Can You Put Pork Loin In An Air Fryer? (read this first)
As any chef will tell you, pork loin is an exceptionally lean cut of meat. Which means it’s frustratingly easy to get it wrong and the pork loin becomes dry especially if it’s overcooked.
Due to the way an air fryer operates, by circulating extremely hot air all around the pork loin, it means the meat is cooked quickly without having the time to dry out. Plus that high heat circulating all around the meat allows the meat to get that crisp brown coating even though it’s not cooking for a long while.
Are Pork Tenderloins & Pork Loins The Same Thing?
There appears to be some confusion about these 2 different cuts of pork. So let’s clear that up right away. They both come from the pig, but from different parts of the animal.
- Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is a thin, long piece of meat that runs along the backbone of the pig. It is a delicate meat and is best suited for grilling etc - Pork Loin
Pork loin is a far wider and thicker piece of meat that contains much more fat content and is a cheaper cut of meat compared with tenderloin. Pork loin is still found at the back of the pig but is not as lean and muscular as tenderloin.
You can use either cut for roast pork, but pork loin has less tendency to dry out during cooking.
The Secret To Successfully Air Frying Pork Loin
Cooking meat in an air fryer is one of, if not the easiest ways to cook meat. The secret is to always cook the meat for just the correct amount of time.
The correct time for cooking a pork loin in the air fryer is between 12 to 14 minutes per 454g (1lb). Which means a 900g (2lb) pork loin roast will take around 24 to 28 minutes to cook in an air fryer.
And a 1354g (3lb) pork loin will take anywhere between 36 to 42 minutes to cook in an air fryer.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fried Pork Loin
Once you’ve tried cooking your pork loin in the air fryer, we’re convinced you’ll love it as much as we do
- It’s quick
With average cooking times of less than an hour (45 minutes) for a 1354g (3lb) pork loin you’ll be sitting down to dinner in less than 1 hour – from start to finish. - It’s easy
Air frying is such an easy way to cook food, just place the joint in the basket, set the temperature and timer and walk away. - Consistent results every time
Once you perfect the timings for your air fryer, you’ll get the same result time after time. - Saves energy
Air fryers use less power than a conventional oven plus as you’re only heating such a small area, it takes less time to achieve the high cooking temperatures needed to cook your pork loin. - Reduces washing up
Cooking a pork loin in a conventional oven entails using an oven tray, large oven and many other utensils. All of which will need to be washed up after use. All that typically needs to be washed up using the air fryer is the actual basket. Plus by using a disposable paper liner in the air fryer basket, you can cut down on washing up even more.
How To Air Fry A Pork Loin
Using an air fryer is the simplest way we have found to cook roast pork loin.
Ingredients
- 900g (2lb) Pork Loin
- Salt & Pepper
Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 190 C (370 F)
- Season the pork loin
- Place the pork loin in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes
- Turn the pork loin and cook for a further 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 75 C (167 F)
- Remove pork loin from the basket
- Serve
Air Fried Pork Loin Cooking Tips
- Allow the pork loin to reach room temperature before cooking by removing it from the fridge 30 to 60 minutes before cooking
- All air fryers are different which means all cooking times are only for guidance
- We recommend always using a meat thermometer to check that the pork loin has reached a safe internal temperature.
- Always let the pork loin rest for 5 to 10 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute and the meat fibres to relax
Air Fried Pork Loin Serving Suggestions
A great accompaniment for roast pork loin is apple sauce and any of the following;
- Roast Potatoes
- Mashed Potatoes
- New Potatoes
- Garden Peas
- Carrots
- Cabbage
- Leeks
- Brussel Sprouts
- Yorkshire Puddings
- Red Cabbage
Can You Air Fry Frozen Pork Loin?
It is possible to cook frozen pork loin in an air fryer. However, we have often found it is better to defrost the pork loin before air frying.
To air fry a frozen pork loin simply;
Ingredients
- 900g (2lb) Frozen Pork Loin
Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 190 C (370 F)
- Place the frozen pork loin in the air fryer basket
- Air fry for 30 minutes
- Turn the pork loin
- Cook for a further 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 75 C (167 F)
- Remove the pork loin from the basket
- Serve
Can You Cook Pork Tenderloin In An Air Fryer?
Pork tenderloin is a different cut to pork loin, it’s a less fatty meat and takes less time to cook. The best way to cook pork tenderloin in an air fryer without it drying out is to cook it fast.
Ingredients
- 454g (1lb) Pork Tenderloin
- Salt & Pepper
Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 200 C (400 F)
- Season the pork tenderloin
- Air fry for 7 minutes
- Turn the tenderloin
- Cook for a further 7 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 75 C (167 F)
- Remove the tenderloin from the air fryer basket
- Serve
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin Cooking Tips
- You should always allow the pork loin to reach room temperature before cooking. This can be done by removing it from the fridge 30 to 60 minutes before cooking.
- All cooking times are for guidance purposes only because all air fryers are different.
- We recommend using a meat thermometer to check that the pork tenderloin has reached a safe internal temperature of 75 C before serving.
- Before carving you should always let the pork loin rest for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute and the meat fibres to relax
What does smoking cure?
Pork!
SEE ALSO:
- Can You Put Dredge Chicken In An Air Fryer?
- Can You Put Lobster In An Air Fryer?
- Can You Put Shake And Bake Chicken In An Air Fryer?
- Can You Put Oven Bags In An Air Fryer?
Frequently Asked Questions
To keep pork from drying out in the air fryer you should always allow the pork to reach the same temperature as the room before cooking. Plus, you should never cook the pork for too long, air frying pork is a fast way of cooking it which means it will take less time to cook in an air fryer than in a conventional oven or hob.
Pork loin and pork tenderloin both come from the back of a pig. However, tenderloin is a more muscular and less fatty cut of meat which has the tendency to dry out if not cooked correctly. Pork loin on the other hand is a more fatty meat which retains its moistness as it cooks.
It is safe to put raw pork in an air fryer as long as you cook it so that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches at least 75 C (167 F).
You can wrap pork in foil before cooking it in the air fryer, but it is not absolutely necessary to do so.
Also, follow us on Pinterest ...
