Marianne Martinez
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. It's a simple dish that's perfect for a family dinner and can be paired with roasted veggies, carrots, garlic bread, green beans, and a mix of potatoes and onions. The key to getting that perfect bite is to preheat your air fryer to give the meat the longest time at the highest temperature. You can also finish it off with a honey mustard glaze.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven type | NuWave Air Fryer |
| Meat | Pork loin |
| Weight | 2-5 pounds |
| Temperature | 370-400°F |
| Time | 35-40 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 145°F |
| Resting time | 5 minutes |
| Seasoning | Brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, pepper, olive oil |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your pork loin reaches the optimal temperature for the perfect amount of time, resulting in a delicious, juicy roast. Here are some detailed instructions on how to preheat your air fryer for cooking pork loin:
Firstly, ensure your air fryer is set to the correct temperature. For cooking pork loin, you should preheat your air fryer to 370°F. This temperature will give you a nice seared crust on the outside while keeping the meat juicy and tender on the inside. The preheating process should take around 5 minutes.
Next, while the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your pork loin. Trim any excess fat or silver skin from the meat. Then, pat it dry with a paper towel. This will help ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior. You can also apply a dry rub of spices to the pork loin at this stage, if desired. A simple spice rub could include salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Once the air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, you can carefully place the pork loin inside. It is important to ensure that your pork loin fits comfortably in the air fryer with some space around it. Do not overcrowd the air fryer, as this can affect cooking times and temperature. If your pork loin is too large, consider slicing a bit off the ends to make it fit better.
Finally, set the timer for your desired cooking time. For a 2.5-pound pork loin, cook for approximately 45 minutes at 370°F. If your pork loin is frozen, increase the cooking time to 60 minutes. Remember to always use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork loin. The optimal temperature for safe consumption is 145°F.
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Season the pork loin
Seasoning the pork loin is a crucial step in achieving the perfect flavour and crust. It's important to note that pork loin and pork tenderloin are two different cuts of meat, so ensure you have the right one before proceeding.
First, trim any excess fat or silver skin from the pork loin. Then, brush the meat with a thin coat of olive oil or extra virgin olive oil. This helps the seasoning stick to the meat and ensures even cooking. You can also use mustard as a base for your seasoning. Smear yellow mustard, spicy mustard, or Dijon all over the pork loin. The mustard adds flavour and helps the spices adhere to the meat.
Now, it's time to season the pork loin. There are various seasoning combinations you can use, depending on your preference. A simple yet classic combination is salt and pepper, but you can also add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or Adobo powder for extra flavour. For a sweeter glaze, brown sugar is a great addition, as it caramelises during cooking, creating a flavour explosion. Alternatively, you can use white sugar with a bit of molasses as a substitute for brown sugar. If you like your meat spicy, a dash of cayenne pepper will give it some heat.
Once you've seasoned the pork loin, let it sit. If you have the time, you can even leave it in the fridge overnight to allow the flavours to truly permeate the meat. This step is optional but will enhance the flavour of your pork loin.
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Cook the pork loin
To cook pork loin in a NuWave air fryer, start by trimming the tenderloin and lightly brushing it with extra virgin olive oil. Season all sides with salt, pepper, and Adobo powder. You can also try a seasoning rub with brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper.
Next, preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F. Place the pork loin in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-14 minutes per pound (about 35-40 minutes total), flipping it once halfway through to ensure even cooking. The roast should reach an internal temperature of 145°F, which you can check using an instant-read thermometer.
Once the pork loin is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a plate or cutting board. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
You can also reheat leftover pork loin fillets in the air fryer at 370°F for about 3 minutes. If you're air frying a frozen pork loin, cook a 2.5-pound piece of meat for about 60 minutes at 370°F.
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Rest the pork loin
Resting the pork loin is an essential step in the cooking process. Once the pork loin has finished cooking, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a plate or cutting board. It is important to note that the pork loin will continue to cook and the internal temperature will rise several degrees. Therefore, it is recommended to let it rest, covered loosely in foil or uncovered, for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat stays moist and tender.
During the resting time, you can prepare a simple gravy by adding chicken or pan broth to a saucepan, along with any remaining seasoning rub mix and juices collected from the plate or air fryer pan. Thicken the gravy by mixing cornstarch and cold water, then slowly pouring the slurry into the simmering broth.
For a larger pork loin roast, the resting time may need to be adjusted accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to allow at least 3 minutes of resting time per pound of meat. This ensures that the meat reaches the optimal temperature for serving and helps to retain the juices, resulting in a juicy and flavorful dish.
Additionally, the resting period gives you the opportunity to prepare any side dishes or garnishes that you plan to serve with the pork loin. This could include roasted vegetables, potatoes, or a fresh salad. By allowing the meat to rest, you create a window to finalize these accompaniments, ensuring that your meal is served hot and fresh.
In summary, resting the pork loin is a critical step that not only improves the texture and taste of the meat but also provides an opportunity to prepare complementary dishes. By following the recommended resting guidelines and adjusting the time based on the size of the roast, you can ensure your pork loin is juicy, tender, and safe to consume.
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Make a gravy
To make a gravy for your pork loin, you will need chicken broth, any leftover seasoning rub, cornstarch, and cold water. 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.
Firstly, add 1 cup of chicken broth to a saucepan, along with any leftover seasoning rub, and simmer for about 5 minutes. In a separate cup or small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of cold water. Mix this cornstarch slurry well, and then slowly pour it into the simmering broth to thicken.
You can also make a simple gravy by drizzling your favourite sauce over the pork tenderloin. For example, a honey mustard glaze can be used to finish off the pork loin.
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Frequently asked questions
First, trim the tenderloins and lightly brush them with extra virgin olive oil. Season all sides with salt, pepper, and Adobo powder. Place the pork loin in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-14 minutes per pound (35-40 minutes in total), flipping once halfway through. The roast should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
You should cook the pork loin for 12-14 minutes per pound. For example, a 2lb pork loin will cook for 24 to 36 minutes.
You should cook the pork loin at 370°F or 375°F.
The pork loin should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check this.
After cooking, remove the pork loin from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate or cutting board for at least 5 minutes. You can then slice and serve it.
