Coated in mayo and rolled in Panko breadcrumbs, I love how Air Fryer Pork Chops come out crispy on the outside while keeping the meat tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
Juicy, delicious pork chops are a weeknight staple in our house. And since we got our Ninja Air fryer, I have never cooked pork chops any other way. I have used the same recipe for Air fryer Chicken Breast and it turns out tender on the inside with a crispy exterior.
Crispy & Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops
You'll love being able to enjoy this restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your own home, not to mention the crispy pork chops ready much faster in the air fryer than traditional frying methods or baking. Not only is it faster but healthier too—air frying reduces fat by up to 75% compared with traditional deep-frying without sacrificing any of its flavor or texture.
Air fryers are perfect for cooking pork chops because they cook them evenly and give them a crispy outer layer without the need for excessive oil. Try these crispy air fryer pork chops today and discover what all the fuss is about!
Ingredients
Please refer to the exact measurements and nutrition facts in the printable recipe card below.
- Pork chops: I used boneless center-cut chops, ¾ to 1-inch thick. however, this recipe works just as well with bone-in chops.
- Mayonaise: I added two tablespoons of Dijon mustard to the mayo mix. The creamy texture of mayo helps the spices and herbs stick to the meat, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor. Plus, the acid in the mayo helps tenderize the pork, making it juicy and tender.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Breading: I used Panko breadcrumbs along with grated Parmesan cheese. You can use Pork panko for low-carb breaded pork chops.
How to cook Breaded Pork Chops in the Air fryer
1. Preheat Your Air Fryer. Before cooking your pork chops, preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for about five minutes. Preheating the air fryer is essential because it ensures that your pork chops cook evenly and become crispy.
2. Season Your Pork Chops. While your air fryer is preheating, season your pork chops with your favorite spices. You can use a simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder or experiment with different spices like paprika or cumin. Picture 1 above. Using your hands or a food-basting brush, coat your seasoned pork chops with mayo/mustard mix. Then dip the pork chops in the Panko mix and coat them evenly with breadcrumbs. Pictures 2 and 3 above.
3. Spray Your Air Fryer Basket. Once your pork chops are fully seasoned, spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the pork chops from sticking to the basket. You can also line the basket with parchment paper to make the cleaning process easier.
4. Cook Your Pork Chops. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they’re not touching each other. Cook the pork chops at 380°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway or until they’re fully cooked. To ensure the pork chops are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached 145°F (63°C).
What to Serve with Pork Chops
Once your pork chops are cooked, take them out of the air fryer basket and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them with your favorite sides like Air fryer Baked potatoes, Roasted Vegetables, or Creamy refreshing Cucumber salad, or enjoy them on their own for a quick and easy meal.
How to Avoid Overcooked Pork Chops
Thickness matters: Make sure that your pork chops are of an even thickness. This will help them to cook evenly and prevent them from drying out.
Moist: Don't be afraid to use a little bit of fat. Oil and mayo in our case. This will help to keep the pork chops moist and succulent.
Pork Cooking Temperature: Pork.org suggests cooking fresh pork chops, boneless or bone-in to 145° F internal temperature (63° Celsius).
Tips for the Best Breaded Pork Chops
Season: First of all, make sure that your pork chops are properly seasoned. A good rule of thumb is to season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Feel free to use other spices of your choice.
Breading: Then, you need to choose the right breading. Panko breadcrumbs are a great option because they create a nice crunchy and airy texture.
Dip: Once you've chosen your breading, you need to make sure that it's properly adhered to the pork chop. The best way to do this is to dip the pork chop in some beaten eggs or mayo/mustard mixture before dredging it in the breadcrumbs. This will help create a nice, even coating.
Finally, once your pork chops are breaded, you need to cook them in the air fryer until they're golden brown and cooked through. This typically takes about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Leftovers
Store the leftover pork chops in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the cooked pork chops for up to 2 months.
Reheat: in the preheated air fryer at 380- 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 minutes per side until warmed through and to bring back the crispy exterior.
More Succulent Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
Juicy and Crispy Air Fryer Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops boneless or bone-in. About ¾ to 1-inch thick.
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard I used spicy Dijon
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Your Air Fryer. Before cooking your pork chops, preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for about five minutes. Preheating the air fryer is essential because it ensures that your pork chops cook evenly and become crispy.While the air fryer is preheating, season your pork chops with a little oil, salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. I used garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Picture 1.
- Then, in a shallow dish, whisk together mayo and mustard. Next, in a separate dish, mix together bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. I used Panko breadcrumbs.
- Dip each pork chop in the mayo/mustard mixture, ensuring that the chop is fully coated. Use the food-basting brush, if needed. Then coat evenly with the bread crumb mixture. Pictures 2 and 3.
- Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket, making sure that they are not touching each other.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through. To ensure pork chops are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached 145°F (63°C).
Nell
This was delicious, I did this for our evening meal today.
Thank you.
Irina
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it. It is one of my top favorites too
Nell
I can see why it is a favourite, it’s a winner…I’m going to try it with chicken breast too.
Marie
These pork chops need way more than 10 mins. cooking time. After 15 mins they were still too pink, so I did them for 5 more mins. They were about 3/4 inch thick. They also didn't brown up, but they were tasty.
Irina
Thanks for your feedback. Air fryers may cook differently. This is why I always suggest using a meat thermometer and cooking pork chops until it reaches at least 145 °F and should be rested for a couple of minutes.
Sandy Peterman
I have both basket type and rack…..most recipes seem to say basket. Are the two types interchangeable?
Marie
First time trying this, and it won’t be the last. They were delicious!!
Carol
Some of my family members do not like mustard. Is there an alternative to mustard?
Irina
you can use ketchup, horseradish, bbq sauce, siracha, spicy mayo, or ranch. Or you can omit using the mustard
LL
This is so delicious! 😋 I was skeptical about adding mustard. But you don’t taste it, all the ingredients “meld” into a yummy crunchy coating. I cook mine a tad longer to get very crunchy for my taste. I have made this twice this week 🤣. I was never a big fan of Shake n’ Bake, this blows that away! So much better and you control the ingredients. THANK YOU! 🙂
Alison
Made this for tea tonight. Fantastic. Didn’t have garlic powder, but not a problem. I have a Phillips airfryer. Had to cook another 5mins. Will definitely make again. So simple to put together. Thank you for a great recipe ❤️❤️
Irina
Yummy! I'm glad you enjoyed. It's one of my faves too.