Meaty bone-in air fryer pork chops are rubbed with garlic and sage for juicy, tender, and wonderfully appetizing pork chops. This delicious air fryer pork chop recipe tastes restaurant-quality but is great for an easy weeknight dinner.
Enjoy this easy recipe for the best pork chops with roasted baby potatoes, sautéed broccoli, or roasted carrots and potatoes. This easy pork chop recipe is great is you are looking for an quick dinners on a busy weeknight or dinner ideas for two. For two, divide the recipe in half and add two air fryer baked potatoes to the air fryer basket for an easy one pan meal in under 40 minutes.
What Makes This Recipe Amazing
Tender, Juicy Pork Chops. Cooking pork chops in an air fryer nearly guarantees that they are going to come out perfectly every time. By following the air fryer pork chops recipe below you'll have chops that are golden brown on the outside and slightly pink on the inside.
Perfect to Customize. We love the sage and garlic rub used in this air fryer bone in pork chops recipe. These flavorful seasonings are blended with apple cider vinegar for a bright and tangy taste. However, feel free to mix it up and use your favorite seasoning blends. Continue reading for some great ideas!
Healthier "Fried" Dish. Although this recipe is prepared in an air fryer, there is no added frying oil used. Only a bit of olive oil is required for the garlic sage rub. That's it!
Pairs Well With Side Dishes. These hearty air fryer pork chops are delicious with potatoes, all sorts of roasted or sautéed veggies, fresh salads, or nearly any side dish you like.
Easy Weeknight Meal. The rub is made with only a handful of wholesome ingredients. Start to finish this dish is ready in under 40 minutes, so it's great to prepare as a quick weeknight or relaxing weekend dinner.
This recipe is an easy air fryer recipe that you are going to love. And, if you are looking for more like this try my air fryer Italian sausage, air fryer brats, or these fabulous air fryer ribs.
Ingredients
Thick Bone In Pork Chops. For cooking pork chops in the air fryer, you want to buy bone-in pork chops, also sometimes called rib chops or ribeye pork chops. They should be about 1-inch thick and weigh about 8 ounces each. Select thick pork chops with a rib bone along one edge and a line of fat around the other edges.
Note: A bone-in ribeye pork chop will weigh about 8 ounces. While that may sound like a lot, the bone accounts for some weight and they will shrink about 25% after cooking resulting in a nice size serving per person.
Seasoning. A great way to highlight the flavor of the pork chops without overwhelming them is to use an easy seasoning rub of:
- Dried sage. Sage has an earthy, minty, and citrus flavor that is unique. You will most likely recognize this flavor of sage from Thanksgiving stuffing and turkey. However, it also marries wonderfully with pork especially when paired with garlic. Do not use fresh sage.
- Minced garlic adds a sweet butter flavor when cooked and works well with the sage. You can substitute garlic powder for the minced; follow the conversion in the recipe card.
- Apple cider vinegar adds tangy flavor while also acting to make tender meat.
- Pure olive oil.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
The exact measurement for these ingredients is in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Steps for the Best Pork Chops
- Prepare the Pork Chops. Do not cut off the fat before cooking; rather, cut a series of small slits in the fat of each chop to keep the edges from curling. Pat the chops dry with a paper towel.
- Make the Pork Chop Rub. Mix the rub ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup. Using your hands, pat the mixture evenly on both sides of the pork chops. This recipe is for air fryer pork chops (no breading) and takes advantage of air frying for the crispiness.
- Air Fry the Pork Chops. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place pork chops in the air fryer basket so that they do not touch. Cook pork chops for 6 minutes, flip, and air fry for another 6 minutes until done. (Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer make and model.)
- Check for Doneness. Cooked pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 140 degrees F immediately after cooking. Use a meat thermometer for the most accurate temperature reading.
- Rest and Serve. When the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees, remove them from the air fryer. Let the air fried pork chops rest for about 3 minutes before serving. After resting, the pork chops will rise to a temperature of 145 degrees F. Serve air fryer pork chops warm with your favorite sides.
Do not overcook your pork chops. Check their temperature earlier than the recommended cook time in the air fryer to avoid tough and dry pork chops.
Cooks Tips
- 1-inch pork chops will give you the best results in the air fryer. You risk your pork chops getting overdone and drying out with thin pork chops. Too much thicker pork chops and it will be difficult to cook them to a safe internal temperature of 145°F.
