Air fryer pork chops with no breading are the perfect weeknight dinner. They come together in minutes, don’t require too much hassle, and are so delicious.
The juicy meat is rubbed with a slightly sweet meat rub that contains a hint of heat. All they are topped with is fresh herb and lemon chimichurri.
You can make this recipe for the weekday meal prep, make it into a sandwich, or just serve it for dinner on a busy weekday. It is an easy and quick recipe that will take almost no effort. What better way to finish the busy day than a delicious and easy-to-make meal?
Ingredients You Will Need
There aren’t many ingredients for this recipe. Here are all the ingredients you will need to make this delicious pork chop recipe.
For the Pork Chops:
- Boneless Pork Chops
- Sweet Paprika – use smoked if you can’t find it.
- Garlic Powder
- Old Bay Seasoning – this is optional so feel free to skip it if you are not able to find it in the store.
- Onion Powder
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Olive Oil – it is used to rub into the meat before the spice rub.
For the Chimichurri:
- Fresh Parsley
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Lemon zest
- Olive Oil – good quality olive oil is a must for this recipe if you want it to taste fresh and authentic.
- Lemon Juice – preferably freshly squeezed lemon instead of bottled.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This air fryer pork chops with no breading recipe is so easy and quick, it will be your next go-to dinner. Everything comes together in just a handful of steps and you have delicious dinner on the tables in minutes.
STEP 1: Mix the Rub.
Start by preheating the air fryer by running it empty for a few minutes. In a mixing bowl combine the sweet paprika, garlic powder, old bay seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and set aside.
STEP 2: Cook the Pork Chops.
Pat the pork chops with a dry paper towel and rub them all over with the olive oil. Sprinkle with the spice rub and continue rubbing so it goes deep into the meat. This will give the pork chops a great and lasting flavor.
Place the pork chops in the air fryer with enough space between each other so they are not touching. You may have to work in batches of two depending on how big the air fryer container is. Cook and flip halfway through.
Note: Depending on how big the air fryer is, you can fit all 4 pork chops in the container. My air fryer was a bit small so I was able to fit only two pork chops at a time. To keep them warm while air frying all batches, place the pork chops on a plate and cover them with aluminum foil.
When working with meat, I always encourage using a food thermometer. This will help you know when the meat is done and prevent you from serving undercooked meat which can lead to food poisoning.
STEP 3: Make the Chimichurri.
While the pork chops are in the air fryer, make the chimichurri. It is so easy and quick and is so so delicious. Combine the parsley, garlic, cumin, salt, black pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil in a mixing bowl. Toss to combine and set aside.
When the pork chops are done, transfer them to a plate and drizzle with the chimichurri. Serve immediately.
Optional Modifications
I used boneless pork chops because they fit better in the air fryer but the bone-in pork chops have better flavor. The grease released from the bone during the air frying process adds a lot of flavor to the meat and the dish overall.
However, the boneless pork chops are great for kids’ plates, sandwiches, or when you don’t feel like removing the bones of your pork chops. Nothing wrong with it.
What Goes Well With Air Fryer Pork Chops?
This recipe is so versatile and good that it goes with almost everything. Pair the pork chops and lemon chimichurri with a side of potatoes or steamed vegetables. I like to add a side of mac and cheese or a dinner roll.
The best sauces for these air fryer pork chops are of course bbq and honey mustard. Sometimes I serve it with spicy mayo or butter-based sauce.
Cooking Times By Air Fryer Model
Every air fryer is different so make sure to read the instructions before using it. Some air fryers are much stronger than others. I suggest starting by cooking only one pork chop. This will help you understand if you need to lower the temperature or take it out earlier.
If the inside of the pork chop is still raw but the outside starts to burn, lower the temperature of the air fryer and continue cooking. Use a food thermometer to help you determine that. The pork chops are cooked through if the thermometer shows above 145F.
| Model | Cooking time | Temperature |
| Ninja Foodi | 15 min | 375F |
| Philips Airfryer XXL (HD9630) | 18 min | 375F |
| Nuwave Bravo XL Grill | 20min | 375F |
| Power XL 2&3 Qt Vortex | 15 min | 375F |
| Cuisinart | 18min | 400F |
| Cosori | 20 min | 400F |
| Breville Smart Oven | 18min | 425F |
Can You Prepare This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes. You can make these delicious pork chops prior to serving them. If you are making them the day before, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, sprinkle with water and microwave for several minutes. Let them cool off before serving.
These air fryer pork chops can be kept in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to serve, thaw them in the fridge for a day and then microwave following the instructions above.
To freeze these pork chops add them to an air-tight container or zip lock bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
The lemon chimichurri can also be made ahead of time. I like to keep it in the fridge and drizzle it on top of the pork chops right before serving. Keep it in an airtight container for up to a week.
Other Tips & Tricks
The lemon chimichurri can also be used for marinating and cooking. I store it in ice trays in the freezer. Once the chimichurri cubes are frozen solid, take them out of the ice tray and transfer them to a plastic bag. This way, you can make more and store it for longer.
When I am ready to use it I use one or two ice cubes straight into the pan if I cook with it or thaw it for marinating. It is a delicious, fresh, and very flavorful combination of ingredients that will make any dish taste a bit better.
Air Fryer Pork Chops No Breading
Air fryer pork chops with no breading are the perfect weeknight dinner. They come together in minutes, don’t require too much hassle, and are so delicious.
The juicy meat is rubbed with a slightly sweet meat rub that contains a hint of heat. All they are topped with is fresh herb and lemon chimichurri.
Ingredients
- 4 Boneless Pork Chops
- 1 tsp Sweet Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Lemon Chimichurri
- 1/4 Cup Parsley, minced
- 1 tbsp Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Lemon Zest
- 1/3 Cup Olive Oil
- 3 tbsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F for 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl combine the sweet paprika, garlic powder, old bay seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and set aside.
- Pat the pork chops dry and rub with olive oil on both sides. Rub in the spice mix well on both sides as well.
- Place the pork chops next to each other in the air fryer without touching. You may have to work in batches depending on the size of the air fryer container. Cook for 10 minutes at 400F flipping halfway through.
- In a mixing bowl combine the parsley, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil. Stir to combine and serve over the air-fried pork chops.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 517Total Fat: 40gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 570mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 37g
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