Air-Fried Pork Loin: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Cooking pork loin in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, juicy, and tender roast. Pork loin is a notoriously lean cut of meat, so the air fryer's high heat means less cooking time, reducing the risk of the meat drying out. The air fryer's hot air circulation also ensures a nice brown crust forms on the outside, locking in the juices and flavour. This introduction will cover the process of cooking pork loin in an air fryer, including preparation, cooking time and temperature, and serving suggestions.

Choosing the right cut of pork

Bone-in vs. Boneless

You can choose between bone-in or boneless pork chops for your air fryer dish. Bone-in cuts tend to have more flavour but take longer to cook. Boneless chops, on the other hand, are easier to eat and are less likely to dry out.

Thickness

For air fryer pork chops, aim for thicker cuts, ideally between 1 to 2 inches thick. Thinner chops may cook too quickly and won't get that desirable char on the outside. Thicker chops give you more time to develop a beautiful char on all sides without overcooking the meat.

Type of Cut

When it comes to air fryer pork, you have two main options: pork tenderloin and pork loin roast. Pork tenderloin is a boneless, slender cut that typically comes from the back of the pig. It's a lean and tender piece of meat that cooks relatively quickly in the air fryer. On the other hand, pork loin roast is thicker and sometimes has bones attached. It's the cut from which boneless pork chops are derived, and it's perfect for a family dinner.

Size

The size of the pork loin roast will determine the cooking time. Smaller tenderloins, around 1 lb, will take around 20 minutes in the air fryer, while larger ones, around 1.5 lbs, may need up to 22 minutes. For pork loin roasts, the cooking time increases with weight—add approximately 20 minutes per pound.

Internal Temperature

Regardless of the cut you choose, it's crucial to cook pork to the recommended internal temperature to ensure food safety. The USDA guideline specifies that pork should reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Using a meat thermometer, check the temperature at the thickest part of the meat or the centre of the tenderloin.

Remember to let your pork rest for a few minutes after removing it from the air fryer. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and juicy final product.

Preparing the meat

Firstly, select the right cut of meat. Pork loin is a wide and fat cut from the back of the animal, while pork tenderloin is boneless, thinner, and more slender. Pork loin is typically labelled as a pork loin roast and is perfect for oven-roasting and air-frying.

Before seasoning, trim away any excess fat or silver skin from the pork loin. Brining the pork loin is an excellent way to add flavour and moisture. To brine, submerge the meat in a solution of 4 tablespoons of kosher salt to 4 cups of cold water for 1-3 hours. After brining, pat the meat dry and omit salt from the seasoning, as the pork loin will already be salted.

For the seasoning, a simple dry rub can be made with brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. You can also add a dash of cayenne for heat. Alternatively, use a store-bought seasoning mix like poultry seasoning, which includes sage and thyme. Coat the pork loin with olive oil, then rub the seasoning mixture onto the meat.

If your pork loin is too large to fit in the air fryer, slice it into halves or pieces that will fit comfortably with some space between them. This will ensure even cooking.

Making a rub

Firstly, decide on the seasonings you want to use. A simple and classic option is to use salt and pepper as base seasonings. You can then add brown sugar to promote browning on the exterior of the pork loin and give it a caramelised flavour. Other seasonings you might want to include are dried thyme, paprika, and garlic powder. If you want to add a bit of heat, you could add some cayenne. You could also include onion powder, ground mustard, and smoked paprika for extra flavour.

Once you have decided on your seasonings, it is time to mix them. Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to suit your taste. A typical rub might include 3-4 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of ground pepper, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne.

If you want to get fancy, you can also add some liquid ingredients to your rub. Olive oil will help the rub stick to the meat and keep the pork loin juicy. You could also add a dijon mustard and honey for extra flavour. If you add liquid ingredients, you may need to adjust the quantities of dry ingredients to ensure the rub is the right consistency.

Once you have mixed your rub, it is time to apply it to the pork loin. Start by trimming any excess fat or silver skin from the meat. Then, rub some olive oil over the pork loin. Take your spice mixture and sprinkle it all over the meat, pressing it in to help it adhere. Make sure the pork loin is well coated before placing it in the air fryer.

Cooking the pork loin

First, you'll want to select a boneless pork loin. The size of the roast you can make will depend on the size of your air fryer. A 3-pound roast fits well in a 2.6-quart air fryer. You can also use a 5-6 quart air fryer for larger roasts.

Before cooking, trim away any excess fat or silver skin from the pork loin. Then, coat the roast with olive oil and a seasoning rub. The seasonings can include brown sugar, ground mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried thyme.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 370°F-400°F. Place the pork loin in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-14 minutes per pound, flipping once to ensure even cooking. The total cooking time should be around 35-40 minutes. The roast should reach an internal temperature of 145°F-160°F, which can be checked with an instant-read thermometer.

Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the pork loin from the air fryer and transfer it to a cutting board or plate. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the meat to continue cooking and the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and juicy pork.

You can also make a simple gravy by adding chicken broth, any remaining seasoning rub, and juices from the cooked pork to a saucepan. Simmer for about 5 minutes, and then slowly pour in a cornstarch slurry to thicken the gravy.

Resting and serving

Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the pork loin from the air fryer and place it on a plate or cutting board. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat is tender and juicy. During this time, the internal temperature will rise several degrees, so it is important not to skip this step.

While the meat is resting, you can make a simple gravy by adding 1 cup of chicken broth to a saucepan, along with any remaining seasoning rub mix. Add in any juices that have collected on the plate during the resting time, as well as any juices from the air fryer pan. In a separate cup or small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of cold water, then slowly pour this slurry into the simmering broth to thicken it.

After resting, transfer the pork loin to a serving dish and slice it. You can also leave it whole and slice it at the table. Serve the pork loin with the gravy and your choice of sides. Some suggested side dishes include roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, green beans, and garlic bread.

Leftover pork loin can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, place the slices in the air fryer at 370 degrees F for about 3 minutes, or until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions