Tillie Doyle
Cooking pork fillet in an air fryer is a quick and convenient method that transforms an affordable cut of pork into a tender, juicy steak. The high heat of the air fryer ensures that the pork is browned on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside. This cooking method is also energy-efficient and helps save on energy costs. The key to cooking pork fillet in an air fryer is to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) for food safety. Additionally, brining the pork fillet beforehand can enhance its flavour and moisture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat temperature | 400°F (200°C) |
| Preheat time | 5 minutes |
| Cooking temperature | 400°F (200°C) |
| Cooking time | 20-22 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 145°F (63-68°C) |
| Resting time | 3-10 minutes |
| Cut of meat | Pork tenderloin/pork loin/pork joint |
| Weight | 1-1.5 lbs |
| Brining | Recommended |
| Seasoning | Brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, pepper, cayenne |
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What You'll Learn
Brining the pork fillet
Place the pork fillet in a zip-top bag or large bowl, ensuring it is fully submerged in the brine solution. Put the pork in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 3 hours. After brining, discard the brine solution and pat the pork fillet dry with paper towels. There is no need to rinse the meat after brining. However, it is important to omit salt from the rest of the recipe as the pork will already be salted from the brine.
If you choose to brine the pork fillet, adjust the seasoning mixture used in the next step accordingly. Omit any additional salt from the seasoning mixture to prevent the pork from becoming overly salty.
It is also important to note that the pork fillet should be removed from the fridge 20 minutes before air frying. This allows the meat to come to room temperature and ensures even cooking. If the pork is too cold when placed in the air fryer, it may take longer to cook through and could result in a dry texture.
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Preparing the pork fillet
Brining (Optional):
Brining is an excellent way to add flavour and moisture to your pork fillet, especially if it is a lean cut like a pork tenderloin or pork loin. To brine your pork, prepare a standard brine solution by mixing 4 tablespoons of kosher salt with 4 cups of cold water. Submerge the pork in this solution and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour or a maximum of 3 hours. After brining, discard the brine, pat the pork dry, and omit salt from the rest of the recipe as the pork will already be salted.
Trimming and Scoring:
If your pork fillet has any excess fat or silver skin, trim it away using a sharp knife. Additionally, if you are cooking a pork joint with skin, score the skin with a sharp knife to create a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut through to the flesh. Scoring the skin helps to create perfect, crispy crackling.
Rubbing with Oil and Seasoning:
Coat your pork fillet generously with olive oil. You can also add spices and seasonings to the oil or rub them directly onto the meat. A basic seasoning mix includes salt and pepper. You can also experiment with other seasonings like brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, ground mustard, and a dash of cayenne pepper for some heat. If you brined your pork, be mindful of adding additional salt to your seasoning mix.
Pre-cooking Rest:
Before cooking, it is essential to let your pork fillet rest at room temperature. Remove the pork from the refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. This step helps the pork cook more evenly and ensures it doesn't dry out during the high-heat cooking process.
Preheating the Air Fryer:
Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 370°F and 400°F (190°C to 200°C) for pork fillets. Many recipes recommend preheating your air fryer for 5 minutes before adding the pork.
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Cooking the pork fillet
First, ensure you have the right cut of pork. You will need a pork tenderloin, which should be labelled as such on the packaging. Pork tenderloin is a lean, tender cut of pork, which is well-suited to quick cooking methods like grilling. It is different from a pork loin, which is better suited to oven-roasting.
Before cooking, you can brine the pork tenderloin to add flavour and moisture. To brine, submerge the tenderloin in a solution of 4 tablespoons of kosher salt to 4 cups of cold water for 1-3 hours. If you brine the pork, omit salt from your recipe. If you don't brine the pork, you can pat it dry with a paper towel and rub it with oil and salt.
Next, trim the pork tenderloin of any excess fat. Then, rub the pork with a mixture of olive oil, pepper, and garlic powder. If you didn't brine the pork, you can also add salt to this mixture. You can also add other seasonings like brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper.
Now, you are ready to cook the pork. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Once preheated, place the pork tenderloin in the basket of the air fryer and set the temperature to 400°F. For a 1-1.5 lbs tenderloin, cook for 20-22 minutes, flipping the meat halfway through. The key is to reach an internal temperature of 145°F when measured at the centre of the meat with an instant-read thermometer.
Once the pork is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer and place it on a plate or cutting board. Let the meat rest for 3-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
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Resting the pork fillet
For a simple pork fillet cooked in the air fryer, a resting time of 3 to 5 minutes is usually sufficient. This allows the meat to relax and the juices to settle, resulting in a more tender and flavourful bite. If you are cooking a larger piece of meat, such as a pork joint, you may need to rest it for a longer period, typically around 10 to 20 minutes. This ensures that the juices have time to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it moist and succulent.
While the pork fillet is resting, it's important to keep it uncovered. Covering it with foil or another material can trap the heat and continue the cooking process, which may result in overcooking the meat. By allowing the meat to rest uncovered, you ensure that the internal temperature drops slightly, and the juices can redistribute more effectively.
The resting process is crucial in achieving the perfect doneness for your pork fillet. Depending on your preference for a rarer or more well-done centre, you can adjust the resting time accordingly. For a rarer centre, aim for a shorter resting time, as this will result in a warmer centre when served. Conversely, if you prefer your pork fillet to be more well-done, allow for a longer resting time, as this will give the heat more time to distribute throughout the meat.
Finally, after resting the pork fillet, it's important to slice it correctly. Using a sharp knife, cut the meat into thin, even slices. This ensures that the juices are evenly distributed throughout the meat, making each bite juicy and flavourful. Proper slicing also ensures that the pork fillet retains its shape and doesn't fall apart when served.
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Serving the pork fillet
Once your pork fillet is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a plate or cutting board. It is important to let the meat rest for at least 3-5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to settle, ensuring your pork fillet is tender and juicy.
You can cover the pork fillet with foil while it rests, and some recipes suggest leaving the joint uncovered for 10-20 minutes. If your pork fillet has crackling, you may want to remove the skin from the meat and cook it separately to ensure it is crisp.
You can serve your pork fillet with a variety of side dishes and sauces. Some suggestions include mashed or roasted potatoes, green beans, broccoli, gravy, and apple sauce. You could also serve it with a side of fresh vegetables, such as a simple salad or roasted vegetables.
Pork fillet is a lean cut of meat, so it is important not to overcook it, as it may dry out. The quick, high heat of the air fryer helps to seal in the juices, ensuring your pork fillet is juicy and tender.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking pork fillet in an air fryer is a quick and convenient method that can transform an affordable cut of pork into a tender and juicy steak. First, coat the fillet in olive oil, salt and pepper and place it in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 200 degrees Celsius (400 Fahrenheit) and cook for 20 minutes, turning the fillet halfway through. Check the internal temperature and remove the fillet once it has reached 63 degrees Celsius (145 Fahrenheit). If not, continue cooking in 2-3 minute intervals until done to your liking.
It takes approximately 20 minutes to cook 600 grams of pork fillet to 63 degrees Celsius (145 Fahrenheit).
Set the temperature to 200 degrees Celsius (400 Fahrenheit).
Since pork fillet is a lean cut of meat, it can dry out if overcooked. The high heat of the air fryer allows the meat to be cooked quickly, reducing the chance of drying out. You can also brine the pork fillet to add flavour and moisture.
