These air fryer pork chops are tender, juicy, and super easy to make. Topped with sage brown butter sauce, they make a perfect keto meal any day of the week. Stovetop instructions included.
I’m just going to go ahead and call these what they are: the best damn air fryer pork chops ever.
How dare I be so bold? Well, I’ve made them three times in the last month and I just pulled out some more chops so that I can make them again tonight. They are so good and so easy to make.
I love these keto air fryer pork chops so much, I’d be happy eating them at least once a week. And for a woman who likes a lot of variety in her meals, that’s saying something!
Why you will love this recipe
This recipe takes only 3 ingredients and 25 minutes to make. You might almost think that it’s too simple to be any good!
But over time, I’ve come to realize that the simplest recipes can be the best. This is particularly true of keto dinner recipes, where fussy methods and time consuming steps don’t necessarily make a meal taste any better. As long as you are starting out with high quality ingredients, a straightforward approach is all you need to bring out the best flavors.
There is nothing more straightforward and more delicious than these Keto Air Fryer Pork Chops. Just brush them with a little butter, season with salt and pepper, and toss them in.
They are delicious as is, but adding some sage brown butter makes them spectacular. Juicy, flavorful, and tender. You will be putting this one into heavy rotation, just as I have.
Reader Reviews
“Wow! That browned butter and fresh sage really make a difference! These taste incredible!! Yum!” — Betsy
“Thank you Carolyn! This was a delicious dinner and so quick and easy. I’ve tried many of your recipes and all have been amazing. I so appreciate your talents.” — Tonya
“I made these last night. So delish! I had bone in thinner chops and they were amazing. Thank you for a lovely recipe!!” — Beverly
Ingredients you need
- Pork chops: You can use either boneless or bone-in pork chops. Just be sure they have a nice rind of fat on them and are 1 to 1 ¼ inch thick. See more of my tips below.
- Butter: Butter adds such wonderful flavor to the pork chops, as well as help give the chops the browned color. It is also used to make the sage brown butter sauce.
- Fresh sage: You will swoon over how the chopped sage gets crispy.
- Salt and pepper
Step-by-step directions
1. Pat the pork chops dry. Melt one tablespoon of the butter and brush over both sides of the chops. Then sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Place the chops on the air fryer rack and cook at 400ºF for 10 minutes. Flip the chops over and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the chops register 140ºF on an instant read thermometer. Remove to a platter and tent with foil.
3. Place the remaining butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Let melt and then continue to cook until the butter become a rich amber brown, about 4 minutes. Watch it carefully to avoid burning.
4. Remove from heat and immediately add the chopped sage. It will sizzle and crisp in the hot butter. Serve the pork chops with the browned butter and sage spooned over top.
Expert Tips
Air fryer pork chops come out astonishingly well, but you do have to take some precautions so that they stay juicy and don’t dry out. You want them to brown nicely on the outsides too.
Start with good quality chops with a nice rind of fat on them. It doesn’t matter if they are bone-in or boneless, as I’ve made this recipe with both, but they should be 1 to 1 ¼ inch thick. I like to get chops from my local farmer’s market.
Brushing the pork chops with melted butter ensures that they brown nicely in the air fryer. Make sure to flip the pork chops once halfway through, to allow both sides to brown nicely.
An instant read thermometer helps test them for doneness. You do not want to go above 140ºF. Depending on their thickness and whether or not they have the bone, you will want to test them at 16 to 18 minutes or so.
If your air fryer is on the small side, just do two pork chops at a time. You don’t want to crowd them as it impedes the browning process.
Stovetop Instructions
Don’t have an air fryer? Not to worry, you can still enjoy these keto pork chops with sage brown butter. Simply follow the pan-frying instructions I give for my Smothered Pork Chops recipe, and thenmake the butter sauce while the chops are resting.
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend using an instant read thermometer to see if your pork chops are done. You do not want these air fryer pork chops to go above 140ºF. Depending on their thickness and whether or not they have the bone, you will want to test them at 16 to 18 minutes.
You can store any leftover pork chops in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze pork chops for up to 6 months.
This air fryer pork chop recipe has 0.7g net carbs per pork chop.
What to serve with air fryer pork chops?
You could serve these as is and be happy. But the simple brown butter sage sauce I created makes them absolutely divine. And so very keto-friendly, coming in at less than 1g total carbs per serving.
But I have plenty of other suggestions. Try them with some keto mushroom gravy, or top them with a roasted poblano sauce for a southwestern flair. You could also brush them delicious sugar-free BBQ sauce.
