Perfect Air Fryer Pork Chops: Juicy, Tender & Ready in 12 Minutes

1 Prep Your Pork Chops Remove pork chops from refrigerator 20-30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature. Pat completely dry with paper towels – moisture is the enemy of browning! Important: Choose chops that are 1-inch thick for best results. Thinner chops cook too quickly and can become dry. 2 Season Generously In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme. Brush pork chops with oil on both sides, then coat evenly with the seasoning mixture. Press seasonings gently into the meat. 3 Preheat Your Air Fryer Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. This ensures immediate searing when the chops go in. 4 Cook the First Side Place pork chops in air fryer basket, leaving space between each chop for air circulation. Cook for 6 minutes without opening the basket. 5 Flip and Finish Flip pork chops using tongs and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Food Safety: Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Pork is safe at 145°F with a 3-minute rest. 6 Rest and Serve Remove chops and let rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing. This allows juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.

Thickness Temperature Side 1 Side 2 Total Time 3/4 inch 400°F 5 minutes 3-4 minutes 8-9 minutes 1 inch (recommended) 400°F 6 minutes 4-6 minutes 10-12 minutes 1.5 inches 380°F 8 minutes 6-8 minutes 14-16 minutes

Note: Always use a meat thermometer to verify internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).