Air Fryer Pork Chops with Cabbage Apple Salad

No-fuss air fryer pork chops (no breading) with an easy cabbage apple salad! Made in the air fryer in 20 minutes and come out crispy and browned on the outside while being juicy and tender on the inside. Served with a quick salad for a simple and flavorful healthy meal that is paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, and low carb.

It’s been a hot second since I shared an air fryer recipe with you guys! It’s by far my favorite appliance as of right now. We use it multiple times a week so I figured it’s time to show it some more love. And I get so many questions about it on Instagram when I’m using it making dinner, especially when showing these air fryer pork chops!

Or French fries, because let’s be real, we make them 3-4 times a week haha.

We’ve been making pork chops in the air fryer for months now. I don’t know about you, but whenever I try to make pork chops on the stove or in the oven, they never come out right.

Maybe I’m doing it wrong or not patient enough, but they are either too dry or not cooked enough. And they take forever to cook (especially when using ButcherBox ones that are about 1 1/2 inches thick)!

Enter the air fryer method and I no longer have that problem! They get crispy and browned on the outside, are juicy in the middle, and cooked perfectly every single time. And ready in 20 minutes without you having to do much work.

I absolutely love making these during the week for a quick and easy dinner. The air fryer does all the work for you and while they cook, I usually whip up a veggie or carb to pair with them.

Air Fryer Pork Chops (No Breading!)

These air fryer pork chops with cabbage apple salad make a great quick and easy dinner! 5 minutes of prep time and while the pork cooks, you make the cabbage apple salad. Packed with protein, veggies, and some healthy fats for a healthy paleo and Whole30 meal.

Here is what you need:

• 2 large boneless pork chops – we love ButcherBox ones!
• 1/2 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• salt and pepper, to taste

First mix together the dijon, balsamic, lemon juice, and spices in a small bowl. Pat dry the pork chops and cover with the sauce. Place directly in the air fryer basket, set to 400 degrees, and cook for 18 minutes.

How long to cook Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

The time will vary depending on how thick your pork chops are. Ours are fat boys – about 1 1/2 inches thick – and 18 minutes at 400 degrees keeps them juicy in the inside and while getting nice and browned on the outside. I like to set it for 10 minutes, flip them over, and then set it for another 8 more minutes to make sure both sides are evenly browned. Feel free to adjust the time depending on how thick yours are.

Also, I never preheat my air fryer. I know others do (like an oven), but I never do it and don’t have any problems, so don’t see the need for it. My mom never believed in preheating the oven anyways – thought it was a waste of electricity lol.

I have a large air fryer and can easily fit 4 or more pork chops (if you wanted to double the recipe). I would not suggest stacking meat in your air fryer as you won’t get the same crispiness and browning on all sides. If needed, do in 2 batches.

Cabbage Apple Salad

Pork chops are usually a pretty hearty and heavy dish, so I figured why not lightening it up some with a refreshing salad. I absolutely love apples with pork chops and both of them go great with cabbage too. Enter this easy cabbage apple salad that pairs so well with the air fryer pork chops.

Here is what you need:

• cabbage
• apple
• raisins
• almonds
• lemon juice
• balsamic vinegar
• mustard
• cinnamon
• ginger
• salt and pepper

While the pork chop cooks, cup up the cabbage and apples add them to a medium size bowl. Next, mix together the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl. Add the dressing to the cabbage and apples and mix well to combine. Adjust according to taste.

The apple and almonds add some crunch. The raisin add some chewiness and give it a little sweetness to help balance out the balsamic and lemon juice. And it comes together with mustard, cinnamon, and ginger, incorporating the flavors from the pork chops!

More Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Boneless Buffalo Wings – honestly one of our favorite air fryer recipes!

Crispy Garlic Rosemary Potatoes

Air Fryer Salmon & Asparagus

More Easy Whole30 Recipes

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken

Cauliflower Shrimp Fried Rice

Chicken Burrito Bowls

Burger Salad with Special Sauce Dressing

Harissa Salmon Burgers with Harissa Aioli

Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

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