Honey Garlic Air Fryer Pork Chops (Juicy, Glazed & Quick)

Honey Garlic Air Fryer Pork Chops

What I like about this air fryer method is how quickly pork chops brown with very little fuss, but the part I pay attention to is the glaze timing. Honey and sweet chili sauce can scorch fast under direct air fryer heat, so I keep the chops unglazed until they are cooked and rested.

This version works well for a weeknight dinner because the seasoning is simple, the chops cook in a single layer with one flip, and the honey-garlic-sweet chili-lemon glaze comes together while the pork is in the basket. You get a sticky, bright finish without drying out the meat, as long as you use 145°F (63°C) in the center as the final doneness check.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Chops

• 4 pork chops, bone-in or boneless, about 1 inch thick (1 1/2 to 2 pounds total)
• 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fine ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 to 3 tablespoons Thai-style sweet chili sauce
• 3 garlic cloves, minced, or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons water

Optional for a thicker glaze: 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water

Ingredient note: For a simple pork chop seasoning like this, fine spices from Selefina coat the meat evenly, and garlic powder is a useful backup if you want to keep fresh garlic out of the glaze.

Ingredient notes: Bone-in chops usually need a little longer than boneless. Thin chops cook much faster than thick ones, so keep the timing flexible. If you need gluten-free or soy-free, check the sweet chili sauce label. For a little more brightness, stir in 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest after the glaze comes off the heat.

How to Make Honey Garlic Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

1. Preheat and season: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 to 5 minutes if your model benefits from preheating. Pat the pork chops dry, brush or lightly spray them with olive oil, then season both sides with salt and black pepper.
2. Arrange in a single layer: Place the chops in the basket or on the tray in a single layer with space between them. If they are crowded, they steam instead of brown, so cook in batches if needed.
3. Cook the first side: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 4 to 6 minutes, until the first side starts to brown around the edges.
4. Flip and finish: Turn the chops with tongs and continue cooking at 400°F (200°C) for 4 to 8 minutes more, depending on thickness and whether they are bone-in or boneless. Thin chops may be done in 6 to 8 minutes total. A 1-inch chop usually takes about 10 to 14 minutes total. Thick or bone-in chops can take up to about 16 minutes.
5. Check doneness: Start checking early, especially in basket-style air fryers. Use an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part and cook until the center reaches 145°F (63°C). I usually start checking around 8 minutes total because air fryers vary more than the clock suggests.
6. Rest the pork: Transfer the chops to a plate and loosely tent them for 3 to 5 minutes. Resting helps the juices settle and gives carryover cooking time to finish gently.
7. Make the glaze: While the pork cooks or rests, combine the honey, sweet chili sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and water in a small saucepan or skillet. Simmer over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until glossy and slightly syrupy. If it still looks thin, whisk in the cornstarch slurry and simmer briefly until it coats a spoon.
8. Glaze the chops: Brush or spoon the glaze over the rested pork chops, coating both sides.
9. Optional, set the glaze: If you want a tackier finish, return the glazed chops to the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes at 380°F to 400°F (193°C to 200°C). Watch closely here; the sugars can darken fast.
10. Serve: Spoon over any extra glaze and serve warm.

Air Fryer Time and Temperature for Pork Chops

400°F (200°C) is the right starting point here because it gives the outside good color before the center overcooks. Timing depends more on thickness and air fryer style than on the cut name alone.

• Thin pork chops: about 6 to 8 minutes total
• 1-inch pork chops: about 10 to 14 minutes total
• Thick or bone-in pork chops: up to about 16 minutes

Flip halfway through and start checking a few minutes early if your air fryer runs hot. Basket models often cook faster than oven-style models, and oven-style air fryers may need tray rotation for even browning.

How to Keep Air Fryer Pork Chops Juicy

I’d rather keep the seasoning simple here because the bigger risk with pork chops is overcooking, not under-seasoning. A little oil helps with browning, but the real difference comes from spacing, timing, and when you pull the chops.

• Pat the chops dry before seasoning so the surface browns instead of steaming.
• Cook them in a single layer with a little room around each piece.
• Flip once so both sides get direct heat.
• Use the thermometer as the final check and rest the pork after cooking.
• Keep the glaze off until the end so the sugars do not burn before the pork is done.

Boneless vs Bone-In Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

Boneless pork chops

Boneless chops cook a little faster and more evenly, so they are a good choice when you want dinner on the table quickly. Start checking around 8 minutes total, because they can go from juicy to dry fast.

Bone-in pork chops

Bone-in chops usually stay a bit moister, but they often need a few extra minutes, especially near the bone. Check the temperature in the thick center and close to the bone if the chop is uneven.

What to Serve with Honey Garlic Pork Chops

These chops pair well with simple sides that can handle a little extra glaze. Good options are air-fried asparagus, Asian-style green beans, jasmine rice, mashed potatoes, or a crisp cucumber salad.

If you need a freezer option, see Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops.

For bite-size pieces, try Air Fryer Pork Chop Bites.

For a larger pork main, check out Air Fryer Pork Roast with Brown Sugar–Mustard Rub.

How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Let the pork chops cool completely, then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you can, store extra glaze separately so the pork reheats more evenly.

To reheat in the air fryer, warm the chops at 320°F (160°C) for 3 to 5 minutes, just until heated through. Brush with a little leftover glaze or add a small splash of water first so they do not dry out, and try not to let the internal temperature go much past 145°F (63°C) on reheat.

You can also microwave them at 50% power in 30-second bursts with a spoonful of water or glaze. They are best fresh, so expect the texture to be a little less juicy after reheating.

The glaze can be made up to 2 days ahead and rewarmed before using.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition, based on 4 servings and not including the optional cornstarch slurry or optional additions.

• Serving size: 1 pork chop with glaze
• Calories: about 350
• Protein: about 31g
• Fat: about 14g
• Carbohydrates: about 23g

Approximate per 100g: 190 calories, 17g protein, 8g fat, 12g carbohydrates.

These values are estimates and will vary with the size and type of pork chops used, the brand of sweet chili sauce, and how much glaze you serve.