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Best Ever Air Fryer Pork Chops

Best air fryer pork chops with an impeccably golden, seasoned crust all over and a supremely juicy interior—ready in about 15 minutes. Bone-in pork chops cook at 400°F, flipped halfway, then rest briefly for a tender bite.
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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: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bone-in pork chops
  • 4 bone-in pork chops (1 inch thick) Dry thoroughly for maximum crisping.
Seasoning and oil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil Helps the spice mixture adhere and browns the crust.
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp brown sugar Adds a subtle caramel note to the crust.
  • 0.25 tsp salt Use to taste.
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper Use to taste.
  • 1 lemon wedges for serving Serve alongside to brighten the pork.

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Prep and season
  1. Pat the pork chops completely dry. This step is essential for a crispy crust with deep golden browning.
  2. Mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried Italian seasoning, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until evenly combined. The spice blend should look uniform with herb-flecked specks.
  3. Brush the pork chops with olive oil, then rub the spice mixture firmly all over both sides. Press so the seasoning clings evenly for a fully seasoned crust.
Air fry
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. You should see the unit come to temperature before cooking for better browning.
  2. Air fry the pork chops for 10–12 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through. Cook until the crust is deeply golden and the internal temperature reaches 145°F, judging by color that turns rich and crisp.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the pork chops for 3 minutes before serving. This allows juices to settle so the interior stays juicy rather than watery.
  2. Serve with lemon wedges. The wedges add a fresh, bright squeeze right before the first bite.

Notes

For maximum crispness, keep the pork surface dry (pat again right before oil if needed). Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes until hot. Freezing is not recommended for best texture. To make it dairy-free (already is), just ensure any seasoning blends used are dairy-free, and you’re set.