Thick Pork Chops In Air Fryer

5 from 22 votes

Thick pork chops in an air fryer with a brown sugar spice rub. Juicy, golden, and done in 17 minutes.

Prep Time5

Cook Time12

Total Time17

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 254kcal

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This step matters — don't skip it. Starting with a hot basket gives you that sear-like crust right away.
Rinse the pork chops under cool water, then pat them completely dry with paper towels. Getting rid of surface moisture is what helps the rub stick and the outside brown properly.
2 center-cut bone-in pork chops
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until combined.
1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1½ teaspoons salt, 1½ teaspoons fresh ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Coat both sides of each pork chop with olive oil — just enough to lightly cover the surface. Then rub the spice mix all over, pressing it in firmly. Use all of the rub for the two chops.
2 tablespoon olive oil
Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Set to air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12–14 minutes total.
Flip the chops after 6-7 minutes. This ensures even browning on both sides.
Start checking the internal temperature at the 10-minute mark using a meat thermometer. Pull the chops when they hit 140°F (60°C) — carryover cooking will bring them up to the safe 145°F (63°C) while they rest.
Let the pork chops rest for 3–5 minutes before cutting. This is where the juices redistribute. Don't skip the rest!

Important Notes

Air fryer temperatures vary by brand and model. Always check internal temperature rather than relying on time alone.
Pull chops at 140°F (60°C) — carryover cooking brings them to the USDA-safe 145°F (63°C) during the rest.
For 2-inch thick pork chops in air fryer, add 2–3 extra minutes of cook time.
Thick boneless pork chops in air fryer cook faster — start checking at 8–10 minutes.