Crispy Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Pork Chops: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner
Prepare to elevate your dinner game with our mouth-watering air fryer bacon-wrapped pork chops recipe! This method promises perfectly juicy pork chops enveloped in a crispy, savory blanket of bacon, all cooked to perfection in your air fryer. Whether you prefer a lean, unbreaded finish or a lightly breaded crunch, both variations are incredibly delicious and surprisingly quick to prepare, making them ideal for any busy weeknight meal.
The air fryer has quickly become an indispensable kitchen appliance for achieving crispy textures with minimal oil, and it truly shines when cooking pork chops. This particular recipe for bacon-wrapped pork chops has become a fast favorite, offering an irresistible combination of savory bacon and tender pork. It’s just one of many easy air fryer recipes we love sharing!
Mastering Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops
When it comes to crafting the perfect air fryer pork chop, you have excellent choices for the coating. For those seeking a low-carb or gluten-free option, our signature dry rub for pork chops is highly recommended. It creates a beautiful, flavorful crust without the need for breading. However, if you crave that classic crunch, a light breading also performs wonderfully in the air fryer, delivering a crisp layer that locks in moisture.
The beauty of air frying is its versatility across different appliance brands. While we often use our Cosori air fryer for convenience, this recipe is adaptable to any model you own. The primary difference between models typically lies in the basket size, with larger baskets accommodating more pork chops at once, which is crucial for even cooking.
Cooking Pork Chops in Your Ninja Foodi
If you’re using a Ninja Foodi, you’ll appreciate its unique design. For this recipe, we’ll primarily utilize the attached crisping lid to circulate hot air, ensuring those pork chops achieve a delightfully crispy exterior. While it’s possible to cook frozen pork chops in an air fryer, we strongly suggest thawing them beforehand for the best results and most consistent cooking.
The allure of anything wrapped in bacon is undeniable, and pork chops are no exception. Previously, I’ve enjoyed smoked bacon-wrapped pork chops, but the air fryer offers a significantly faster cooking time without sacrificing flavor. While they might lack the deep smoky notes of their smoked counterparts, the taste achieved with our fantastic dry rub is incredibly close and utterly satisfying. This unbreaded method is particularly excellent for those following a low-carb or keto-friendly diet, making it a versatile and delicious choice for any meal plan.
Essential Ingredients for Bacon-Wrapped Air Fryer Pork Chops
Crafting these succulent bacon-wrapped pork chops requires a few key ingredients. Our recipe typically serves four, perfectly utilizing the capacity of most air fryer baskets without overcrowding. Remember, avoiding overlap is crucial for optimal crisping. We generally use bone-in pork chops for extra flavor and moisture, though boneless varieties can also work with slight adjustments to cooking time.
- Pork Chops: Four pieces, preferably bone-in and about 1 to 1.5 inches thick, for ideal tenderness and a quicker cooking time.
- Bacon: Eight slices of your preferred bacon. Regular thickness, uncured bacon works best, providing a perfect balance of crispiness and flavor without being overly greasy.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness that beautifully caramelizes with the bacon and spices. Sugar-free alternatives can be used for dietary needs.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors and creating a savory crust.
- Garlic Salt: A cornerstone of our dry rub, delivering aromatic depth and an extra layer of savory goodness.
- Chili Powder: Offers a mild to medium heat, which you can adjust to your preference. Increase for a spicier kick or reduce for a milder taste.
- Paprika: An optional but highly recommended addition, contributing a vibrant color and subtle, sweet pepper notes to the dry rub. Smoked paprika can add an extra dimension of flavor.
Variations and Tips for Perfect Results
The cooking time for your bacon-wrapped pork chops will depend on several factors, including the thickness of your pork chops and the bacon itself. Thicker cuts will naturally require more time. For the quickest preparation, consider using thin pork chops as your base, paired with regular-thickness bacon slices.
The type of bacon also plays a role. If you’re using artisanal, thick-cut bacon, like what might come from a local butcher or a half-pig purchase, it will take longer to crisp up compared to thinner, store-bought varieties. While both are delicious, thinner bacon generally yields a crispier result in a shorter amount of time. Experiment with different bacon types to find your perfect crispness!
How to Cook Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops in the Air Fryer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Achieving perfectly cooked, juicy pork chops with crispy bacon in your air fryer is simpler than you think. Follow these detailed steps to create a show-stopping meal in about 20-25 minutes of total time, including prep!
Time needed: 10 minutes (actual cooking time)
Perfect Ninja Foodi Pork Chops (or any air fryer)
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Always preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) before adding any food. This ensures immediate crisping and a more even cook, preventing the meat from steaming.
- Prepare the Dry Rub: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix all your dry rub ingredients (brown sugar, salt, garlic salt, chili powder, paprika). Once combined, pour the mixture onto a shallow plate.
- Season and Wrap: Take each pork chop and press it firmly into the dry rub, ensuring both sides are generously coated. Lay two slices of bacon down horizontally on a clean cutting board. Place a seasoned pork chop on top, then carefully wrap the bacon slices around the meatiest part of the chop, avoiding the bone. Secure each bacon slice with a toothpick, inserting them vertically so they don’t protrude excessively and the chop can lie flat in the basket.
- Air Fry to Perfection: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray. Carefully place the bacon-wrapped pork chops in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they do not overlap. This is crucial for even air circulation and crispiness. Close the lid and cook for approximately 10-12 minutes, flipping the pork chops halfway through (around 5-6 minutes) to ensure uniform crisping on all sides.
- Check for Doneness and Rest: Once cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the pork chop. It should reach a safe 145°F (63°C). Remove the chops from the air fryer and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chop. Remember to remove all toothpicks before serving!
