Marianne Martinez
Cooking pork loin in an air fryer is a great way to get a crispy, golden crust on the outside with tender, juicy meat on the inside. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pork loin and the type of air fryer you have. For example, if you have a Nuwave air fryer, you can place the pork loin on a 3 rack and set the timer for 12 minutes, then flip it over and set it for another 12 minutes. If you have a larger air fryer, you can increase the cooking time by approximately 20 minutes per pound. It's important to preheat your air fryer before adding the pork loin to ensure even cooking. You can also finish your pork loin with a honey mustard glaze or a simple gravy.
Cooking Pork Loin in a NuWave Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat Temperature | 370 °F |
| Preheat Time | 5 minutes |
| Cooking Temperature | 370 °F |
| Cooking Time | 12-14 minutes per pound (about 35-40 minutes total) |
| Resting Time | 5 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 145 °F |
| Seasoning | Brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, pepper, olive oil |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in cooking pork loin, as it ensures the meat spends the longest time at the highest temperature, creating a perfect seared crust. To preheat your air fryer, start by setting the temperature to 370°F or 400°F. Let the air fryer preheat for about 5 minutes. For a 370°F preheat, you can then cook your pork loin for 12-14 minutes per pound, or 35-40 minutes in total for a 2-3lb pork loin. If you are cooking at 400°F, set the timer for 20-22 minutes for a smaller or larger cut of meat.
The preheat temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the size of your air fryer and the size of the pork loin. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cut your pork loin to ensure it fits. You can cook the remaining slices another time or divide the meat and cook it in two halves. It is important to ensure the meat is not too close to the heating element.
When the preheat cycle is complete, place the pork loin in the air fryer basket. It is recommended to flip the meat once during cooking to ensure even cooking. The roast should reach an internal temperature of 145°F, which can be checked with an instant-read thermometer.
After cooking, remove the pork loin to a plate or cutting board and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. This allows the meat to continue cooking and the juices to settle, ensuring a juicy and tender roast.
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Season the pork loin
Seasoning your pork loin is a key step in ensuring a mouth-watering, juicy, and flavoursome dish. There are a variety of seasoning options to choose from, so you can select the one that best suits your taste preferences and desired level of complexity.
One option is to create a dry rub for your pork loin. This involves combining spices and herbs to form a rub that you can generously apply to the meat. A simple dry rub can be made by whisking together Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with other spices and ingredients, such as brown sugar, smoked paprika, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper for a hint of heat. The dry rub will help create a golden, crispy crust on your pork loin.
Another option is to use a wet rub or marinade. You can start by coating the pork loin with olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, which will help the seasonings stick to the meat and add moisture. Then, you can apply a generous amount of your chosen seasonings. You can use a combination of salt, fresh ground black pepper, and Adobo powder for a classic flavour profile. Alternatively, you can try a combination of mustard (yellow, spicy, or Dijon) with rosemary, salt, and pepper. The mustard will not only enhance the flavour but also help the spices adhere to the meat.
Additionally, you can consider finishing your pork loin with a glaze. A honey mustard glaze, for example, can add a touch of sweetness and moisture to your dish. You can also reserve some of your seasoning rub and use it to make a quick gravy to accompany your pork loin.
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Cook the pork loin
To cook pork loin in a Nuwave air fryer, you'll first need to prepare the meat. Trim away any excess fat from the outside of the pork loin and rub the meat all over with your chosen seasonings. You can use a dry rub of salt and pepper, or a mixture of brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt and pepper. You could also add a dash of cayenne for a little heat.
Once the meat is prepared, preheat your air fryer to 370°F. Place the pork loin in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-14 minutes per pound, flipping once to ensure even cooking. A 2lb pork loin will take around 24 to 36 minutes to cook. The roast should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
When the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the pork loin from the air fryer and place it on a plate or cutting board. Allow the meat to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This will give the juices time to redistribute, ensuring your pork loin is juicy and tender.
You can also finish your pork loin with a honey mustard glaze. Simply smear mustard all over the top of the roast and sprinkle with rosemary, salt, and pepper.
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Rest the pork loin
Resting the pork loin is an important step in the cooking process. Once the air fryer cycle is complete, carefully remove the pork loin and place it on a plate or cutting board. Loosely cover it with foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. During this time, the meat will continue to cook, and the internal temperature will rise several degrees. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that the pork loin remains tender, juicy, and flavorful.
While the pork loin is resting, you can prepare a simple gravy using the remaining juices. Collect any juices that have accumulated on the plate or in the air fryer pan during the resting period. Add these juices to a saucepan along with one cup of chicken broth and any remaining seasoning rub mix. Simmer this mixture for about 5 minutes. In a separate container, mix two tablespoons of cornstarch with four tablespoons of cold water, and then slowly pour this slurry into the simmering broth to thicken it.
The resting time also provides an opportunity to prepare any side dishes that you plan to serve with the pork loin. Roasted vegetables such as carrots, green beans, and potatoes, as well as garlic bread, are excellent accompaniments to this dish.
For optimal food safety, it is important to ensure that the pork loin reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be checked using an instant-read thermometer. If the temperature is below 145 degrees F, you may need to adjust the cooking time or temperature for your air fryer, or return the pork loin to the air fryer for a few additional minutes of cooking.
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Make a gravy
Making a gravy to go with your pork loin is simple and will make your pork dish more flavorful and moist. You can make the gravy while the pork is cooking or ahead of time and reheat it when you're ready to serve.
To make the gravy, heat a large skillet on medium heat. Melt some butter and add onions. Cook the onions until they are golden and caramelized, which should take about 5 minutes. You can also add in any juices that have collected on the plate during the roast resting time, as well as any juices that may be in the air fryer pan.
Another way to make the gravy is by adding 1 cup of chicken broth to a saucepan, along with any remaining seasoning rub mix, and simmering for about 5 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you cook pork loin for 12-14 minutes per pound, or 35-40 minutes in total. The internal temperature should be 145 degrees F.
First, preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees F. Trim away any excess fat from the pork loin, then rub the meat with seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork loin. The optimal temperature for food safety is 145 degrees F.
