Best Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe

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This is the Best Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe! This recipe makes tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned pork chops every time. A quick and easy dinner ready in less than 30 minutes!

If you love easy pork recipes that are full of flavor, then I think you’ll also love my BBQ pork chops, pulled pork, and BBQ pork tenderloin. They are all so delicious!

Bite of pork chop on the end of a fork with the rest of the pork chop on a white plate with a blue napkin.

How to Make the Best Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

  • For the brine – water and salt
  • For the seasoning brown sugar, Stone House Seasoning, paprika, and chili powder.
  • Pork chops – I love to use 1-inch thick, bone-in pork chops in my air fryer, but you can also use a boneless, center-cut pork chop.
  • Dijon mustard – the mustard adds flavor while providing a great coating for the seasoning to adhere to as the pork chops cook.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pork chops brining in bowl of water.

Brine the pork chops (Optional). Add the water and salt to a large mixing bowl or baking dish. Stir to dissolve the salt. Submerge the pork chops in the salt water. Cover and allow to brine for 2 to 12 hours. Remove from the brine. Rinse with cool water to remove the salt water.

Prep. Preheat the air fryer to 400º F for 5 minutes. Stir together the seasoning mix for the pork chops. Arrange the pork chops on the air fryer tray, leaving room between them. Pat them dry with a paper towel.

Season the pork chops. Spread the Dijon mustard evenly on the pork chops and sprinkle the seasoning mix on them.

Pork chops on a white plate.

Air fryer the pork chops. Cook the pork chops for 6 minutes. Then flip them and cook until an instant-read thermometer reaches 145º F. Remove from the air fryer, tent with foil for 5 minutes to rest, and serve.

Pork Chop Brine

Brining the pork chops results in more tender, juicy, and delicious pork chops! Two to four hours is plenty of time to brine the pork chops, but brining them during the day while at work for a flavorful dinner is also a great idea!

Storage Tips

To store leftovers. Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

To make ahead. Prepare as directed. Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

To freeze. Prepare and cool completely. Freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is long enough to brine pork chops?

Two to four hours works well to brine pork chops. It helps the protein to draw in moisture while flavoring the meat. You can also brine your pork chops overnight or during the day while at work. I do not recommend brining pork chops beyond 12 hours or the meat can become too salty and a bit mushy.

Do you have to brine your pork chops?

You don’t “have” to brine your pork chops, but once you do, you’ll see the difference in the overall flavor, texture, and juiciness of your cooked pork chops.

Juicy pork chop on a white plate with a bite on a fork. Blue napkin on the left top of the plate.

Here’s my favorite Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe. I hope you love them as much as we do!

Best Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe

5 from 1 vote
This is the Best Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe! This recipe makes tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned pork chops every time. A quick and easy dinner ready in less than 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 (1-inch thick) pork chops, bone-in preferred
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 2 teaspoons Stone House Seasoning
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions 

  • Brine the pork chops: (optional). Add the water to a large bowl. Add the salt and stir until dissolved. Submerge the pork chops in the salt water. Cover and allow the pork chops to soak in the brine for 2 to 12 hours. Remove from the brine and rinse with clean, cool water.
  • Prep. Preheat the air fryer to 400º F for 5 minutes. Mix together the brown sugar, Stone House Seasoning, paprika, and chili powder.
  • Arrange pork chops on the tray. Place the pork chops onto the air fryer tray or basket. Spread half the Dijon mustard evenly on the pork chops to coat. Sprinkle with half of the brown sugar seasoning.
  • Cook the pork chops. Air fry the pork chops for 6 minutes. Remove from air fryer and flip them. Spread the remaining half of the Dijon mustard on the pork chops and then sprinkle on the remaining brown sugar seasoning. Cook until they reach 145º F when checked with an instant-read thermometer, about another 6 minutes. Remove from the air fryer, tent with foil, and rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your pork chops. The cooking time provided is for 1-inch thick, bone-in pork chops. 

Storage Tips

To store leftovers. Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
To make ahead. Prepare as directed. Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
To freeze. Prepare and cool completely. Freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 1316mg | Potassium: 541mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 454IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

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About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Review




2 Comments

  1. fran fink says:

    Robyn, do you season the other side of the chops when you turn them over on the first 6 minutes or just turn them plain?? thanks

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Fran, thanks so much for catching that. Air fry the pork chops for 6 minutes. Remove from air fryer and flip them. Spread the remaining half of the Dijon mustard on the pork chops and then sprinkle on the remaining brown sugar seasoning. I hope you enjoy!