Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe - Moist and Delicious (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep pork from drying out in an air fryer? ›

Using oil in an air fryer is perfectly fine and helps the meat to remain moist and come out looking golden brown. However, a little oil in an air fryer does go a long way. With most cuts of pork, simply rubbing some oil into the meat will be all you need. You can use either regular olive oil or a spray oil.

A brine introduces more salt to your pork chops than a marinade, which can make the meat more tender and juicy. A brine is usually thinner and imparts less flavor to your meat. This is great if you plan to make a pan sauce, a gravy, or if you just like your pork chops simple.

Coat the pork chops with olive oil and rub in the mix. Rub it in well and liberally. Use almost all of the rub mix for the 2 pork chops. Cook pork chops in air fryer on the air fry setting at 400°F for 12-14 minutes or until internal temperature of 140°F. Flip pork chops over after 6 minutes.

Why are my air fryer pork chops tough? If your pork is tough, it's most likely because they are overcooked. Cooking to an internal temperature of 145F is the perfect temperature for juicy, tender pork chops.

Tips for The Best Baked Pork Chops

Use a relatively low temperature to cook the baked pork chops slowly. 350 degrees F takes about 15 minutes longer to cook the chops to the right internal temperature than 400 degrees, but it results in a juicier and more flavorful meal.

Adding a little bit of water can help to hydrate the food in your air fryer and prevent it from becoming too dry.

Best Seasoning for Pork Chops

Thyme and sage add herby and floral notes complementing pork's flavor exceptionally well. There's also a combination of smoked paprika, pepper, and a little bit of cayenne pepper, which all give your pork chops a lovely, not overly spicy, kiss of heat.

High-heat frying sears them to a golden brown; and a moderately hot oven (400 degrees F) bakes the pork chops gently enough to keep them from drying out. This "sear-roasting" method is a great way to cook pork chops in the oven: Fry one side to golden brown, then flip, and place the chops directly in the oven.

Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop. Even a quick 30-minute brine (or up to four hours) makes a big difference.

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

Can you use PAM in an air fryer? ›

You should not use nonstick cooking spray such as PAM in an air fryer because it can damage the lining of the air fryer basket. Avoid any pressurized, propellant oil sprays which have chemicals added to them.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Cook them low and slow. Most times, when we cook pork, we cook it at high temps. Pork, and pork chops in particular, cook up pretty fast. However, pork only needs an internal temperature of 145 degrees.

Use Tinfoil As A Tool

Another tip that can help keep meats from losing moisture is to protect them with a physical barrier from the dry heat of the air fryer. Using tinfoil helps keep moisture locked in and around the meat, preventing over-evaporation.

Brine the pork to maintain moisture by soaking it in a mixture of salt and water, baking soda, vinegar or even milk. You can also pour hot water over the loin to shrink the rind, which can enable better absorption of brine, milk, oil or marinade.

Use low heat: As heat tends to absorb some moisture from the meat, it is better to cook the meat at low temperatures. This will allow the meat to cook slowly and will also reduce the rate of moisture loss due to heat.

The internal temperature should be at least 165° degrees Fahrenheit and use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Then, cut the pork into small pieces before reheating; this will help it cook evenly and prevent drying out. Reheat the pork in a sauce or gravy to help keep it moist.