Keto pork chops made extra easy and delicious in the air fryer. Top them with brown butter and crispy sage leaves for an out-of-this-world low carb meal.
I’m just going to go ahead and call these what they are: the best dang air fryer pork chops ever.
How dare I be so bold? Well, I’ve made these keto pork chops 3 times in the last month and I just pulled out some chops so that I can make them again tonight. They are so good, and so easy, and only have 3 basic ingredients. You’d think they are almost 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 always make for a meal that tastes 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.
And believe me, there is nothing more straightforward and more delicious than these Air Fryer Pork Chops with Brown Butter and Sage. You will be putting this one into heavy rotation, just as I have.
Cooking Pork Chops in the Air Fryer
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. I’ve found a few factors that contribute to the best air fried pork chops.
First and foremost, start with good quality chops with a nice rind of fat on them. It doesn’t actually matter if they are bone-in or boneless, as I’ve made this recipe with both, but they should be 1 to 1 1/4 inch thick. Any thinner and they will dry out before they brown. Any thicker, and you will have trouble getting them to cook through. (And goodness knows you do not want to be eating undercooked pork!).
Many grocery stores will trim most of the fat off pork chops, particularly boneless chops. Avoid avoid avoid! Go straight to your meat counter and have the butcher cut them for you. Better yet, do what I do and order the fantastic pasture-raised pork from Crowd Cow. It’s phenomenal and worth every penny, and one of their farms, Deck Family Farm, is an Oregon farm that sells their amazing meats at my local farmer’s market. I load up every summer).
FYI, I am an affiliate for Crowd Cow but only because I discovered them on my own and have ordered from them multiple times. I like it so much, I decided I wanted to share it with my readers.
Brushing the chops with melted butter helps them brown a little better in the air fryer. Then you simply season and cook at 400F. You will want to flip the pork chops once halfway through, to allow both sides to brown nicely.
Be sure to have an instant read thermometer on hand too, because you do not want these air fryer pork chops to go above 140F. 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.
What to serve with air fryer pork chops?
You could serve your perfectly cooked pork chops as is and be happy. But the simple brown butter sage sauce I created takes a tasty recipe and makes it absolutely divine. And so very keto-friendly, coming in at less than 1g total carbs per serving.
But if you want something else, I have plenty of other suggestions. You could make a creamy mushroom sauce, or top them with a roasted poblano sauce for a southwestern flair. Or you could brush them with the my easy and delicious sugar-free BBQ sauce.
What about sides? Oh my, the possibilities! I paired mine with some caramelized Brussels sprouts. But they would also be amazing with this cheddar and sour cream mashed cauliflower, or some cauliflower risotto. Really, any good keto side dish would do.
What if you don’t have an air fryer?
Not to worry, you can still enjoy these keto pork chops with brown butter and sage. Simply follow the pan-frying instructions I give for my Smothered Pork Chops recipe, and then simply make the butter sauce while the chops are resting.
It’s a little more labor intensive but still a fantastic way to cook pork chops.
So who’s hungry?
Air Fryer Pork Chops with Brown Butter and Sage
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 medium boneless pork chops *see recipe notes
- 6 tbsp butter divided
- Salt and pepper
- 3 tbsp 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.
Notes
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!