Cody Casey
Cooking pork loin in an air fryer is a great way to get a crispy, golden crust on the outside with tender, juicy meat on the inside. The high heat of the air fryer means the meat spends less time cooking, reducing the risk of it drying out. It's also a quick and convenient way to cook pork loin, making it a great option for a weeknight meal. To get started, you'll need to trim any excess fat from the pork loin and season it with a rub of your choice. Then, preheat your air fryer to 370°F and cook the pork for about 12-15 minutes per pound, flipping it halfway through. Once it's done, let the pork loin rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Pork loin |
| Cut | Broad and flat, with a layer of fat on top |
| Weight | 2-5 pounds |
| Temperature | 370°F-400°F |
| Timing | 35-40 minutes, or 12-14 minutes per pound |
| Resting Time | 3-5 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 145°F |
| Seasoning | Brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, pepper, thyme, cayenne |
| Sides | Roasted vegetables, carrots, garlic bread, green beans, potatoes, onions, mashed potatoes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of pork
Type of Cut: Pork Loin vs. Pork Tenderloin
The first decision is whether to choose a pork loin or a pork tenderloin. These are two different cuts of meat from various parts of the animal. Pork loin is a wider, fattier, and more economical cut from the back of the pig. It is perfect for feeding a larger group and works well in an air fryer. Pork tenderloin, on the other hand, is leaner, more tender, and comes from the muscle along the backbone. It is usually pricier and smaller in size.
Size and Weight:
The size and weight of the pork cut are crucial. For pork tenderloin, most cuts typically range from 1 to 1.5 pounds. Pork loin can vary in size, with some roasts weighing around 2.5 pounds or more. Ensure your chosen cut fits comfortably in your air fryer with enough space for hot air to circulate.
Thickness:
When it comes to pork chops, thickness matters. Opt for thicker, center-cut chops, ideally between 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. Thicker chops provide a beautiful char on all sides and a juicy middle, whereas thinner chops may cook too quickly without achieving the desired sear.
Source:
If possible, purchase your pork from a butcher instead of a grocery store. This way, you can select the exact cut, thickness, and quality of meat you desire.
Freshness:
Look for fresh, high-quality pork with a good marbling of fat. Fresher pork tends to be more tender and flavorful. Check the packaging dates and select pork with a later date, as this indicates it is fresher.
Bone-in or Boneless:
Both bone-in and boneless pork chops can be used in an air fryer. However, bone-in chops will take longer to cook. If you opt for boneless chops, aim for thicker cuts to ensure they don't dry out.
By considering these factors when choosing your pork cut, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious air-fried pork loin or tenderloin meal.
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Preparing the pork
Firstly, select the right cut of pork. Pork loin is a broader, flatter cut with a layer of fat on top, ranging from 2 to 5 pounds. It is a lean, tender cut that is perfect for roasting in the air fryer. If your pork loin is too large for your air fryer, you can trim it to fit, or cook it in halves.
Next, prepare your brine. Brining the pork loin adds flavour and moisture to the meat. Create a simple brine solution by mixing 4 tablespoons of kosher salt with 4 cups of cold water. Submerge the pork loin in this solution and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 3 hours. After brining, pat the meat dry and omit salt from the rest of the recipe.
Now, it's time to season the pork loin. You can use a dry rub or a paste. For a dry rub, combine seasonings like brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Coat the pork loin generously with this mixture. Alternatively, you can create a paste by mixing mustard (yellow, spicy, or Dijon) with rosemary, salt, and pepper. Smear this paste all over the pork loin before adding the dry rub.
Finally, preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F. This step is essential, as it helps create a nice seared crust on the pork loin. Once preheated, place the pork loin in the air fryer basket, ensuring it has enough space to cook evenly.
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Cooking times and temperatures
Cooking a pork loin in an air fryer is a great way to get a crispy, golden crust on the outside with tender, juicy meat inside. The high heat of the air fryer means the meat spends less time cooking, reducing the risk of it drying out.
The cooking time and temperature for your pork loin will depend on the weight of the meat and the size of your air fryer. As a general rule, you should cook the pork loin for 12-14 minutes per pound, flipping it once to ensure even cooking. The internal temperature of the meat should reach 145°F when measured with an instant-read thermometer.
For example, a 2-pound pork loin will need to cook for 24 to 36 minutes, while a 3-pound roast will need 36 to 42 minutes. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cut your pork loin in half or trim the ends so that it fits.
If you are cooking a frozen pork loin, increase the cooking time to 60 minutes at 370°F. Reheating leftover pork loin can be done at 370°F for about 3 minutes.
Once the cooking time is complete, remove the pork loin from the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board or plate for at least 5 minutes. This will give you perfectly cooked, juicy pork loin.
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Resting the meat
The purpose of resting meat is to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the loin of pork, ensuring that it remains moist and tender. This process also gives the meat fibres time to relax, resulting in a more tender texture. Allowing the meat to rest also gives you time to finish preparing any side dishes or gravy, ensuring that your meal is hot and ready to be served all at once.
The size of the pork loin will determine the cooking time and the resting time. A larger cut of meat, weighing more than 2.5 pounds, will require a longer cooking time and a longer resting period. It is important to ensure that the pork loin fits comfortably in the air fryer, without being too close to the heating element. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to slice a bit off the ends of the pork loin to ensure it fits properly.
It is important to note that pork loin is a lean cut of meat and can dry out if overcooked. The high heat of the air fryer can help to prevent this by cooking the meat more quickly, but it is still important to monitor the internal temperature of the pork loin to ensure it does not overcook. The optimal temperature for pork is 145°F for food safety, but if you prefer your meat with no pink, you can cook it until it reaches 155°F.
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Making gravy
While your pork loin is cooking in the air fryer, you can make the gravy. Here is a simple recipe:
Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Melt some butter and add onions. Cook the onions until they are golden and caramelized, which should take about 5 minutes. Stir the onions often so they don't burn.
Next, whisk together flour and broth until well combined. Pour this mixture into the pan. You can also add in any juices that have collected on the plate during the roast resting time, as well as any juices that may be in the air fryer pan. You can also add in any remaining seasoning rub mix.
Finally, add Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, stirring often. This should take about 5 minutes, depending on your preferred thickness.
Your gravy is now ready to serve with your pork loin!
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Frequently asked questions
First, preheat your air fryer to 370°F-400°F. Then, trim any excess fat from the pork loin and rub it with olive oil. Next, add your choice of seasoning rub and place the pork loin in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12-14 minutes per pound (about 35-40 minutes in total), flipping once halfway through. The internal temperature should reach 145°F. Finally, transfer the pork loin to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
You should cook pork loin in an air fryer at 370°F-400°F.
It takes about 12-14 minutes per pound to cook pork loin in an air fryer, which is around 35-40 minutes in total.
Pork loin is perfect for air frying as it is a lean cut of meat that benefits from the high heat of the air fryer. Pork tenderloin is also well-suited to air frying but requires different temperatures and cooking times.
You can serve air fryer pork loin with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, garlic bread, or a simple gravy.
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