Air Fryer Pork Chops — Coated in Parmesan cheese and a rich spice rub, these air fried pork chops are perfectly crispy on the outside while staying tender and moist on the inside! They’re EASY, ready in 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights, and a healthier way to enjoy “fried” food. Oven-baking and grilling instructions also provided.
Boneless Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
If you’re on that back-to-school train that I’m on and wondering what you can whip together for dinner that’s easy and have it ready in 15 minutes flat, look no further than this Parmesan-coated air fryer boneless pork chops recipe.
We’re talking about a crispy and lightly crunchy exterior to the pork chops thanks to the Parmesan cheese and the air fryer.
The beauty of using an air fryer to cook the pork is that it really does make it crispy with only using a tiny amount of oil.
Onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground mustard create a dry rub and help round out the flavor and help jazz up the other white meat known as pork.
The interior of these fast and easy pork chops are tender and moist.
One of the reasons that I think most people don’t always gravitate towards pork is because it can get so dry, so fast. But cooking your pork chops in an air fryer will help them to stay as moist as possible.
Also bonus here for some people in that this is a naturally gluten-free recipe. There is no flour nor panko bread crumbs used in the dry rub so this is a way to get in a high-protein meal, minus the carbs and gluten.
If you don’t have an air fryer yet, I have plenty of alternate cooking methods below so that you can also make this easy pork recipe.
Ingredients in Air Fryer Pork Chops
To make these family favorite pork chops, you’ll only need a handful of common and easy to find fridge and pantry ingredients:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Ground mustard
- Salt
- Pepper
- Boneless pork chops
- Olive oil
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts and more complete directions.
How to Make Pork Chops in an Air Fryer
Making pork chops in an air fryer is fast and easy! Just follow my straightforward steps:
Step 1: To a medium bowl, combine the cheese, spices, salt, pepper, and stir to combine creating a dry rub.
Step 2: Coat the pork chops in olive oil.
Step 3: Dredge the pork chops through the Parmesan dry rub mixture making sure to really press it in.
Step 4: Spray the air fryer basket and the pork chops with olive oil cooking spray before placing them in the basket and air frying for 4 minutes.
Step 5: Flip and air fry 3 more minutes, plus more time if needed. Obviously when cooking pork, you need to make sure it’s done so use a meat thermometer.
Step 6: Rest the chops for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite vegetable or side dish!
How Long to Cook Pork Chops in the Air Fryer?
Boneless air fried pork chops require about 7 minutes in the air fryer, noting that you have to flip them at the halfway mark. I recommend using a meat thermometer to test that they’ve reached an internal temperature of 145ºF.
What Kind of Air Fryer Is Best?
I use a Cosori modelthat I’ve had for a few years. I like that the basket is quite large.
That being said, even with an “extra large” basket you may have to air fry the pork chops in batches.
The worst thing you can do with an air fryer is crowd it. The food doesn’t get crispy and steams rather than “fries,” which is contrary to the goal!
This double basket air fryer would be a near-guarantee that you won’t need to bother with batch cooking. And if you like making air fryer recipes, it’ll be right up your alley.
Can I Make Pork Chops Without an Air Fryer?
Yes of course you can! In case you haven’t jumped on the air fryer bandwagon, let’s talk about alternative ways to cook your pork chops to perfection.
There are many way to cook pork chops and obviously our grandparents weren’t air frying things!
If you don’t have an air fryer, here are my suggestions to cook the best pork chops:
- Oven Bake – Use a 350F oven for about 25 to 35 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- Gas Grill – When it’s summertime or warm enough to grill, I am a fan of putting pork chops on my outdoor gas grill for about 12 to 14 minutes or as necessary, and flipping once.
- Charcoal Grill or Smoker – This is also a viable option f that’s what you have noting that the flavor will be more charcoaly and smoky.
- Indoor Cast Iron Grill Pan– This option could make your house a little smoky but it will also provide lovely char lines on your pork chops along with fab flavor.
Tip: Because we are working with a Parmesan coating, make sure that your grill of any kind or grill pan are well oiled so your chops don’t stick!
What Type of Pork Chops Are Best for Air Fryer Pork Chops?
For my air fryer pork chops I used 1-inch thick boneless pork chops. In many ways, it makes these Parmesan-coated pork chops very similar to the boneless chicken breasts I used in my Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken.
However, you can use bone-in if that’s what you have. They’ll take longer to cook.
Pork top loin chops with a bone (sometimes called pork strip tops) or pork loin fillets (boneless) can also be used.
