Frozen pork chops in the air fryer make an easy garlic-pepper dinner without thawing first. For two boneless chops about ¾ to 1 inch thick, preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C), then cook for approximately 18–23 minutes total. Season once their surfaces soften, and flip once during the remaining cook time. A thermometer, rather than the timer, tells you when they’re ready.
Ingredients
- 2 frozen boneless pork chops, about ¾ to 1 inch thick (6–8 ounces each)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Garlic powder coats the chops more evenly than minced garlic, which can scorch in the circulating heat. The small amount of smoked paprika adds color without turning this into a sweet or heavily spiced rub.
How To Make It
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes with the empty basket in place. Keep its normal drip pan installed, but don’t add parchment or a solid liner: the basket’s perforations need to remain open for airflow.
- Place the unwrapped frozen chops directly on the basket grid in a single layer, leaving space between them. Cook for 5 minutes to soften the surfaces. Meanwhile, mix the garlic powder, pepper, salt, and paprika.
- Carefully remove the chops, pat away surface moisture, and rub both sides lightly with olive oil. Press the seasoning onto both sides, then return them to the basket without overlapping.
- Cook for another 13–18 minutes, flipping once about halfway through this second stage. Start checking early with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part from the side. Remove each chop only when its center reaches at least 145°F (63°C). Rest for at least 3 minutes before serving.
Tips
Frozen chops stuck together may need another minute or two in the basket before they separate easily; don’t force them apart with a knife. Cook in batches if your basket cannot hold both chops with space around them. Thicker or bone-in chops can take longer, so use the thermometer instead of relying on color or a fixed cooking time. If a chop is below 145°F (63°C), return it to the air fryer and check again after a few minutes. Keep raw-pork utensils and surfaces separate from ready-to-eat food.
Serve the warm garlic-pepper chops with a simple salad or your favorite vegetables.
