Air Fryer Pork Loin: Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe (2024)

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Make this delicious air fryer pork loin for a fast roast pork dinner. The meat is brown and crispy outside with tender, juicy, perfectly cooked meat inside. It is the perfect balance of juicy, crispy, and tender from the inside out—and cooked in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven!

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Finished with a honey mustard glaze, this air fryer pork roast is fancy enough for a holiday dinner yet simple enough for a weeknight meal. It will hit the spot, become a family favorite meal and eliminate worry over dry, unappealing pork.

In the past, I have posted recipes for oven-roasted pork loin and Instant Pot pork loin. So naturally, as I have been using my air fryer more and more, I started to wonder, “Can I cook a pork roast in the air fryer?“.

The answer is yes, not only can you cook one in the air fryer, it tastes incredible and is ready very quickly!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This recipe is straightforward with only everyday ingredients making it perfect for a busy weeknight.

There are no extra steps, and no marinade is needed.

This roast cooks fast, in about half the time it would take to cook in the oven.

The larger size makes it easy to feed many people or just plan to use the leftovers for sandwiches or meal prep.

What is the Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin

Although these two cuts of pork sound similar, they are not interchangeable. They require different recipes because of the different sizes and amounts of fat they contain.

  • Pork loin – This cut of meat is broader and flatter and usually has a layer of fat on top. It ranges from 2-5 pounds in size, so it is relatively large. This cut comes from the back of the pig.
  • Pork tenderloin – This cut of meat is skinny and has very little fat. It is usually about 1 1/2 pounds in size, so much smaller. It is always sold boneless. It is cut from the muscle that goes along the backbone.

If you search for one recipe on google or Pinterest, you will sometimes get a recipe for the other one instead, which adds to the confusion.

If you use this recipe to cook pork tenderloin, it will give you overcooked, dry pork. If you are looking for an air fryer pork tenderloin recipe, go to this post instead!

Air Fryer Pork Loin: Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe (2)

How to Make Air Fryer Pork Loin

1. Check the fit

The first thing to do is make sure your roast fits into your air fryer. I have a5.8-quart air fryer, and my roast, which was a little over 3 pounds, fit diagonally.

Fitting a pork loin in a circular air fryer basket will probably be trickier. If yours is a little bit too big, you can always slice a bit off the ends so that it fits. You can cook the slices another day or cook it in two halves.

Air Fryer Pork Loin: Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe (3)

2. Season

Take mustard and smear it all over the top of the roast. You can use yellow mustard, spicy mustard, or Dijon, whatever your preference. Then sprinkle rosemary, salt, and pepper on top of the mustard.

Air Fryer Pork Loin: Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe (4)

You can use a dry rub without the mustard. The mustard helps the spices stick to the meat and adds some flavor, but it isn’t essential

3. Air Fry the Pork

Put the roast in the air fryerand cook it at 370 F for 45 minutes. After 25 minutes, take the air fryer basket out and flip it to the other side.

Air Fryer Pork Loin: Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe (5)

Check the internal temperature with aninstant-read thermometer when the air fryer is done cooking. The optimal pork temperature for food safety is 145 degrees F. Air fryers differ in how fast they cook, and pork loins have different sizes.

Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, don’t try to cook based just on time. A thermometer is not expensive and the peace of mind they give you is priceless. Food poisoning is not fun! This is my favorite inexpensive meat thermometer, which you can buy on Amazon.

4. Glaze with Honey

Once the meat is done, add a little bit of honey to glaze it. The honey caramelizes, mixes with the mustard, and gives the final roast a delicious honey mustard flavor.

Air Fryer Pork Loin: Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe (6)

Use a pastry brush or spoon to add a few tablespoons of honey on top of the pork loin. Then put it back in the air fryer and cook it at 300 F for another 2 minutes.

Find More Air Fryer Recipes!

