Ultimate Juicy Air Fryer Teriyaki Pork Chops: An Easy 4-Ingredient Recipe

Prepare to experience the most incredibly flavorful and delightfully juicy pork chops you’ve ever tasted! This Air Fryer Teriyaki Pork Chops recipe is a game-changer, proving that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to create an extraordinary meal. With just four simple components, you can transform ordinary pork loin chops into a culinary masterpiece that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner or special occasion. The magic lies in a unique marinade that infuses every bite with a savory-sweet tang, leaving the meat perfectly tender and irresistibly delicious.

While BBQ pork chops have long been a beloved staple for family dinners in many households, often appearing weekly, these teriyaki-infused chops offer an exciting and even more delicious alternative. Discovering how incredible they taste when prepared in the air fryer has been a revelation! The air fryer consistently delivers a fantastic texture – a beautifully caramelized exterior with an incredibly tender and moist interior. If you’re a fan of pork chops and haven’t yet explored the wonders of air frying them, you’re truly missing out. Be sure to also try our classic Air Fryer Seasoned Pork Chops recipe for another family favorite.

Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Teriyaki Pork Chops Recipe

• Effortlessly Delicious: With only four ingredients, this recipe minimizes prep time without sacrificing flavor.
• Unbeatable Juiciness: The air fryer locks in moisture, ensuring every pork chop is incredibly tender and juicy.
• Speedy Cooking: Get a restaurant-quality meal on the table in under 30 minutes (including marinating!).
• Unique Flavor Profile: The unexpected hint of horseradish elevates the classic teriyaki, adding a subtle warmth and complexity.
• Family-Friendly: A dish that appeals to all ages, making weeknight dinners a breeze and a hit.
• Healthy & Convenient: Air frying requires less oil than traditional methods, offering a lighter meal option.

Essential Ingredients for The Best Teriyaki Pork Chops

When I first ventured into making this recipe, I confess I was skeptical about the horseradish sauce. As someone not typically fond of horseradish, I questioned its place in a teriyaki marinade. However, through my culinary teaching experiences, I’ve learned that sometimes, seemingly unusual flavor combinations just work harmoniously. This recipe is a perfect example of trusting the process – the horseradish doesn’t overpower; instead, it adds a surprising depth and a subtle, delightful kick that beautifully complements the sweet and savory teriyaki. It’s truly transformative!

To create these incredibly flavorful and juicy teriyaki pork chops, you’ll need just a few key ingredients:

• Pork Loin Chops: Opt for chops that are 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick for the best results. Thicker chops retain more moisture and are less likely to dry out, while still cooking efficiently in the air fryer.
• Horseradish Sauce: This is our secret ingredient! It adds a unique pungent note that cuts through the richness of the pork and the sweetness of the teriyaki, creating a more balanced and exciting flavor profile.
• Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce: Choose your favorite brand. I prefer thinner teriyaki marinades because they allow the other flavors to shine without becoming too dense or cloying. Some marinades might already contain sesame seeds, but you can always add more for garnish.
• Cinnamon: A small touch of cinnamon might seem unconventional, but it brings a warm, earthy undertone that rounds out the flavors of the teriyaki and horseradish, adding a subtle complexity that will surprise and delight your palate.

How to Prepare and Marinate Teriyaki Pork Chops

The secret to an amazing meal like this truly begins with the right cut and thickness of meat. For these teriyaki pork chops, aim for four pork chops that are ideally 1/2 to 3/4 inch in thickness. While 1/4 inch can work, slightly thicker chops will give you a more succulent and forgiving cooking experience, ensuring they remain incredibly juicy in the air fryer.

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the teriyaki sauce, horseradish sauce, and cinnamon. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until they are well mixed and the cinnamon is fully incorporated. This blend will create the deeply flavorful coating for your pork chops.
2. Marinate the Pork Chops: Carefully pour the prepared sauce into a large, sealable ziploc bag. Add the pork chops to the bag, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Seal the bag securely, removing as much air as possible, then gently shake and massage the bag to fully coat each pork chop with the rich teriyaki marinade.
3. Chill for Flavor Infusion: Place the sealed bag containing the marinating pork chops in the refrigerator. Allow them to marinate for at least 30 minutes. For an even deeper and more intense flavor, you can extend the marinating time up to a few hours, or even overnight if you’re planning ahead. This step is crucial for tenderizing the meat and allowing the robust flavors to truly penetrate the chops.

Air Frying Teriyaki Pork Chops to Perfection

Once your teriyaki pork chops have finished marinating, they’re ready for their star turn in the air fryer. This method is incredibly efficient and delivers consistently delicious results.