- Do not trim the thin edge of fat from the edges of the pork chop. Instead, cut a small slit in the fat every inch or so to prevent the edge of the pork chop from curling. If you prefer, you can always trim the fat after cooking.
- Since different brands and types of air fryers can heat up differently, your cooking times may vary slightly. Cooking times can also be affected by the thickness and quality of the pork chops. Check their temperature!
- When testing the temperature of your air fryer bone in pork chops, insert the instant-read thermometer horizontally into the thickest part of the pork chop being careful to not touch the bone. This positioning will give you the most accurate temperature reading. Your chops will have a soft pink interior color and a moist and tender inside.
Recipe Variations
- Air Fryer BBQ Pork Chops. Like at a barbecue, but easily made in the air fryer: Brush pork chops with 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard. In a small bowl combine 1-½ tablespoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic, and 1 teaspoon granulated onion. Sprinkle mixture all over pork chops and gently pat mixture onto the chops. Continue with step 2.
- Air Fryer Pork Chops Parmesan. For an Italian-inspired air fried pork chops recipe: Spray the pork chops all over with olive oil cooking spray. Mix 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning with 2 teaspoons kosher salt. Sprinkle mixture all over the pork chops. Continue with step 2.
- Classic Spice Mix. Simple, no-fuss but full of flavor: Brush the air fryer bone in pork chops with 2 teaspoons of canola oil. In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon ground coriander. Sprinkle mixture all over pork chops. Continue with step 2.
- Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops. Reduce the air fryer temperature to 375 degrees F. The cook time will be approximately the same. However, test the pork chops' doneness after 9 minutes to avoid overcooking. Boneless air fryer pork chops will be dryer than bone-in pork chops.
- Hoisin Ginger Glaze. For an Asian-inspired taste that pairs well with a side of steamed rice and stir-fry veggies: Mix 3 tablespoon Hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, ¾ teaspoon grated ginger, and a pinch of red chili flakes. Brush mixture over pork chops. Continue with step 2. Garnish the air fryer pork chops with 1 thinly sliced green onion (white and light green parts only).
- Orange Clove Blend. Creates a bright citrusy, earthy rub that enhances the sweetness of the air fryer pork chops: In a small bowl, add 2 teaspoons ground cloves, 2 teaspoons pure olive oil, 2 teaspoon liquid honey, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon orange zest. Microwave, stirring halfway through cooking, for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Brush mixture all over pork chops. Season chops with kosher salt. Continue with step 2.
- Boneless chops. You can still achieve delicious chops by using boneless, but you will need to lower your cooking time by at least 3 minutes. Alternatively, try these boneless pork ribs in the air fryer.
Storage
Leftover pork chops can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. They can be reheated in the air fryer at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 10 minutes or until heated through.
Fresh pork chops can be refrigerated for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Frozen pork chops can be defrosted in the refrigerator overnight, in an airtight bag in cold water, and the microwave. If you are defrosting pork in the microwave, plan to cook it immediately as some of the pork may have become warm which can develop bacteria.
(storage information source: USDA.)
These air fryer pork chops are destined to become one of your favorite air fryer recipes!
Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops
Equipment
Ingredients
Pork Chop Rub
- 2 tablespoons pure olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried rubbed sage
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pork Chops
- 4 bone-in ribeye pork chops (each about 1-inch thick)
Instructions
Pork Chop Rub
- Mix together oil, sage, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Spread both sides of pork chops with the herb mixture. Let stand 15 minutes.
Pork Chops
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Arrange pork chops in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook for 6 minutes. Using tongs, turn the pork chop. Continue cooking for 6 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally in the center of the chop registers 140°F. Remove chops from the air fryer and let stand for 3 minutes. The internal temperature will rise about 5° to 145°F.
Cooks Tips
- Crispy and Moist Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Golden Air Fryer Shrimp With Special Sauce
- Crazy Good Air Fryer Burgers
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Sauce Choices
Marc R Frantz says
There must be a misprint or it's in my brain the recipe calls for a rib pork chop that is 1 in thick and must weigh 8 oz .
the two are impossible there's no way you can get a one inch pork chop that weighs 8 oz