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Best Crispy Air Fryer Pork Chops – Juicy & No Breading

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These air fryer pork chops are shatteringly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and require no breading. A simple dry brine and high-heat air frying create a natural crust that is gluten-free and low-carb, making it the perfect quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 bone-in or boneless pork chops, about 1 to 1.5 inches thick
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or high smoke point oil like light olive oil or grapeseed oil)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal recommended)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika is great)
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh, chopped)

Instructions

  1. Dry brine the pork chops: Pat the pork chops completely dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides generously with kosher salt. Place on a wire rack over a baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  3. While the air fryer heats, mix black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried thyme in a small bowl. Remove pork chops from fridge, pat dry again, rub each with avocado oil, then coat evenly with the seasoning mixture on all sides.
  4. Place seasoned pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 400°F for 8 minutes. Flip with tongs and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) at the thickest part.
  5. Transfer pork chops to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, tented loosely with foil.
  6. Serve immediately. The crust will be golden brown and shatteringly crisp, the inside tender and juicy.

Notes

Do not skip the dry brine—it is essential for maximum crispiness. Pat the chops dry before seasoning. Use a thermometer to avoid overcooking; pull at 145°F. Let the chops rest for 5 minutes before cutting. For a spicy kick, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix. For a dairy-free version, skip the garlic butter finish or use a dairy-free butter alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pork chops, crispy pork chops, no breading pork chops, gluten-free pork chops, low-carb pork chops, quick dinner, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://spoonluma.com/best-crispy-air-fryer-pork-chops-juicy-and-no-breading/