Cody Casey
Oiless fryers, also known as infrared or propane fryers, use radiant heat and a powerful fan to cook food instead of submerging it in oil. This method of cooking produces a crispy, golden brown exterior and a juicy interior. It is possible to cook pork loin in an oiless fryer, and the time taken depends on the weight of the loin. The temperature should be set to 400°F and the time should be set for 20-22 minutes.
Characteristics of cooking a loin in an oilless fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meat | Strip loin steak, pork loin steak, or pork tenderloin |
| Meat preparation | Brining, marinating, or seasoning |
| Meat thickness | 1-inch thick |
| Temperature | 370°F-425°F |
| Cooking time | 15 minutes at 425°F, then 35-60 minutes at 375°F |
| Internal temperature | 145°F |
| Resting time | 5-10 minutes |
| Sides | Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, salad, gravy |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (187°C)
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process. It ensures that your pork loin steaks sear properly, helping to lock in flavours and retain moisture. To preheat your air fryer, simply turn the dial to the desired temperature and allow it to heat up. For cooking pork loin, you will want to preheat your air fryer to 370°F (187°C). This temperature will allow you to cook your pork loin to perfection, ensuring a juicy and tender outcome.
When cooking pork loin in an air fryer, it is important to note that it is a lean cut of meat. The high heat of the air fryer can be advantageous as it reduces cooking time, preventing the meat from drying out. The hot air circulation also helps to form a crispy, golden crust, locking in the juices and flavour.
While preheating your air fryer to 370°F (187°C) is a good starting point, you may need to adjust the temperature slightly depending on your air fryer model and your personal preference for doneness. Some air fryers may run hotter or cooler than others, so it is always a good idea to refer to your specific model's instructions. Additionally, if you prefer your pork loin to be more well-done, you may want to increase the temperature slightly, and vice versa if you prefer it rarer.
Keep in mind that the thickness of your pork loin steaks will also impact the cooking time and temperature. Thicker steaks may require a slightly lower temperature to ensure they cook through without drying out, while thinner steaks may cook faster and require a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time. It is always recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steaks to achieve your desired doneness.
By preheating your air fryer to 370°F (187°C) and keeping in mind the specific characteristics of your air fryer and your pork loin steaks, you'll be well on your way to cooking juicy and flavourful pork loin steaks.
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Brine the pork loin for flavour and moisture
Brining is a process where you soak your meat in a saltwater solution before cooking it. The process changes the meat in three ways. Firstly, the meat will absorb more water, making it juicier. Secondly, the salt will change the texture of the meat, making it more tender. Finally, the salt will season the meat from the inside, making it taste even more flavoursome.
To brine pork loin, you will need a salt and water solution. You can add other seasonings, such as sugar, garlic powder, or onion powder, to the brine for extra flavour. If you want to add aromatics, consider using crushed allspice, juniper berries, bay leaves, black pepper, dried chillies, or chilli flakes. For a simpler recipe, you can skip the aromatics and make a brine with just salt and sugar.
If you are brining two pork loins, you will likely need to double the recipe to cover the pork. The ideal brining time is between three and four hours, which will give you juicy meat with good seasoning. After brining, you can bake the pork loin in the oven at 350°F until it reaches 145°F in the centre, which should take about 18 minutes per pound. Check the temperature after about 45 minutes, as thinner cuts of meat may cook more quickly.
Alternatively, you can dry brine the pork loin. For this method, you sprinkle the meat with salt and leave it uncovered in the fridge. Dry brining is especially useful for larger pieces of meat, as you don't need to find a large container to hold them and the water.
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Use a boneless pork loin
A pork loin is a wide and fat cut from the back of the animal. It is a cheaper alternative to pork tenderloin, which is leaner and comes from a muscle that runs along the backbone. A pork loin roast is what boneless pork chops are cut from.
To cook a boneless pork loin in an air fryer, you will need a pork loin roast of about 2-2.5 lbs. This is the perfect size for most 5-6 qt air fryers. If you have a larger air fryer, you can fit a larger roast, but you will need to increase the cooking time by about 20 minutes per pound.
