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Air Fryer Pork Chops

Air fryer pork chops with a deeply golden spice crust cooked through to 145°F in about 12 minutes. Pat-dry, rub with garlic powder and smoked paprika, air fry in a single layer, then rest for juicy results.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
rest 3 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pork chops and spice rub
  • 4 pork chops (boneless or bone-in, 1 inch thick)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp dried thyme
  • 0.25 tsp salt use to taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper use to taste
  • 1 lemon wedges for serving

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Prep and season
  1. Pat the pork chops dry and brush all over with olive oil so the seasoning sticks evenly.
  2. Mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, then rub the mixture all over the pork chops.
Air fry
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
  2. Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping so they crisp on all sides.
  3. Air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until the crust is golden and the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the pork chops for 3 minutes before serving to keep them juicy.
  2. Serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

For best crust, pat the chops very dry and apply the spice rub right after oiling; if your chops are thicker than 1 inch, add a couple minutes and re-check at 145°F. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended due to texture changes. For a lower-sodium option, use reduced-sodium salt while keeping the same spice mix proportions.