Make a tasty air fryer pork loin roast with easy side dishes in less than 30 minutes! We’ll talk about the cuts of pork, the common rub ingredients, optimal cooking times, and show some fun ways to plate this dish throughout this blog post.

Overview

When I sit back and think of creating a quick meal or grabbing some food with family or friends, I typically gravitate towards chicken, a burger, or pasta. My thoughts of pork used to be tied strictly to barbeque. However, I learned that pork is the most widely consumed meat on the globe. The leanest cuts of pork include the word loin - pork tenderloin or loin chops. That’s just one of many fun facts about pork. Learn more from the experts at Dennison Meats right here.

Cuts of pork

The beauty of the air fryer is that you can cook many different cuts of pork quickly. With a few ingredients, a sharp knife, and some individual seasonings (or seasoning mix), you can prepare a great meal for the whole family. You just need to know the different cuts of pork. The filet mignon of pork is the tenderloin. It’s the most tender cut of pork. It also absorbs rubs thoroughly and it’s fantastic when marinated. Air fryer pork loin roast can be equally tasty. Pork chops, pork spareribs, and pork shoulder are great ways to enjoy this popular meat too.

Cooking air fryer pork loin

It’s easy, I mean really easy. And you can tailor it to any flavor profile you desire - hot, sweet, aromatic, or earthy. It all works. For my air fryer pork loin recipe, you’ll need a sharp knife, olive oil, and your favorite seasonings. You can also just grab some seasoning mix and save yourself the hassle. There are plenty of great brands at your local grocery stores.

Preparing your pork loin

Unpackage your pork loin, rinse it off and pat it dry with paper towels. Then place it on your cutting board and remove the silver skin for best results. Rub some olive oil on your pork loin. In a small bowl, mix your dry ingredients. For this recipe, we’ll use the following:

• Brown sugar (2 tbl); Roasted garlic powder (1 tbl); Salt (1 tsp); Pepper (1 tsp); Onion Powder (1/2 tsp); Thyme (1/2 tsp); Cumin (1/4 tsp)*,Chili Powder (1/4 tsp)*,Paprika (1/4 tsp)*

*The last three ingredients add some kick. You may choose to omit them if you prefer a milder outcome.

Apply your rub mixture evenly across your piece of meat and then top off with your fresh, finely chopped rosemary (1 stem).

Cooking instructions for your pork loin roast

Air frying is a simple process that can be repeated over and over, with minimal effort and clean-up. A little bit of wear and tear on your machine is a badge of honor! You’ll notice that in some of my photos too - it feels more authentic to me. Let’s get cooking.

Step 1: Treat your basket

Rub your basket with some olive oil using a paper towel or spray it with a non-aerosol EVOO mister.

Step 2: Preheat the air fryer to 400 for 3-5 minutes

NOTE: You should preheat your air fryer for the best results. This will allow you to get a nice, even cook using the hot air circulation inside the machine.

Step 3: Load the basket

Place your pork loin in the basket. You may need to bend it based on the size of your basket. That’s perfectly fine. This is a picture of a 6-quart air fryer with a 1.7 lb pork loin.

Step 4: Cooking Time

Cook your air fryer pork loin roast for 20-22 minutes.

Let it rest in the air fryer for another 2-4 minutes.

Then remove and cover for another 2-4 minutes.

Insert your meat thermometer and make sure the internal temperature is at least 145 degrees. The cooking time may vary slightly based on the size of your pork loin roast and the size of your basket. Adjust up/down a few minutes based on these variables. Just make sure your roast meets (or exceeds) the minimum internal temperature. For a well-done roast, shoot for at least 160 degrees.

It’s important that you let your meat rest. It will continue to cook. Refrain from cutting your loin too early. You want the juices to fully develop prior to cutting your masterpiece. A rested piece of meat is just like a rested body - it’s just better! Now it’s time to cut, plate, and serve.

Easy side dishes

What goes with a delicious air fryer pork loin roast? Well, just about everything. If you fancy fried foods, check out my popular frozen side dishes, including my crispy tater tots and french fry recipes.

For this meal, I’d recommend fingerling potatoes or asparagus. Try some mustard-dill roasted fingerling potatoes by Soup Loving Nicole here. It’s simple and succulent. Just follow the recipe and slide them in your oven while the pork loin is frying.

If you want some greens, steamed asparagus in the microwave is the ultra-quick solution for you. Just wash and trim your asparagus, wrap them with damp paper towels, and cook them for approximately 3 minutes. Then check for tenderness and make sure it’s to your liking - I prefer mine al dente. Finally, transfer the asparagus to a serving tray and add Himalayan pink salt and some garlic powder. And now you have a finished, well-rounded meal.

About the author