Air Fryer Mexican Pork Chops
Description
Crispy on the outside and juicy inside, these Air Fryer Mexican Pork Chops are coated in a smoky chili-lime spice blend and air fried until golden. A fast, flavorful dinner ready in under 25 minutes of hands-on time.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops, or boneless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus more for serving
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional, for extra heat
Instructions
- Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg with the lime juice. Dip each chop in the egg, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat both sides.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with oil and arrange the chops in a single layer without overlapping.
- Air fry for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Check thin or boneless chops earlier, around 8 minutes.
- Rest 3–5 minutes, finish with a squeeze of fresh lime, and serve with your favorite sides.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer — pork is perfectly juicy at exactly 145°F.
- Don't crowd the basket; cook in batches so the coating crisps.
- Adjust heat with cayenne or a milder chili powder.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 501kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 41gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 635mgPotassium: 806mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2387IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 4mg