Tiffany Haney
Cooking pork loin in a power air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a delicious, juicy roast. The high heat of the air fryer means the pork loin cooks faster, reducing the chance of it drying out, while also creating a tasty, browned crust. This cooking method is perfect for a family dinner or a simple weeknight meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat cut | Pork loin |
| Meat type | Lean |
| Oven alternative | Air fryer |
| Temperature | 370°F |
| Preheat | Yes |
| Cooking time | 12-14 minutes per pound |
| Internal temperature | 145°F |
| Resting time | 5 minutes |
| Seasoning | Brown sugar, ground mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, olive oil |
| Leftovers | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days |
| Reheating | Reheat in the air fryer at 370°F for 3 minutes |
| Brine | 4 tablespoons kosher salt to 4 cups of cold water |
| Fitting | If the pork loin is too big, cut it into slices or cook in two halves |
| Sides | Mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted vegetables, carrots, garlic bread, potatoes and onions |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of pork loin
First, it's important to distinguish between pork loin and pork tenderloin. While both are delicious, they are different cuts of meat with distinct cooking requirements. Pork tenderloin is a long, thin, and delicate piece of meat that is perfect for quick-cooking methods like grilling. On the other hand, pork loin is a larger, wider, and thicker cut of meat, similar to pork chops, and is ideal for oven-roasting or air frying.
When selecting a pork loin, opt for a boneless roast. The size of the roast you choose should depend on the capacity of your air fryer. For example, a 3-pound roast would fit comfortably in a 2.6-quart air fryer. It's important to ensure that the meat isn't too close to the heating element and that there is enough space for proper air circulation. If you're using a larger air fryer, you can accommodate bigger roasts and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Before cooking, trim away any excess fat or silver skin from the outside of the pork loin. This will help ensure even cooking and a crisp, golden crust. Additionally, consider brining the pork loin to add flavour and moisture to the lean meat. Prepare a standard brine solution of 4 tablespoons of kosher salt to 4 cups of cold water, and submerge the roast for 1 to 3 hours in the refrigerator. After brining, remember to pat the meat dry and omit additional salt from your recipe.
When purchasing your pork loin, look for a package labelled "pork loin roast." This cut is perfect for air frying as it benefits from the high heat and even circulation of hot air in the air fryer, resulting in a juicy and tender roast with a delicious browned crust.
Air Fryer Cookie Perfection: Timing is Everything
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Brining and seasoning the meat
Brining your pork loin is a great way to add flavour and moisture to the meat. To brine your pork loin, start by making a standard brine solution using four tablespoons of kosher salt and four cups of cold water. Place the pork loin into a zip-top bag or large bowl, then pour in the brine solution, ensuring the meat is fully submerged. Refrigerate the pork loin in the brine solution for a minimum of one hour and a maximum of three hours. Once brined, remove the pork loin from the solution, discarding the brine. Pat the meat dry, and omit salt from the rest of the recipe, as the pork loin will already be salted from the brine.
If you don't want to brine your pork loin, you can simply season the meat before placing it in the air fryer. A variety of seasonings can be used to flavour the pork loin. For example, you can use a combination of brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, you can use traditional earthy seasonings like garlic, rosemary, sage, or thyme. You can also use store-bought seasoning mixes, such as poultry seasoning, which contains sage and thyme flavours.
To apply the seasoning, coat the pork loin with olive oil, which will help the seasoning stick to the meat. Then, rub your chosen spice mixture over the pork loin, ensuring it is well coated. You can also use a mustard rub, such as yellow mustard, spicy mustard, or Dijon mustard, as a base for your seasoning. The mustard will add flavour and help the spices stick to the meat.
Using Beef Tallow in a Deep Fryer: Safe?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time and temperature for pork loin in a power air fryer depend on the weight of the meat. It is recommended to cook the pork loin for 12-14 minutes per pound, flipping it once to ensure even cooking. For example, a 2-pound pork loin should be cooked for 24 to 36 minutes. The roast should reach an internal temperature of 145 °F. If you prefer your pork with no pink, you can cook it until it reaches 155 °F.
The size of the roast you can make depends on the size of your air fryer. For example, a 3-pound roast fits perfectly in a 2.6-quart air fryer, while a 3-pound roast fits diagonally in a 5.8-quart air fryer. If your pork loin is a little too big, you can slice a bit off the ends to make it fit. You can cook the slices another day or cook the loin in two halves.
If your pork loin is over 2.5 pounds, the cooking time will depend on how well it fits into your air fryer. If it fits comfortably, you can increase the cooking time by approximately 20 minutes per pound, always checking the internal temperature. If it's a tight fit, the meat may take longer to cook and you may need to increase the cooking time accordingly.
It is important to preheat your air fryer before cooking the pork. This will give the meat the longest time at the highest temperature to create a nice crust on the outside. Preheat your air fryer to 370 °F or 400 °F for 5 minutes, depending on the recipe.
Air Fryer Wings: Choose the Right Cooking Surface
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Resting and slicing the pork loin
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the pork loin from the air fryer and transfer it to a cutting board or plate. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. During this time, the pork loin will continue to cook, and the internal temperature will rise by several degrees. This is a crucial step as it ensures the juices redistribute throughout the meat, making it moist and tender.
While the pork loin is resting, you can make a simple gravy using the juices released during this time. Add these juices to a saucepan along with one cup of chicken broth and any remaining seasoning rub. Simmer this mixture for about 5 minutes. In a separate container, mix two tablespoons of cornstarch with four tablespoons of cold water, stirring well. Then, slowly pour this slurry into the simmering broth to thicken your gravy.
After the pork loin has rested, use a sharp knife to slice it against the grain into thin, even pieces. This will ensure that the meat is tender and easy to chew. The optimal pork temperature for food safety is 145 degrees Fahrenheit, so be sure to check the internal temperature of the pork loin with an instant-read thermometer before slicing.
Finally, serve the sliced pork loin with the gravy and your choice of sides. Enjoy your juicy and flavorful air-fried pork loin!
Butterball Electric Fryer: Turkey Breast Cooking Time
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Making gravy from the juices
Firstly, you can use 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 use leftover seasoning rub to make a quick gravy. Simply add 1 cup of chicken broth to a saucepan, any remaining seasoning rub mix, and simmer for about 5 minutes. You can also add in any juices that have collected on the plate during this time.
If you want to make your gravy thicker, you can create a cornstarch slurry by slowly pouring a mixture of 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 4 tablespoons of cold water into the simmering broth.
Another way to make gravy is to heat a large skillet on medium heat and melt some butter. Add onions and cook until they are golden and caramelized, which should take about 5 minutes.
Air-Fried Gujiya: A Quick, Crunchy Twist on Tradition
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It takes 12-14 minutes per pound, or 35-40 minutes in total, to cook pork loin in an air fryer. The temperature should be set to 370°F.
It is recommended to preheat the air fryer before cooking the pork loin. You can also coat the pork loin with a dry rub of seasonings such as brown sugar, ground mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
The pork loin should reach an internal temperature of 145°F when cooked in the air fryer. This can be checked using an instant-read thermometer.
