Description
Mouthwatering air fryer pork chops promise a quick, juicy dinner solution with minimal cleanup. Crispy exterior and tender meat make this simple recipe a weeknight winner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless, about 1 inch thick)
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh broccoli florets
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes to ensure a crisp exterior on the pork chops.
- Create a robust seasoning blend by combining olive oil with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Thoroughly pat the pork chops dry with paper towels to promote optimal searing and even seasoning coverage.
- Generously coat both sides of the pork chops with the prepared seasoning mixture, ensuring complete and uniform flavor distribution.
- Arrange the seasoned pork chops in a single layer within the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to allow proper air circulation.
- Cook the pork chops for 12-15 minutes, carefully flipping them midway through the cooking process to guarantee even cooking.
- Monitor the internal temperature, aiming for 145°F to achieve perfectly juicy and tender meat.
- While the pork chops are cooking, prepare broccoli by either steaming or air frying for 5-7 minutes until tender and vibrant green.
- Once cooking is complete, remove the pork chops and allow them to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Plate the succulent pork chops alongside the broccoli, creating a delicious and nutritious meal ready to be enjoyed.
Notes
- Ensure meat is at room temperature before cooking to promote even heating and prevent tough texture.
- Pat pork chops completely dry using paper towels to help achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior with maximum flavor absorption.
- Consider using bone-in pork chops for enhanced moisture and richer taste profile, which typically retain more juiciness during air frying.
- Adjust cooking time based on thickness: thinner chops (½ inch) need 8-10 minutes, while thicker cuts (1 inch) require 12-15 minutes to reach perfect doneness.
- Experiment with alternative seasoning blends like Mediterranean herb mix, Cajun spice, or Asian-inspired marinades to transform the dish’s flavor experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17-22 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg