• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Paint The Kitchen Red
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Other
  • Tips
  • Shop
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Tips
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • Other Recipes
  • About
  • ×

    Home » Air Fryer

    Instant Pot Air Fryer Pork Chops

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the disclosure.    

    Published: Feb 17, 2022 | Updated: Jul 7, 2022 | Author: Paint the Kitchen Red | 4 Comments

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    3 spice crusted pork chops on white plate with rosemary garnish

    These easy Instant Pot air fryer pork chops (no breading) are juicy and tender, and are done in no time! With just a handful of ingredients, you can make a tasty main dish with little effort and delicious results. If you don’t have an Instant Pot air fryer or air fryer lid, you can use a traditional air fryer or bake them in the oven.

    3 spice crusted pork chops on white plate with rosemary garnish

    Table of Contents


    1. INTRODUCTION
    2. TIPS
    3. FAQs
    4. INGREDIENTS
    5. INSTANT POT STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
    6. OVEN OR GRILL INSTRUCTIONS
    7. RECIPE CARD – PRINTABLE
    8. RELATED RECIPES AND GUIDES

    Introduction

    Pork chops can be tricky to get just right. Oftentimes, they end up being overcooked and dry. My new favorite way to make pork chops is in my Instant Pot Duo Crisp or Cosori air fryer.

    I love the fact that I can have dinner ready in just minutes by air frying the pork chops. The no breading recipe calls for a simple spice rub with spices that I always have on hand, and you probably do too.

    A couple of easy side dish ideas include air fryer cauliflower, air fryer brussel sprouts or air fryer roasted potatoes – they both go wonderfully with the pork chops!

    You may also want to check out my other air fryer recipes like frozen french fries, chicken wings, or sweet treats such as almond cake and pound cake.

    Tips for Success


    How to Prevent Sticking

    I don’t usually encounter any sticking with this recipe but I do coat the air fryer basket (or metal rack if using an Instant Pot air fryer) with a bit of vegetable oil. I also coat the pork chops with a minimal amount of oil. I use about 2 teaspoons of oil.

    To coat the air fryer basket, you can either spray the oil on or apply it using a paper towel. If using a spray, don’t use the canned oil spray, but instead use an oil spray mister that can be filled with oil. [Read More: Go to the section Air Fryer Tips in my guide on how to use the Instant Pot Duo Crisp]

    It is also important to make sure that the pork chops are dried really well before applying the oil and seasonings. I use paper towels to thoroughly dry them.

    Using your hands to apply the oil and spices to the pork chops is the best way to get maximum coverage. Just be sure to wash your hands really well afterward!


    Pork Chop Cuts

    I use boneless pork chops that are about 1-inch thick. If you have thicker pork chops, you need to increase the air frying time by a couple of minutes.

    If you’re using bone-in pork chops, air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for the same amount of time.

    If you have very thin-cut pork chops, reduce the temperature to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and cook them for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.


    Checking for Doneness

    Check for doneness a couple of minutes before the cooking time is up. Measure the temperature in the thickest part of the meat.

    Once the internal temperature is close to 145 degrees Fahrenheit, turn off the air fryer and immediately remove the pork chops and let them rest for 5 minutes.

    Keep in mind that the pork will continue cooking after removal, so it’s very easy to overcook them.

    I highly recommend investing in a digital thermometer. I really love the Thermoworks brand of digital thermometers. I’ve had the red Thermopop for years and it still works great and is very accurate.


    Spices

    The recipe gives you the seasonings that I usually use when I make pork chops. The spices are similar to a Cajun blend. But you can change things up. Add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to make the pork chops spicier. Or you can omit the cayenne to make them mild.

    Here are some other ideas for seasonings. Just watch out for the salt content. Each brand is different:

    • Lawry’s seasoned salt
    • Old Bay seasoning
    • Creole seasoning
    • Cajun seasoning
    • Barbeque rub

    Sign Up! Subscribe to my newsletter and be the first to hear about my newest recipes and tips!

    FAQS


    Can I stack the pork chops when air frying them?

    No, the pork chops need to be in a single layer and they shouldn’t be packed close to each other.

    Can I use the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid accessory to make this in a 6 quart Instant Pot?