I always use fresh rather than frozen pork chops. I suppose frozen pork chops are fine, too, as long as they’re fully thawed before air frying them.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Pork Chops
I served these Parmesan coated pork chops with some Parmesan Roasted Broccoli.
Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts would also be awesome or a green salad,
You can serve them with something a bit more carby like stuffed cheese bread rolls, baked potatoes, a pasta salad, or whatever your family enjoys.
How to Store Leftover Pork Chops
Like anything that you make in an air fryer, these boneless pork chops are best hot and fresh from your air fryer after you’ve rested them for 5 to 10 minutes.
However, leftover pork chops will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Just note that leftovers won’t have that lovely crispy-crunch to them similar to most other fried food after it sits.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Pork Chops
Spray the basket and pork chops: When you’re getting ready to air fry the pork chops, make sure you spray the basket well with cooking spray. I use olive oil cooking spray.
And spray the pork chops themselves. This small amount of oil really helps the pork crisp up as well as take on a nice golden and cripsy appearance. Alternatively, you can use an olive oil mister if you have one. I know that they’ve already been patted with olive oil before applying the Parm coating, but I still spray them regardless.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket: Air fry the pork chops in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the basket. The pork chops need space to “fry”. If they’re crowded, they’ll will steam which doesn’t lend to producing a crispy, crunchy crust.
Make sure not to overcook your pork chops: Air frying will give you the taste, texture, and mouthfeel of a deep fried pork chop. However, it’s not a magician. If you overcook the air fryer basket, it’ll still be dry and tough like any other overcooked protein.
Since the thickness of all pork chops varies, as do all air fryers and how hot they get, and how thick or thin the pork chops are, cooking time will vary. About 4 minutes per side is a good estimate, but you as the chef are in charge of knowing when they are actually done.
Cook only until pork chops are just done: Pork is done when the internal temp reaches 145F. Check it with a digital thermometer if you’re unsure because it’s essential the pork is cooked to temperature. The internal temperature will continue to rise as your marinated pork chops rest after you take them off the grill. I think it’s safe to pull them when they’re 140F, let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes, the temp will come up to 145F, and you’re set.
Allow the pork chops to rest: This is true for all proteins but especially this “other white meat” since it’s on the leaner side. You don’t want the natural juices running out if you slice into the pork chops prematurely. Keep those natural juices in the air fryer pork chops by giving them a little time to just rest.
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Air Fryer Pork Chops
Ingredients
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, regular paprika may be substituted
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 4 boneless pork chops*
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Olive oil spray, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat an XL air fryer or double basket air fryer to 375F.
- To a medium bowl, combine the Parm, all the spices, salt, pepper, and stir to combine.
- Evenly divide and rub the olive oil over all sides of all the pork chops.
- Evenly press the Parmesan coating mixture into all sides of all the pork chops.
- Spray the basket of the air fryer with olive oil cooking spay or mister, and spray the pork chops themselves with oilve oil spray too. Tip - Even though they have been rubbed with olive oil, this final spray helps encourage crisping and prevents sticking.
- Place the pork chops in the basket using tongs and air fry for about 4 minutes.
- Open the basket, flip, spray lightly again over the basket itself and the chops, close, and air fry for an additional 3 minutes, or until done. If the pork chops aren't done (internal temp of 145F) they'll likely only need an additional 2 minutes but of course cook until they are fully done since all air fryers and the thickness of all pork chops varies.
- If you need to cook in batches, repeat the cooking process in steps 5 through 7.
- Allow cooked air fryer pork chops to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Leftover pork chops will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months, noting that leftovers won't retain the same crispiness and crunchiness of freshly prepared pork chops.
Notes
- Oven Bake – Use a 350F oven for about 25 to 35 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- Gas Grill – When it’s summertime or warm enough to grill, I am a fan of putting pork chops on my outdoor gas grill for about 12 to 14 minutes or as necessary, and flipping once.
- Charcoal Grill or Smoker – This is also a viable option f that’s what you have noting that the flavor will be more charcoaly and smoky.
- Indoor Cast Iron Grill Pan– This option could make your house a little smoky but it will also provide lovely char lines on your pork chops along with fab flavor.
- Tip: Because we are working with a Parmesan coating, make sure that your grill of any kind or grill pan are well oiled so your chops don’t stick!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Very tender and moist. I would cut the Kosher salt in half next time.
Very tender and moist. I would cut the Kosher salt in half next time.
Thanks for trying the recipe. Yes always salt to your own taste. Some Parmesan cheese is saltier than others, too, so that is a consideration.