Tiffany Haney
Air Fryer Pork Souvlaki is a delicious, quick, and easy meal to make for the whole family. It is a Greek dish that is usually served with flatbreads or pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and toppings such as tomatoes, onions, and lettuce. The pork is marinated in a mixture of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and dried oregano, and then cooked in the air fryer for around 15 minutes. The ideal size for the pork cubes is approximately 1/2 inch, and it is recommended to use bamboo or metal skewers for the authentic souvlaki experience.
Air Fryer Pork Souvlaki Characteristics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meat | Pork |
| Cut of meat | Tenderloin |
| Marinade ingredients | Extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic cloves, salt, dried oregano |
| Marinating time | 15-30 minutes |
| Cooking temperature | 400°F |
| Cooking time | 15 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 145°F |
| Skewers | Bamboo or metal |
| Serving suggestions | Greek flatbreads, pita bread, hummus, tzatziki sauce, salad |
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What You'll Learn
Marinating the pork
To begin the marinating process, cut the pork into even-sized cubes of approximately 1/2 inch in size. You can use pork tenderloin or opt for a fattier cut like pork shoulder or butt, which is more traditional. If you prefer a leaner option, go for pork neck, but note that it might be harder to find at a regular grocery store.
Once you have cut the pork into the desired size, it's time to prepare the marinade. In a large bowl, mix together extra virgin olive oil, vinegar (you can use red wine vinegar or lemon juice as a substitute), garlic cloves (or garlic powder), salt, and dried oregano. Fresh oregano is not recommended as it can turn bitter and burn during cooking. You can also add other spices and herbs of your choice to customise the flavours.
After preparing the marinade, add the cubed pork to the bowl and toss it well to ensure that all the meat is evenly coated. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to marinate. If you want to prepare the marinade in advance, you can store it in an airtight mason jar in the fridge for 3-5 days before adding the pork.
When you are ready to cook, remove the pork from the marinade, shaking off any excess. Thread the pork cubes onto bamboo or metal skewers that fit your air fryer. If using bamboo skewers, remember to soak them in water beforehand to prevent burning. Place the skewers into your air fryer basket, giving them a quick spray with cooking spray, and you're ready to start cooking your pork souvlaki!
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Preparing the skewers
Once you've chosen your skewer type, it's time to cut your pork into even-sized cubes. Aim for a size of approximately ½ inch, though you can go slightly smaller if you prefer. If you're using pork tenderloin, this will result in a slightly leaner cut of meat, while pork shoulder or butt is a traditional, slightly fattier option. You can also use pork neck, but it may be harder to find in regular grocery stores.
After cutting your pork, it's time to prepare the marinade. In a large bowl, mix together extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, garlic cloves, salt, and dried oregano. Fresh oregano can be used, but it may turn bitter and burn during cooking. You can also add other spices and herbs to the marinade, such as paprika. Give the marinade a good whisk to combine all the ingredients.
Now it's time to add the pork to the marinade. Place the pork cubes into the bowl with the marinade and toss them until they are well coated. Let the pork sit in the marinade for at least 15 minutes, or up to 4 hours in advance of serving. If you have the time, you can even prepare the marinade a few days in advance and let the pork sit in it overnight for maximum flavour. However, do not over-marinate the pork, as the acid in the vinegar can change the texture of the meat over time.
When you're ready to cook, thread the marinated pork cubes onto your chosen skewers, placing them relatively close together to keep the meat moist and prevent it from drying out. If you're using wooden skewers, be sure to leave a gap at both ends to avoid any issues with the skewers burning or breaking.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for pork souvlaki in an air fryer depend on the size of the pork pieces and the type and brand of air fryer. It is also important to consider whether you are cooking the pork skewered or unskewered, as this will impact the cooking time.
If you are cooking pork souvlaki in an air fryer, it is recommended to cut the pork into bite-sized pieces or cubes of approximately 1/2 inch in size. For skewered pork souvlaki, it is best to soak the skewers in water beforehand to prevent them from burning. Thread the pork pieces onto the skewers, leaving a small gap at both ends. Place the skewers into the air fryer basket and spray them with cooking spray or oil.
The air fryer temperature for pork souvlaki is typically set between 380°F and 400°F. The cooking time can range from 9 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the pork pieces and the desired level of doneness. It is important to turn the skewers occasionally during cooking to ensure even cooking. The ideal internal temperature for pork souvlaki is 145°F to 160°F, which can be checked using a meat thermometer.
If you are cooking unskewered pork cubes in the air fryer, the cooking time may be slightly shorter. Keep a close eye on the pork to ensure it doesn't overcook. Additionally, if you are stacking the pork in layers in the air fryer, it will need a little longer to cook.
For leftover cooked pork souvlaki, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat, wrap the pork in foil and place it in the air fryer or oven to prevent it from drying out.
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Serving suggestions
There are several ways to serve pork souvlaki cooked in an air fryer. Souvlaki is a Greek dish, and it is common to serve it with Greek flatbreads or pita bread, along with a variety of toppings and sauces. You can spread hummus on the flatbread and then add toppings of your choice. Some common toppings include tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and fries. Tzatziki sauce is also a popular addition to souvlaki. If you want to make it a healthier option, you can skip the flatbread and serve the souvlaki with a green salad instead.
You can also serve souvlaki as a wrap. Warm up some pita bread and add toppings such as onion, tzatziki, and sliced tomatoes. You can also serve it with Greek potato salad, lemon potatoes, orzo pasta salad, or a Horiatiki salad.
If you have any leftover pork souvlaki, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can also freeze it for 2-3 months. To reheat, you can use the air fryer or oven, but be sure to wrap the meat in foil to prevent it from drying out.
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Storing leftovers
If you have any leftover pork souvlaki, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. To prevent the pork from drying out when reheating, wrap the meat in foil. You can reheat the leftovers in an air fryer or an oven.
If you want to freeze leftover or precooked souvlaki, place it in an airtight container or freezer bag, removing any excess air before sealing. It can be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months.
The souvlaki marinade can be made 3-5 days in advance and stored in an airtight mason jar in the fridge.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 15 minutes to cook pork souvlaki in an air fryer at 380°F or 200°C.
The internal temperature of the pork should be 160°F.
You can marinate the pork for 2-4 hours in advance of serving. It is not recommended to leave the pork overnight in the marinade.