    Yes, you can use the same timing and temperature to make these Instant Pot air fryer pork chops using the air fryer lid.

    Can I use another brand of air fryer?

    Yes, the timing and temperature will work with other brands of air fryers such as a traditional air fryer or a Ninja Foodi.

    What should I do if the pork chops stick to the bottom?

    Use a nonstick spatula to gently move the pork chops. Sometimes letting meat cook for a few more minutes loosens it. You can also line the basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent sticking next time.

    You can purchase parchment rounds with pre-cut holes but if you don’t have them, make sure you poke holes in parchment or foil to allow for circulation.

    What should I do if the pork chops are overcooked?

    It could be because the pork chops were thinner than 1 inch or your air fryer runs hotter. The next time you make them, check the internal temperature to see if it’s at 145 degrees Fahrenheit a few minutes before the time’s up and decrease the cooking time. Different air fryers may have slight variations, so you have to find a time and temperature that works for you.

    Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

    Yes. Though the Duo Crisp has a built-in preheat time, for this recipe I recommend preheating the air fryer before air frying. Preheat for 4 minutes before adding the pork.

    Can I double this recipe?

    Overcrowding the air fryer can result in soggy or undercooked food. It depends on the capacity of your air fryer. Some air fryers can accommodate more food.

    If you need to air fry double the quantity, you can do it in two batches.

    If you’re new to the Instant Pot and aren’t familiar with how to use it, you might find it helpful to first read one of the following guides and then come back here to learn how to make this recipe.

    • Instant Pot DUO Beginner’s Manual
    • Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Manual
    • Instant Pot DUO EVO PLUS Beginner’s Manual
    • Instant Pot DUO NOVA Beginner’s Manual
    • Instant Pot DUO GOURMET Beginner’s Manual
    • Instant Pot DUO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
    • Instant Pot PRO Beginner’s Manual
    • Instant Pot PRO CRISP Beginner’s Manual

    Air Fryer Pork Chops – Ingredients

    Air fryer pork chops - ingredients - paprika, cayenne, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, white pepper, pork chops, salt, garlic powder, oil
    • Paprika
    • Cayenne
    • Onion powder
    • Thyme
    • Black pepper
    • White pepper
    • Salt
    • Garlic powder
    • Oil
    • Pork chops

    Ingredient quantities are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post

    How to make pork chops in the Air Fryer (Step by Step Instructions for Duo Crisp model)

    1. Season the pork chops
    2. Place pork chops in air fryer
    3. Program the air fryer
    4. Remove lid partway through cooking to turn the pork chops
    5. Turn the pork chops and continue cooking
    6. Remove lid after cooking is complete
    7. Transfer pork chops

    Season the pork chops

    air fryer pork chops collage - spices in bowl, pork on plate, pork with spices
    1. Mix the spices together in a small bowl.
    2. Dry the pork chops thoroughly and rub a small amount of oil on both sides.
    3. Coat the pork chops with the seasonings, making sure all surfaces are covered. You don’t need to use up all the seasonings, but I do!

    Place pork chops in air fryer

    Air fryer pork chops collage - rack being sprayed, three pork chops on rack, air fryer lid on
    1. Spray the air fryer basket liberally with vegetable oil.
    2. Transfer the pork chops into the air fryer basket.
    3. Put on the air fryer lid.

    Program the Air Fryer

    • Press the Air Fry Button.
    • Press Temp + or – until the temperature says 380F.
    • Press the Time + or – until the time says 00:13.
    • Press Start.
    • The display will say On, and once it has heated up, it will start counting down from 00:13 to 00:00.

    If you’re using another model of air fryer, press the Shake button if available. This allows you to turn the food halfway through cooking. If your air fryer doesn’t have this feature, set a timer to turn the food at the halfway point.

    Remove lid partway through cooking to turn the food

    Duo Crisp turn food collage - turn food on display, lid being lifted, lid placed on pad
    • Partway through air frying, the Instant Pot will beep and the display will say Turn Food.
    • Lift the air fryer lid and place it on the protective pad.

