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Best Ever Air Fryer Pork Chops

Best air fryer pork chops with an impeccably golden, herb-flecked crust and a supremely juicy interior. Done in about 12 minutes with a quick spice rub and a short rest for better sliceability.
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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: 460
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Prep the chops
  1. Pat the pork chops completely dry, then pat again with fresh paper towels for a drier surface. This helps the crust brown deeply instead of steaming.
  2. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried Italian seasoning, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the rub looks evenly speckled.
  3. Brush the pork chops with olive oil, then rub the spice mixture firmly all over both sides. Press the seasoning in so it adheres during cooking.
Air-fry
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Wait until the unit indicates it has reached temperature.
  2. Place the pork chops in the basket in a single layer and air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Continue until the internal temperature reaches 145°F and the crust looks deeply golden.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the pork chops for 3 minutes before serving. The juices settle and the crust stays intact.
  2. Serve with lemon wedges on the side. Squeeze just before eating for bright flavor over the golden crust.

Notes

For extra crispness, make sure the pork is truly dry before oil and rub (surface moisture is the enemy of browning). Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3–4 minutes. Freezing is not recommended because bone-in pork chops can dry out when reheated. If you want a lower-sugar option, replace the brown sugar with the same amount of a sugar-free substitute (measured by sweetness) to keep the caramelized color without added sugar.