Air Fryer Pork Chops are a game-changer for busy weeknights, offering an incredible combination of speed, flavor, and perfect texture. This easy 15-minute recipe guarantees juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned pork chops that will become a regular in your dinner rotation. Crafted with a balanced sweet and savory spice rub, these air-fried pork chops are ideal for any night of the week when you crave something delicious without the fuss.
If you’re looking to expand your repertoire of delicious, juicy pork chop recipes, don’t miss our guides on Instant Pot Pork Chops, Honey Garlic Pork Chops, Crispy Breaded Pork Chops, and Pork Chops with Apples.
Perfectly Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops
Tired of dry, tough pork chops? This recipe for Air Fryer Pork Chops is your ultimate solution! By harnessing the consistent, circulating heat of the air fryer, we create pork chops that are incredibly moist on the inside with a beautifully caramelized, crispy crust on the outside. With just a handful of simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll achieve spectacular results every time. This method ensures your pork chops are consistently tender, bursting with flavor, and never overcooked.
Much like our popular recipes for Air Fryer Chicken Legs and Air Fryer Chicken Breast, this pork chop recipe relies on a fantastic sweet and savory homemade dry rub. This expertly crafted blend infuses the pork with a profound depth of flavor, utilizing common pantry staples rather than expensive or exotic ingredients. The air fryer excels at quickly crisping the exterior of the pork chop while expertly locking in the juices, leading to a delightful contrast in textures that is absolutely spot-on. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can transform simple pork chops into a gourmet-level meal.
Get ready to enjoy perfectly cooked pork chops with unparalleled ease and satisfaction. Happy Cooking!
Recipe Highlights: Why This Air Fryer Pork Chop Recipe Shines
- Air Fryer Pork Chops Full Recipe
- Essential Ingredients & Smart Choices
- Step-by-Step: How to Air Fry Pork Chops to Perfection
- Creative Recipe Variations for Every Taste
- Delicious Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Tips for Air Frying Success
- Troubleshooting Common Air Fryer Pork Chop Issues
- Why Air Frying is the Best Method for Pork Chops
- Frequently Asked Questions
Essential Ingredients for the Best Air Fryer Pork Chops
Achieving truly juicy and flavorful air fryer pork chops starts with selecting the right ingredients and understanding their role. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is important for culinary success:
- Pork Chops: For optimal results, we highly recommend using thick-cut pork loin chops, whether boneless or bone-in. Aim for chops that are between 1 to 1 ½ inches in thickness. Thicker chops are much more forgiving and less likely to dry out during the rapid cooking process of the air fryer. This allows sufficient time for a beautiful, deeply caramelized crust to form while keeping the interior exquisitely succulent. Thin pork chops (less than 1 inch thick) can overcook extremely quickly, resulting in a drier, tougher texture. If using thin chops, be prepared to significantly reduce cooking time and monitor closely.
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Homemade Sweet & Savory Seasoning Blend: Our signature dry rub is the secret to these incredibly flavorful pork chops. It’s a perfectly balanced, harmonious blend of common spices that creates an irresistible crust and infuses the meat with a profound depth of flavor:
- Kosher Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper: These are the foundational elements for any good seasoning, acting as flavor enhancers that bring out the best in the pork.
- Smoked Paprika: This spice adds a beautiful reddish hue and imparts a deep, complex smoky undertone that complements pork exceptionally well. If you prefer a milder, less smoky flavor, regular paprika can be used as a suitable substitute.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These essential aromatic powders provide a savory, umami-rich base, creating a balanced and undeniably delicious taste profile that permeates the entire chop.
- Cayenne Pepper (Optional): For those who appreciate a subtle warmth and a gentle kick, a dash of cayenne pepper adds just the right amount of heat without overpowering the other delicate flavors. Feel free to adjust the quantity to your preference or omit it entirely for a milder rub.
- Brown Sugar: This is a crucial ingredient for achieving a delightful sweet and savory balance. The brown sugar not only adds a touch of sweetness but also caramelizes beautifully in the high heat of the air fryer, contributing to that desirable golden-brown, crispy crust and helping to lock in precious moisture. It also aids in tenderizing the meat.
You can find our full, versatile recipe for this fantastic homemade dry rub here, which is perfect for various meats and vegetables beyond just pork!
- Oil or Cooking Spray: A minimal amount of oil is essential to facilitate the Maillard reaction, which is responsible for that perfect golden-brown exterior and irresistible flavor. It also prevents the pork chops from sticking to the air fryer basket. You can lightly brush the chops with a neutral-flavored oil such as canola, avocado, or a light olive oil. Alternatively, a cooking spray, particularly one made with avocado or olive oil, works wonderfully for achieving even coverage and minimizing mess. Avoid aerosol sprays with propellants that can damage air fryer coatings.
