Air-Fried Pork Roast: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Making a pork roast in an air fryer is a great way to get a delicious, juicy, and tender roast with a crispy outer coating. It's a simple and quick way to cook a roast, taking under an hour, and is perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion.

Choosing the right cut of pork

First and foremost, ensure that the size of your pork roast fits comfortably in your air fryer. A roast that is too large may touch the heating element, leading to uneven cooking. As a general guideline, a 1.5 kg (3 lb) roast is ideal for a 5.5L (5.5-6 Qt) air fryer. If you have a larger air fryer, you can accommodate a bigger roast.

When it comes to the cut of pork, the shoulder or leg joint is an excellent choice for roasting and achieving crispy crackling. This cut has a good balance of fat and protein, which makes it ideal for the air fryer. The marbling in this cut helps keep the meat juicy and succulent, and the fat and natural collagen contribute to crispy crackling.

If you're looking for a leaner option, consider a pork loin roast. This cut is tender and flavourful but keep in mind that it requires different temperatures and cooking times compared to a pork shoulder or leg roast. A pork loin roast is also smaller than a pork tenderloin, so make sure you don't confuse the two.

When purchasing your pork roast, it's a good idea to inform your butcher about your intended cooking method. They can then advise you on the best cut and size of meat for your air fryer. Most supermarkets will also label their pork cuts and indicate whether they are suitable for roasting and crackling.

Lastly, if you prefer your pork roast without crackling, you can certainly cook it without the skin. In this case, adjust your cooking time to 25-30 minutes per pound (or 500g) and ensure the internal temperature reaches 155°F - 160°F for a medium-well to well-done roast.

Preparing the pork

Firstly, select the right cut of pork. A boneless pork loin roast or a pork shoulder butt roast are great options. Ensure the size of the roast fits your air fryer; a 2-3 lb roast is ideal for most 5-6 qt air fryers.

Then, create a dry rub or seasoning for the pork. You can mix various spices like brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, ground mustard, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Alternatively, you can use a pre-made seasoning like Montreal Steak Seasoning or Brown Sugar Bourbon Rub.

Now, it's time to season the pork. Remove the pork from its packaging, pat it dry, and score the rind/skin with a sharp knife, being careful not to cut into the meat. You can ask your butcher to do this step for you. Scoring the skin is optional, but it helps create crispy crackling. After scoring, leave the meat uncovered in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to dry out the rind, which will ensure crispy crackling.

Once the pork is dry, it's time to apply the seasoning. Rub the pork with olive oil, ensuring it coats all sides. Then, generously apply the dry rub or seasoning to the pork, massaging it into the meat and ensuring it sticks. Don't be shy with the seasoning, as it will enhance the flavour.

Finally, preheat your air fryer to 360°F for about 5 minutes. Place the seasoned pork into the air fryer basket, ensuring the fat cap or rind side is facing up. Now, your pork is ready to be cooked to perfection!

Cooking the pork

First, ensure your pork can fit into your air fryer. If you are cooking a pork loin, a 2-2.5 lbs roast is the perfect size for a 5-6 qt air fryer. If you are cooking a pork shoulder or leg joint, a 1-1.5 kg roast should fit into a 5.5L/5.8 qt air fryer.

Take the pork out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. If your pork has netting, remove it and pat the meat dry with a paper towel. Score the pork rind/skin with a sharp knife, being careful not to cut into the flesh. You can ask your butcher to do this for you.

If you have time, leave the meat uncovered in the fridge overnight to help dry out the rind, which will improve the crackling. If you don't have time, pat the rind dry with a paper towel before cooking.

To make the rub, combine coconut or brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. You can also add olive oil to the rub. Alternatively, use a pre-made seasoning like Montreal Steak Seasoning or Brown Sugar Bourbon Rub.

Coat the pork with olive oil and add the seasoning rub. Massage the rub into the entire roast.

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F/180°C for 5 minutes. Place the roast inside the air fryer with the fat cap/rind/skin side up. Set the air fryer to 360°F/200°C and cook for 45-55 minutes for pork loin or 50 minutes for pork shoulder/leg. If your air fryer doesn't have enough space for the meat and vegetables, you can make a large foil pouch and place the seasoned roast inside.

Turn the roast halfway through cooking. The internal temperature of the pork should reach 145°-160°F/63°-71°C. Use an instant-read thermometer to check. If the internal temperature hasn't reached 140°F/60°C, continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes.

When the cooking time is complete, remove the pork roast from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate for at least 5-10 minutes. Cover it loosely with foil. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes the meat juicier.

Larger Roasts

For larger roasts, increase the cooking time by approximately 20 minutes per pound. Always check the internal temperature. If you are cooking a pork loin, adjust the cooking time to 15 minutes per pound.

Resting the pork

When you remove the pork from the air fryer, place it on a plate or carving board and cover it loosely with foil. This will keep the meat warm while it rests. The foil shouldn't be wrapped tightly around the meat, as you want the steam to escape.

The meat will continue to cook as it rests, and the internal temperature will rise several degrees. For this reason, it is important to remove the pork from the air fryer when it is about 5-10 degrees away from your desired internal temperature. For pork, this should be 145°F-160°F.

The length of the resting time depends on the size of the roast. For a 2-3lb roast, 5-10 minutes is sufficient. For larger roasts, increase the resting time to 15-20 minutes.

While the pork is resting, you can make a simple gravy using the juices that have collected in the air fryer and on the plate. You can also use this time to finish cooking any vegetables or side dishes.

Once the resting time is complete, you can carve and serve the pork.

Serving suggestions

Sides

A pork roast cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of side dishes, including:

• Mashed potatoes (ricotta, garlic, or Boursin)
• Roasted potatoes (ranch, Parmentier, or wedges)
• Boiled potatoes
• Roasted vegetables (rainbow carrots or root vegetables)
• Air-fried vegetables (cubed potatoes or baby potatoes)
• Sauteed vegetables (green peas, zucchini, broccoli, or buttered leeks)
• Rice (jollof or chimichurri)
• Yorkshire pudding
• Gravy
• Chip curry sauce
• Dinner rolls
• Roasted carrots

Leftovers

Leftover pork roast can be used as a sandwich filling, in salads, or to make a quick leftover pork curry for a midweek dinner.

Frequently asked questions