Cooking a pork roast in an air fryer is a great way to make this classic cut of meat with a modern twist An air fryer delivers quick cooking times while keeping the pork roast remarkably moist and tender on the inside with an irresistibly crispy, golden brown exterior
With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can enjoy fall-off-the-bone tender pork roast with crispy, caramelized seasoning crust in under an hour with an air fryer Read on for everything you need to know to master cooking pork roast in the air fryer for perfect results every time
Benefits of Cooking Pork Roast in an Air Fryer
Air fryers have surged in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. They offer a number of benefits that make them a smart choice for cooking pork roast:
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Fast cooking times – Air fryers use superheated air and a highly conductive metal interior to cook food very quickly, cutting standard oven roasting times nearly in half. A 3-4 lb pork roast cooks to tender, juicy perfection in an air fryer in just 40-60 minutes.
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Moist and tender meat – The constant high heat circulation of air fryers thoroughly cooks the meat while keeping it incredibly moist and tender inside. Pork roast comes out succulent and delicious.
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Crispy exterior – The hot blasting air in an air fryer crisps and browns the outside of pork roast beautifully for delicious caramelized seasoning crust.
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Easy and convenient – Air fryers are simple to use. Just season the meat, set the temperature and time, and let the air fryer do the work for you. Minimal preparation and cleanup required.
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More flavorful – Air fryers require little to no oil for cooking, so the natural flavor of the pork roast really shines through. Seasonings get crispy and caramelized rather than oily.
For quick, easy, and delicious pork roast with mouthwatering crispy bark and super juicy meat, an air fryer can’t be beat. Now let’s go over how to cook pork roast in an air fryer perfectly every time.
Ingredients Needed
One of the best parts of cooking pork roast in an air fryer is that you need very few ingredients – a testament to letting the natural flavor of good pork shine. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Pork roast – Choose a boneless pork loin or pork shoulder/butt roast that’s 3-4 pounds to serve 4-6 people. Avoid cuts with large pockets of fat that can cause flare-ups.
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Oil – Use just a spoonful or two of oil to coat the pork roast before seasoning. Avocado, grapeseed, and olive oil all work well.
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Seasoning – The possibilities here are endless! Dry rubs work best. Try garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, cayenne, salt, pepper, rosemary, sage, and more. Get creative with spice blends!
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Pork broth or stock (optional) – For extra moisture and flavor, you can add some broth or stock to the air fryer pan along with the roast.
That’s really all you need in terms of ingredients to make a mouthwatering pork roast in the air fryer!
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Pork Roast in an Air Fryer
Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty of how to cook pork roast in an air fryer:
1. Prepare the Pork Roast
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Take the pork roast out of the packaging and pat it completely dry with paper towels. Dry meat will brown and crisp better.
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Rub a spoonful of oil all over the roast. This helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning.
2. Season the Roast
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Generously season all sides of the pork roast with your favorite spice rub or herbs/seasonings. Apply an even coating.
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For extra flavor and moisture, you can inject the roast with a marinade, broth, or melted butter using an injector if desired.
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Let the seasoned roast sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking for the best flavor and even cooking.
3. Preheat Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. This high heat will sear the roast while keeping it tender inside.
4. Cook the Roast
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Place seasoned pork roast directly on the air fryer cooking rack or in a metal pan that fits in your air fryer basket.
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Cook for 25-35 minutes, until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the roast reaches 145°F.
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For extra crispy exterior, brush on a bit more oil halfway through cooking and rub on more seasoning.
5. Check for Doneness
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Use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the roast to check temperature. 145°F is ideal for juicy, tender pork.
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If needed, cook for 5-10 more minutes and re-check temperature until roast is at 145°F.
6. Let Roast Rest
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When roast is done, remove from air fryer and tent loosely with foil. Let rest 10-15 minutes.
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This allows juices to redistribute for tender, juicy meat. Don’t skip this important step!
7. Carve and Serve
After resting, the pork roast is ready to carve and serve! Slice into 1/2″ thick slices across the grain. Serve drizzled with pan juices for maximum flavor and juiciness.
And just like that, you have a picture-perfect pork roast with crispy seasoned exterior and super moist, fall-apart tender meat inside in under an hour with your air fryer. Pretty amazing, right?