Step-by-Step: How to Air Fry Pork Chops to Perfection
Follow these detailed steps to ensure your air fryer pork chops turn out perfectly juicy, tender, and beautifully caramelized every single time. The precise ingredient quantities and full, comprehensive instructions are conveniently available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
1. Prepare and Season the Pork Chops for Maximum Flavor
- Pat Dry Thoroughly: Begin by thoroughly patting the pork chops completely dry with paper towels. This crucial preparatory step is vital as it helps the seasoning adhere much better to the meat’s surface and, more importantly, promotes a crispier, more flavorful crust during cooking. Any excess moisture on the surface can lead to steaming instead of proper browning and crisping.
- Apply the Dry Rub Generously: Once dried, generously coat each side of the pork chops with your prepared sweet and savory dry rub. Do not be shy with the seasoning! Use your hands to gently but firmly rub the mixture into the pork, ensuring it is evenly distributed and adheres well to every surface and crevice of the chop. This ensures maximum flavor penetration and a delightful crust in every single bite.
2. Prepare the Air Fryer and Arrange Chops for Optimal Cooking
- Preheat Air Fryer (if required): Depending on your specific air fryer model, it is often highly beneficial to preheat it to 380°F (195°C) for approximately 3-5 minutes. Preheating helps ensure immediate searing of the pork chops upon placement, which contributes significantly to a crispier exterior and more even, efficient cooking.
- Lightly Oil or Spray: Before carefully placing the seasoned pork chops into the air fryer, lightly spray each side with a cooking spray (avocado or olive oil spray are highly recommended for their high smoke points) or brush with a thin, even layer of a neutral oil. This critical step is absolutely vital for achieving that desirable crispy, golden-brown, caramelized exterior and, equally important, for preventing the chops from sticking to the air fryer basket or rack.
- Arrange in a Single Layer: Carefully arrange the seasoned and lightly oiled pork chops in a single layer within the air fryer basket or on the tray. Proper spacing is key for successful air frying.
Crucial Tip: Never Overlap the Pork!
For the pork chops to cook evenly and crisp up properly, it is absolutely essential that they are placed in a single layer and are not overlapping in any way. Overcrowding the air fryer basket or tray can severely impede the hot air circulation, leading to uneven cooking, a lack of crispness (as trapped steam will prevent proper frying), and overall suboptimal results. If necessary, always work in multiple small batches to ensure each chop has ample space to cook perfectly. Your patience here will undoubtedly pay off in the form of superior texture and flavor!
3. Air Fry the Pork Chops to Ideal Doneness
- Initial Cook Cycle: Air fry the pork chops at 380°F (195°C) for an initial 4 minutes.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: After the initial cooking time, carefully remove the basket or tray, and flip the pork chops to ensure even cooking and browning on both sides. Continue to air fry for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches the safe and juicy mark of 145°F (63°C). The exact cook time will depend on the precise thickness of your chops, whether they are bone-in or boneless, and the specific model and wattage of your air fryer.
The Secret to Juiciness: A Reliable Digital Thermometer!
Pork, much like chicken and other lean proteins, can very quickly become dry and tough if overcooked. The most accurate, reliable, and foolproof way to ensure your pork chops are perfectly cooked – that is, wonderfully juicy on the inside, safe to eat, and never rubbery – is to use a high-quality digital meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chop, making sure to avoid touching any bone if it’s present, as bones can give an inaccurate reading. Remove the pork chops from the air fryer immediately once they register 145°F (63°C). Remember that the internal temperature will continue to rise slightly (a phenomenon known as carryover cooking) during the resting period.
4. Rest Before Serving for Optimal Juiciness
- Crucial Resting Period: Once the pork chops have reached their perfect internal temperature, promptly remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a clean platter or cutting board. Loosely tent them with foil (do not tightly wrap, as this can steam them and soften the crust) and allow them to rest undisturbed for at least 5 minutes before you begin slicing and serving. This resting period is absolutely vital for a truly juicy result: it allows the muscle fibers of the meat to relax and, more importantly, enables the flavorful juices to redistribute evenly throughout the entire chop. Skipping this essential step can lead to a significant loss of moisture when the meat is cut, resulting in a noticeably drier eating experience.
