Air-Frying Pork: The Perfect Timing For Tender Meat

how long cook pork in air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook pork, whether it's pork chops or a pork joint. Not only do they save on energy costs, but they also produce perfectly cooked, juicy, and tender meat with a crispy exterior. The cooking time will depend on the cut and thickness of the pork, but generally, it takes around 12-20 minutes to cook pork in an air fryer.

Characteristics Values
Type of pork Pork chops, pork tenderloin, pork joint
Thickness 1-2 inches
Temperature 375°F-400°F
Preheat temperature 400°F
Preheat time 5 minutes
Cooking time 9-22 minutes
Internal temperature 140°F-145°F
Resting time 3-10 minutes

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Air fryer pork chops

Ingredients

  • Pork chops (bone-in or boneless)
  • Olive oil
  • Brown sugar
  • Paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Dried thyme
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Method

  • Rinse the pork chops with cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
  • Coat the pork chops with olive oil and a rub made from the dry ingredients.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
  • Place the pork chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  • Cook at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through. The target internal temperature is 140°F, which will increase to 145°F due to carry-over cooking.
  • Remove the pork chops from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips

  • Thick pork chops (1-2 inches) are recommended as they char nicely on the outside without drying out.
  • A cooking thermometer is useful to ensure the pork chops are cooked to the recommended internal temperature.
  • For bone-in pork chops, increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
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Air fryer pork tenderloin

Step 1: Prepare the Pork Tenderloin

Start by removing any "silver skin" or excess fat from the pork tenderloin using a sharp knife. This thin membrane is usually found on part of the meat and can be easily peeled away. Pat the pork dry with a paper towel, as this step is crucial for the seasonings to adhere well.

Step 2: Make the Seasoning Mix

In a medium-sized bowl, combine your choice of dry ingredients and spices. A simple yet tasty option is a mixture of brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. You can also add a dash of cayenne for a little extra heat. Additionally, you can experiment with other spices like dried thyme or chili to suit your taste preferences. Mix the spices together, and you're ready for the next step.

Step 3: Coat the Pork Tenderloin

Drizzle olive oil over the pork tenderloin and use a brush or your hands to ensure it is evenly coated. Next, generously apply the seasoning mixture to the meat, rubbing it in well. Make sure to coat the entire surface of the tenderloin with the spice rub.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat for about 5 minutes. This step is essential for ensuring even cooking and achieving the desired temperature for your pork tenderloin.

Step 5: Air Fry the Pork Tenderloin

Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the seasoned pork tenderloin inside. Set the timer for 20 to 22 minutes for a medium-sized tenderloin, or slightly less for a smaller one. For even cooking, you may need to flip the tenderloin halfway through the cooking process. The ideal internal temperature for the pork tenderloin is 145°F, so consider using a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

When the pork tenderloin is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a cutting board or plate. Let the meat rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender final product. Enjoy your delicious air fryer pork tenderloin!

Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and spices to find your favorite flavor combinations. You can also pair your pork tenderloin with sides like roasted baby potatoes, broccoli, or baked potatoes for a complete meal.

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Air fryer pork joint

Air-fried pork joints are juicy, tender, and delicious. They are a great option for a family dinner or special occasions. Here is a guide on how to cook pork joints in an air fryer.

Choosing the right pork joint

The best cut of pork for roasting and crackling is the shoulder or leg joint. This is because it has a good balance of fat and protein, which makes it ideal for roasting in an air fryer. It also has plenty of marbling, which helps keep the meat juicy and succulent.

The size of the pork joint you choose should depend on the size of your air fryer. It is important to ensure that the pork joint fits into your air fryer with enough space for hot air to circulate. A roast that is 1.5 kg/3 lbs fits perfectly in a 5.5 L/5.5 -6 Qt air fryer. If you have a bigger air fryer, you can buy a bigger roast.

Preparing the pork joint

If time allows, leave the meat uncovered in the fridge overnight. This helps dry out the pork skin, which is important for achieving crispy crackling. If you are short on time, a few hours will still help.

You can keep the butcher's twine on the pork joint while cooking, as it helps the roast cook evenly and makes it easier to carve. However, removing it allows the crackling to form better and ensures that the pork joint does not touch the heating element.

Pat the pork joint dry with a paper towel. With a small sharp knife, score the rind at 1 cm intervals, being careful not to cut into the meat. Alternatively, you can ask your butcher to do this for you.

