Learn how to cook thin pork chops in the air fryer; it’s easy, economical, and takes less than 10 minutes. You can serve these tender pork chops on almost any side you like.
Cooking thin pork chops in the air fryer is so easy! Seasoned with simple spices, these juicy chops are quickly prepared, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. They are ideal for busy weeknights, making a delightful main dish that’s ready in minutes.
Pair the air-fried thin pork chops with our Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes or Garlic Bread Baguette.
And if you have thick-cut pork chops with the bone in, learn how to cook Bone-In Pork Chops in the Air Fryer.
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Recipe ingredients
Thin pork chops are boneless cuts, usually ¼ to ½ inch thick, from the loin or rib. They cook quickly and evenly due to their thinness. The ones I used were 3 oz (85 g), about ⅓ inch (1 cm) thick, and reached a safe internal temperature after 5 minutes.
Spices: I used fine sea salt, black pepper, brown sugar, sweet and smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for heat if desired.
For instance, you could try our Dry Rib for Ribs, the super hot Peri Peri Seasoning, our Pork Roast Seasoning, Ground Beef Seasoning, or any other homemade or store-bought seasoning mix for meat or dry rub.
How to cook thin pork chops in the air fryer?
Season: Dry the meat with a paper towel and rub it with the oil to coat it lightly all over. Season liberally with the seasoning mixture (1).
Place the seasoned pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded (2).
Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your pork chops (3).
Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer; it should be 145°F/63°C. Rest the meat for a few minutes before serving.
How long does it take to cook thin-cut chops?
Check the thickness of the chops; it makes a lot of difference. Overcooking the meat will make it tough and dry, and that’s no joy.
It’s preferable to check too soon and do it repeatedly than wait for the recommended cook time to be over and then realize it was too long for your thin chops.
A meat thermometer (the Amazon link opens in a new tab) ensures perfectly cooked, juicy air fryer pork chops.
Remove them from the air fryer when they reach 145°F/63°C. The temperature will also rise slightly during the 2-3 minute resting time.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. However, remember that cooking times will be slightly longer than when using thawed pork chops.
It's recommended to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and monitor the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure they are fully cooked.
Yes. As breading can affect cooking times and the overall texture, it’s recommended to use a thin and even layer of breading and adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the meat cooks through and the breading becomes crispy.
How to store and reheat?
Refrigerate leftover pork chops in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge and reheat.
Reheat in a preheated air fryer at 365°F/ 190°C for 1 to 2 minutes until warm.
Thin Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 thin pork chops boneless, Note 1
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt Note 2
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F/190°C for about 3 minutes or according to the machine’s instructions.
- Seasoning: Mix the spices in a small bowl. ½ teaspoon fine sea salt + ½ teaspoon ground black pepper + 1 teaspoon brown sugar + ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika + ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika + ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Season chops: Dry the meat with paper towels and rub it with the oil to coat it lightly all over. Season liberally with the seasoning mixture and rub well to distribute the seasoning all over the meat. 4 thin pork chops + 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Cook thin pork chops: Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops (Note 1).
- Check the internal temperature of the pork chops; it should be 145°F/63°C.
- Rest the meat for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- The thin boneless pork chops I had weighed 3 oz/ 85 g and were ⅓ inch/ almost 1 cm thick. The safe internal temperature (145°F/63°C) was reached after 5 minutes of cooking. If your chops are thicker, increase the cooking time slightly, and check regularly with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- Spices: You can basically use any spices, spice blend, or dry rub you like, either homemade or store-bought.
Betsy says
Hi, I'm trying your
Thin pork chops
Recipe in my air fryer. And I will also
Be trying your chicken air fryer recipes. Thank you so much.
Adina says
Thank you for the feedback, Betsy. I hope you like the recipes.