Creative Recipe Variations for Your Air Fryer Pork Chops
While our classic sweet and savory dry rub is undoubtedly a winner, these air fryer pork chops are incredibly versatile! Feel free to experiment with these delicious variations to perfectly suit your taste preferences, dietary needs, or simply to add exciting new flavors to your weeknight meals:
- Bone-in Pork Chops: If you prefer bone-in chops, rest assured they can be cooked beautifully in the air fryer. Season them exactly as directed in the main recipe. Due to the bone, which acts as a natural insulator, they typically require a slightly longer cooking time. Air fry for 5 minutes at 380°F (195°C), then flip and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes. After this, begin checking the internal temperature with your digital meat thermometer. If they haven’t yet reached 145°F (63°C), continue air frying in short 1 to 2-minute intervals until the desired temperature is achieved.
- Thinner Pork Chops (less than 1 inch thick): If you find yourself with thinner chops, be extra vigilant with your cooking time! Reduce the initial cooking time to about 3 minutes per side. They will cook very quickly and may not develop as deep or dark a crust as thicker chops, but they will still be wonderfully tender if not overcooked. A meat thermometer is your best friend here.
- Lower Sodium Option: To easily reduce the sodium content in this recipe, simply omit the kosher salt from the dry rub or reduce it by half. You can still achieve fantastic, robust flavor by relying on the other aromatic and savory spices.
- Low-Carb Modification: For a delicious low-carb version, simply omit the brown sugar from the spice rub. The savory spices will still provide plenty of flavor, and the pork will crisp up beautifully without the added sweetness.
- Keep it Simple: Short on time or prefer a minimalist approach? Skip the custom spice blend and opt for a high-quality, store-bought seasoned salt or Adobo seasoning. Apply it generously to the pork chops and air fry as directed.
- Jerk-Seasoned Pork: Embark on a culinary trip to the Caribbean by seasoning your pork chops with a vibrant and authentic jerk seasoning blend. The spicy, aromatic, and complex notes of jerk seasoning pair wonderfully with pork, creating a bold, exciting, and unforgettable meal when air-fried.
- Herby Delight: For a fresh, aromatic, and Mediterranean-inspired twist, consider adding dried rosemary, thyme, or sage (or a combination) to your dry rub. These classic herbs elevate the natural flavor of pork beautifully, offering a sophisticated taste profile.
- Spicy Kick: If you love heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the rub, or add a pinch of chili powder for an extra fiery dimension.
Delicious Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings
This air fryer pork chop recipe is undoubtedly a standout among our quick and easy dinner recipes. The lean protein cooks up so fast and reliably, yielding consistently perfect results that make mealtime a breeze. To create a complete, satisfying, and utterly delicious meal, pair these succulent air fryer pork chops with one or two of these delightful side dishes:
- Creamy Cheese Grits: The rich, savory, and comforting texture of cheesy grits provides a wonderful and hearty contrast to the tender pork.
- Homemade Instant Pot Applesauce: A timeless and classic pairing, the natural sweetness and slight tartness of homemade applesauce beautifully cuts through the richness of the pork, offering a refreshing and balanced counterpoint.
- Garlic Butter Parsley Potatoes: Simple, incredibly flavorful, and a hearty side dish that complements almost any main course, including these pork chops.
- Fluffy Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes offer a lovely natural sweetness and a vibrant color, and they are especially delicious when served with a touch of cinnamon or a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese: For a truly comforting, indulgent, and crowd-pleasing meal, you absolutely cannot go wrong with classic macaroni and cheese alongside your pork chops.
- Fluffy Rice Pilaf: A light, aromatic, and perfectly seasoned rice pilaf makes an excellent and absorbent base for any delicious juices from the pork chops.
- Steamed Green Beans or Asparagus: For a lighter, healthier, and fresh option, quickly steam some vibrant green beans or crisp asparagus and toss them with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Simple Garden Salad: A crisp, refreshing garden salad adorned with your favorite fresh vegetables and dressed with a light vinaigrette is a perfect and palate-cleansing counterpoint to the richness of the pork.
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Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe
Kristen Chidsey
2
5 mins
9 mins
14 mins
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Air Fryer Pork Chops are incredibly quick to make, using a simple dry rub and air-fried to perfection. The result is consistently juicy, flavorful, and tender pork chops ready in under 20 minutes for a hassle-free meal.
Video
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, center-cut pork chops, about 1 ½ inch thick each
- Cooking spray (avocado or olive oil recommended) or 1 tbsp neutral oil
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional (for a little heat)
Instructions
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If needed per your air fryer model, preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 3-5 minutes. This helps ensure immediate searing and a crispier exterior.
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In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Mix well to create your sweet and savory dry rub.
