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!

Reader Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

OMG!! This was DELICIOUS! I created a rub of a few seasonings and followed the directions EXACTLY! It was so easy and so good! I’m already excited to try it with the mustard rub!
— Stephanie

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)

4.57 from 130 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.

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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

How do you cook a pork loin so it doesn't dry out? ›

Grilling
  1. First, use a high-heat area to quickly brown the meat on all sides. ...
  2. Next, move the loin to a low-heat area of the grill and cover it with foil.
  3. Now, you can roast the pork using indirect cooking for approximately one to one and a half hours, or about 20 minutes per pound of meat.
Oct 3, 2023

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

Using oil

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.

Do you wrap pork in foil in air fryer? ›

The reason I love cooking pork tenderloin in the air fryer is because of the crispy "crust" that forms around the outside edges. If you cover the tenderloin, it will keep the delicious crust from forming. So for maximum flavor, you should leave your tenderloin uncovered when air frying.

Should you sear pork loin before roasting? ›

Pork tenderloin is really a weeknight all-star. It's food-budget-friendly, it's always ready to feed a hungry crowd, and, most importantly, it's super easy to make. The key is to remember this little two-step process — sear and roast — which results in a piece of meat that's moist and juicy.

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. Use a meat thermometer to be sure.

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.

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

There's a simple solution to combat this: add a little extra oil or butter before heating. It may seem counter-intuitive to add something wet to the air fryer, which is traditionally a dry-heat cooking appliance, but that bit of moisture and fat will keep the meat basted and prevent it from losing its flavor.

Should you put oil in air fryer? ›

While your Philips Airfryer does not require oil to cook and fry the food, adding oil directly to fresh ingredients when preparing them, such as freshly peeled potatoes or chicken, can create a crispy layer and improve the overall taste of your dish. Note: Never pour oil into the pan of the Airfryer.

How do you add moisture to pork? ›

Try a Marinade or Brine. A marinade or brine can introduce more moisture or lots of flavor into your meat before you cook it. A marinade is a sauce that introduces extra flavor to your pork, depending on the aromatics or herbs you choose to include. A brine pulls more moisture into the meat, which keeps your pork juicy ...

Why does my pork loin come out dry? ›

Pork Tenderloin is naturally dry because there's not enough fat on it. I recommend cooking at low temperature ( 165>200*F) ) for several hours. You can use a good Broth ie:Chicken,Beef,of Vegetable Stock. never use water for your liquid.

What temp does pork loin dry out? ›

Tender Cuts of Pork: Cooking Time and Temperature

The general rule is that these cuts should be cooked at a high temperature for the briefest period of time it takes to reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Cooking them any longer risks drying them out.

How do you add moisture to overcooked pork loin? ›

Some solutions used either using BBQ sauce, stock, or gravy so I decided to give one of them a go. The meat was re-hydrated in a frying pan in a gravy and water combination. I also roasted some vegetables in the oven. So, in the end, we had two roasts in two days, the second was better because the meat was so tender.

Does pork loin need to rest? ›

And on that resting time: Pork tenderloin benefits from a 10- to 15-minute rest before slicing, which allows the juices to redistribute within the meat.

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