How long to cook pork chops in an air fryer

At-a-glance cooking parameters

Temperature

380 °F

193 °C

Total time

12 min

per single layer

Flip at

6 min

flip once

Internal temp

145 °F

63 °C

Bone-in pork chops cook in 12 minutes at 380 °F (193 °C) with a single flip. Pull at 145 °F (63 °C) internal — pork chops are perfectly safe and far juicier when served slightly pink in the centre, contrary to the old well-done dogma.

Per serving

Approximate values for a single portion of pork chops (USDA baseline, cooked, includes light air-fryer oil spray).

Calories

320 kcal

Protein

35 g

Fat

18 g

Carbs

0 g

Pork Chops in popular air fryer brands

Adjusted for how each brand actually heats. Tap a brand name to see every food we calibrate for it.

Cooking pork chops differently?

Times and technique change when starting from frozen or reheating leftovers. Open the matching guide for the right temp, time and brand notes.

• Reheat leftoverReheat Pork Chops in an Air Fryer350 °F · 5 min · flip at 2.5 minRestore-the-crisp technique

How to tell it’s done

Exterior is golden-brown with no pink seeping when pressed; interior shows just-blushing pink at the centre with clear (not pink) juices.

Internal temperature: 145 °F / 63 °C. Always verify with an instant-read thermometer.

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Prep

   Bring ingredients close to room temperature. Brush both sides with olive oil — pork chops are lean and need oil to brown.

2. 2

   Season

   Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme.

3. 3

   Load

   Arrange 2 bone-in chops, 1 inch thick, 8 oz each for best convection airflow.

4. 4

   Cook

   Set the air fryer to 380 °F (193 °C) and cook for 12 minutes total, flipping once at 6 minutes.

5. 5

   Check & rest

   Verify the internal temperature reaches 145 °F / 63 °C and rest 2–3 minutes before serving.

6. 6

   Store

   Refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat at 350 °F for 4 minutes; do not exceed or they dry out.

Watch out for

• !Pull pork at 145 °F / 63 °C — the USDA dropped from 160 °F in 2011. Higher is dry and chalky.
• !Boneless chops cook 2 minutes faster than bone-in. Same temperature, less time.
• !Brine 30 minutes in salt water before cooking if the chops are very lean — they hold moisture better.

FAQ about pork chops in an air fryer

What temperature should I cook pork chops at in an air fryer?

Cook pork chops at 380 °F (193 °C). The convection air at this temperature cooks the centre evenly while still browning the surface.

How long do pork chops take in an air fryer?

Pork chops take 12 minutes total at 380 °F (193 °C). Flip the food once at 6 minutes so both sides cook evenly.

Do you need to flip pork chops in an air fryer?

Yes — flip pork chops once at 6 minutes. The side touching the basket grate develops a darker, more crusted surface; flipping evens out the cook so both sides match.

Do you need to preheat the air fryer for pork chops?

Preheating is optional for pork chops — most modern air fryers reach temperature in under 2 minutes and the food's total cook time already accounts for the ramp-up. If you do preheat, reduce the total time by 1–2 minutes and check earlier than usual.

What internal temperature are pork chops safe to eat?

Pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145 °F (63 °C) measured at the thickest point with an instant-read thermometer. Visual checks alone are not a reliable substitute for protein — always confirm with a probe.

Can I reheat leftover pork chops in an air fryer?

Yes. Reheat at 350 °F (177 °C) for 5 minutes, flipping once at 2.5 minutes. The reheat guide covers the full restore-the-crisp technique. Open the leftover pork chop reheat guide →