    Turn the pork chops and continue cooking

    Air fryer pork chops collage - 3 pork chops in air fryer, one of 3 pork chops being turned with tongs, lid on air fryer
    • Using silicone tongs, turn the pork chops. If you find that the pork chops are sticking to the bottom, use a nonstick spatula to gently lift the pork chops.
    • Close the lid.
    • Cooking will automatically continue.

    Remove lid after cooking is complete

    Duo Crisp End of Air Fry collage - says End on display, lid being lifted, lid placed on pad
    • When the timer runs down, the Instant Pot will beep and the display will say End.
    • Lift the air fryer lid and place it on the protective pad.
    • If the food’s not cooked to your liking, program the Instant Pot to air fry for another few minutes.

    Transfer Pork Chops

    Air fryer pork chops collage - 3 pork chops cooked in basket, 3 pork chops on a plate
    • Transfer the pork chops to a serving dish and let them rest for about 5 minutes.
    • Serve with a side dish such as mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, brussel sprouts, or beet arugula salad.

    Oven Instructions for Baked Pork Chops


    To make this recipe in the oven:

    1. Stir together all the dry spices.
    2. Pat the pork chops dry and rub them with oil on both sides.
    3. Rub the seasoning on both sides until evenly coated.
    4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
    5. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
    6. Coat baking sheet with oil.
    7. Lay the pork chops on the prepared baking sheet.
    8. Bake for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

    See the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

    3 spice crusted pork chops on white plate with rosemary garnish

    Instant Pot Air Fryer Pork Chops

    These easy Instant Pot air fryer pork chops are juicy and tender, and are done in no time! With just a handful of ingredients, you can make a tasty main dish with little effort and delicious results. If you don’t have an Instant Pot air fryer or air fryer lid, you can use a traditional air fryer or bake them in the oven.
    5 from 4 votes
    PRINT PIN RATE
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 13 minutes
    Total Time: 18 minutes
    Servings: 3 servings
    Calories: 234
    Author: Paint the Kitchen Red

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Air Fryer or
    • Traditional Air Fryer
    • Small Bowl
    • Oil Sprayer
    • Silicone mitts
    • Silicone tongs
    • Digital thermometer

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 boneless pork chops 1 inch thick
    • 1 ½ tsp paprika
    • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
    • ¾ tsp onion powder
    • ¼ tsp garlic powder
    • ¾ tsp salt or to taste
    • ¼ tsp black pepper powder
    • ¼ tsp white pepper
    • ¼ tsp dried thyme
    • 2 tsp vegetable oil or olive oil

    Instructions
     

    Air Fryer Instructions

    • Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels until they're completely dry. This is an important step.
    • Mix the paprika, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, white pepper, and thyme in a small bowl.
    • Rub the pork chops with oil. Sprinkle spice mix on both sides of the pork chops.
    • If using the Instant Pot air fryer, place the metal rack in the basket. Place the air fryer basket in the air fryer and preheat at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
    • Grease the rack. You can either use a paper towel soaked with oil or an oil sprayer. Don't use canned aerosol oil as that can harm the coating of the air fryer basket.
    • Place the pork chops in the basket and make sure they're evenly spaced and not crowding each other.
    • Close the air fryer and air fry for 13 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • If you are using an Instant Pot air fryer, partway through cooking, the display says turn Food. If you are using an air fryer without this feature, set a timer to turn the pork chops 7 minutes into the cooking process.
    • Open the air fryer and using a pair of tongs, turn each pork chop. Close the air fryer and continue cooking.
    • When the cooking time is up, open the air fryer and use a digital thermometer to make sure the pork chops are just about 145 degrees Fahrenheit. If not, cook for another minute.
    • Press Cancel and transfer the meat to a serving plate. Let the meat rest for about 5 minutes before cutting.

    Oven Instructions *

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels until they're completely dry. This is an important step.
    • Mix the paprika, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, white pepper, and thyme in a small bowl.
    • Rub the pork chops with oil. Sprinkle spice mix on both sides of the pork chops.
    • Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and coat with oil.
    • Lay the pork chops on the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature is just about 145 degrees.
    • Transfer the chops to a serving plate and let the meat rest for about 5 minutes before cutting.

