Southern Fried Pork Chops

These Southern Air Fryer Fried Pork Chops are a total game-changer! They come out perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside without the mess of frying. Plus, they’re super easy to whip up, making them perfect for a quick dinner or a family feast. Trust me, these chops will become a new favorite in your weeknight rotation! Completely Gluten-free, Pan Fried, + Oven Options.

Let me start by saying how much I love my air fryer. I’m all about air-fryer recipes, especially when they bring that Southern flair, so these Southern Air Fryer Pork Chops are a no-brainer. They’ve quickly become my go-to for weeknight dinners, and cooking them in the air fryer just makes everything so much easier.

These pork chops are incredibly juicy + beautifully seasoned, offering a perfect blend of flavors with every bite. The best part? They’re all about hands-off cooking with minimal cleanup required. They’ve become a favorite among family + friends, making them a surefire hit for any meal. I love serving them alongside all my favorite sides like—mashed potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, asparagus, green beans, fries, you name it!

Why You Will LOVE Southern Air Fryer Pork Chops

• Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.
• Packed with classic Southern flavor.
• Quick + easy weeknight dinner.
• Perfectly cooked every time in the air fryer --- Less oil, but all the taste.
• Pairs well with your favorite sides.
• Ready in under 25 minutes --- Plus minimal cleanup required.
• Deliciously seasoned with a simple spice rub.

How To Make Southern Air Fryer Pork Chops

First up you will need to prep the coating --- Mix flour, cornmeal, and all your spices in a bowl.

Then preheat your Air Fryer to 375°F and lightly spray the basket. Dip each pork chop into the seasoned flour, shaking off excess, and place them on a baking sheet, spacing them an inch apart. Cook in batches in the Air Fryer for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying the tops with cooking spray. Then enjoy juicy, seasoned perfection!

Ingredients

PORK CHOPS:

• Pork chops. Bone-in center-cut (About ½" thick is best)
• All-purpose flour. Creates a crispy, golden coating.
• Cornmeal. Adds a delightful crunch and Southern flavor.
• Spices + seasonings. Sea salt, coarse black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried parsley, cayenne pepper + red pepper flakes.
• Cooking spray. Ensures the pork chops don’t stick and helps achieve a perfect, crispy finish.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS DISH!

Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with these Southern Air Fryer Pork Chops. Everything from my fave cast iron pans, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Which Cut Of Pork Is Best For The Air-fryer?

For the air fryer, bone-in center-cut pork chops are the ideal choice. They’re perfect because the bone helps keep the chops juicy, while the center-cut offers a well-balanced, flavorful piece of meat. This cut crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, delivering a crunchy exterior and tender interior. Plus, their thickness ensures even cooking, which is essential for getting that perfect air-fried texture.

Can I Use Boneless Pork Chops?

Yes, boneless pork chops work too! Just adjust the cooking time slightly since they might cook faster than bone-in chops

What Type Of Cooking Spray is Best?

For air frying, choose a cooking spray with a high smoke point, like canola oil or avocado oil, which helps ensure your pork chops cook evenly and stay crispy. Light olive oil is another good option, but avoid sprays with additives or propellants. For more control, consider using a refillable oil sprayer to use your preferred oil without extra ingredients.

Why It's Important To Let Your Pork Chops Rest

Letting your pork chops rest is super important for getting them just right. After cooking, this short break helps the juices settle back into the meat, keeping them nice + juicy. It also lets the flavors come together better, making every bite tastier.

Plus, the pork chops keep cooking a bit from the residual heat, so they hit the perfect temperature without getting overcooked. Give them a 5-10 minute rest before slicing and serving, and you'll enjoy perfectly tender, flavorful chops.

Best Sides To Enjoy With Southern Pork Chops

These air fried pork chops truly shines when paired with some delectable sides to round out the meal. Here are my family's favorites:

• Roasted vegetables like asparagus, carrots or brussel sprouts
• Creamy mashed potato or sweet potato mash
• Classic mac + cheese
• Velveeta mac and cheese
• A refreshing salad
• A crispy coleslaw
• Brown rice or Basmati rice
• Sautéed Lemon Garlic Herb Green Beans
• Fries, in all their beautiful forms--- my favorites are Jumbo Garlic Herb Fries

How Do You Know When Your Pork Chops Are Cooked?

