After way too many tough pork chops, I finally figured out the magic to juicy chops. It's in the air fryer. Yes, really. If you cook your chops on the little rack in your air fryer (or at least elevated on some rolled up aluminum foil "snakes"), they come out better than on the grill--well seasoned (assuming you want them that way), fast, and oh-so-soft-and-juicy. No, you can't cut them with a fork--not quite. But the chops will be far better than if grilled or baked. The other secret, besides the air fryer, is a meat thermometer. Yes, that thing the cooking shows (or the good ones) tell you to use. The temperature you're aiming for is 140 degrees. The chops will continue to rise in temperature once you stop cooking, so do stop at 140. It will be okay, and the chops will be done. I use a rub--see the recipe below--for my air fryer chops, let them sit on the counter until they reach room temperature (or until I'm ready to cook them, but at least 20 minutes), and then spritz them with a little oil (from a misto). Depending on their thickness, the chops probably will need only about 15 minutes of cooking time. So, you can eat your juicy chops in minutes, not hours. Try the easy version below with the carb and green veggie of your choice. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Pork Chops with Simple Spice Rub -- Serves 2
2 large, boneless pork chops about 3/4 - 1-inch thick
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
1/2 teaspoon of chili powder (I use mild)
1/4-1/2 teaspoon of salt (I use 1/4)
1/2 teaspoon of coriander
1/2 teaspoon of sweet paprika (or use hot if you want extra heat in your dinner!)
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
Lay the pork chops on a plate and combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Stir the spice mixture around well to mix in the brown sugar. Sprinkle about 1/4 of the spice mixture over the chops. Turn the chops over and sprinkle on another 1/4 of the spice mixture over the other side of the chops. Reserve the remaining spice mixture in a plastic bag or jar for another use (or make two more chops later). Let the chops sit for at least 20 minutes. When you're ready to cook the chops, spritz the air fryer rack with oil (or rub it with oil, using a paper towel). Place the rack in the air fryer and arrange the chops on the rack. Spritz the chops with a little oil (I use a misto filled with canola oil, but non-stick cooking spray will work). Cook the chops at 400 degrees in the air fryer for 8 minutes. Flip the chops over and cook them for 5-6 minutes more. Check the chops with a meat thermometer. They should have an internal temperature of 140 degrees. If not, give them a minute or two longer, and check their temperature again. Let the chops stand for 5 minutes before serving them. DO NOT OVERCOOK the chops! Enjoy juicy, nicely-spiced meat!
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