Coated in a delectable honey and soy glaze, these air fryer thick pork chops are a mouthwatering treat. They take under half an hour to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners.

The glaze on these air fryer thick pork chops is simple but so tasty; the combination of sweet and umami flavors is terrific. And air frying means it caramelizes beautifully, giving the pork a crisp skin.
Cooking thick pork chops in air fryer means the meat cooks evenly, and none of the natural juices are lost. You’ll find that air-fried pork chops are succulent with a crisp char on the outside.
You don’t need to add any extra oil to get a crispy char on these air fryer thick-cut pork chops, and the cleanup is much easier than if you cook them on the stovetop!
Ingredients for thick pork chops

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**
- Thick bone-in pork chops: Bone-in pork chops are juicier than boneless pork chops, and thick-cut pork chops in air fryer are incredibly succulent. Look for chops with moderate marbling, as these will be more tender.
- Honey: Honey adds the essential sticky sweetness to the glaze. If you don’t have honey, maple syrup or agave also work well.
- Low sodium soy sauce: Soy gives the glaze its delicious umami notes. I’ve suggested low sodium to keep the salt levels lower.
- Ketchup: Ketchup is the perfect ingredient to add a zesty tang to your glaze.
- Garlic (finely chopped): Always delicious with soy sauce. You can use ready-chopped garlic or puree if you don’t want to chop garlic.
Tools used to make the recipe
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How to cook thick pork chops in the air fryer?
Begin by putting the ketchup, honey, garlic, and soy sauce in a small bowl and whisking them together.


Pat dry your pork chops using paper towels, and season with salt and pepper. Brush them with half the glaze and set aside the other half.

Put the thick bone-in pork chops in air fryer at 400°F, and cook for 7 minutes on each side. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 145°F before serving.


Cover the chops in the other half of the glaze using a clean brush. Serve, and enjoy!
Recipe tips
- When using a meat thermometer, always insert it into the thickest part of the chop and avoid touching the bone, as this can affect the reading.
- For best results, make sure the chops aren’t touching. The air can flow around them more efficiently, so they cook more evenly.
How long to cook thick pork chops in the air fryer?
It takes about 14 minutes to cook thick pork chops in air fryer.
Heat the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 7 minutes on each side. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature before serving. The safe internal temperature for pork chops is 145°F.
What goes well with thick bone-in pork chops?
- Healthy massaged kale and apple salad
- Roasted sweet potatoes in air fryer
- Easy air fryer baby carrots
- Healthy air fryer eggplant parmesan

How to store and reheat bone-in pork chops?
If you have leftover pork chops, seal them in an airtight container and move them to the fridge within two hours of cooking them. Ensure you keep them below 40°F and eat them within 3-4 days.
You can also store them in the freezer indefinitely or for up to 2-3 months for the best quality - they can start to dry out if you keep them for longer.
Reheating
The best way to reheat thick cut pork chops is in the air fryer; this way, you’ll avoid drying them out, and they’ll be lovely and tender.
Heat your air fryer to 380°F and put the chops in the basket. Heat 2-3 minutes on each side, then check with a meat thermometer. Serve once the internal temperature has reached 145°F.
FAQ’s
What other seasonings are good for pork?
Smoked paprika is delicious with thick pork chops air fryer, and brown sugar balances the savory pork flavor. Some other seasonings that work well with pork are:
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Mustard
- Onion
- Cumin
- Cayenne pepper
How to tell when pork chops are done?
A meat thermometer is the best way to tell when your air fried thick pork chops are done. A meat thermometer tells you when the chops are safe to eat and prevents you from overcooking or drying them out.
Put the thermometer into the thickest part of the chop, ensuring you avoid any bone or gristle. When the thermometer reads 145°F, you can serve.

Are pork chops healthy?
Pork chops are a great source of selenium, a nutrient your body needs to stay healthy. They are also full of iron, potassium, and magnesium.
Pork chops can be calorie-dense and high in salt depending on the cut and how you cook them, so it’s important to bear this in mind when planning your meals.
Cooking thick cut pork chops in air fryer requires less oil than other methods, which makes them lower in calories.
How to avoid tough pork chops?
There are a few things you can do to avoid tough pork chops:
- Buy thicker-cut, bone-in chops - these won’t dry out as much during cooking.
- Use a marinade to make the meat more tender.
- Cook thick pork chops in air fryer. Air frying means less natural moisture is lost, making them deliciously succulent.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- Let the chops rest at room temperature for around 30 minutes before cooking.
More air fryer pork Recipes you’d love to try
- Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Bone-in Pork Chops
- BBQ Pork Chops In Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Parmesan Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Breaded Pork Tenderloin
- Stuffed Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

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Air Fryer Thick Pork Chops Recipe
Coated in a delectable honey and soy glaze, these air fryer thick pork chops are a mouthwatering treat. They take under half an hour to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- ½ cup ketchup
- 3 Tablespoons Honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 thick bone-in pork chops
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tools
Instructions
- Whisk together ketchup, honey, garlic, and soy sauce in a bowl. Set aside half of the mixture.
- Pat dry the pork chops with paper towels and season with salt and pepper; brush with half the glaze.
- Place the thick pork chops in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400ºF for 8-10 minutes on each side or until an internal temperature reaches 145ºF. Using a clean brush, baste pork chops with the reserved glaze. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- When using a meat thermometer, always insert it into the thickest part of the chop and avoid touching the bone, as this can affect the reading.
- For best results, make sure the chops aren’t touching. The air can flow around them more efficiently, so they cook more evenly.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 326Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 184mgSodium: 343mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 0gSugar: 39gProtein: 58g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.