Super quick and super tasty, these thin pork chops in air fryer are ready in minutes with sweet honey, zesty lemon, and smoky seasoning. Weeknight win!
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
I’ve made these thin pork chops dozens of times now, and they’re one of those foolproof meals that taste like you put in more effort than you actually did. Here is why you need to try this pork chop air fryer recipe:
- It’s FAST. Like, "dinner's ready before your toddler finishes one episode of Bluey" fast. Thin pork chops cook in just 5 to 8 minutes — no breading, no flipping, no fuss.
- The combo of lemon, honey, and smoky spices gives you a little sweet, a little zing, and a whole lot of yum without marinating for hours.
- Tried and tested. I’ve made these more times than I can count (especially on those “what's for dinner?” panic days), and they never fail me. I’ve done bone-in and boneless chops, extra thin ones and regular size (you can find different cooking times in the recipe below).
- As long as you don’t overcook (and rest them a minute!), you’ll get tender, juicy pork chops — even without the bone.
- No splatter, no greasy pans, just pop them in and go. It’s the kind of recipe that’ll have you saying, “Why didn’t I make this sooner?”
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
The Pork: For this particular recipe shoot, I used thin boneless pork chops (or pork steaks work too!); boneless is quicker, but bone-in adds flavor — just adjust the time. I have also cooked slightly thicker, bone-in pork chops in the air fryer, so feel free to use this recipe for either (with slight cooking time variation).
The Flavor Magic: Olive oil adds moisture and helps those spices stick. You can use avocado oil or even a light spritz of spray oil if you prefer. Honey adds a caramelized sweetness. Maple syrup works too! Lemon juice brightens everything up and balances the honey.
Plus, salt and pepper for base seasoning, smoked paprika for warmth and depth, and garlic and onion powder for that savory, all-rounded flavor without needing fresh garlic or onion.
Step by Step
Here are some steps and photos for how to make thin pork chops in the air fryer.
Preheat Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes.
Preheat pork chops
- Pat dry the pork chops (super important for browning).
- Mix oil, honey, and lemon juice; brush over both sides of the pork.
Sprinkle spices evenly on both sides. This can be done ahead of time.
Air Fry Pork Chops
- Place chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer — don’t crowd them. Do it in batches if needed. Cook based on thickness (see below).
Cooking Times By Thickness
Here are air frying times for pork chops cooked at 200°C (400°F).
- Boneless pork chops under 1cm thick: 6 minutes (mine were extra thin so 5 minutes was sufficient).
- Boneless pork chops over 1cm thick: 7 minutes
- Bone-in thin pork chops: 8 minutes
- Bone-in thick pork chops: 9 minutes
Video Tutorial
Check out these Delicious German Chocolate Cookies for tasty meal ideas.
Expert Tips
- Don’t skip the rest time — it keeps them juicy.
- No need to flip! That’s the air fryer magic.
- Want heat? Add a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes.
- Swap the honey with maple syrup or brown sugar if that’s what you have.
- If you're working with frozen pork chops, thaw them fully and pat them very dry before seasoning.
- Storage tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 2 minutes. They also freeze well for up to 2 months — just wrap individually.
- Make ahead tips: You can marinate the pork with the honey, lemon, oil, and spices and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Great for prepping in the morning for a speedy dinner.
Also read: Best Air Fryer Without Teflon: Top Picks for Healthy Cooking
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
These go with everything. I love serving them with garlic mashed potatoes or roasted veggies. They're also amazing sliced over salads or tucked into sandwiches the next day. Add some crusty bread and you're sorted.
If you’re looking for a savory, crowd-pleasing appetizer, Air Fryer Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms are another great option to try.
FAQs
Yes! Just cook them a bit longer — 8 minutes should do it.
Nope! Thin chops cook through without flipping and still get a lovely sear.
Totally. Swap in maple syrup or even leave it out — the lemon and spices still carry the dish.
145°F (63°C) is the safe internal temp. A little pink in the middle is perfectly fine and means it’s still juicy!
Recipe
Thin Pork Chops In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Instant Pot Air Fryer Vortex Plus
- oil spray
Ingredients
- 8 thin boneless pork chops (about 1 cm thick)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or a spritz of oil spray)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ lemon juice only
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes.
- Pat dry the pork chops; this will ensure better browning.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, honey, and lemon juice. Brush over both sides of the pork chops.
- Sprinkle each chop with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer — don’t overcrowd. You will need to do 2 batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook for about 6 minutes (for boneless chops 1 cm thick) or 8 minutes (with bone-in). For slightly thinner pork chops or steaks, go for 5 minutes and check.
- Rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cooking times by thickness: Boneless pork chops under 1 cm thick: 5–6 minutes; boneless pork chops over 1 cm thick: 6–7 minutes; for bone-in thin pork chops: 8 minutes.
- Don’t skip the rest time — it keeps them juicy.
- No need to flip! That’s the air fryer magic.
- Want heat? Add a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes.
- Swap the honey with maple syrup or brown sugar if that’s what you have.
- If you're working with frozen pork chops, thaw them fully and pat them very dry before seasoning.
You can find the video in the post above. If you don't see a video, please check your browser settings.
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