Go Back
Two golden-brown juicy air fryer pork chops on a dark slate board, one sliced open showing juicy pink interior with honey garlic glaze

Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

The Chops
  • 4 pieces boneless center-cut pork chops 1-inch thick (about 6 oz each)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil spray
Quick Brine
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 2 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
Classic Smoked Paprika Rub
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Optional Honey Garlic Glaze
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 pinch cornstarch whisked with 1 tsp cold water

Method
 

  1. Stir cold water, kosher salt, and sugar in a large bowl until fully dissolved. Submerge pork chops. Brine 30 min for standard 1-inch boneless, 45 min for 1.5-inch bone-in, or 15 min for thin 3/4-inch cuts. Room temperature is fine for a 30-min brine.
    Step 1: Submerging raw pork chops into clear brine water in a large glass bowl
  2. Set air fryer to 400F and preheat for 5 full minutes. Do not skip - a cold-start air fryer steams instead of sears.
    Step 2: Patting pork chops completely dry with paper towels on a wooden cutting board before seasoning
  3. Remove chops from brine. Pat completely dry on all sides with paper towels. Coat lightly with oil. Mix rub ingredients and press firmly onto all surfaces. Let rest 5 minutes.
    Step 3: Rubbing smoked paprika spice mix firmly onto raw pork chops on a cutting board
  4. Place chops in a single layer in the basket with at least a half-inch gap between each. Air fry at 400F for the first half of total cook time (5-6 min for standard 1-inch boneless).
    Step 4: Two seasoned pork chops placed in a single layer in black air fryer basket
  5. Flip chops with tongs. Continue for remaining cook time. If using glaze: brush on in the final 2 minutes only.
    Step 5: Flipping golden-brown pork chops halfway through cooking in air fryer basket with metal tongs
  6. Insert instant-read thermometer into the thickest part (avoid bone). Pull chops at 140F internal temperature.
    Step 6: Instant-read meat thermometer inserted into pork chop in air fryer showing 140F internal temperature
  7. Transfer to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and rest 5 full minutes. Temperature rises to USDA-safe 145F during rest. Serve immediately.