Air Fryer Apricot Pork Chops

Air Fryer Apricot Pork Chops turn a few pantry staples into a sweet-and-savory weeknight dinner in under 20 minutes of cook time. The apricot preserves caramelize into a sticky, glossy glaze while the air fryer keeps the pork juicy inside and lightly crisp on the edges — no oven heating up your kitchen, no babysitting a skillet.

If you love fast air fryer dinners like this one, you’ll want to bookmark a few of my other reader favorites: these Air Fryer Chicken Biscuit Sandwiches for an easy breakfast-for-dinner, my Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken for takeout night at home, crispy Air Fryer Popeyes Fried Chicken, my Air Fryer KFC Copycat Chicken, and Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings for game day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fast enough for a Tuesday. Marinate while you prep the rest of dinner, then 12–15 minutes in the air fryer.
• Sweet meets savory. Apricot preserves and a splash of rice vinegar balance the richness of the pork.
• Minimal ingredients. Most are already in your pantry.
• Family-friendly. The glaze is mild and slightly sweet, so even picky eaters tend to go for it.

Why Apricot and Pork Work So Well Together

Pork is a naturally mild, slightly sweet meat, which is exactly why fruit-based glazes have paired with it for generations. Apricot preserves bring concentrated sweetness and just enough tartness, and the rice vinegar and sweet-and-sour sauce add brightness that keeps the glaze from tasting one-note. As the sugars in the preserves hit the hot air fryer, they caramelize and cling to the chops, giving you that glossy, restaurant-style finish without searing in a pan.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The full measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, along with nutrition information.

• Boneless pork chops: Choose chops of uniform thickness (about 1 inch) so they cook evenly. Bone-in works too; just add a couple of minutes.
• Apricot preserves: The star of the glaze. Preserves (with fruit pieces) give the best texture, but apricot jam works in a pinch.
• Sweet and sour sauce: Adds tangy depth and helps the glaze cling.
• Rice vinegar: A small amount cuts the sweetness and brightens the whole dish.
• Olive oil: Helps the chops brown and keeps them from sticking to the basket.
• Kosher salt and black pepper: To season the meat and balance the sweet glaze.

How to Make Apricot Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the apricot preserves, sweet and sour sauce, rice vinegar, olive oil, Kosher salt, and black pepper.

Step 2: Add the pork chops, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes. Shake excess marinade off the chops and arrange them in a single layer in the basket, not touching. Cook for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.

Step 4: Pork is safe at an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), measured at the thickest part. Pull them a few degrees early since they’ll keep cooking as they rest.

Step 5: Let the chops rest 3–5 minutes so the juices redistribute, then serve.

Note on the USDA guideline: The USDA recommends cooking pork to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) followed by a 3-minute rest. Cook longer if you prefer your pork more well done.

Keeping the Glaze From Burning

This is the one thing to watch with any sweet, sugar-based glaze in the air fryer: the high, dry heat can scorch the sugars before the pork is done. Two easy fixes — shake off the excess marinade before cooking so you’re not air-frying a puddle of sugar, and if you like extra glaze, brush a little fresh (un-used) preserves mixture on during the last 2–3 minutes rather than cooking it the whole time. If your air fryer runs hot, drop to 360°F and add a minute or two.

Pro Tips

• Pick the right cut. Uniform, boneless chops about an inch thick cook most evenly. Thicker chops need a little more time.
• Marinate for flavor. Thirty minutes is the minimum; overnight is even better.
• Don’t overcrowd. Leave space between chops so the hot air circulates and the glaze caramelizes instead of steaming.
• Use a meat thermometer. It’s the only reliable way to avoid dry, overcooked pork.
• Always rest the meat. A few minutes of resting makes a noticeable difference in juiciness.

What to Serve With Apricot Pork Chops

These chops are sweet and savory, so they pair beautifully with simple, slightly salty or earthy sides. A few favorites from the blog:

• Air Fryer KFC Copycat Potato Wedges — crispy and seasoned, they soak up the extra glaze perfectly.
• Air Fryer Green Beans Almondine — bright, nutty, and elegant; this one actually pairs especially well with pork chops.
• Air Fryer Green Beans and Potatoes — a hearty one-basket veggie side that rounds out the plate.
• Steamed jasmine or coconut rice to catch every bit of the apricot glaze.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftover cooked chops in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chops in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes, or until heated through. Add a fresh brush of preserves to revive the glaze.
• Make-ahead glaze: You can mix the apricot glaze up to a week in advance and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to marinate.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use bone-in pork chops instead of boneless? Yes. Bone-in chops work well — just add a couple of minutes to the cook time and check the internal temperature at the thickest part.

Can I use fresh apricots instead of preserves? If apricots are in season, dice them and cook them down with a little sugar to make a quick homemade glaze. You may want to add a touch of cornstarch slurry to help it thicken and cling.

Can I make this ahead of time? The chops are best fresh, but you can make the glaze up to a week ahead and refrigerate it. Marinate the pork the night before for the deepest flavor.

Can I freeze leftover cooked pork chops? Yes — freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Can I use a different protein? Absolutely. This apricot glaze is great on chicken, turkey, or tofu. Adjust the cooking time for whichever you choose. It’s especially good brushed onto the chicken in my Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings.

Can I double the recipe? Yes, but cook in batches so you don’t overcrowd the basket. Crowding leads to uneven cooking and a steamed rather than caramelized glaze.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Chicken Biscuit Sandwiches
• Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken
• Air Fryer Popeyes Fried Chicken
• Air Fryer KFC Copycat Chicken
• Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings

Don’t forget to pin this recipe! We can’t wait to see what you’ve made — mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!