Succulent Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops

This air fryer bone-in pork chop recipe is easy to make and leaves your pork chops tender and juicy.

I love to use bone in cuts of meat (like my bone-in chicken breast in the air fryer) because I find there is so much more flavor from cooking it on the bone. Call me crazy, but I stand by it 🙂  

Why This Recipe Works

You will love these air fryer bone-in pork chops because they are one of the easiest ways to make tender juicy pork chops using a typically less expensive cut of meat to make a flavorful dinner your family will love.

Using meat cuts containing the bones (like my recipe for bacon wrapped chicken thighs and air fryer bone in chicken breast) are often overlooked because not a lot of people like to cook with meat still on the bone, but there are some great advantages to choosing these particular cuts. They’re usually juicier, much more flavorful, and less expensive.

Groceries Needed

• Pork Chops – I use thicker, bone-in pork chops with some fat left on. Fat is flavor and can always be removed after cooking and before eating if you prefer. The fat also helps keep the chops juicy without drying out.
• Seasoning Blend: Brown sugar, Smoked paprika, Salt, Pepper, Dry mustard powder, Onion powder, Garlic powder,
• Olive oil

Steps For Air Frying The Pork Chops

1. Coat both sides of the pork chops with olive oil using a brush and prepare the seasoning mix in a shallow bowl.
2. Dredge the chops.
3. While the chops rest a few minutes, preheat the air fryer.
4. Arrange the seasoned chops in the air fryer basket.
5. Air Fry the meat, flipping halfway through for even cooking and to gain some nice “char’ on both sides. Be sure to use your meat thermometer so you don’t dry out the meat.
6. After cooking, let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute for that tender juicy bite.

Cooking Tips And Variations

This recipe is easy to customize to fit your flavor preferences. Air-frying chops would work well using your favorite grilling and BBQ spices for a big bold flavor.

You can make them spicier by adding some red chili flakes or slightly sweeter using more brown sugar than what’s called for in the recipe.

Want more of a smoky flavor? Try brushing a drop or two (a little goes a long way!) of some liquid smoke flavoring over top the chops before dredging them in the spice combination.

Use air fryer basket liners for super easy cleanup after cooking.

What Can I Serve With Pork Chops?

 These pork chops cooked in the air fryer (or, any pork chop dinner really), will go with just about anything. You can pair them with fresh cheesy mashed potatoes or buttery brown sugar carrots for a heartier supper on a chilly night.

If you are air frying pork chops in the summer, serving a light and creamy cucumber tomato salad or even some corn on the cob would be scrumptious.

Storing And Freezing

Store your leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can freeze them for up to 3 months in a freezer-friendly container if you are doing make-ahead meal prep dinner.

Second Act Recipe For Leftovers

If you happen to have some leftover air fryer pork chops, a great way to use them up (or stretch the meal) is to cut them up into small pieces and make fried rice with assorted veggies and scrambled egg.

Another idea would be to slice the remaining pork chop up and add it to some ramen soup in the last minute of cooking to heat through. This way it adds more flavor, doesn’t dry it out, and adds more protein to the meal.

Questions You Might Have