Air Fryer Pork Chops with Maple Dijon Lemon Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 bone-in or boneless pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Maple Dijon Lemon Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Pork Chops:
- Pat pork chops dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil evenly over both sides.
- Mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle seasoning mix generously on both sides of the pork chops.
2. Preheat the Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
3. Cook the Pork Chops:
- Place pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature — pork should reach 145°F (63°C) for safe consumption.
- If not done, cook in 2-minute increments until temperature is reached.
4. Make the Maple Dijon Lemon Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, maple syrup, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
5. Serve:
- Drizzle the sauce over the cooked pork chops.
- Optionally garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.
Tips and Tricks:
Customize Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with your favorite spices or add a smoky BBQ rub for variation.
Thickness Matters: Use pork chops about 1-inch thick for even cooking. Thinner chops cook faster and may dry out.
Don’t Overcrowd: Air fryer needs space for air circulation to get a crispy crust.
Check Temperature: Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness and juicy chops.
Rest Meat: Let pork chops rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to retain juices.