Have you ever tried cooking pork chops in an air fryer? If not, then you’re in for a treat. This recipe for the Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Chops is incredibly juicy, tender, and absolutely delicious. With just a few simple ingredients and a cook time of only 12 minutes, these air fryer pork chops are perfect for a tasty dinner any day of the week.
Key Takeaways
The Magic of Air Frying
Let’s talk about air fryers for a moment. They are one of my favorite kitchen gadgets, right up there with my Instant Pot and George Foreman Grill. The great thing about air fryers is that they offer a healthier alternative to traditional frying. In fact, it’s more like cooking with a rapid cook oven or a broiler. And let’s not forget about the convenience of avoiding heating up the house with a regular oven. Trust me, for this pork chop recipe, the air fryer delivers the best results.
Choosing the Perfect Pork Chops
When it comes to selecting pork chops for the air fryer, I’ve discovered that thick, center-cut, bone-in chops are the best. Aim for chops that are between 1 ½ to 2 inches thick. The reason behind this is that the cooking time required for these thick cuts allows for a beautiful char on all sides. Thin pork chops tend to cook too quickly and won’t achieve that delightful char. Ideally, you should cook the thick pork chops for about 12 minutes. The rub in this recipe will give them a deliciously tasty char.
Creating the Perfect Rub
Forget about breading the pork chops. Instead, we will be making a flavorful rub seasoning mix that we’ll liberally apply to the meat. The rub is incredibly simple, consisting of brown sugar, paprika, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix all these ingredients together and generously rub the mixture onto the rinsed, dried, and lightly coated pork chops with olive oil. Don’t forget to rinse the pork chops and pat them dry with a paper towel, as this step is vital.
Preheat and Cook
Preheating the air fryer is a crucial step in this recipe. Set the temperature to 400 degrees and let it preheat for 5 minutes. Once it’s ready, place the pork chops in the air fryer and cook them for 12 minutes, flipping them over after 6 minutes. This cooking process ensures that the pork chops are perfectly cooked and wonderfully juicy.
Let It Rest and Enjoy
Once the pork chops are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes on a plate. During this time, a delicious juice will form from the seasonings and the natural juices of the pork. When ready to serve, slice the pork chops into thin pieces and savor each bite, taking in the flavorful seasoned juice. Trust me, you’re going to love it!
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