Air-Fried Pork Roast: A Tasty, Crispy Treat

Cooking a pork roast in an air fryer is a great way to achieve a delicious, juicy roast with crispy crackling. It's an easy and tasty dish that can be on the table in under an hour, making it the perfect comfort food option for any day of the week. While the cooking time may not be significantly faster than in an oven, the air fryer's ability to produce the ultimate crispy crackling has many people coming back to it time and time again.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time for a pork roast in an air fryer will depend on the size of the roast and the power of your air fryer. A roast that is 1.5kg/3 lbs will fit in a 5.5L/5.5 Qt air fryer. If you have a bigger air fryer, you can buy a bigger roast.

It is recommended to cook to temperature rather than following an exact time. Start the roast at a high temperature in a preheated air fryer, such as 390 degrees F. If you find that the top is getting too brown, flip the roast so both sides cook evenly. This will depend on your air fryer, so keep an eye on it the first few times you make it.

Pork size

When cooking a pork roast in an air fryer, it is important to consider the size of the pork roast in relation to the size of your air fryer. If the roast is too big or tall, it may touch the cooking element. A roast that is 1.5 kg or 3 lbs fits perfectly in a 5.5 L or 5.5 Qt air fryer. If you have a bigger air fryer, you can buy a bigger roast.

The size of the roast will also depend on the cut of meat. Pork loin is a thinner piece of meat, so the air frying time will be less. If you are cooking a pork loin, you can follow the same recipe as for a pork roast, but you will need to adjust the cooking time. It is recommended to cook to temperature rather than following an exact time for a perfect turnout, regardless of the cut.

When cooking a pork roast in an air fryer, it is important to keep an eye on it, as the cooking process may vary depending on your particular model. If the top is getting too brown, but the bottom is not cooked, flip the roast so that both sides get equally cooked.

Prepping the pork

Yes, you can cook a pork roast in an air fryer. Here are some tips for prepping the pork:

Firstly, make sure the pork roast will fit in your air fryer. If it's too big or tall, it may touch the cooking element. A roast that is 1.5kg/3lbs should fit perfectly in a 5.5L/5.5 Qt air fryer. If you have a bigger air fryer, you can buy a bigger roast.

If you have time, leave the meat uncovered in the fridge overnight. This helps to dry the rind and ensure crispy crackling. However, if you're short on time, a few hours will still help the process.

When cooking the pork, start with a high temperature in a preheated air fryer – around 390 degrees F. If you find that the top is getting too brown but the bottom is not cooked, flip the roast so that both sides cook evenly. This will depend on your air fryer, so keep an eye on it the first few times you make it.

Cooking without foil

Yes, you can cook a pork roast in an air fryer. It's a great way to get a juicy and delicious roast with crispy crackling.

To cook a pork roast in an air fryer, start by buying a roast that will fit in your air fryer. If it's too big, it may touch the cooking element. A roast of around 1.5kg/3lbs should fit in a 5.5L/5.5 Qt air fryer. If you have a bigger air fryer, you can buy a bigger roast.

Before cooking, leave the meat uncovered in the fridge overnight to help dry the rind and ensure crispy crackling. If you're short on time, a few hours will still help.

When cooking, start the roast at a high temperature in a preheated air fryer, such as 390 degrees F. Cook to temperature rather than following an exact time. Keep an eye on the roast, as you may need to flip it to ensure both sides are cooked evenly. This will depend on your air fryer, so it's important to understand how your particular model cooks.

You can serve your air fryer pork roast with mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and roasted carrots for a perfect family meal.

Serving suggestions

Yes, you can cook a pork roast in an air fryer. It's a great way to get a juicy and delicious roast with crispy crackling.

There are lots of ways to serve a pork roast cooked in an air fryer. You could go for the traditional route and serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and homemade dinner rolls. Or, if you're looking for something a little more creative, you could try serving it with a side of air-fried vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts or green beans.

If you're serving a larger group, you might want to consider making a few different sides to accommodate different tastes and dietary restrictions. Some other options could include roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower mash, or a simple green salad.

For a heartier meal, you could also serve the pork roast with a gravy or sauce. A simple pan gravy can be made by deglazing the air fryer with some stock and adding a few herbs and spices. Or, if you're looking for something a little more complex, you could try making a red wine reduction or an apple cider glaze.

Don't forget to let the pork roast rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will help keep the juices in the meat and ensure that it's nice and tender.

Frequently asked questions