. Just a little bit of olive oil for air frying so they do not dry out and have a nice sear.
How to season and air fry pork chops
Rub the pork chops generously with the homemade dry rub on both sides. In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, paprika, and a little bit of brown sugar. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes. Rub the meat generously on both sides.
Let seasoned pork chops rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. Place the chops on a plate, add some fresh chopped thyme on top, and put them back in the fridge for at least 30 minutes uncovered. You can dry brine them for up to 2 hours uncovered, or 12 hours covered.
Brush them with some olive oil. Remove the pork chops from the fridge and rub them with a thin layer of olive oil on both sides.
Air fry for 7-8 minutes or until fully cooked. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes to 390°F. Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket and air fry them for 7-8 minutes, flipping them once halfway through the cooking time. The pork chops are ready when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. Do not overcook them.
Note: thicker pork chops will need about 1-2 minutes longer cooking time, while bone-in pork chops will need about 3-5 more minutes of cooking time.
Natalia's recipe tips
- The most important tip - do not overcook the pork chops.
- For best results, let the pork chops dry brine uncovered in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Always use the meat thermometer to cook them properly and avoid overcooking the meat.
- Cook time can be different, depending on the thickness of the chops.
Serving ideas
I love serving pork chops over the bed of creamy mashed potatoes or grains like buckwheat for a complete meal. I also like to pair pork chops with braised red cabbage or some pickled beets.
Pork chops go wonderfully with so many vegetables such as braised red cabbage, pickled beets, air fryer Brussels sprouts, roasted green beans and potatoes, roasted golden beets.
Pork also pairs well fruit fruit-based sauces, such as apple or pear pear chutney.
Storing and reheating the leftovers
- To store: Cooked pork chops should be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- To reheat: You can reheat them in the microwave oven or the air fryer. When stored properly, pork can be reheated more than once.
- To freeze: I do not recommend freezing cooked thin pork chops, as the texture might change after freezing and they might become tough.
Frequently asked questions
How to prevent pork chops from drying out in the air fryer?
I always brush each pork chop with a thin layer of olive or neutral vegetable oil before cooking them in the air fryer. Oil will prevent them from drying out and create a nice crust on top.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer I used Ninja XL
- 1 shallow dish
- 1 silicone brush
Ingredients
- 6 (0.84 lb) thin-cut boneless pork chops
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme , optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon brown sugar , ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Rub each pork chop generously with the seasoning mix. Sprinkle with fresh thyme (if using). Place them in a shallow dish and refrigerate uncovered for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for about 5 minutes. Take out seasoned pork chops from the fridge. Brush each pork chop with a thin layer of olive oil.
- Carefully place pork chops in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 390°F for 4 minutes, flip the pork chops and air fryer for another 3 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Repeat with the process with the rest of the pork chops.
Sonja says
Followed pork chop recipe exactly, very tasty! Sonja
Nataliia says
Thank you so much for your review Sonja, I really appreciate it. I am so glad you enjoyed the pork chops.