Air Fryer Pork: Safe To Cook Raw?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, and for good reason—they're versatile, time-saving, and energy-efficient. But can you cook raw pork in an air fryer? The short answer is yes. From pork chops to tenderloin and bacon, you can cook a variety of raw pork dishes in your air fryer. Here's what you need to know to get started. First, preheat your air fryer. It's important to ensure your pork is fully thawed before cooking, and don't forget to season it well! Depending on the cut of pork, cooking times will vary, but pork chops typically take around 12-15 minutes at 375°F.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes

Yes, you can cook raw pork in an air fryer. In fact, cooking raw pork chops in an air fryer is a popular recipe. To make the best air fryer pork chops, use thick, center-cut, bone-in chops, as thin pork chops will cook too quickly and won't get a nice char on them.

Before you start cooking, it's important to preheat your air fryer. Preheating your air fryer will take between 2 and 5 minutes, depending on the model. To preheat your air fryer to 400°F, simply press the power button, set the temperature, and let it preheat. It will take about 4 to 5 minutes to reach 400°F. When it beeps, you'll know it's ready. You can also set the time for preheat, let it turn off, and then add the food and set the cook time.

Preheating your air fryer is especially important if you want your food to be extra crispy. It gets the hot air moving before you start cooking, so everything will be nice and evenly cooked. It's also important to preheat if you're cooking thinly cut meats, as it will help to create a perfect sear.

However, if you're cooking thick cuts of meat, you might not want to preheat your air fryer. Large slabs of meat will burn on the outside before cooking on the inside in a preheated air fryer. Because of this, some chefs recommend placing the meat in the air fryer before turning it on, so the meat cooks evenly.

Rinse and pat dry the pork chops

Rinsing and drying your pork chops is an important step in the cooking process. Rinsing the meat with cool water helps to remove any excess salt from the brining process, which is essential for achieving the right flavour profile. It also washes away any other unwanted elements, such as bacteria, ensuring your pork is safe to eat.

After rinsing, you should pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel. This step is crucial as it helps to remove any remaining moisture from the surface of the meat. Moisture on the surface can prevent your pork chops from developing the desired char and crunchiness during cooking. It can also cause steam, which can make your meat soggy and less appealing. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the pork chops are completely dry before you proceed to the next step of coating them with olive oil and seasonings.

The brining process itself is also important to mention. Brining your pork chops in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 8 hours can help to enhance their flavour and texture. A brine typically consists of salt, water, sugar, and aromatics like rosemary, sage, garlic, or thyme. This mixture helps to tenderise the meat and keep it juicy. If you have thicker pork chops, you can brine them for longer, but it's important not to exceed 8 hours to prevent the meat from becoming tough.

After brining, rinsing, and patting the pork chops dry, you can proceed to the next steps of coating them with olive oil and applying a rub or seasoning mix. This will help ensure your pork chops turn out juicy and full of flavour.

Make a rub seasoning mix with brown sugar, paprika, and spices

You can definitely cook raw pork in an air fryer, and a great way to add flavour is to make a rub seasoning mix with brown sugar, paprika, and spices. This rub can be used on pork chops, and the best cuts for the air fryer are thick, centre-cut, bone-in chops. The thickness will give the meat a beautiful char on all sides.

To make the rub, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also add ground mustard, or even cumin and chilli powder. The brown sugar will give the rub a sweet taste, the smoked paprika will add a smoky undertone, and the cayenne pepper will add a spicy kick. You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spice level. It is best to use kosher salt rather than table salt or iodized salt.

Mix the dry ingredients together in a small bowl, and then coat the pork chops with olive oil. Rub the mix into the meat, making sure to get a good coating all over. You can also put the spices in a ziplock bag and shake the meat in the spices to coat it.

Cook pork chops for 12-15 minutes at 375°F

Yes, you can cook raw pork in an air fryer. To make juicy, tender, and delicious pork chops in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F. While the air fryer heats up, prepare your pork chops. Rinse the chops with cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Next, coat the chops lightly in olive oil and season them generously with your chosen spices and herbs. You can use a simple mix of salt and pepper, or try a rub with brown sugar, paprika, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Once your pork chops are prepared and your air fryer has reached the right temperature, it's time to cook. Place the chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Set the timer for 12–15 minutes, and flip the chops after 6 minutes to ensure even cooking. For thicker chops, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

After removing the chops from the air fryer, let them rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your pork chops are juicy and tender. Check the internal temperature of the chops with a meat thermometer; they are ready to serve when they reach 145°F.

You can also lightly dust the chops with panko breadcrumbs or Parmesan cheese before cooking for a crispy texture and extra flavor. Enjoy your air-fried pork chops!

Check the internal temperature with a thermometer (aim for 140°F)

When cooking raw pork in an air fryer, it's important to ensure that it's cooked thoroughly for safety reasons and to achieve the desired texture and taste. Using a meat thermometer is a precise way to check if your pork is done. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and aim for an internal temperature of 140°F. This temperature is recommended for pork chops, which are a popular choice for air frying.

Different cuts of pork will have slightly different ideal internal temperatures. For example, a pork joint cooked in an air fryer should be cooked at 210°C for 20 minutes, then reduced to 160°C for 40-50 minutes for a 1kg joint or 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes for a 1.5kg joint. The juices should run clear, or the internal temperature should read 70°C on a digital thermometer.

It's worth noting that air fryer temperatures can vary, so it's a good idea to keep a close eye on your pork as it cooks. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the meat, with thicker cuts requiring more time. For example, thick pork chops between 1 ½ and 2 inches thick will take around 12 minutes to cook, with a flip halfway through. If your pork chops are very thick, they may need a few extra minutes to reach the desired internal temperature.

Once your pork has reached the ideal internal temperature of 140°F, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicy, tender texture.

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