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Pork Roast
Here are some handy tips and tricks to ensure pork roast perfection every time when cooking it in the air fryer:
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Choose the right size – A 3-4 lb pork loin or shoulder roast will cook the most evenly. Roasts over 4 lbs may need extra cooking time.
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Trim excess fat – Trim large hunks of visible fat to prevent flare-ups. Leave a thin layer for flavor and moisture.
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Dry and oil the roast – Remove all moisture and coat with oil so the seasoning adheres.
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Generously season – Pork roast really benefits from bold seasoning. Go heavy on the herbs, spices, salt, pepper, etc.
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Re-apply oil and seasonings – Brushing more oil and seasonings halfway through cook time makes the crust extra crispy.
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Use a meat thermometer – It’s the only way to be sure the roast is fully cooked, not under or overdone.
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Let roast rest – Never skip this step! Resting allows juices to reabsorb for incredibly moist, tender meat.
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Slice against the grain – Cutting perpendicular to the muscle fibers ensures the most tender bites.
FAQs About Cooking Pork Roast in an Air Fryer
If you’re new to using your air fryer for cooking pork roast, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
What temperature do you cook pork roast at in an air fryer?
- 350°F is ideal. The high heat evenly cooks the meat while crisping the outside beautifully.
How long does it take to cook a 3 lb pork roast in an air fryer?
- At 350°F, allow about 35-45 minutes for a 3 lb pork roast to reach 145°F internal temperature.
Do you flip pork roast in the air fryer?
- Flipping is not necessary. The circulating air cooks it evenly. But you can flip halfway for even more browning if desired.
Can you put pork roast in air fryer frozen?
- No, always thaw pork roast fully before seasoning and air frying for food safety. Starting with frozen meat leads to uneven cooking.
Do you cover pork roast in an air fryer?
- Covering isn’t necessary and can make the crust soggy. Leave uncovered for deliciously crispy crust.
Get Creative with Pork Roast Seasonings
The great thing about cooking pork roast in the air fryer is that the high heat really locks in seasoning and intensifies flavors as they caramelize on the meat. Take advantage of this by getting creative and adventurous with unique spice rubs, herb blends, and marinades.
Here are just a few ideas to inspire you:
- Brown sugar & chili dry rub
- Jamaican jerk dry rub with allspice, garlic, chili, etc.
- Cilantro-lime marinade injector
- Apple cider vinegar, garlic, thyme wet rub
- Onion soup mix dry rub
- Classic Italian herb seasoning blend
- Smoky BBQ spice rub
- Dijon mustard, rosemary, garlic marinade
Don’t be afraid to layer on bold, vibrant flavors – the air fryer will amplify them perfectly on the crispy pork roast exterior.
Sample Air Fryer Pork Roast Recipes
To get you started, here are a couple easy sample recipes for flavorful herb-crusted pork roast and sweet chile brown sugar pork roast cooked to perfection in the air fryer:
Herb-Crusted Pork Roast
Ingredients:
- 3 lb pork loin roast
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp each dried rosemary, thyme, sage
- 1 tsp each garlic powder, salt, pepper
Instructions:
- Pat roast dry and coat with oil. Mix herbs and seasonings and rub into meat.
- Cook at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until 145°F.
- Rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Sweet Chile Brown Sugar Pork Roast
Ingredients:
- 3 lb pork shoulder roast
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp ancho chile powder
- 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Pat roast dry, coat with oil, and rub in brown sugar and seasonings.
- Cook at 350°F for 40-45 minutes until 145°F.
- Rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Let your imagination run wild with unique flavor combinations! The air fryer does all the hard work of perfectly cooking the pork while locking in the amazing seasoning.
Conclusion
Cooking juicy, tender pork roast with a crackling crispy crust is easy with the air fryer! In less than an hour, you can enjoy fall-off-the-bone pork roast with complex layers of flavor.
Take your roast to the next level by experimenting with global spice rubs, herb blends, and marinades. The air fryer will caramelize and intensify every seasoning.
With its quick cook time and wallet-friendly price tag, air fryer pork roast makes an easy, budget-conscious dinner option with guaranteed crowd-pleasing results. Ditch the oven and enjoy your favorite cut of pork in record time with your air fryer.