Crispy Air Fryer Pork Chops

These air fryer pork chops are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside! Our secret lies in a buttermilk brine that tenderizes and infuses the pork with flavor, paired with a breading blend that’s packed full of herbs and spices. Once you try this recipe, you’ll be hooked.

Looking for more juicy pork chops recipes? Try our Easy Smothered Pork Chops or our Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops.

We think pork chops are seriously underrated. A good pork chop is just as delicious and juicy as your favorite steak and so much more affordable! Choosing the thickest cut you can get is your insurance for juicy, never dry, pork chops every time. If you don’t see any at your grocery store, you can often ask for them to cut you some thick-cut pork chops at the meat counter.

Ingredient Notes

• Pork Chops: Choose chops that are 1–1 ½ inch thick for the best results. Thinner chops may overcook quickly. Bone-in or boneless both work—just be sure they’re of similar thickness for even cooking.
• Buttermilk: The natural acidity and enzymes in buttermilk tenderize the pork.
• All-Purpose Flour: Used as the base for breading the chicken.
• Cornstarch: The secret to an extra-crispy crust. Don’t leave this out!
• Cayenne Pepper: This adds a little kick to the overall flavor of the crust. For a milder option, adjust to 1/2 tsp or omit entirely.
• Panko Bread Crumbs: We prefer panko because it gives the perfect crispiness that resists becoming soggy when reheating. If needed, you can always substitute with plain breadcrumbs.

Pork Chop Options

There are four different cuts of pork chops that you can purchase. Each cut has different characteristics, but all of them can be used in pork chop recipes. Whichever cut you purchase, we always recommend you buy one that is 1 to 1½ inches thick as they cook more evenly and are less likely to dry out. It is very easy to overcook a thinly sliced pork chop. Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F.

Rib Chop: This is the most desirable cut of pork chop. It comes from the rib section (hence its name) and has a large bone running along one side. This cut is very tender with a nice pork flavor.

Loin Chop: This pork chop cut has a t-bone in the middle. It has two different kinds of meat on it, with loin meat on one side, and tenderloin meat on the other side. These two types of meat cook at different rates so it is a more difficult cut to work with.

Boneless Chop: This is the leanest cut of pork. It is very easy to overcook this cut and dry it out as it has very little fat, and connective tissue and doesn’t have any bones. This is the most commonly sold pork chop cut in the United States, but it is certainly not the most desirable because it is lean and so easy to overcook.

Shoulder Chop: This is the least desirable cut of pork chop and is not commonly found in American grocery stores. It has lots of flavor, but also has a lot of gristle and bones. This cut of chop is best braised.

Spritzing Oil

While air frying significantly reduces the amount of oil needed compared to traditional deep frying, a small amount of oil is still essential to achieve the best results. Oil plays a crucial role in air frying by helping to conduct heat more evenly, promoting that golden, crispy exterior that we love.

Use olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or a quality cooking spray.

When it comes to applying oil, a light spritz with an oil mister or a brush is all you need. You’re aiming to lightly coat the surface of the food, not soak it. This minimal application helps enhance the texture without adding excessive fat.

Different Styles of Air Fryers

Basket Air Fryers: Arrange the pork chops in a single layer with space between each chop for proper airflow. Cook at 390°F–400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Most basket air fryers can comfortably fit 2 pork chops, depending on size.

Toaster-Oven Style Air Fryers: Place the pork chops on the air fryer tray, ensuring they aren’t touching. Rotate the tray halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Start checking for doneness at 12 minutes. These models usually fit up to 4 pork chops at a time.

Ovens with Air Fryer Settings: Use the provided air fryer tray or a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Cook at 400°F, and expect slightly longer cooking times—check for doneness around 12–14 minutes. You can fit 6 to 8 pork chops on a large baking sheet.