If you’ve never tried pork chops and apples together in the air fryer, you’re missing out on the easiest way to get tender, juicy meat with caramelized apples and onions in just minutes – no oven required!
We love this easy dinner recipe because the flavors complement each other so well, and it doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to make.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients needed to make this recipe – the pork chops and the apples/onions are shown separately below!
For the Pork Chops:
- Bone-in pork chops – We use quick-fry bone-in center-cut pork chops, but you can also use thicker cuts (the cooking time will just be slightly longer).
- Oil – We use avocado oil, but canola, vegetable, or sunflower oil also works well.
- Dried thyme – Adds flavor to the pork chops.
- Paprika – Adds flavor and color, so don’t skip it.
- Garlic powder – For extra flavor; granulated garlic also works.
- Salt – Enhances the overall flavor; adjust to taste.
- Black pepper – Use freshly cracked pepper for the best taste.
For the apples and onions:
- Apple – We use a Granny Smith apple, but any firmer apple, such as Gala, works. Avoid the soft, white flesh ones like Macintosh until you want very soft apples (closer to apple sauce).
- Onion – A regular yellow onion.
- Oil – Avocado, sunflower, canola, or vegetable oil all work well.
- Red wine vinegar – We use red wine vinegar, but apple cider vinegar also works well.
- Maple syrup – Adds a hint of sweetness, which complements the apples and onions well. Use real maple syrup if possible.
- Salt (not pictured) – Just a pinch of salt.
Recipe Tips
- Pick a firm apple like Granny Smith, Gala, or Honey Crisp and avoid soft ones like Macintosh.
- Cook the apples and pork chops together at the start. If you have thicker pork chops than ours, it doesn’t really change much. The chops will be in longer and when they are removed to rest, the apples and onions might only need a little more time.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. The pork chops and apples should not be on top of each other. Cook in batches if needed.
- Use a meat thermometer to check if the pork chops are done (internal temperature: 145 degrees Fahrenheit / 63 degrees Celsius). If they are overcooked, pork chops tend to get dry.
- Allow the pork chops to rest for a few minutes after cooking; this helps with juiciness.
Get Weekly Air Fryer Inspiration
Join 2000+ air fryer fans getting fresh ideas in their inbox every week!
You can unsubscribe anytime. No spam. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
In a small bowl, mix together the oil, thyme, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Pat the pork chops dry if wet, then brush both sides with the seasoning mixture and set aside.
Rinse the apple, then core it and cut it into roughly 16 slices. Peel the half onion and cut it into thicker slices.
Add the apples and onions to a bowl along with the oil, vinegar, maple syrup, and salt. Toss to coat.
Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius), then add the pork chops, apples, and onions into the air fryer basket.
Air fry for 3-4 minutes, then flip, and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius).
Thicker chops – chops closer to 1-inch thick – may need 4-5 minutes per side.
Remove the pork chops, loosely cover them with aluminum foil, and allow them to rest for a few minutes.
Meanwhile, air fry the apples and onions for another 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice, or until they are soft and caramelized to your liking.
Serve the warm apples and onions with the rested pork chops and other sides of your choice (e.g. potatoes). Enjoy!
Storage Tips
Leftover pork chops and apples can be stored in a container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, but we recommend eating them sooner because the apples can get mushy over time.
You can reheat the pork chops, apples, and onions in the air fryer at a lower temperature, such as 320 degrees Fahrenheit (it works great). Alternatively, you can reheat the apples and onions in the microwave or a small frying pan on the stove.
Don’t overcook the pork chops when reheating them or you risk drying them out further.
Related Recipes
Here are some other air fryer pork recipes you can try if you enjoyed these pork chops and apples:
- Air Fryer Pork Belly
- Air Fryer Ribs
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Pork Chops [Unbreaded]
- Air Fryer Ham Steak
- Air Fryer Ham and Potatoes (Combo Recipe)
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe link straight to your inbox!
Air Fryer Pork Chops and Apples
Ingredients
For the Pork Chops
- 2 bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick or less
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Apples and Onions
- 1 medium firm apple, e.g. Granny Smith or Gala
- ½ medium yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- If the pork chops are very wet, pat them dry with a paper towel.2 bone-in pork chops
- In a small bowl, mix together the oil, dried thyme, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Brush the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the pork chops. Set aside.1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Wash and core the apple, then cut it into about 16 slices. Peel the onion half and cut it into thick slices. Then place the apples and onion into a mixing bowl.1 medium firm apple, ½ medium yellow onion
- Add the oil, red wine vinegar, maple syrup, and salt to the bowl and toss until the apples and onions are evenly coated.1 teaspoon oil, 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, 1 pinch of salt
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
- When hot, place the pork chops in the air fryer basket in one layer. Add the apples and onions around the pork chops. If you have a very small air fryer, you may have to cook in batches.
- Air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) for 3-4 minutes, then flip the pork chops and apples, and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius). Don't overcook the pork or it may dry out. Thicker pork chops might need 4-5 minutes per side.
- When cooked, remove the pork chops from the air fryer basket and place them on a plate, loosely cover them with aluminum foil and allow them to rest for 3-5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, continue air frying the apples and onions for another 5-7 minutes, or until they are soft and caramelized. Shake the air fryer basket once or twice to help with even cooking.
- When done, remove the apple and onions from the air fryer and serve them alongside the pork chops and other sides of your choice.
Video
Notes
- Thicker pork chops may need an extra minute or two per side.
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp or Pink Lady.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. The pork chops and apples should not be on top of each other. Cook in batches if needed.
- Try not to overcook the pork or it will dry out. The best way to check doneness is with a meat thermometer (the pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit / 63 degrees Celsius).
- Letting the chops rest after cooking allows the juices to redistribute, so don’t skip this step.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
