Thin Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

Learn how to cook thin pork chops in the air fryer; it’s easy, economical, and takes less than 10 minutes. And you can serve these tender pork chops with 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, Garlic Bread Baguette, Sauteed Sweet Potatoes, French Green Beans, or a simple salad with Yogurt Dressing. 

And if you have thick-cut pork chops with the bone in, learn how to cook Bone-In Pork Chops in the Air Fryer. 

Why should you cook thin pork chops in the air fryer?

• Quick and efficient: This kitchen appliance cooks chops faster than traditional methods. The circulating hot air ensures even cooking and reduces cooking time, allowing you to enjoy a delicious dinner in no time.
• Healthier option: Air frying requires little to no oil. By using the air fryer, you can achieve crispy and delicious pork chops with significantly less fat and fewer calories.
• Crispy yet juicy: The hot air creates a crispy and golden-brown exterior on the meat, but due to the shorter cooking time, air-fried thin pork chops remain juicy and tender on the inside; the hot air seals in the natural juices, making the meat juicier and more flavorful.
• Easy cleanup and, especially, no splattering oil.

Recipe ingredients

Thin pork chops:

• They are boneless cuts of pork that have been sliced thinly, typically about ¼ to ½ inch thick. They are taken from various parts of the pig, such as the loin or the rib section. 
• The pieces cook relatively quickly compared to thicker cuts, and their thinness allows for faster and more even cooking. 
• The thin boneless pork chops I had weighed 3 oz/ 85 g and were ⅓ inch/ almost 1 cm thick. The safe internal temperature was reached after 5 minutes of cooking time. 

Oil:

• Vegetable or olive oil helps the spices adhere to the boneless chops and help achieve a golden brown and crispy exterior. 

Spices:

• I used a mixture of fine sea salt (or kosher salt), ground black pepper, brown sugar, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a bit of heat. 
• These are the spices I used, but rest assured that you can use almost any spices or spice rub you like.
• 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?

• Preheat the machine to 375°F/190°C for about 3 minutes or according to its instructions.
• Spice mixture: Mix all the spices in a small bowl.
• 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 pork chops in the air fryer?

• 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. 
• Choose pieces that are uniform in thickness to ensure even cooking.
• 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. 

Other tips

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; leave a bit of space between the meat pieces. If needed, cook in batches to maintain proper air circulation.
• Let the meat rest for a few minutes before serving. This step allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat moist.

Recipe FAQ

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.

What to serve with them?

More pork recipes

• Pork Chops in Milk Marinade
• Baked Pork Chops and Potatoes
• Pork in Tomato Sauce
• Pork and Potato Stew
• Spicy Pork Roast

More air fryer meat recipes

Thin Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

Cook thin pork chops in the air fryer for a quick and easy meal. It takes less than 10 minutes, and you can serve the tender chops with any side you like.

4.50 from 2 votes

Print Pin Share GrowSaved! Rate

Course: Beef, Pork and Lamb, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 people

Calories: 277kcal

Author: Adina

Equipment

• ▢
  Air fryer

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

• ▢ 4 thin pork chops boneless, Note 1
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
• ▢ ½ teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher 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 sea salt + ½ teaspoon black pepper + 1 teaspoon brown sugar + ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika + 1 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 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

1. 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.
2. Spices: You can basically use any spices, spice blend, or dry rub you like, either homemade or store-bought.

Nutrition

Serving: 2pork chop | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 654mg | Potassium: 515mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 258IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @adinabeck or tag #WhereIsMySpoon!