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Pat the pork chops thoroughly dry with paper towels. Lightly brush the pork chops with a neutral oil, or prepare to use cooking spray. Generously sprinkle the dry rub over both sides of the pork chops. Use your hands to rub the seasoning mixture evenly into the meat, ensuring good adhesion.
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If you did not brush with oil, spray one side of the seasoned pork chops lightly with cooking spray. Place the chops, sprayed side down, in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the rack. Ensure no overlapping. Then, spray the exposed side of the pork chops with cooking spray as well.
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Air fry the pork chops for 5 minutes at 380°F (195°C). Carefully remove the basket, flip the pork chops, and air fry for another 4 minutes. After this time, remove the basket and use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork chops. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding any bone.
If the pork chops have reached an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), immediately remove them from the air fryer. If they have not yet reached a safe temperature, continue to air fry in 1 to 2-minute intervals, checking the temperature after each interval, until 145°F is achieved.
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Transfer the cooked pork chops to a platter or cutting board. Loosely tent them with foil and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This crucial resting period ensures the juices redistribute, resulting in the juiciest air-fried pork possible.
Equipment
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Air Fryer
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Digital Meat Thermometer
Tips for Air Frying Success & Important Notes
Pork Chop Selection & Thickness: For the most consistent and delicious results, we strongly recommend using thick-cut pork loin chops, either boneless or bone-in, that are between 1 to 1 ½ inches in thickness. These chops are more forgiving and less prone to drying out before they can develop a beautiful, golden crust. While thinner chops (less than 1 inch) can be air-fried, their cooking time will be significantly reduced to about 3 minutes per side, and they may not caramelize as much on the exterior.
Cooking Bone-in Pork Chops: Bone-in chops generally require a slightly longer cooking time due to the insulating effect of the bone. Follow the instructions for seasoning. Cook for an initial 5 minutes at 380°F (195°C), then flip and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes. After this, begin checking the internal temperature. If they haven’t reached 145°F (63°C), continue air frying in 1 to 2-minute intervals until the safe temperature is achieved. Always use a reliable digital thermometer.
Monitoring Internal Temperature: The golden rule for perfectly cooked, juicy pork is to cook it to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Cooking much past this point will result in dry, tough pork chops. A digital meat thermometer is your best friend here, providing the most accurate reading and preventing overcooking. Remember that the temperature will rise a few degrees during the resting period.
Storage & Reheating Leftovers: Leftover air fryer pork chops can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 380°F (195°C) for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through. This method helps retain their juiciness and crispness better than a microwave.
Seasoning Adjustments: Our homemade dry rub is fantastic, but feel free to customize it! You can omit the sugar or salt if you have specific dietary concerns. Regular paprika can be used instead of smoked paprika for a less smoky flavor. You can also substitute your favorite store-bought spice blend if you prefer.
Doubling the Recipe: If you need to prepare more than two pork chops, you may need to work in batches, especially if your air fryer has a smaller capacity. Double the dry rub ingredients accordingly. Keep the first batch warm in a low oven (around 200°F or 93°C) while the subsequent batches cook, ensuring everything is ready to serve at the same time. Remember not to overcrowd the air fryer for optimal results.
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Troubleshooting Common Air Fryer Pork Chop Issues
Even with a simple and straightforward recipe, minor hiccups can occasionally occur. Here’s how to effectively address some common issues you might encounter when air frying pork chops, ensuring your next batch is flawless:
- Pork Chops are Dry: This is almost invariably due to overcooking. To prevent this, ensure you are always using a reliable digital meat thermometer and removing the chops promptly the moment they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Remember that carryover cooking will cause the temperature to rise a few additional degrees after the chops are removed from the air fryer. Additionally, opting for thicker cuts of pork is recommended, as thinner chops are inherently more prone to drying out rapidly.
- Not Crispy Enough: The key to a wonderfully crispy exterior lies in several factors. First, make sure you thoroughly patted the pork chops completely dry before applying any seasoning. A very light spray of oil or brushing with oil is also crucial for promoting optimal browning and crisping. Furthermore, it is absolutely essential to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as this traps steam and prevents the hot air from circulating effectively, leading to steaming instead of proper frying and crisping.
- Uneven Cooking: This issue commonly arises when the air fryer basket is overcrowded, or if the pork chops are not flipped precisely halfway through the cooking process. Always ensure you cook the chops in a single layer, giving each piece adequate space for even heat distribution. Additionally, try to use pork chops of similar thickness to ensure they cook uniformly and reach doneness at roughly the same time.