The Breaded Option: Crispy Air Fryer Pork Chops Without the Bacon
For those who prefer a classic, crispy coating, our breaded air fryer pork chops are an excellent alternative. These chops, often from the same batch in our freezer, offer a different yet equally satisfying texture profile. While we’ve also enjoyed pressure cooker pork chops in sauce for a different culinary experience, the air fryer breaded version delivers that coveted crunch with significantly less oil than traditional pan-frying. If you’re feeling adventurous, exploring different cooking methods for pork chops can be a fun culinary journey!
Ingredients for Breaded Air Fryer Pork Chops (per 4 chops)
- Pork Chops: 4 pieces (boneless or bone-in)
- Bread Crumbs: 1 cup, or a mixture of 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs + 1/3 cup crushed cornflakes for extra crunch.
- Seasonings: 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp paprika.
- Egg: 1 large egg, for an egg wash.
- Olive Oil Spray: For coating the chops and the air fryer basket.
Directions for Breaded Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Preheat: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready when the chops are prepped.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: In a shallow bowl or on a plate, combine the bread crumbs (or panko/cornflake mix) with onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well.
- Egg Wash: Whisk the egg in a separate shallow bowl.
- Coat the Chops: Dip each pork chop into the whisked egg, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, transfer the chop to the breading mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating to both sides.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with olive oil. Place the breaded pork chops in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap.
- Spray for Crispness: Lightly spray the tops of the breaded pork chops with olive oil spray. This helps them crisp up beautifully.
- Cook: Air fry for a total of 10-15 minutes. For average-thickness chops (1 to 1.5 inches), start with 10 minutes. Flip the chops halfway through the cooking time (at 5 minutes) and spray the other side with olive oil as well. Thicker pieces (1.5-2 inches) might require up to 15 minutes. Always check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 145°F (63°C).
For those who love to experiment with different cooking methods, Dutch oven pork chops offer another fantastic way to prepare this versatile meat. The possibilities are truly endless!
Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops Recipe
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Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 2 plates
- Meat thermometer
- Toothpicks
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops
- 8 strips bacon
- 1/2 c brown sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tbsp chili powder, (makes it mild/medium heat)
- 1/2 tbsp paprika
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C) while you prepare the ingredients. Mix seasonings and pour onto a plate. Lay 1 pork chop on seasoning, flip, cover, and coat both sides thoroughly.
- Lay 2 slices of bacon down horizontally (on a cutting board works well). Wrap the top portion of the pork chop (the meaty end) and fasten with 2 toothpicks to ensure the bacon stays securely in place. Insert toothpicks vertically so they don’t stick out and the chop can lay flat.
- Spray the inside of the air fryer basket with non-stick spray.
- Carefully lay 2-3 pork chops inside the basket, as many as you can without overlapping. Typically, only 2 will fit at a time for optimal cooking.
- Close the lid and air fry for a total of 10-12 minutes (approximate time; varies according to pork chop thickness). Flip the pork chops halfway through the cooking process (at 5-6 minutes).
- Remove and check the internal temperature to ensure they’ve reached a safe 145°F (63°C). Allow to rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting. Remember to remove all toothpicks before eating!
Video
Watch a video tutorial for this recipe: How to Make Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Pork Chops
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Tried this recipe? Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!
More Delicious Pork Recipes & Air Fryer Dinner Ideas
Pork is incredibly versatile, and we have many more recipes to help you make the most of it. From slow-cooked comfort food to quick Instant Pot meals, explore these other favorites:
- Our crockpot ranch pork chops are a breeze to prepare, cooking all day with apples for a tender, flavorful meal.
- For sliders or hearty sandwiches, try our Instant Pot pork shoulder recipe.
- Discover the incredible tenderness of air fryer pork tenderloin.
- Our Instant Pot Hawaiian pulled pork consistently receives rave reviews for its sweet and savory flavor.
- For a smoky twist, smoked pork steaks are a fantastic option.
- Pair any of these pork dishes with our air fryer brussels sprouts for a truly killer air fryer dinner!
This easy air fryer pork chop recipe delivers a mouth-watering meal in under 30 minutes, with only about 10-15 minutes of active cooking. Air frying is truly our favorite way to achieve beautifully crispy exteriors while keeping the insides wonderfully tender. We invite you to try this recipe, save it, and come back again and again for a meal your family will love!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Pork Chops
No, for the best results, you should avoid stacking meat in an air fryer. Hot air needs to circulate freely around all surfaces of the food to achieve that desirable crispy texture and ensure even cooking. Overlapping will lead to steamed rather than crispy spots.
While some foods can cook without flipping, for dishes like pork chops where an evenly crispy exterior is desired, flipping is highly recommended. Use tongs to carefully turn the pork chops halfway through the cooking process (e.g., at the 5-6 minute mark during a 10-12 minute cook time). This ensures both sides get direct exposure to the circulating hot air and crisp up beautifully.
The key to juicy pork chops is to avoid overcooking them. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature; pork chops are safe and tender at 145°F (63°C). Allowing them to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking also helps redistribute the juices, keeping them moist. Also, ensure your chops are a good thickness (1 to 1.5 inches) for the best results in an air fryer.
Both bone-in and boneless pork chops work well. Bone-in chops often retain more moisture and flavor. For thickness, 1 to 1.5-inch chops are ideal for balancing cook time and tenderness. If using very thin chops (less than 1 inch), reduce the cooking time significantly, and if using very thick chops (2 inches), be prepared for a longer cooking duration and check temperature diligently.