Marianne Martinez
Cooking pork loin in an air fryer is a great way to get a crispy, golden exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy. This method is straightforward, fast, and flavourful. The high heat of the air fryer means the pork loin spends less time cooking, reducing the risk of drying out the meat. You can use a variety of seasonings, glazes, and rubs to add flavour to your pork loin, and it pairs well with roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Pork loin |
| Cut | Broader and flatter, with a layer of fat on top |
| Weight | 2-5 pounds |
| Brine | 4 tablespoons kosher salt to 4 cups of cold water |
| Seasoning | Brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt and pepper |
| Glaze | Honey, orange juice, BBQ-based glaze, teriyaki sauce, or a mustard-honey combo |
| Temperature | 370°F-400°F |
| Timing | 12-14 minutes per pound (about 35-45 minutes total) |
| Resting Time | 5-15 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 145°F |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of pork
First, opt for a boneless pork loin roast. This cut is ideal for oven-roasting and, therefore, well-suited for the air fryer, which functions similarly to an oven. Pork loin is a lean, tender, and quick-cooking cut, making it perfect for air fryer rotisserie. Ensure the package specifies "pork loin roast" rather than "pork tenderloin," as the latter is a smaller cut requiring different temperatures and cooking times.
The size of the pork loin roast is also crucial. The roast should fit comfortably in your air fryer, neither too tight nor too close to the heating element. For instance, a 3-pound roast fits well in a 2.6-quart air fryer. If you have a larger air fryer, you can accommodate bigger roasts and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
When selecting your pork loin, look for a uniform size to ensure even cooking. A consistent thickness will help prevent overcooking or undercooking certain parts of the meat.
Additionally, consider the quality and freshness of the meat. Look for pork loin with a fresh, pink hue and minimal marbling (thin layers of fat). Freshness is vital to ensure the best flavour and texture.
Lastly, while not directly related to the cut, brining the pork loin can significantly enhance its flavour and moisture. Prepare a simple brine solution of kosher salt and cold water, fully submerging the roast for 1 to 3 hours in the refrigerator. This step is entirely optional but can elevate the taste and tenderness of your final dish.
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Preparing the pork for cooking
Firstly, select the right cut of meat. Pork loin is a broader, flatter, and usually fattier cut of meat compared to pork tenderloin. It typically ranges from 2 to 5 pounds and is perfect for oven-roasting or air frying. Ensure you purchase a boneless pork loin, as this will fit better in your air fryer.
Before applying any seasonings, trim away any excess fat or silver skin from the pork loin. This step is important as it helps create an even cooking surface and a nicer texture.
Now, it's time to season the pork. You can use a store-bought seasoning mix or make your own. A simple dry rub can be made by whisking together spices like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also include brown sugar, smoked paprika, ground mustard, and a dash of cayenne for a little heat. Coat the pork loin with olive oil and then generously apply the seasoning rub, ensuring it is well coated.
For enhanced flavour and moisture, you can brine the pork loin. Prepare a standard brine solution by mixing 4 tablespoons of kosher salt with 4 cups of cold water. Submerge the pork loin in this solution for a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 3 hours in the refrigerator. After brining, remember to pat the meat dry and omit salt from the rest of the recipe.
If you have the time, let the pork loin sit in a glaze or marinade for 30 minutes before cooking. A delicious glaze can be made with honey, brown sugar, and orange juice, or you can simply use a store-bought marinade.
Finally, ensure your pork loin fits in your air fryer. If it is too large, you may need to slice a bit off the ends or cook it in two halves. You can place the pork loin directly on the air fryer basket or tray if your air fryer doesn't have a rotisserie function.
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Cooking the pork
First, select a boneless pork loin, which is a broader and flatter cut of meat, usually with a layer of fat on top. It is a cheaper option than pork tenderloin, which is a smaller, leaner, and more expensive cut.
Before cooking, you can brine the pork loin to add flavour and moisture. To brine, submerge the pork in a solution of 4 tablespoons of kosher salt to 4 cups of cold water for 1-3 hours. After brining, pat the pork dry and omit salt from the rest of the recipe.
Next, prepare the pork loin by trimming away any excess fat. You can then apply a dry rub of seasonings to the meat. A typical seasoning mix includes brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper, but you can also add a dash of cayenne for heat. Alternatively, use a store-bought seasoning mix, or make your own with herbs like garlic, rosemary, sage, or thyme. If you want to use a liquid glaze, you can marinate the pork loin in it for 30 minutes before cooking, and reapply the glaze every 15 minutes during cooking.
Now, preheat your air fryer to 370°F-400°F. Place the pork loin on the rotisserie spit, if you have one, and insert it into the air fryer. If your air fryer doesn't have a rotisserie function, place the pork directly in the air fryer basket.
Cook the pork loin for 12-14 minutes per pound, or 35-45 minutes in total, flipping it once halfway through to ensure even cooking. The optimal internal temperature for the pork is 145°F, which you can measure with a meat thermometer.
Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-15 minutes before slicing. This will help retain its juices. You can use any leftover juices to make a gravy by adding them to a saucepan with a cup of chicken broth and simmering for 5 minutes.
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Resting the pork
Once the internal temperature of your pork loin reaches 145°F, it's time to remove it from the air fryer rotisserie. Place the roast on a plate or cutting board and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. Cover it loosely with foil to retain heat. During this time, the meat will continue to cook, and its internal temperature will rise several degrees. This resting period is crucial, as it helps the pork retain its juices, ensuring a tender and juicy texture.
If you're short on time, 5 minutes is the minimum recommended resting time. However, for optimal results, some recipes suggest resting the pork for up to 15 minutes before slicing. This extended resting period further enhances the juiciness of the meat.
While the pork is resting, you can make a simple gravy using the juices collected on the plate or in the air fryer pan. Simply add these juices to a saucepan with one cup of chicken broth and any remaining seasoning rub. Simmer this mixture for about 5 minutes, and then slowly stir in a cornstarch slurry (2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 4 tablespoons of cold water) to thicken your gravy.
After the resting period, your pork loin will be ready to slice and serve. Enjoy the juicy and flavorful roast that your air fryer rotisserie has helped create!
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Serving the pork
Once your pork loin is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer and place it on a plate or cutting board. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to settle and ensure the meat is tender and juicy.
If you want to make a gravy, now is the time. You can use the juices from the cooked pork, adding them to a saucepan with a cup of chicken broth and any remaining seasoning rub. Simmer for about 5 minutes, then slowly pour in a cornstarch slurry (2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 4 tablespoons of cold water) to thicken.
Pork loin pairs well with roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, baby potatoes, carrots, green beans, and onions. You could also serve it with mashed potatoes and your favourite green vegetable, or a side of sautéed cabbage and bacon, creamy coleslaw, or cheesy broccoli rice.
Leftover pork loin can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or 3 to 4 days. To reheat, place the leftovers in the air fryer at 300°F to 370°F for about 3 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
Set your air fryer to 370°F.
Cook the pork loin for 12-14 minutes per pound, or 35-40 minutes in total.
Trim away any excess fat from the pork loin, then rub the meat all over with seasonings such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork loin. It should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Let the pork loin rest on a cutting board or plate for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps retain its juices.
