I finally perfected Air Fryer Pork Chops that are juicy, tender and delicious, and one unexpected trick gives them an irresistible twist.
I can’t stop thinking about these Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Chops. They come out juicy and tender, with a tiny sweet edge from brown sugar and a zing of garlic powder that makes you want to eat it right away.
I tried a few tricks and yeah, some worked better than others so you get the good parts without the stress. If you’re into Air Fryer Pork Chops or the whole Brown Sugar Pork Chops Air Fryer craze, this one actually delivers.
They look kinda restaurant fancy but theyre stupidly easy, and one bite will make you call dibs.
Ingredients
- Bone in pork chops give big protein punch, B vitamins and iron, slightly fatty.
- Olive oil adds richness, heart healthy monounsaturated fats, good for searing.
- Garlic powder packs savory flavor, almost zero calories, some antioxidants too.
- Smoked paprika gives warm smoky depth, little calories, big flavor boost.
- Brown sugar adds caramel sweetness, simple carbs so use sparingly or balance.
- Kosher salt brings out flavors, essential sodium, but go light or it’s salty.
- Cayenne gives heat and a peppery kick, may boost metabolism a bit.
- Black pepper adds sharp bite, helps balance sweetness, tiny antioxidants present.
- Dried thyme brings earthy herbal notes, subtle savory lift without extra calories.
Ingredient Quantities
- 4 bone in pork chops, 1 inch thick, about 6 to 8 oz each
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon avocado oil, optional
How to Make this
1. Pat 4 bone in pork chops (1 inch thick, about 6 to 8 oz each) dry with paper towels and let them sit at room temp for 20 minutes so they cook more even.
2. In a small bowl stir together 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper if you want heat.
3. Rub the mixture all over both sides of each chop, press it in good so it sticks.
4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (about 190°C) for 3 minutes.
5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with 1 tablespoon avocado oil so the sugar wont stick and burn.
6. Place chops in a single layer, not touching; you may need to cook in two batches if they crowd.
7. Air fry at 380°F for 12 to 15 minutes total, flipping once halfway through (around 6 to 7 minutes) so they brown evenly.
8. Check doneness with an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part, target 145°F. If not there yet give 1 to 2 more minutes and check again.
9. Remove chops and rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting so the juices settle, then serve and enjoy.
Equipment Needed
1. Paper towels (to pat chops dry)
2. Small bowl (for mixing the rub)
3. Measuring spoons + 1 tablespoon (for oil, sugar and spices)
4. Spoon or rubber spatula (to stir and press the rub into the meat)
5. Air fryer with basket
6. Cooking spray or pastry brush and 1 tbsp avocado oil (so the sugar wont stick and burn)
7. Instant‑read thermometer (check for 145°F)
8. Tongs (youll flip and remove the chops safely)
9. Cutting board (to rest and slice the chops)
10. Chef’s knife (to carve after resting)
FAQ
Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Olive oil: use avocado oil or grapeseed oil in the same amount for high heat, or melted butter for richer flavor (but butter may brown faster).
- Kosher salt: replace with fine sea salt at a 1:1 volume swap, or use table salt at about 3/4 teaspoon table salt for each 1 teaspoon kosher salt (brands vary so taste as you go).
- Smoked paprika: if you dont have it, use regular paprika plus a pinch of cumin or 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder for smoky notes, or stir 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke into the oil.
- Brown sugar: swap with coconut sugar 1:1, or use 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (pat the rub on well so the chops dont slip off the rack).
Pro Tips
– Pull them a few degrees lower than you want and let carryover do the rest, so for example take the chop off when the thermometer reads about 135°F and tent it. It will climb to the safe temp while it rests, so you avoid overcooking the center but still keep a juicy chop.
– Sugar in the rub makes a great crust but it also burns fast, so either cut the brown sugar in half or spray a tiny bit of oil on the chops right before cooking. If the crust looks like it’s darkening too quick, drop the temp a bit and add a couple minutes instead of blasting it hotter.
– Prevent the meat from cupping by making 3 small shallow cuts through the fat cap every inch or so, this helps fat render and keeps the chop flat so it browns evenly, not all in the middle.
– For deeper flavor do a quick dry brine: rub them and refrigerate uncovered for a few hours or overnight, then let them come back toward room temp before cooking. It sounds like extra work but the pork will taste way better and the crust sticks better.
Best Damn Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe
I finally perfected Air Fryer Pork Chops that are juicy, tender and delicious, and one unexpected trick gives them an irresistible twist.
4
servings
420
kcal
Equipment: 1. Paper towels (to pat chops dry)
2. Small bowl (for mixing the rub)
3. Measuring spoons + 1 tablespoon (for oil, sugar and spices)
4. Spoon or rubber spatula (to stir and press the rub into the meat)
5. Air fryer with basket
6. Cooking spray or pastry brush and 1 tbsp avocado oil (so the sugar wont stick and burn)
7. Instant‑read thermometer (check for 145°F)
8. Tongs (youll flip and remove the chops safely)
9. Cutting board (to rest and slice the chops)
10. Chef’s knife (to carve after resting)
Ingredients
-
4 bone in pork chops, 1 inch thick, about 6 to 8 oz each
-
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
-
1 teaspoon kosher salt
-
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1 teaspoon onion powder
-
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
-
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
-
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
-
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
-
Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon avocado oil, optional
Directions
- Pat 4 bone in pork chops (1 inch thick, about 6 to 8 oz each) dry with paper towels and let them sit at room temp for 20 minutes so they cook more even.
- In a small bowl stir together 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper if you want heat.
- Rub the mixture all over both sides of each chop, press it in good so it sticks.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (about 190°C) for 3 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with 1 tablespoon avocado oil so the sugar wont stick and burn.
- Place chops in a single layer, not touching; you may need to cook in two batches if they crowd.
- Air fry at 380°F for 12 to 15 minutes total, flipping once halfway through (around 6 to 7 minutes) so they brown evenly.
- Check doneness with an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part, target 145°F. If not there yet give 1 to 2 more minutes and check again.
- Remove chops and rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting so the juices settle, then serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 200g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 420kcal
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Polyunsaturated: 4g
- Monounsaturated: 12g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sodium: 700mg
- Potassium: 800mg
- Carbohydrates: 3.5g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugar: 3.1g
- Protein: 54g
- Vitamin A: 200IU
- Vitamin C: 0.5mg
- Calcium: 30mg
- Iron: 2.4mg