Air Fryer Pork Loin: Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe (7)

How to Serve

After the roast is done, remove it to a serving platter and let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Letting the pork rest allows it to reabsorb the juices, which keeps the meat moist and delicious.

Then slice and serve the pork loin slices with your desired side dishes. I love to serve it with Instant Pot mashed potatoes or apple sauce.

Growing up, we frequently served it with sauerkraut, which is also a classic roast pork dinner for New Year’s good luck!

Air Fryer Pork Loin: Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe (8)

How to Store

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Leftover pork loin is delicious on sandwiches – a Cuban sandwich or Ba Minh sandwich are my favorites!

If you want to reheat pork loin, then put a piece of meat in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes.

FAQ

Should I trim the fat cap off the pork loin?

You can trim the fat cap if you like, but it isn’t necessary. I generally don’t bother, but it will decrease the meal’s calorie count.

Should I brine or marinade the pork?

Both brining and marinading increase the amount of water inside, making for juicier meat. But an air fryer pork roast cooks fast and at a high enough temperature that a brine or marinade isn’t necessary.

What do I do if my roast won’t fit in the air fryer?

You can cut the end off your roast if it is just a little bit too big. You can also cut it in half and cook both halves, separately or together.

Did You Make This? Leave a Star Rating!

Air Fryer Pork Loin: Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe (9)

4.58 from 126 votes

Air Fryer Pork Loin

Published By Anne

Make this delicious recipe for air fryer pork loin for a fast roast pork dinner.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time47 minutes mins

Resting Time5 minutes mins

Total Time57 minutes mins

Servings: 8

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Ingredients

  • 3-5 pound pork loin roast
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 2 teaspoons rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

  • Make sure your pork loin roast fits in your air fryer basket. You can trim the end off the roast if it is just a little bit too big.

    3-5 pound pork loin roast

  • Take the roast out of its package and pat it dry. Then smear the mustard all over the top, which has a fat cap.

    2 tablespoons mustard

  • Sprinkle the rosemary and salt on top of the mustard.

    2 teaspoons rosemary, 1 teaspoon salt

  • Put the meat in the air fryer at 370 degrees F for 45 minutes. After 25 minutes take out the air fryer basket and flip the meat.

  • After 45 minutes check the pork with an instant-read thermometer and make sure it has reached 145 degrees F in the middle. If it hasn't put it back in for another 5-10 minutes and recheck it. Cooking times vary for different air fryers, so always check the internal temperature, don't guess.

  • Once the pork reaches 145 degrees F use a pastry brush or spoon to coat the top with honey. Then put the basket back in the air fryer and cook it at 300 F for 2 minutes. This lets the honey caramelize on the meat so it has a honey mustard flavor.

    2 tablespoons honey

  • Once the pork is done put it on a serving platter and let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.

Video

Notes

You can skip the mustard and just use pork seasoning or Italian seasoning on the roast. Or season it with salt, garlic powder, and onion powder for a simple meal.

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 564kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 75g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 227mg | Sodium: 437mg | Sugar: 4g

Nutrition facts are estimates.

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Air Fryer Pork Loin: Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe (10)
Air Fryer Pork Loin: Easy 5 Ingredient Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to tender pork loin? ›

Once the pork loin roast reaches 145°F on an instant-read thermometer, remove it from the oven, and let it rest on a cutting board for 20 minutes. This gives the meat time to reabsorb all its juices. You can also brine the pork before you cook it, which ensures the meat stays tender, juicy, and well-seasoned.

How do you keep pork from drying out in an air fryer? ›

A Little Butter And Oil Goes A Long Way

But if the food in question doesn't need to lose moisture — like, say, a refrigerated piece of cooked steak or chicken — then as it cooks in the air fryer, it may start to dehydrate. One way to combat this is to lightly coat your meat in a thin layer of olive (or other) oil.

