Fitness / March 14, 2024

Air-Fryer Boneless Pork Chops Recipe

Elevate Pork Chop night with this recipe for Boneless Pork Chops. Lightly seasoned, juicy, and done in 15 minutes, thanks to your air fryer!

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Maybe it’s Homer Simpson’s influence but Fridays have been known as Pork Chop Night in my house. When I first started watching America’s favorite family (over 30 years ago!), I didn’t have a family of my own and the whole concept of having one night dedicated to pork chops fascinated me. I mean, I liked pork chops but I wasn’t going to eat it every week, especially on Fridays when my stomach expects more celebratory fare like pizza, Chinese, or burgers (i.e., food I could order and not have to cook).

Then, one night a couple of years ago, my husband put a request in for pork chops. I had made them before but must have removed them from regular rotation. On a whim (and a tribute to Homer), I did them on a Friday. They were a hit (though I’m not sure having them on a Friday had anything to do with the taste). You know what did? The fact I did them in an air fryer.

Are Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops Healthy?

Pork is packed with protein, as well as minerals and vitamins. As with most meats (and food, in general, I suppose), how healthy it is depends on how you cook it. Fortunately, in this recipe, we air fry it, so the use of oil is minimal. The rest of the ingredients are all-natural, so the recipe aligns with Mediterranean, paleo, keto/low-carb, gluten-free, and whole30 diets.

What’s The Big Deal with Boneless?

First, an explanation of where that bone comes from. It’s a rib that is left intact when the meat is removed from the loin section of the pig. This is known as a rib cut. There is also a center cut (or loin chops), which includes a nice bit of meat found on the other side of the bone. When you cook with bone, that bone absorbs heat, which means it takes longer to cook bone-in chops. That bone also retains moisture, so you run a greater risk of your dried-out meat without it. You may also notice your purse “drying out” when you buy boneless, the added cost due to the extra step of removing the bone. So, the million-dollar question: Why am I using boneless for this recipe? Some claim bone-in meat tastes better (more on that later), but for me, it really depends on how I’m cooking it. I usually use bone-in when I am grilling or roasting (i.e., methods where the bone really affects the taste). As I’m using my air fryer, I doubt having the bone present is going to add anything by way of flavor.

INGREDIENTS

4 boneless pork chops
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Warm up your air fryer. Mix a savory blend of herbs and spices in a bowl.

Season

Coat the pork chops in olive oil and rub them with your homemade seasoning to infuse them with flavor.

Cook

Place the pork chops in the air fryer without crowding them, and cook until they reach the perfect doneness.

Rest

Let the pork chops sit for a few minutes after cooking to lock in the juices, then serve up a delicious and healthy main course that’s sure to delight.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How do I store the pork chops?

Let them cool then wrap them in plastic film or aluminum foil. You can also store them in an airtight container. Once done, place the pork chops in the fridge where they will last for up to five days. You can also freeze them for up to three months. When you would like some more, let the chops thaw overnight in the fridge. Then you can reheat in the air fryer, oven, microwave, or on the stove.

How thick are the pork chops you use?

The ones I used for this recipe measured about 1.5-2 inches thick. Adjust the cooking time if your chops are thicker/thinner.

Can my pork chops dry out in the air fryer?

Use a meat thermometer. The chops should reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Once they hit that mark, you can remove them. Keep them in any longer and you risk drying them out. Once out, the chops should be given time to rest so the juices can redistribute throughout the meat.

Why do I need to let the chops rest?

During this rest, the juices in the chops (and most meats) can be redistributed. It also lets the residual heat finish off your chops and ensures it’s evenly cooked. If you show some patience and discipline, you’ll be rewarded with a succulent chop that is cooked throughout.

Do I need to let the chops sit before cooking?

Are you talking about the dry rub? It isn’t necessary to let the pork chops sit; they will taste good regardless. But if you’re intent on doing it, you can apply the rub then let the chops sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before cooking. This will let the seasoning penetrate the meat. You may want to run an experiment: let one chop sit with the dry rub and cook another immediately, then see which you prefer.

Serving Suggestions

Whenever I see photos of pork chops on a dinner plate, they are always joined by mashed potatoes and a green, usually cooked spinach. So I’m going to suggest those sides for your pork chops. Not feeling the spinach? Why not take advantage of having the air fryer up and ready by using it to make this recipe for brussels sprouts?

Air-Fryer Boneless Pork Chops Recipe

Elevate Pork Chop night with this recipe for Boneless Pork Chops. Lightly seasoned, juicy, and done in 15 minutes, thanks to your air fryer!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 183kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

4 boneless pork chops approximately 1 1/2-2 inches thick
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (around 3 minutes).
In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper, dried thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder to create your seasoning.
Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the pork chops, ensuring they are evenly coated. Then, generously rub the seasoning mixture onto both sides of each pork chop. Use all of the prepared blend.
Arrange the pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping. You can cook the pork chops in batches if needed.
Cook the pork chops for 12-15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F when checked with a meat thermometer.
Once cooked, let the pork chops rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.