Air-Fried Pork Roast: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Cooking a pork roast in an air fryer is a simple and tasty way to prepare a hearty meal. It's a great option for a family dinner or a special occasion, yielding tender meat with a crispy outside. The process is straightforward and can be adapted with various seasonings and side dishes. The key to success is understanding your air fryer's settings and the size of your roast. With an air fryer, you can achieve the perfect roast with minimal prep time and delicious results.

Choosing the right pork roast

Size and Weight:

Ensure the pork roast fits your air fryer. A roast that is too large may touch the heating element, affecting cooking and potentially causing damage. A good rule of thumb is to choose a roast between 1.5-2.5 lbs for a standard 5-6 qt air fryer. If you have a larger air fryer, you can accommodate a bigger roast.

Type of Roast:

Select a pork loin roast, which is a lean, tender, and flavourful cut. Avoid pork tenderloin, as it requires different temperatures and cooking times. Pork loin roasts are boneless and provide a good amount of meat for a family meal.

Freshness and Quality:

Opt for fresh, high-quality pork from a reputable source. Look for meat with a good marbling of fat, which contributes to juiciness and flavour. Choose a roast with a nice layer of fat or rind, as this will help create crispy crackling, a desirable feature of air-fried pork.

Preparation Time:

Consider the time you have available for preparation. Leaving the pork uncovered in the fridge overnight helps dry out the rind, leading to crispier crackling. However, if you're short on time, even a few hours of drying will enhance the crackling.

Personal Preference:

Finally, consider your personal preferences. Some people prefer bone-in roasts for added flavour, while others opt for boneless cuts for convenience. Choose a roast that appeals to your taste and suits your desired level of convenience.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right pork roast for your air fryer, ensuring a delicious and successful meal.

Preparing the pork

Once you have the right cut, remove it from its packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel. This step is important as it helps to ensure crispy crackling. If time allows, leave the meat uncovered in the fridge overnight, as this further dries the surface and promotes even better crackling. Alternatively, a few hours of drying time will still benefit the final result.

The next step is to score the rind or skin of the pork. Use a small sharp knife to make shallow cuts in a diamond pattern across the rind, being careful not to cut into the meat itself. This scoring technique helps render the fat and promotes that sought-after crispy texture. After scoring, rub the pork all over with olive oil, ensuring it coats all sides.

Now it's time to season the pork. There are various seasoning options, but a typical dry rub includes salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can also add smoked paprika, ground mustard, coconut or brown sugar, and cayenne pepper for a spicier kick. Generously coat the pork with your chosen dry rub, pressing it into the meat with your hands to ensure it sticks.

Your pork is now ready to be placed in the air fryer, but remember to preheat your appliance first. Set the air fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes, and then carefully place the seasoned pork inside, with the rind side facing up.

Cooking the roast

Firstly, ensure you have purchased a pork roast that will fit in your air fryer. A roast that is 1.5 kg/3 lbs typically fits well in a 5.5 L/5.5-6 Qt air fryer. If you have a larger air fryer, you can buy a bigger roast.

Next, remove the roast from its packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel. Score the rind at 1 cm intervals with a small sharp knife, being careful not to cut into the meat. Leaving the meat uncovered in the fridge overnight will help dry the rind and assist in the crackling process, but if you are short on time, a few hours will still be beneficial.

Now, it's time to season the meat. You can use a dry rub, coating all sides of the pork with oil and then sprinkling and pressing the rub onto the roast. A simple dry rub can be made with brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and ground mustard. Alternatively, you can rub the pork with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Preheat your air fryer to 360° F for 5 minutes. Place the pork roast inside the air fryer basket, rind side up, and cook for 12-15 minutes per pound at 360-400° F. The internal temperature should reach 145-165° F. The cooking time will depend on the size of your roast and your air fryer, so it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure the meat is fully cooked.

Once the roast is fully cooked, remove it 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 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat juicier and more tender.

You can also make a simple gravy by adding chicken broth to a saucepan with any remaining seasoning rub and juices from the roast. Thicken the gravy by slowly pouring in a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water).

Cooking vegetables to serve with the roast

To cook vegetables in an air fryer, first prep your veggies by chopping them to your desired size. Drizzle them with olive oil and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also squeeze some lemon juice over them and top them with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan.

Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. If your air fryer is too small, you may need to cook the vegetables in batches. Set the air fryer to 375°F and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender and browned. Shake or toss the vegetables halfway through the cooking time to promote even cooking.

Vegetables that go well with pork roast include roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peppers, and onions. You can also serve the pork roast with mashed sweet potatoes and green beans, or any kind of potato—baked, mashed, or roasted.

Resting and serving the roast

Once your pork roast is cooked, it's time to take it out of the air fryer basket and let it rest. Place the roast on a cutting board or plate and cover it loosely with foil. This will help keep the meat moist and allow the juices to redistribute, making the meat even more tender and juicy. Let the roast rest for at least 5 minutes, but 10 to 20 minutes is ideal. During this time, the internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise several degrees.

While the roast is resting, you can prepare any desired side dishes. Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, broccoli, asparagus, and carrots all pair well with pork roast. You can also make a simple gravy to accompany the meal. Simply add 1 cup of chicken broth to a saucepan, along with any remaining seasoning rub and juices collected from the resting roast. Bring this to a simmer, then slowly pour in a cornstarch slurry (2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 4 tablespoons of cold water) to thicken the gravy.

After the roast has rested, use a sharp knife to slice it into ½-inch pieces. The roast should be incredibly tender, so slicing should be easy. Season the sliced pork with kosher salt and black pepper, if desired. Then, serve the juicy and tender pork roast slices with your chosen side dishes and gravy. Enjoy the delicious flavours and textures of your air-fried pork roast!

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place the pork roast back in the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes, and it's ready to enjoy again!

Frequently asked questions