How do you cook pork loin so it isn't dry? ›

Marinating meat 24 hours prior to slow cooking or baking in general with some water covered with foil will keep the meat from drying out. A little water goes a long way. The juices that leave the meat as it cooks will keep it juicy. Always remember to wait 10 minutes after taking it out of the oven so it can set.

How long do you cook simply Hatfield pork tenderloin in the air fryer? ›

If you don't have an instant pot, you can also use an air fryer to achieve a quicker cooking time than the traditional baking method. In that case, all you'll need to do is place your pork loin filet in the air fryer and set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

What spices tenderize pork? ›

Apply dry rub and refrigerate the pork for at least 8 hours.

Create your dry rub by combining 2 tsp (6 g) of salt, 1 tsp (2 g) of dried herbs, and ½ tsp (1 g) of black pepper. Blot each side of the pork chops so they're totally dry, and then coat the meat with the seasoning.

What is the best cooking method for loin? ›

CG: Roasting is the most natural way to cook a pork loin, and it's the easiest and the quickest to get into the oven. I like to sear the outside and then roast it, or you can just roast it as is. The indirect method of cooking preserves pork loin's inherent juiciness and tenderness.

How do you keep meat moist in an air fryer? ›

Using oil in an air fryer is perfectly fine and helps the meat to remain moist and come out looking golden brown. However, a little oil in an air fryer does go a long way. With most cuts of pork, simply rubbing some oil into the meat will be all you need. You can use either regular olive oil or a spray oil.

How do you keep pork moist and tender? ›

Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop. Even a quick 30-minute brine (or up to four hours) makes a big difference. It's not strictly necessary — you can still use this method to make great pork chops even without brining — but if you have some extra time, I recommend it.

Do I need to rinse pork loin before cooking? ›

Washing beef, pork, lamb, or veal before cooking it is not recommended. Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces. We call this cross-contamination. Some consumers think they are removing bacteria and making their meat or poultry safe.

Is it better to cook pork loin slow or fast? ›

Pork loin should be slow slow-roasted in order to become tender. It should not be cooked quickly or roasted at high temperatures. Pork tenderloin cooks quite quickly at higher temperatures, anywhere from 350 degrees to 425 degrees F.

Is there a difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin? ›

The most obvious difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin is the size. Pork loin is wide and thick, with a sizable fat cap running along the top. Pork tenderloin, on the other hand, is narrow and thin, with little to no visible fat.

What temperature and how long do you cook a Smithfield pork tenderloin? ›

Oven: Heat oven to 425°F. Place pork on rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast 25 to 30 minutes per pound.

How do you calculate cooking time for pork loin? ›

Bake pork roast in the oven UNCOVERED for approximately 25-30 MINUTES *PER POUND* (55-66 MINUTES PER KILOGRAM) Or until internal temperature reaches 155F (68C), rested to a final 160F (71C).

How to cook Simply Hatfield pork tenderloin? ›

Remove outer packaging before cooking. Preheat oven to 375°F. Roast for 30 – 35 minutes UNCOVERED until internal temperature reaches 145°F (thickest part) or juices run clear. Remove from oven/pan and let rest for 3 minutes before slicing.

How to make pork extremely tender? ›

If you're not confident in your cooking skills, there is one foolproof way to guarantee your pork ends up on the tender side, even if you cook it too long: Soak it in a brine or a marinade. According to Hazel, these kinds of preparations always produce the most tender outcomes.

Does pork loin get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

At 400 degrees F, a 1-pound pork tenderloin will cook in 8 to 10 minutes after being seared on the stove. Unlike tough, fatty cuts of meat (like the shoulder used for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork), leaner cuts like pork tenderloin do not become more tender the longer they cook.

How do Chinese make pork so tender? ›

How do you tenderise pork for stir fry? Velveting is a Chinese technique that helps keep meat tender during stir frying. Adding cornstarch and bicarb to your meat during the marinating process helps to coat your meat, giving it a velvety feel that makes the meat feel extra soft.

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