Air-Fryer Pork: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a handy kitchen appliance that can cook pork to perfection. Whether you're cooking a pork joint, pork roast, pork tenderloin, or pork chops, an air fryer can deliver juicy, tender meat with a crispy exterior. The high-speed circulating heat of an air fryer keeps the pork moist on the inside while crisping up the outside, and it's also a more energy-efficient way to cook. With an air fryer, you can have a hands-off, elevated meal that the whole family will love.

Air fryer pork joint

Yes, you can put pork in an air fryer! In fact, cooking a pork joint in an air fryer is a great way to save on energy costs and achieve perfectly crisp crackling.

Ingredients:

• 1-1.5 kg boneless pork leg or shoulder
• ½ tbsp vegetable or sunflower oil
• Coarse salt
• Olive oil
• Black pepper
• Crushed fennel seeds
• Sweet paprika

Method:

• Remove the pork from the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking.
• Pat the skin dry, then score it with a sharp knife to make a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut through to the flesh.
• Rub the scored skin all over with oil and season well with salt and pepper.
• Place the pork joint in your air fryer and cook at 210C for 20 minutes.
• Reduce the temperature to 160C and cook for 40-50 minutes (for 1kg) or 1 hour-1 hour 10 minutes (for 1.5kg). Check that the juices run clear or the internal temperature reads 70C on a digital thermometer.
• The crackling should be crisp. If it isn't, remove the skin from the meat, cover the meat and leave it to rest for 20 minutes while you cook the skin at 220C for 15-20 minutes.
• If the crackling is crisp, leave the joint to rest uncovered for 10-20 minutes, then slice and serve with apple sauce if desired.

Tips:

• Be sure to buy a pork roast that will fit in your air fryer. If it's too big, it may touch the cooking element. A roast that is 1.5kg should fit perfectly in a 5.5L air fryer.
• If time allows, leave the meat uncovered in the fridge overnight. It helps dry out the rind and ensures crispy crackling. But if you're short on time, a few hours will still help.
• If your pork comes tied with butcher's twine, you can keep it on while you cook. Tying the roast can help it cook evenly and carve nicely, but removing it before cooking can also help the crackling and prevent the joint from being too tall for the air fryer.
• Don't be shy with the salt—this will help ensure crispy crackling. You want to use coarse salt, such as sea salt or kosher salt, not table salt.
• Use a meat thermometer to take the guesswork out of whether your meat is cooked fully. For roast pork, you'll be looking for a temperature of 70-75C in the thickest part of the meat.

Air fryer pork roast

Yes, you can put pork in an air fryer. In fact, cooking pork in an air fryer is a great way to save on energy costs and ensure perfectly crisp crackling.

Ingredients:

• Boneless pork loin roast
• Olive oil, or avocado oil
• Spices (paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, ground mustard, cayenne pepper, dried sage, black pepper)
• Coconut sugar (or brown sugar)

Method:

• Combine the dry ingredients (spices and sugar) in a small bowl.
• Dry the pork with a paper towel.
• Coat all sides of the pork loin with oil.
• Sprinkle with the dry rub and use your hands to press it into all sides of the roast so it sticks.
• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes.
• Add the roast to the air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should be 145°F.
• Let the roast rest, tented with foil, before serving with sides of your choice.

Tips:

If you want to be sure the pork is done, use an instant-read thermometer (meat thermometer).

Serving suggestions:

• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Asparagus
• Any kind of potato (baked, mashed, or roasted)

Air fryer pork tenderloin

Yes, you can put pork in an air fryer! In fact, cooking pork in an air fryer is a great way to save on energy costs and ensure perfectly crisp crackling.