1. Preheat and Arrange: If your air fryer has a preheat function, preheat it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Remove the marinated pork chops from the ziploc bag and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can steam the chops instead of air frying them, preventing that desirable crispy exterior. You may need to cook them in batches.
2. Reserve Marinade: Importantly, do NOT discard the remaining marinade in the bag just yet! You will use it to brush onto the pork chops when you flip them, adding another layer of flavor and helping with caramelization.
3. First Side Cook: Air fry the pork chops at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for 6-8 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your chops and the specific model of your air fryer.
4. Flip and Brush: After the initial cooking time, carefully flip each pork chop. Now, brush the tops of the flipped chops with the reserved marinade. This step helps to build up that glossy, sticky teriyaki glaze. Once you’ve brushed them, you can discard any remaining marinade in the bag.
5. Second Side Cook and Check Doneness: Continue to air fry for another 6-8 minutes, or until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius). I highly recommend using a meat thermometer when cooking meat in the air fryer to ensure perfect doneness without overcooking. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chop, avoiding the bone.
6. Rest Before Serving: Once cooked to perfection, remove the pork chops from the air fryer and let them rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.

Serving Suggestions and Recipe Variations

These Air Fryer Teriyaki Pork Chops are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of side dishes. For a classic Asian-inspired meal, serve them with a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up all the delicious sauce. Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or snap peas make a fresh and healthy accompaniment. For a touch of sweetness and crunch, a simple pineapple salsa or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions provide the perfect finish.

Feeling adventurous? Here are a few ways to customize your teriyaki pork chops:

• Garlic and Ginger Boost: Add a teaspoon of minced fresh ginger and two cloves of minced garlic to your marinade for an even more aromatic and pungent flavor.
• Spicy Kick: For those who love a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha in the marinade will add a welcome zing.
• Sweet & Sticky Glaze: If you prefer a thicker, sweeter glaze, you can reduce some of the leftover marinade in a small saucepan on the stovetop until it thickens, then drizzle it over the cooked chops before serving. (Ensure it comes to a boil to be safe).
• Pineapple Power: Incorporate some pineapple juice into your marinade for a tropical twist and added tenderization.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do pork chops get tender the longer you cook them?

Contrary to popular belief for some meats, pork chops do not typically get more tender the longer you cook them. In fact, overcooking pork chops can quickly lead to dry, tough, and chewy meat. The key to perfectly tender and juicy pork chops is to cook them just until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius), followed by a brief resting period. At this temperature, the meat will be perfectly cooked through, safe to eat, and incredibly moist. Always remember that thinner pork chops will require less cooking time, while thicker chops might need an additional minute or two per side to reach the ideal internal temperature.

What kind of pork chops are best for air frying?

For air frying, boneless or bone-in pork loin chops (also known as center-cut pork chops) work wonderfully. Loin chops are relatively lean and cook quickly. The ideal thickness is between 1/2 to 3/4 inch. While thinner chops (1/4 inch) can be used, they cook very fast and are more prone to drying out if not watched closely. Bone-in chops tend to stay a bit juicier due to the bone insulation, but boneless are convenient for faster eating.

Can I marinate pork chops overnight?

Yes, absolutely! While 30 minutes is the minimum for this recipe to infuse flavor, marinating pork chops for a longer period, such as 2-4 hours or even overnight (up to 12-18 hours), will result in even deeper flavor penetration and tenderization. Just be sure to keep them refrigerated throughout the marinating process. For marinades containing acidic components (like some teriyaki sauces), excessively long marinating times (over 24 hours) can sometimes start to break down the meat’s texture, so stick to the overnight recommendation for best results.

MORE DELICIOUS AIR FRYER RECIPES:

• Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp
• Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
• Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers
• Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Air Fryer Teriyaki Pork Chops Recipe

By
Becky

Juicy and full of flavor, these teriyaki pork chops made in the air fryer with just a few ingredients are a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Prep:
5 mins

Cook:
16 mins

Marinating Time:
30 mins

Servings: 4

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 4 pork loin chops, 1/2 – 3/4 inch thick
• 2 tbsp horseradish sauce
• 1/3 cup Teriyaki marinade and sauce
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Combine the teriyaki sauce, horseradish sauce, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whisk until well combined.
2. Pour the sauce into a ziploc bag and add the pork chops. Seal the bag, ensuring all air is removed, then shake the pork chops so they are fully coated with the sauce.
3. Place the bag in the refrigerator and allow the pork chops to marinate in the sauce for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour for deeper flavor.
4. After they have marinated, remove them from the bag and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. (Keep the remaining marinade so you can brush more onto them when you flip the chops. Discard any remaining marinade after brushing.)
5. Air fry at 400 degrees F (200°C) for 6-8 minutes on each side. Halfway through, flip the pork chops and brush with the reserved marinade. Pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F (63°C).
6. Remove from air fryer and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to ensure maximum juiciness.

Notes

KETO C/5 P/30 F/9

Weight Watchers approx. 6-8 points, depending on size of pork chop

Nutrition

Calories: 233kcal,
Carbohydrates: 5g,
Protein: 30g,
Fat: 9g,
Saturated Fat: 3g,
Trans Fat: 1g,
Cholesterol: 90mg,
Sodium: 1016mg,
Potassium: 573mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 4g,
Vitamin A: 6IU,
Vitamin C: 2mg,
Calcium: 21mg,
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.