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Air Fryer Pork Chops

Air fryer pork chops with a deeply golden spice crust all over and juicy, perfectly cooked centers in just 12 minutes. This quick pork chops recipe uses a simple garlic-paprika rub and a short rest for tender 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: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Prep and season
  1. Pat the pork chops dry and brush with olive oil so the rub sticks evenly. Keep them ready for seasoning right after oiling.
  2. Mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, then rub the mixture all over the pork chops for a full coat. Aim for coverage on all sides.
Air fry
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes so the chops start crisping immediately. You should see the unit reach temperature before cooking.
  2. Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, without overlapping, for even browning. Leave space between chops so hot air circulates.
  3. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F and the crust is golden. Look for a deeply golden spice crust on all sides as the chops finish.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the pork chops for 3 minutes before serving to help juices settle. The crust should stay set and the center should finish cooking gently.
  2. Serve with lemon wedges so you can add bright juice right before eating. Squeeze over the top for best flavor.

Notes

For the juiciest results, use a meat thermometer and pull the pork chops at exactly 145°F, then rest for 3 minutes. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to re-crisp. Freezing is not recommended for best texture. For a lower-sodium option, reduce the added salt and rely on the spices for flavor.