Coat the pork joint with olive oil and rub in a generous amount of coarse salt (sea salt, cooking salt, or kosher salt) into the scores. You can also add other seasonings like black pepper, dried sage, garlic granules, paprika, onion powder, and Parmesan.

Cooking the pork joint

Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F for 5 minutes.

Place the pork joint in the air fryer basket with the rind/fat cap side up. Set the air fryer to 360-400°F and cook for 45-55 minutes, turning halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pork joint and the wattage of your air fryer. For a 1-2 kg joint, cook for 50 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The ideal internal temperature for the pork joint depends on how well you like your meat cooked. For medium-well or well-done pork, the internal temperature should be 145-160°F. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.

Once the desired internal temperature is reached, remove the pork joint from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate for at least 5 minutes before serving. The meat will continue to cook, and the internal temperature will rise a few degrees.

Tips

  • If you want to make gravy, add 1 cup of chicken broth to a saucepan with any remaining juices from the roast and simmer for 5 minutes. Then, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of cold water and slowly pour it into the simmering broth to thicken.
  • You can cook the pork joint at two different temperatures: first at a lower temperature to infuse the meat with flavour, and then at a higher temperature to achieve crispy crackling.
  • Always ensure that your pork joint is fully cooked before consuming it.
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Air fryer pork cooking times

Air Fryer Pork Chops

For juicy, tender, and delicious pork chops, you'll want to use a thick cut of meat—ideally between 1 and 2 inches thick. Thin pork chops can easily dry out and become tough. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Rinse the pork chops and pat them dry, then coat them with olive oil and a seasoning rub. Place the chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. The target internal temperature for the chops is 145°F, which you can measure with an instant-read thermometer. Let the chops rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

For pork tenderloin, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Trim any excess fat or silver skin from the tenderloin, then coat it with olive oil and a seasoning rub. Set the air fryer to the air fry setting and cook for 20 to 22 minutes, depending on the size of the tenderloin. The target internal temperature is 145°F, measured at the center of the meat. After cooking, let the tenderloin rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Air Fryer Pork Joint

For a pork joint, pat the skin dry and score it with a sharp knife in a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut into the flesh. Rub oil and seasoning onto the skin. Place the pork joint in the air fryer and cook at 210°C for 20 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 160°C and cook for an additional 40 to 50 minutes for a 1kg joint, or 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes for a 1.5kg joint. Check that the juices run clear or that the internal temperature reaches 70°C. If the crackling isn't crisp, remove the skin and cook it separately at 220°C for 15 to 20 minutes. Let the joint rest for 10 to 20 minutes before serving.

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Air fryer pork seasoning

Air fryers are a great way to cook pork chops, giving them a crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy. The cooking time is also relatively short, with most recipes taking under 20 minutes.

Seasoning

There are many different seasoning options for air fryer pork chops. A common seasoning mix includes brown sugar, paprika, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add a dash of cayenne for some heat. Another option is to use a Parmesan and garlic powder mixture. Coat both sides of the pork chops with the mixture, pressing to adhere, and then cook in the air fryer. For a coffee-based rub, use boneless pork chops and a coffee-based seasoning rub for a rich, savory flavor. Alternatively, you can use a simple herb blend for bone-in pork chops.

Preparation

Before seasoning, it is important to rinse the pork chops and pat them dry with a paper towel. You can also let the pork chops sit out for about 15 minutes to bring them to room temperature, which helps them cook more evenly. If you have time, you can season them and let them sit, covered, at room temperature for up to 30 minutes before cooking, which will make them even more tender and flavorful.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F for 5 minutes. Then, cook the pork chops for 12-15 minutes, flipping them over after about 6 minutes, or halfway through the cooking time. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the pork chops, with thicker chops taking longer to cook. The target internal temperature for the pork chops is 145°F, which can be measured with an instant-read thermometer. Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the pork chops from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

Thick pork chops require a cooking time of about 12 minutes. Thin pork chops will cook faster, but won't get a nice char. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes, then cook the chops for 12 minutes, flipping them over after 6 minutes.

Set your air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 5 minutes. Once preheated, keep the temperature at 400°F, select the air fry setting, and set the time for 20-22 minutes, depending on the size of the tenderloin. The internal temperature should be 145°F when measured in the centre of the meat.

This depends on the weight of the roast. It takes about 15 minutes per pound when cooked in the air fryer at 360°F. The internal temperature should be 145°F.

Cook the joint at 210°C for 20 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 160°C and cook for 40-50 minutes (for a 1kg joint) or 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes (for a 1.5kg joint).

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