- Seasoning Falling Off: To maximize seasoning adherence, thoroughly patting the chops dry before applying the rub is a critical first step. Gently pressing the dry rub firmly into the meat, rather than just sprinkling it lightly, can significantly improve how well it sticks. A light coating of oil or cooking spray also helps the seasoning bind to the meat’s surface.
Why Air Frying is the Best Method for Pork Chops
The air fryer has genuinely revolutionized home cooking, offering a healthier, faster, and incredibly convenient way to prepare a myriad of dishes. It particularly shines when it comes to preparing pork chops. Here’s why the air fryer is our unequivocally preferred method for achieving perfectly cooked pork chops every single time:
- Incredible Speed: Air fryers cook food significantly faster than conventional ovens, thanks to their highly concentrated, rapidly circulating hot air. This efficient cooking mechanism means that perfectly juicy pork chops can be on your dinner table in under 15 minutes, making it an ideal solution for last-minute meals and busy weeknights.
- Superior Texture: The intense, rapid circulation of hot air within the air fryer creates an effect remarkably similar to traditional deep-frying, but with far less oil. This results in an incredibly crispy, golden-brown, and deeply flavorful exterior, all while maintaining an exquisitely tender and moist interior. Say goodbye to bland, chewy, or dry pork chops!
- Healthier Option: Air frying requires only a minimal amount of oil (or often none at all beyond what’s needed for crisping and seasoning adherence), which significantly reduces the overall fat content and calories compared to traditional pan-frying or deep-frying methods. It allows you to enjoy crispy, satisfying food with less guilt.
- Easy Cleanup: One of the often-underestimated benefits of air frying is the ease of cleanup. Most air fryer baskets and accessories feature non-stick coatings and are often dishwasher-safe, making post-dinner cleanup an absolute breeze. Furthermore, cooking in an enclosed appliance minimizes splatters, grease, and messes on your stovetop and countertops.
- Consistent Results: Once you understand the nuances of your specific air fryer model and follow basic guidelines, it consistently delivers perfectly cooked, delicious results with minimal effort and supervision. It truly offers a hands-off, stress-free cooking experience, freeing you up to focus on other tasks.
- Even Cooking: The powerful fan circulates hot air around the food from all directions, ensuring that every inch of the pork chop is exposed to consistent heat. This uniform cooking prevents hot spots and guarantees that your chops cook evenly throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Do I need to preheat my air fryer for pork chops?
- While not strictly necessary for all air fryer models, preheating your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 3-5 minutes is highly recommended. Preheating creates an immediate hot surface, helping the pork chops sear instantly upon entering the basket. This contributes significantly to a crispier exterior, better flavor development, and more even cooking.
- What internal temperature should pork chops be cooked to?
- Pork chops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). It is crucial to use a digital meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chop to ensure accuracy. This temperature ensures the pork is perfectly safe to eat while remaining wonderfully juicy, tender, and flavorful, preventing any dryness.
- Can I use frozen pork chops in the air fryer?
- It is always best to completely thaw pork chops before air frying them. Cooking from frozen can lead to significantly uneven cooking, a less crispy exterior, and a much longer overall cooking time. If you absolutely must cook from frozen, expect to increase the cooking time by at least 50% and continuously monitor the internal temperature with a meat thermometer for food safety and optimal doneness.
- How do I prevent my pork chops from drying out in the air fryer?
- The absolute key to preventing dry pork chops is not to overcook them. Always use a reliable meat thermometer and pull them from the air fryer immediately at 145°F (63°C). Additionally, using thick-cut chops (1 to 1.5 inches), thoroughly patting them dry, applying a good seasoning, and allowing them to rest after cooking are all crucial steps. Also, avoid overcrowding the basket.
- Can I put sauce on the pork chops before air frying?
- While dry rubs are generally ideal for air frying, you can apply a light, thin sauce during the last few minutes of cooking. Applying thick, sugary sauces too early in the cooking process can cause them to burn and become bitter in the high heat of the air fryer. For the best results, air fry with the dry rub as instructed, and then brush on your favorite sauce (such as BBQ, honey garlic, or a glaze) during the final 2-3 minutes of cooking, or even after the chops have rested.
- What kind of air fryer is best for pork chops?
- Any basket-style or oven-style air fryer will work exceptionally well for cooking pork chops. The primary consideration is the size and capacity of your air fryer – ensure that your pork chops can fit comfortably in a single layer without any overlapping. Basket-style air fryers are typically great for cooking 2-4 chops, while larger oven-style models might accommodate more in a single batch.
Nutrition
Calories: 187kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 88mg
Sodium: 649mg
Potassium: 542mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 3g
Vitamin A: 53IU
Vitamin C: 1mg
Calcium: 13mg
Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.