Pork
$1.37per plate
Prep
5 min
Pork · Pork Chops
Air Fryer Pork Chops
The air fryer makes pork chops almost foolproof: a quick savory rub, about twelve minutes in the basket, and you get juicy chops with crisp, browned edges and hardly any oil. Boneless chops keep it fast and beginner-friendly, and the hot circulating air does the browning a skillet or oven would take longer to build. Four chops feed a family for about a dollar thirty a plate, with just one basket to rinse. For other easy ways to cook them, try our oven-baked pork chops, the saucy smothered pork chops, or quick thin pork chops in a skillet. At 2g of carbs a serving it is one of the quickest of our low-carb dinners. See all our pork chop recipes.
$1.28per plate
Estimated recipe total
$5.12 · serves 4
Cook
12 min
Total
22 min
Serves
4
Recipe from Budget Plates · https://www.budgetplates.com/air-fryer-pork-chops
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Instant-read thermometer
Variations
- Swap the paprika rub for a lemon-pepper or ranch seasoning blend.
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon or a spoonful of applesauce on the side.
- Serve alongside air fryer potatoes for a fully hands-off dinner.
1 How to make it
1
Season the chops
Pat the pork chops very dry with a paper towel so the seasoning sticks and the edges crisp. Rub them all over with the oil, then coat both sides with the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2
Preheat the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400 F for a few minutes. Starting in a hot basket is what gives the chops browned, crisp edges instead of a pale, steamed outside.
3
Air fry, flipping once
Arrange the chops in a single layer without overlapping, working in batches if your basket is small. Air fry at 400 F for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway through so both sides brown evenly.
4
Check the temperature
The chops are done at 145 F in the center; thicker chops may need a couple of extra minutes. An instant-read thermometer is the surest way to keep them juicy instead of dry.
5
Rest, then serve
Let the chops rest 5 minutes before serving so the juices settle back into the meat. Serve with a cheap side like rice, potatoes, or a simple salad.
2 Cheaper ingredient swaps
- Bone-in chops. Bone-in chops work too. Add a couple of minutes and check for 145 F at the center, away from the bone.
- Any seasoning blend. Swap the paprika rub for a store-bought pork or all-purpose seasoning, or a Cajun or ranch blend. Use whatever is in the cupboard.
- Add a light crust. For crispier chops, press a thin coat of panko or grated Parmesan onto the oiled chops before air frying.
- No air fryer? Use the oven or a skillet. Bake at 400 F for about 20 minutes, or sear in a hot skillet. See our oven-baked and thin skillet pork chop recipes.
3 Budget tips
- Boneless chops on sale are the cheapest way to feed four, and the air fryer cooks them in about 12 minutes with almost no added fat.
- The rub is a spoon of pantry spices, so you skip a bottle of marinade and control the salt.
- The air fryer uses just a teaspoon of oil per chop, so a small bottle lasts a long time.
- Serve over rice or with a cheap roasted vegetable to turn four chops into a full dinner for pennies more.
- See more recipes priced per serving in the Budget Plates Index.
4 Storage, freezing & reheating
Fridge
Refrigerate cooked chops in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Slice them cold over a salad or into a wrap for an easy next-day lunch.
Freezer
Freeze cooked chops for up to 3 months. Cool completely first, then thaw overnight in the fridge; the lean meat reheats best from thawed.
Reheating
Reheat in the air fryer at 350 F for a few minutes to crisp the edges again, or in the microwave with a splash of broth so they do not dry out.
5 Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
285
Protein
32g
Fat
16g
Carbs
2g
Estimates per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not a substitute for medical advice.
6 Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook pork chops in the air fryer?
About 12 minutes at 400 F for boneless chops, flipping halfway. Go by temperature, not the clock: pull them at 145 F in the center. Thicker or bone-in chops need a couple of minutes more.
Do you need to flip pork chops in the air fryer?
Yes, flip them once halfway through so both sides brown evenly. The air circulates around them, but a flip gives the most even crust.
How do I keep air fryer pork chops from drying out?
Do not overcook them. Pull them right at 145 F and let them rest 5 minutes. Patting them dry and using a little oil helps them brown instead of dry out.
How is $1.28 a plate figured?
About $5.12 for four chops and the seasoning, divided by four servings, comes to roughly $1.28 each. The chops are nearly the whole cost; rice or a side is figured separately.
Helpful Tools for This Recipe
As an Amazon Associate, Budget Plates may earn from qualifying purchases.
- 6-quart air fryer. An air fryer crisps chicken and vegetables quickly with little oil, and a family-size basket cooks a full batch at once. Best for crispy potatoes, shrimp, and chicken pieces without heating the oven.
- Instant-read meat thermometer. An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of doneness, so lean or cheap cuts stay juicy instead of overcooking. Best for chicken, pork, and meatloaf, where a few degrees decides juicy or dry.
- Cutting board. A large, stable cutting board makes prep faster and safer, which matters when you cook most nights. Best for everyday chopping of onion, garlic, and vegetables across nearly every recipe.
- Chef's knife. One sharp chef's knife handles almost all the chopping, from onions to chicken, and replaces a drawer of gadgets. Best for all-purpose prep in essentially every recipe on the site.
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