What about sides? Oh my, the possibilities! I paired mine with some caramelized Brussels sprouts and Roasted Delicata Squash. But they would also be amazing with this mashed cauliflower, or some cauliflower risotto. Really, any good keto side dish would do.
Air Fryer Pork Chops with Sage Brown Butter
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 medium boneless pork chops *see recipe notes
- 6 tablespoon butter divided
- Salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
Instructions
- Pat the pork chops dry. Melt one tablespoon of the butter and brush over both sides of the chops. Then sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the chops on the air fryer rack and cook at 400F for 10 minutes. Flip the chops over and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the chops register 140F on an instant read thermometer. Remove to a platter and tent with foil.
- Place the remaining butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Let melt and then continue to cook until the butter become a rich amber brown, about 4 minutes. Watch it carefully to avoid burning.
- Remove from heat and immediately add the chopped sage. It will sizzle and crisp in the hot butter.
- Serve the pork chops with the browned butter and sage spooned over top.
Mary Anna says
These look fantastic! Nice looking chops to start with, too – as Emeril used to say, “Pork fat rules.”
Pork chops have been added to my shopping list now! I may also try it with the boneless country style ribs we have in the freezer – I discovered years ago they cook up pretty much the same as chops. Super flavorful.
Judy Falken says
I made these last night for dinner and my family raved about them.
Also in 114 degrees, I didn’t want to fire up the oven.
The Air Fryer was a perfect solution.
These are definitely going into rotation.
I served the Chocolate Blackout Cake with Coconut Sorbet for dessert (both from this website)
What a HIT!
Everything I have made from this website, has been over the top good.
There isn’t a better source of Keto Recipes out there.
Thank you very much!
Carolyn says
Amazing!
Deni Grimes says
I can’t wait to try these! Thanks!
Beverly says
I made these last night. So delish! I had bone in thinner chops and they were amazing.
Thank you for a lovely recipe!!
Lori Kaumans says
I want to try this recipe but I haven’t had great luck yet with my air fryer so I’m a little nervous about it. The chops I have are boneless and probably about 1 1/2″ thick. Would you cook them a little longer at that thickness? I struggle with both pork chops and air fryers. Haha!
Carolyn says
Do you have an instant read thermometer? That will help a lot.
Lindsay says
Made these and LOVED them, and so did my daughter and husband. I have an airfryer “newb” question…I have the Ninja Foodi (pressure cooker /airfryer combo), and my airfryer basket could only accommodate 3 chops in one layer with a smidgen of room between each. Is there a trick or accessory where I could make two “levels” or layers so I could air fry more than 3 at once? There were only 3 of us eating the night I made this, but we typically have 4!
Carolyn says
Hi Lindsay, I have the big square Cuisinart air fryer so I have no experience here. I bet you might find some good tutorials on the Ninja Foodie.
Tracy says
Tasted divine! But my chops didn’t get as crispy as your photo looks. Any recommendations?
Carolyn says
Well could be your air fryer and/or your chops. Did you brush on the butter before air frying? That helps brown them a lot.
Tonya says
Thank you Carolyn! This was a delicious dinner and so quick and easy. I’ve tried many of your recipes and all have been amazing. I so appreciate your talents.
neejee says
Just got the Cuisinart Airflyer for Xmas (Based on your rec) and this will be my first recipe. In reading about the air fryer, it seems that where you put something in the airfryer matters (ie upper or lower rack.). Where should these go in the airfryer? I’m guessing upper but thought I’d confirm. Thanks!!! PS I live in Oregon as well and will contact that local farm for my future meat. Thanks for the recommendation!!!
Carolyn says
Hi there… I usually put the rack on the middle setting. This puts the meat close to the top element and so it browns nicely on the outside without overcooking the centre. And definitely check out Deck Family Farms and Tails and Trotters for really good pasture raised pork!
Marilyn Edmonds says
Hi. There are several Cuisinart Air fryers. Which model do you recommend? Thanks
Marilyn Edmonds
Carolyn says
This is the one I have and it’s multi-functional. We love it and use it daily! https://amzn.to/37RFrx7
Rachael Yerkes says
These are delicious!
Stephanie says
These were better than any pork chops I’ve ever had! Such a great recipe.
Betsy says
Wow! That browned butter and fresh sage really make a difference! These taste incredible!! Yum!
Katie says
Never used an air fryer for pork chops before! Excited to try this recipe, looks so tasty!
Kristyn says
Pork chops are the best! I haven’t tried making them in the air fryer, but I am excited to! These look perfect!
Taylor says
Trying this ASAP! Haven’t made pork chops in the air fryer yet and these look fabulous!