Ingredients:

• 1.25-1.75 lbs pork tenderloin
• 1/2-2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground mustard
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne powder (optional)
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
• Trim any excess fat or "silver skin" from the pork tenderloin. This is a thin membrane that is usually found on part of the meat.
• Coat the tenderloin with olive oil and rub in your desired spices. A simple spice mixture could include smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. You can also add a dash of cayenne for a little heat.
• Place the tenderloin in the air fryer and set the temperature to 400°F. Set the timer for 20-22 minutes for a tenderloin between 1-1.5 lbs. Adjust the cooking time accordingly if your tenderloin is larger or smaller. The key is to reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
• Once the air fryer cycle is complete, carefully remove the tenderloin and let it rest on a cutting board for 3-5 minutes before slicing.
• Serve with your favourite sides, such as roasted baby potatoes and fresh broccoli.

Tips:

• Pork tenderloin is a boneless, slender cut of meat that comes from the back of the pig. It is very lean and tender and can be prepared in a variety of ways.
• You can also cook a pork joint or pork roast in the air fryer.
• Always use a meat thermometer to check whether the pork is done. Fully cooked pork tenderloin should have an internal temperature of 145-160°F.
• Let the meat rest for a few minutes before slicing to trap the juices and keep the pork juicy.

Air fryer pork chops

Yes, you can put pork in an air fryer! In fact, cooking pork in an air fryer is an excellent way to save on energy costs and ensure perfectly crisp crackling.

Ingredients:

• 2 center-cut, bone-in pork chops, 1 ½ – 2 inches thick
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 ½ teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
• Rinse the pork chops with cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
• In a small bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients (brown sugar, paprika, pepper, mustard, onion powder, and garlic powder).
• Coat the pork chops with olive oil and rub in the spice mixture.
• Place the pork chops in the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping them over after 6 minutes.
• Check the internal temperature of the pork chops with an instant-read food thermometer. You are aiming for a temperature of 140°F. If your pork chops are very thick, they may need a few more minutes.
• When the pork chops are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

Tips:

• Thick, center-cut, bone-in pork chops work best for this recipe as they have the perfect amount of cooking time to develop a beautiful char on all sides.
• Be sure to pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel before coating them with olive oil and the spice mixture. This will help ensure a crispy exterior.
• If you want to get creative, you can play around with different spices and seasonings in your spice rub. Some popular options include smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and coconut sugar.

Air fryer pork shoulder

Yes, you can put pork in an air fryer! In fact, cooking pork in an air fryer is a great way to save on energy costs and ensure perfectly crisp crackling. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make air fryer pork shoulder:

Ingredients:

• Pork shoulder joint with rind
• Salt
• Sugar
• Mixed herbs
• Onion powder
• Brown sugar
• Crushed fennel seeds
• Apple and onion slices
• Apple cider vinegar
• Cornstarch
• Beef stock or broth

Method:

Prep the Pork Shoulder:

Pat the pork dry using a paper towel. Place two large pieces of kitchen foil on your worktop in a cross formation. Place the pork in the middle of the foil and drizzle with a little oil, then rub the seasoning and fennel seeds all over. Push the pork to one side and place the apple and onion slices in the middle of the foil. Position the pork shoulder on top, with the rind side up.

Roast in the Air Fryer:

Wrap the foil tightly around the pork to cover it completely. Place in a preheated air fryer and cook for 90-120 minutes, depending on the weight of your pork. Check the internal temperature by inserting a meat thermometer into the middle of the meat. It should be nearing 90°C (195°F).

Crisp up the Crackling:

Open the top of the foil, add a little extra salt to the crackling, and carefully pour the apple cider vinegar into the foil parcel. Tuck the ends of the foil around the meat, leaving only the crackling exposed. Increase the heat and air fry for another 5-10 minutes, or until the crackling is thoroughly crisp.

Rest the Meat:

Remove the roast from the air fryer basket and leave it to rest, crackling uncovered, for 10 minutes. Place the roast pork, crackling side down, on a wooden cutting board.

Prepare the Gravy:

Pour any cooking juices into a saucepan and make a cornstarch slurry by diluting a tablespoon of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water. Add this to the saucepan, along with one cup of beef stock and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Simmer over low heat, stirring, until the gravy thickens.

Your air fryer pork shoulder is now ready to be served! Enjoy the tender, succulent meat with crispy crackling and delicious gravy.

Frequently asked questions