To ensure your pork chops are cooked perfectly, I recommend using a meat thermometer for accuracy rather than relying on just the feel. Here’s a handy guide for pork chop doneness:

• Rare (Slightly pink inside): 130°F–135°F
• Medium Rare (Tender, pink inside): 135°F–145°F
• Medium (Slightly pink in the center): 145°F–155°F
• Medium Well (A bit of pink): 155°F–160°F
• Well Done (No pink): 160°F–165°F

Remember, the internal temperature of the pork chops will rise by 5°F–10°F while resting, so aim for the lower end of your desired temperature. For more tips on pork safety and cooking, you can check out additional resources HERE.

Southern Air Fryer Pork Chops Q + A's

More Delicious Recipes For Meat-Lovers

Now that you've fallen in love with this Southern Air Fryer Pork Chops, give these other meaty dishes a try next:

• Braised Steak Ragu with Pappardelle
• Spicy One-Pot Jerk Chicken and Dumplings
• One Skillet Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
• Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes
• BBQ Jerk Salmon Burgers
• The Best Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
• Southern-Style Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich
• Easy KFC Mac + Cheese Bowl
• Spicy Southern Shrimp + Grits 

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Southern Air Fryer Pork Chops recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

Southern Fried Pork Chops

August 26, 2024 •

By Shanika

No ratings yet

These Southern Air Fryer Fried Pork Chops are a total game-changer! They come out perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside without the mess of frying. Plus, they’re super easy to whip up, making them perfect for a quick dinner or a family feast. Trust me, these chops will become a new favorite in your weeknight rotation! Completely Gluten-free + Oven Option.

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Serves: 4 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

PORK CHOPS:

• 4 bone-in center-cut pork chops, organic (About ½" thick is best)
• ½ cup organic all-purpose flour
• ½ cup organic cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• cooking spray

Instructions

PREP THE COATING:

• In a bowl, add the flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, parsley, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes, stirring everything together to combine.

TO MAKE THE AIR FRYER PORK CHOPS:

• Preheat the Air Fryer to 375 degrees and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray to keep the pork chops from sticking from sticking.
• Now, dip one pork chop into the seasoned flour (shaking off any excess) and then add it side by side onto a baking sheet (about an inch apart). Repeat until all pork chops are coated.
• In batches, add the pork chops into prepared Air Fryer basket, spray tops with cooking spray and bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping them onto their opposite sides halfway through.
• Internal temperature notes: You need to have the cooked pork chops read about 145° at the thickest part to be considered done.

OVEN OPTION:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and a wire rack----spraying the tops of rack to prevent sticking.
• Place coated pork chops onto baking sheet, lined side by side and bake for 10-20 minutes or until completely cooked through. Internal temperature notes: You need to have the cooked pork chops read about 145° at the thickest part to be considered done.

PAN FRIED OPTION:

• In a large non-stick skillet over medium to medium-high heat, add ½ cup of your favorite cooking oil (canola, vegetable oil, avocado oil, or olive oil works) and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Once the butter has melted and everything is hot place the coated pork chops down (You can do 2 pork chops at a time if you can) and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side. Then flip the pork chops onto their opposite sides and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on the other side-----Make sure that the internal temperature is achieved and no pink juices remain). Once crisp and cooked through, remove each pork chop from the heat and place them onto a plate (lined with paper towel to remove excess oils) and repeat with remaining pork chops.

SERVE WITH YOUR FAVORITE SIDE:

• Once done, transfer the steaks onto a cutting board to "rest" for about 10 minutes before slicing and adding any garnish and/or sauce.
• Best when served with your favorite side (i.e. Velveeta mac + cheese, mashed potatoes, rice, etc.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Place any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days for the best freshness. To reheat, bake at a low temperature. Heat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit—the lower, gentler temperature will help reheat the pork chops from the inside out while maintaining the juices. Reheat the pork chops for about 20 minutes.
• REHEAT IN AIR FRYER: Reheat in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, Air Fryer (for about 5 minutes or so).

Nutrition

Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1753mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 999IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 3mg

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