Air Fryer Pork Chops with Brown Sugar Rub (Easy and Fast)
20-Minute Air Fryer Pork Chops with Brown Sugar Rub
Air Fryer Pork Chops with Brown Sugar Rub (Easy and Fast)
Need a quick and flavorful dinner? These air fryer pork chops with brown sugar rub are ready in 20 minutes and deliver a sweet, smoky crust with juicy, tender meat inside. The dry rub uses pantry staples but tastes like you marinated for hours. If you’re new to air frying pork, this method is reliable and beginner-friendly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe checks every box for busy nights: minimal prep, 20-minute total time, and consistent results. The brown sugar rub caramelizes into a lightly crisp coating while the pork stays tender at the center. Because you air fry hot and fast, you keep more moisture than oven baking, and you don’t need breading or a long marinade. It’s also highly flexible—use boneless or bone-in, adjust the heat level with cayenne, and pair with quick veggie sides.
Ingredients & Supplies
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon each: kosher salt, black pepper, ground mustard, garlic powder, onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne or chili powder (optional)
- 4 boneless pork chops (½–2 inches thick)
- 1 teaspoon olive or avocado oil
Why it works: Brown sugar promotes browning and a delicate crust, paprika adds gentle smokiness, and a pinch of cayenne balances the sweetness without making it spicy. Thicker chops (around 1–1½ inches) deliver a juicy center with lightly charred edges; thinner chops finish even faster—just reduce the time slightly.
How to Make
1) Make the Rub
Stir together the brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes so the chops begin crisping right away.
2) Season the Pork Chops
Pat chops dry with paper towels—this helps the rub stick and form that caramelized crust. Brush lightly with oil, then massage the brown sugar rub over both sides until evenly coated.
3) Air Fry to Perfection
Arrange chops in a single layer with space between them. Air fry at 400°F for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until the center reaches 145°F (63°C). Let rest 3 minutes before slicing. For very thick chops (near 2 inches), add 1–2 minutes as needed; for thinner chops, start checking at 9–10 minutes.
According to the FoodSafety.gov Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures, pork is fully safe at 145°F with a brief rest. This modern guidance is why these air fryer pork chops stay so juicy.
Troubleshooting Dry Chops
Chops are dry? The most common cause is overcooking. Use an instant-read thermometer and pull them when the thickest part shows 140–143°F; the temp typically rises to 145°F as they rest. Edges too dark? Reduce the sugar by ½ tablespoon or lower the heat to 380°F and extend the cook by 1–2 minutes. Uneven doneness? Choose similar thickness chops and avoid crowding; airflow matters in an air fryer. No crust? Pat dry more thoroughly and don’t skip the preheat. Light oil helps the rub adhere and brown.
Easy Flavor Variations
Smoky Chipotle: Replace cayenne with chipotle powder and add a pinch of cumin. Maple-Mustard: Swap brown sugar for maple sugar and increase ground mustard slightly; serve with a little Dijon on the side. Savory Herb: Skip cayenne and add dried thyme or Italian seasoning for a rub that’s less sweet and more herb-forward. Keto/Sugar-Free: Use a brown-sugar-style erythritol/monk fruit blend (1:1). The spices still shine and you keep that tasty crust.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days. To reheat, use the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes for a lightly crisp edge, or the microwave with a damp paper towel for convenience. For freezing, wrap each chop individually to prevent freezer burn; freeze up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently to preserve moisture.
Serving Ideas
Round out dinner with easy sides that cook just as fast. We like to keep the sweet-savory vibe going with a bright vegetable or a simple potato:
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes or Melting Potatoes
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Classic Coleslaw
⭐ 5 Star Reader Reviews
Bailey: “Loved this recipe! I usually struggle with dry pork chops, but this was marvelous—and my picky eater loved it too. Definitely making it again.”
Cindy: “We really enjoyed this recipe. First time air frying pork chops and it was a big success. Thank you!”
Barb: “My husband rarely comments unless asked. After this, he volunteered, ‘This has a really nice flavor.’ That never happens. Making it again!”
Jinjer: “Followed the recipe exactly and the pork was perfect. Added roasted frozen mixed veggies and served over brown rice—so good.”
Lynda: “Tried this—wow! Delicious. Served with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Simple and yummy.”
Final Thoughts
These air fryer pork chops with brown sugar rub prove that simple ingredients can deliver big flavor. The dry rub caramelizes into a lightly crisp crust while the meat stays tender and juicy. Keep this one in your weeknight rotation—it’s fast, easy, and consistently delicious. Once you get comfortable with the method and internal temperature target, you can riff with the variations above and never get bored.
Air Fryer Tips & Tricks You’ll Love
- Air Fryer 101
- Avoid These Air Fryer Mistakes
- Best Air Fryer Accessories
- How to Clean Your Air Fryer
- Adapt Any Recipe for Your Air Fryer
- Free Air Fryer Temp Chart
- Air Fryer Buying Guide
- Air Fryer Video Recipes
Go-To Pork Chops with Brown Sugar Rub in the Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops about 1" thick
- Olive oil or avocado oil
Rub
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1½ teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 400°F/204°C for 5 minutes.
- Mix the rub ingredients together.
- Rinse and pat dry the pork chops.
- Add a little olive oil to each of the pork chops to help the rub adhere to it.
- Liberally massage the rub into both sides of the pork chops.
- Place the 2 pork chops in the air fryer basket (if your basket is bigger and can hold more, go for it).
- Cook for 10-12 minutes at 400°F/204°C, turning at the halfway point.
- Make sure the internal temperature of the pork chop registers at 145°F/63°C before eating.
Nutrition
Recipe Adapted From: Recipe Teacher
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Tried thus. Wow! Delicious. Served with roasted (also in the air fryer) potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Yummy and so simple.
So glad you loved it, Lynda! Thanks for your comment!
We really enjoyed this recipe! I’ve heard of some people not having success with air frying pork chops. This was my first attempt, and it was a great success! Thank you!
We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed it. Thanks for the fab rating, Cindy!
Loved this recipe!! Usually I tend to have problems making pork chops either too dry or just not a great rub/marinade…but by far such a great recipe and in the air fryer too it was marvellous! My significant other who is not normally a fan of pork chops and is a picky eater even enjoyed it! Definitely making in the future 😊
Thanks for the 5 stars! We are glad to add another dish to your dinner table.
Thanks for this!!! I bought a pork shoulder steak and had no clue what to do with it. Then I saw the video on how to make this recipe. I followed the recipe exactly as written and the pork came out perfect. While the meat was resting I followed your instructions on cooking frozen mixed vegetables in the air fryer. It was a deluxe stir fry mix and the baby corn and broccoli came out perfectly roasted! I put the pork, veggies, and juices from the pork on top of brown rice. Delicious! Now I have no need for the wok I got for Christmas.
My husband usually will eat anything with a few exceptions, and when asked if he likes it (so I’ll know whether to make it again) will just say “it was fine”or “good”. But never comments if not asked. When I made this, he actually volunteered “this has a really nice flavor to it”.
😃 Definitely will be making this again!
Thank you!
Hi Barb, so glad to hear it! Thanks for sharing!
I got a similar recipe from somewhere else, but I use Smoked Paprika instead of regular. I also have always fried my pork chops, but tonight I am going to Air Fry them. Thank you!
Hi Rose, hope you enjoy them in the air fryer!