    Notes

    • Cooking time can vary based on the air fryer model and the size of the pork chops. At the 11-minute mark, check the pork chops to see if they’re done.
    • * If baking in the oven, the recipe can be doubled or tripled.
    • See the blog post for more detailed recipe tips.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 pork chop | Calories: 234 kcal | Carbohydrates: 2 g | Protein: 27 g | Fat: 15 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 68 mg | Sodium: 895 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 1 g
    Course Sides
    Cuisine American
    Have you made this recipe? I love seeing your photos! Tag me on Instagram @PaintTheKitchenRed or #PaintTheKitchenRed!

    Thank you for visiting Paint the Kitchen Red. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please don’t use any content without prior written permission. If you’ve made this recipe and would like to share it with your friends, please link back to this recipe. Thank you!

    I am not a certified nutritionist.  I provide my best estimate of nutritional information merely as a courtesy to my readers.  If you depend on nutritional information for dietary or health reasons,  I suggest using your favorite online nutrition calculator to confirm the nutritional value of this recipe based on the actual ingredients that you use.

    If you loved this recipe, please give it a five ⭐ rating in the comment section below and please share it on social media using the social media share buttons at the top and bottom of this post. Thank you so much!

    BACK TO TOP

    You May Also Like:

    How to use the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer (Beginner’s Manual)

    If you’ve just purchased the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, this beginner’s manual will help you get started. This user manual tells you about all the parts, the most important buttons, and functions, and gives you instructions on how to use the Instant Pot Duo Crisp for the first time by doing the water test (initial test run). And you’ll also learn how to use air fryer functions using the air fryer lid.
    GET RECIPE DETAILS
    Beginner's Manual and User's Guide Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer

    Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

    Corn on the cob is always a hit at summer gatherings and barbecues. Instant Pot corn on the cob is the easiest and tastiest way to cook this quintessential summer favorite.
    GET RECIPE DETAILS
    4 ears of corn in a row

    Instant Pot Apple Crisp

    Instant Pot Apple Crisp is a perfect fall fruit dessert made with fresh, crisp apples, and topped with crisp, crunchy oatmeal streusel.  Serve the apple crisp with vanilla ice cream and dulce de leche or caramel sauce for added flavor!
    GET RECIPE DETAILS
    White bowl with apple crisp and scoop of ice cream with a gold spoon nestled in the bowl and green apple in the background
    « Air fryer Tater Tots
    Air Fried Cauliflower »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Conner

      April 08, 2022 at 5:19 am

      5 stars
      If I want to use the same spices for chicken, how long should I air fry?

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        April 08, 2022 at 11:14 pm

        Hi Conner, thanks for your question. If you’re using bite-size pieces of chicken, air fry for about 8 minutes at 360 degrees F. If they’re whole bone-in chicken thighs, about 22 to 25 minutes at 380 degrees F.

        Reply
    2. Susan

      March 29, 2022 at 1:21 am

      5 stars
      My pork chops had a bone so they took a bit longer to cook. I’ll definitely be making this again. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        March 29, 2022 at 1:30 am

        Glad you liked the recipe, Sue. Thanks for commenting.

        Reply

    Questions, Comments? I love hearing from my readers and I reply to all comments! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Rate This!




    Primary Sidebar

    Neena in red sweater head tilted

    Hi, I'm Neena and welcome! I am the creator, photographer, and author of recipes and tips at Paint the Kitchen Red. I live in the glorious west in Salt Lake City, Utah with my family.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Easy Instant Pot Fried Rice Recipe (Chinese Style)
    • Coconut Chicken Curry Soup
    • Instant Pot Sausage Pasta in Creamy Tomato Sauce
    • Best Instant Pot Jambalaya Recipe

    Seasonal

    • Coconut Chicken Curry Soup
    • Instant Pot African Peanut Stew
    • Vegetarian Instant Pot Moroccan Stew
    • Creamy Instant Pot Chipotle Shrimp Soup

    Footer

    AS FEATURED ON

    Paint the Kitchen Red As Featured On Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, Brides.com, CNBC, msn, NBC News, Popsugar

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Me
    • Contact

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Web Stories

    • Google Web Stories

    Instant Pot

    • Recipe Index
    • Tips and Resources

    Air Fryer

    • Recipes

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Paint the Kitchen Red