Cody Casey
Cooking roast pork in an air fryer is a simple and tasty way to prepare this dish. It's a great option for family dinners or special occasions, yielding tender meat and crispy pork skin. Air fryers are a convenient way to cook roast pork, as they save energy and free up oven space. The key to achieving perfect crispy crackling is to pat the pork skin dry, score it, and then rub it with coarse salt and olive oil. The cooking time will depend on the size of your roast and air fryer, but generally, it takes about 12-15 minutes per pound at 360-400 degrees F. You can pair your roast pork with a variety of sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Cooking time | 40-55 minutes |
| Resting time | 10-20 minutes |
| Ideal for | Family dinners, special occasions |
| Meat type | Boneless pork loin roast |
| Meat weight | 1.14 lbs - 3 lbs |
| Air fryer capacity | 5-6 qt |
| Internal temperature | 145° – 160° F |
| Seasoning | Brown sugar, ground mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper |
| Sides | Mashed potatoes, green beans, broccoli, asparagus, roast potatoes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of pork
First, select the right type of roast. A pork loin roast is a lean, tender, and flavorful option that is perfect for air frying. It is also quite affordable and simple to prepare. Alternatively, you can choose a pork leg or shoulder roast, opting for a boneless option to ensure even cooking. These cuts typically have a nice thick layer of fat, which will result in crispy crackling—a delicious feature of roast pork.
Next, consider the size of your air fryer and choose a roast that will fit comfortably inside. A roast that is too large may touch the heating element, leading to uneven cooking or even damage to your appliance. As a general guide, a 1.5 kg (3 lb) roast fits well in a 5.5 L (5.5-6 Qt) air fryer. If you have a larger air fryer, you can accommodate a bigger roast; for example, a 5-6 Qt air fryer can fit a roast larger than 2.5 lbs, and you can adjust the cooking time accordingly.
When purchasing your pork roast, look for one with a nice thick layer of fat, which will contribute to that sought-after crispy crackling. If your roast comes tied and scored, you can leave the twine on, or remove it to allow for more even crackling. Additionally, check that the rind has been scored; if not, use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts in a diamond or crisscross pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat.
Finally, when preparing your roast for cooking, remove it from the fridge 20-30 minutes ahead of time. Blot the pork dry with paper towels, then coat all sides generously with olive oil. This will help ensure a crispy exterior. At this stage, you can also apply a dry rub of spices or seasonings to enhance the flavor of your roast.
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Preparing the pork
Once you have the right size of pork roast, remove it from its packaging and any netting. Pat the pork dry with a paper towel, ensuring that you cover all sides. With a small sharp knife, carefully score the rind or skin, creating a diamond pattern or 1 cm intervals without cutting into the meat itself. You can ask your butcher to do this step for you if you prefer.
The next step is to rub the pork with oil, ensuring an even coating on all sides. You can use olive oil or another type of oil of your choice. After the oil, it's time to season the pork. Be generous with the salt, as this will help to create crispy crackling. Use coarse salt like sea salt or kosher salt, rather than table salt. You can also add other seasonings like pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Rub the seasonings into the scored skin, ensuring an even coating.
If you have the time, it is recommended to leave the seasoned pork uncovered in the fridge overnight. This helps to dry out the rind and ensures crispy crackling when cooked. Even a few hours will help with this process if you are short on time.
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Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time and temperature for roast pork in an air fryer depend on the weight of the meat and the size of the air fryer. It is recommended to cook the pork for 12-15 minutes per pound at 360° F (or 160° C) for 40-55 minutes. The internal temperature of the pork should be 145°–160° F (or 63°–71° C). If the internal temperature has not reached 145° F, continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes or until done.
For a 1kg pork roast, cook at 200° C (or 400° F) for 20 minutes, then at 180° C (or 350° F) for 40-50 minutes. Alternatively, cook at 210° C for 20 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 160° C and cook for 40-50 minutes. For a 1.5kg pork roast, cook at 200° C (or 400° F) for 20 minutes, then at 180° C (or 350° F) for 60-70 minutes.
If you are using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature of the pork should be 70°–75° C (or 155°–165° F) in the thickest part of the meat.
Once the cooking time is complete, remove the pork roast from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate covered loosely with foil for at least 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes the meat juicier. The internal temperature will continue to rise a few degrees during this time.
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Resting the meat
During the resting time, the meat will continue to cook, and the internal temperature will rise several degrees. This is important to consider when checking the doneness of your roast. For example, if you are aiming for an internal temperature of 145°F, you can remove the roast from the air fryer when it reaches 140°F, as it will continue to cook during the resting time.
If you are cooking a pork joint with crackling, you may need to adjust your resting method. If the crackling is not crispy enough, you can remove the skin from the meat and set it aside. Cover the meat with foil and let it rest for 10-20 minutes, while you cook the skin separately in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes at 220°C.
While the meat is resting, you can prepare any sides or gravy to serve with your roast pork. For example, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy are all great accompaniments to a pork roast.
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Serving suggestions
There are several ways to serve roast pork cooked in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:
Side Dishes
Roast pork cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of side dishes. Some options include:
- Mashed potatoes (either regular or sweet)
- Baked, mashed, or roast potatoes
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Carrots
- Baby potatoes
- Apple sauce
- Gravy
Leftovers
If you have any leftover roast pork, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place the leftover pork in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes and serve with your desired sides.
Special Occasions
Air fryer roast pork is a great option for a special occasion or holiday meal. It can be served as part of a traditional Sunday roast or as a delicious and tender main course for a family dinner.
Gravy
If you're looking for a way to add extra flavour to your roast pork, consider making a gravy. You can use the leftover seasoning rub, juices from the cooked pork, and chicken or vegetable broth to create a tasty gravy. Simply simmer the ingredients in a saucepan for about 5 minutes, and then slowly pour in a cornstarch slurry to thicken the gravy.
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Frequently asked questions
First, remove the pork from its packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel. Score the rind at 1cm intervals, being careful not to cut into the meat. Rub the pork with olive oil and season generously with salt.
Preheat your air fryer to 360° F for 5 minutes. Then, cook the pork at 360° F for 12-15 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should be 145° – 160° F.
The cooking time depends on the weight of the pork. A 1kg pork roast should be cooked for 60-65 minutes, while a 2.87 lb roast should be cooked for 40 minutes.
The internal temperature of the pork should be 145° F. You can check this by using a meat thermometer. The juices should also run clear. Once the pork is fully cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
