Cooking juicy, tender pork chops along with crisp, flavorful vegetables can be a challenge, but the air fryer makes it effortless and quick. If you’re looking for a delicious, healthy, and convenient meal that requires minimal cleanup, this air fry pork chops and vegetables recipe is exactly what you need.
The air fryer’s hot circulating air crisps the pork chops to perfection while roasting the vegetables evenly, locking in their natural sweetness and nutrients. Plus, this one-pan approach means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the meal with your loved ones.
Whether you’re a busy weeknight cook or someone who loves simple, tasty meals without fuss, this recipe is a game-changer. You’ll learn how to season your pork chops perfectly and choose the best vegetables to complement the flavors.
Ready to impress yourself and your family? Let’s dive into this easy recipe that promises both comfort and nutrition!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe brings together the best of both worlds: succulent pork chops and vibrant vegetables in one easy, quick-cooking method. The air fryer ensures your pork chops come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, while the vegetables roast to tender perfection with a hint of caramelization.
It’s a great way to enjoy a balanced meal without heating up your whole kitchen or spending hours cooking. Plus, the recipe is highly customizable, letting you swap out vegetables based on what’s in season or what you have on hand.
It’s perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or even a casual weekend feast.
Finally, with minimal oil used, this dish stays on the healthier side without sacrificing flavor or texture. You’ll love how simple it is to create a wholesome, crowd-pleasing dinner with very little effort.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops (about 1 inch thick)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups baby potatoes, halved
- 1 cup baby carrots
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Equipment
- Air fryer (with a basket or tray large enough to hold the pork chops and vegetables)
- Mixing bowl for tossing vegetables and seasoning pork chops
- Tongs for flipping pork chops
- Meat thermometer (recommended to check doneness)
- Cutting board and knife for prepping vegetables
Instructions
- Prepare the pork chops: Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Season the pork chops: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the pork chops and rub the spice mixture all over them evenly to coat.
- Prep the vegetables: In a mixing bowl, combine baby potatoes, baby carrots, broccoli florets, bell pepper slices, and onion wedges. Drizzle with remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat well. If you like, add 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar for extra flavor.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes.
- Cook the pork chops: Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 6 minutes.
- Add the vegetables: After 6 minutes, carefully open the air fryer and add the seasoned vegetables around the pork chops. Shake or arrange evenly.
- Continue cooking: Air fry for an additional 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket or stirring the vegetables halfway through to ensure even cooking. Pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Rest the pork chops: Remove the pork chops and vegetables from the air fryer. Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes to seal in the juices.
- Serve and garnish: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve the pork chops alongside the roasted vegetables.
Tips & Variations
For extra juicy pork chops, brine them in a saltwater solution for 30 minutes before cooking.
You can swap the vegetables based on what you have available. Zucchini, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts all work wonderfully in this recipe.
Just be mindful of cooking times; softer vegetables like zucchini may need to be added later to avoid overcooking.
If you prefer boneless pork chops, reduce the cooking time slightly and always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Another great tip is to marinate your pork chops in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for a few hours before air frying for an extra burst of flavor.
For a smoky twist, add a pinch of chipotle powder or smoked sea salt to the seasoning mix. And if you want to turn this into a complete meal, serve with a side of quinoa or a fresh green salad.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition | Per Serving (1 pork chop + veggies) |
---|---|
Calories | 380 kcal |
Protein | 35 g |
Fat | 18 g |
Carbohydrates | 20 g |
Fiber | 5 g |
Sodium | 400 mg |
This meal is rich in protein and fiber, with balanced healthy fats from olive oil. It’s a wholesome, satisfying dish that fits well into a nutritious diet.
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer pork chop and vegetable dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. For a light and fresh contrast, serve with a crisp green salad or a tangy coleslaw.
For heartier options, creamy mashed potatoes or a simple garlic butter rice pilaf complement the flavors wonderfully. You might also enjoy it with a warm crusty bread to soak up any delicious juices.
Don’t forget to explore more vegetable-packed recipes to round out your meals. Check out these favorites: Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals, Vegetable Alfredo Recipes for Creamy, Healthy Dinners, and Air Fryer Frozen Vegetable Recipes for Quick Healthy Me.
Conclusion
Cooking pork chops and vegetables together in the air fryer is a fantastic way to create a wholesome meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor. This recipe is straightforward yet versatile, allowing you to customize your veggies and seasonings to suit your tastes.
Not only does this method save time, but it also locks in the natural juices of the pork and enhances the vegetables’ texture and taste. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners, this meal will soon become a staple in your cooking repertoire.
Don’t hesitate to experiment with different herbs and spices or try out other vegetable combinations – the air fryer is your best ally for quick, delicious, and healthy meals. Happy cooking!
📖 Recipe Card: Air Fry Pork Chops and Vegetables
Description: A quick and healthy recipe for juicy pork chops paired with crispy air-fried vegetables. Perfect for a balanced weeknight dinner.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT35M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops (about 1 inch thick)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, toss pork chops with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and thyme.
- In another bowl, toss broccoli, bell pepper, and zucchini with remaining olive oil and a pinch of salt.
- Place pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook pork chops for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Add vegetables to the air fryer basket around the pork chops.
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes until pork reaches 145°F internal temperature and vegetables are tender.
- Remove from air fryer, drizzle lemon juice over pork chops and vegetables.
- Let rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 320 kcal | Protein: 35 g | Fat: 15 g | Carbs: 10 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Air Fry Pork Chops and Vegetables”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A quick and healthy recipe for juicy pork chops paired with crispy air-fried vegetables. Perfect for a balanced weeknight dinner.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT20M”, “totalTime”: “PT35M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“4 boneless pork chops (about 1 inch thick)”, “2 cups broccoli florets”, “1 red bell pepper, sliced”, “1 medium zucchini, sliced”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 teaspoon garlic powder”, “1 teaspoon smoked paprika”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1/2 teaspoon black pepper”, “1/2 teaspoon dried thyme”, “1 tablespoon lemon juice”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat the air fryer to 400\u00b0F (200\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, toss pork chops with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and thyme.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In another bowl, toss broccoli, bell pepper, and zucchini with remaining olive oil and a pinch of salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place pork chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook pork chops for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add vegetables to the air fryer basket around the pork chops.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook for an additional 10 minutes until pork reaches 145\u00b0F internal temperature and vegetables are tender.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove from air fryer, drizzle lemon juice over pork chops and vegetables.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let rest for 3 minutes before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “320 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “35 g”, “fatContent”: “15 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “10 g”}}