First, trim away any excess fat or silver skin from the outside of the pork loin. Then, rub the pork all over with a seasoning mix. You can use a simple dry rub, or get creative with a combination of spices such as brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Massage the rub well onto the entire roast and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavours to develop.
Next, preheat your air fryer to between 360-400°F for 5 minutes. Place the roast inside the air fryer with the fat cap side up. Set the air fryer to cook at the same temperature for 45-55 minutes, turning the roast halfway through. You want an internal temperature of 145-160°F, so use a meat thermometer to check that the roast has reached at least 140°F before removing it from the air fryer.
Once the roast is cooked, gently remove it from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate, loosely covered with foil, for at least 5 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the meat to relax, ensuring a juicy and tender final product.
You can also use the leftover juices and seasoning rub to make a simple gravy to serve with your pork loin. Simply add 1 cup of chicken broth and any juices from the roast to a saucepan, simmer for 5 minutes, and then slowly add a cornstarch slurry to thicken.
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Trim away any excess fat
Trimming away any excess fat is an important step in preparing a loin steak for an oilless fryer. This is because excess fat on the meat can affect the overall cooking process and the final texture and taste of the steak. By trimming the fat, you can ensure more even cooking and a crispier exterior.
To begin the trimming process, use a sharp knife to carefully cut away any visible chunks or strips of fat from the surface of the meat. Make sure your knife is sharp enough to make precise cuts without tearing or shredding the meat. Hold the knife at a slight angle to the meat's surface and use a gentle, controlled motion to slice away the excess fat.
Be mindful of the direction of your cuts and try to follow the natural lines and contours of the meat. This will help you maintain the shape and integrity of the steak while removing the unwanted fat. Take your time with this process, as rushing can lead to accidental cuts or uneven fat removal.
For harder-to-reach areas or thinner strips of fat, you can use the tip of your knife to carefully separate and lift the fat from the meat. Then, make small, precise cuts to trim it away. Remember, the goal is to remove the excess fat while retaining as much of the lean meat as possible to ensure the steak stays juicy and flavorful.
Finally, once you have finished trimming, give the steak a final once-over to ensure no visible fat remains. At this stage, you can also shape and trim the steak to your desired size and thickness, keeping in mind that a thickness of about 1 inch is ideal for even cooking and juiciness retention.
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Cook for 15 minutes at 425°F (218°C)
Cooking pork loin in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy a juicy roast with a browned crust during the week. It's a lean cut of meat, so it benefits from the air fryer's high heat, which cooks it quickly and locks in moisture.
After trimming away any excess fat and applying a dry rub of seasonings, it's time to cook the pork loin. Set your air fryer to 425°F (218°C) and place the pork loin inside. Let it cook for 15 minutes. This initial blast of heat will help create a delicious crust and seal in the juices.
While the pork loin is cooking, you can use the time to make a gravy to accompany your roast. Pork loin is a very lean cut, so it won't produce many juices to make a gravy from. However, there are recipes for gravy that don't require drippings, so you can still enjoy a rich sauce with your roast.
You can also use this time to prepare some side dishes. Pork loin pairs well with roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, zucchini, peppers, carrots, and asparagus. Mashed potatoes are another great option to soak up any gravy, and a fresh salad can complement the richness of the meat.
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Frequently asked questions
A pork loin is a great cut of meat for an oiless fryer because it is a lean cut of meat, so it benefits from being cooked quickly at high heat.
You can brine the pork loin in a mixture of 4 tablespoons of kosher salt to 4 cups of cold water for between 1 and 3 hours. You can also trim away any excess fat and apply a dry rub of seasonings such as paprika, rosemary, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Set your oiless fryer to 370°F.
For a 3-pound roast, cook for 15 minutes at 425°F, then reduce the heat to 375°F and cook for another 40-60 minutes. The internal temperature of the pork should be 145°F.
You can serve the pork loin with mashed potatoes and your choice of green vegetables, such as broccoli or asparagus.
