Recipe This | Air Fryer Pork Roast (2024)

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Air Fryer Pork Roast. How to cook pork roast in air fryer. Let chef Dom walk through the process of cooking the best pork roast you have ever had.

Cooking pork roast in the air fryer is less hassle, easy to prep, lower in calories, requires a lot less washing up and is more flavoursome. Are you ready to be wowed with air fryer pork roast?

This air fryer pork roast recipe is an updated post and was originally published in 2019.

Recipe This | Air Fryer Pork Roast (1)

Table of Contents

Pork Roast In Air Fryer

What many people don’t know about my husband Dominic, is that he used to work as a chef and his speciality was roast dinners.

Roast pork, roast lamb, roast chicken, roast duck, roast ham. You name the roast and he would serve it to customers every day and OMG his roast dinners will blow your mind.

As thedouble act behind Recipe This, we are the perfect partnership in the kitchen. Iwill cook the delicious sides and he will oversee the meat.

Thatapplies when we are recipe testing new recipes for you, as well as when we arecooking for ourselves too.

I loveit at Christmas when we join forces in the kitchen, have our workstations and havelots of fun as we work on our different foods.

I will get great enjoyment out of making our slow cooker stuffing for turkey, air fryer roast potatoes, instant pot cauliflower gratin, while Dominic will cook the roast turkey.

There will of course be other foods but those are my favourites that I always think of at Christmas. We will also do a lot of make ahead cooking and most of our Christmas food would be cooked on Christmas Eve.

Ithought it would be fun to share with you all our favourite roast dinners inthe run up to Christmas and share a different one with you each day.

Plus,even though I always think of Thanksgiving and Christmas for family roastdinners, it could just be a nice Sunday dinner in your household!

You can check out the rest of Chef Dom’s amazing roasting meats in the air fryer. Including air fryer roast ham, air fryer rotisserie chicken, air fryer leg of lamb and air fryer roast duck.

Plus, as well as our free newsletter, we also have a free air fryer mini course. It is ideal for air fryer beginners or those that want to get more confident with their air fryer. The free course runs for 5 days with a new lesson delivered each day to your inbox.

Can You Air Fry A Pork Roast?

Yes, you sure can! The air fryer is amazing for air frying a pork roast and you have an endless supply of options.

You can cook an air fryer pork shoulder, an air fryer boston butt, an air fryer pork loin or even go frozen.

Plus, it doesn’t stop there, as you can also cook pork ribs, pork tenderloin and even pork belly in the air fryer.

Cooking Roast Pork In Air Fryer

One of the wonderful things that an air fryer can cook is a pork roast. I always thought it would taste terrible, after all when you think of a pork shoulder you are more likely to associate it with pulled pork.

Plus, when you think of pulled pork you cook it slow just so that it is tender.

But cooked in the air fryer,pork roast can be incredibly tender, with a crispy crust and OMG taste like oneof the best pork roasts that you have ever eaten.

When we sliced into our air fryerpork roast, we couldn’t believe just how good it tasted and we couldn’t wait tohave another air fryer pork roast.

Air Fryer Boston Butt

You are also probably wondering what the difference is between an air fryer Boston butt and an air fryer pork shoulder roast.

Well, they are very similar. Boston Butt is a tasty part of the pork shoulder.

And in the US when a recipe calls for pork shoulder they are more likely to buy a boston butt rather than just any part of the pork shoulder.

But what is amazing for you, is that you could use boston butt in air fryer, pork loin in air fryer, or any other pork roasting meat, that works well for you and your budget.

Though because I like to save money, I will wait until pork shoulder is on a special deal and then freeze it for cooking in the air fryer at a later time.

Air Fryer PorkRoast And Potatoes

If I am having an air fryer pork roast, then I want to turn it into air fryer pork roast and potatoes. That is because I want the real deal.

I want to enjoy my meat and potatoes together and feel like I am getting a meal rather than a slice of pork.

To make roasted sweet potatoes to go with my air fryerpork roast is simple.

  • Peel your sweet potatoes and cut into roast potato shapes.
  • In a bowl add your sweet potatoes, a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and a tablespoon of dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Mix well and place in your air fryer basket.
  • Cook for 15 minutes at 160c/360f, followed by a further 5 minutes at 200c/400f to get the roast potatoes nice and crispy.

Your air fryer sweet roast potatoes can be done while yourpork roast cooks in your air fryer oven and that is what I like about having 2air fryers.

Air Fryer Rotisserie Pork Roast

You’ve probably guessed by now, but we are cooking our pork roast in the air fryer oven. It produces the BEST air fryer pork roast results and OMG the taste is truly stunning.

Then I used my air fryer basket from my Philips Air Fryer XL for cooking the roasted sweet potatoes.

Though you could pick and choose how you cook yours. I am just saying for the best results rotate your pork roast in the air fryer oven via the rotisserie.

If you don’t have a rotisserie, I recommend instead you follow our air fryer pork loin recipe. This is ideal for making in the air fryer basket and you can use a pork shoulder or a boston butt instead.

Roast Pork Air Fryer Ingredients

Recipe This | Air Fryer Pork Roast (2)

Pork – For the best air fryer roast pork, its all about the meat. You can use a pork loin, pork shoulder, boston butt, or even a boneless pork leg. Though remember, it must be able to fit in the air fryer basket or on the rotisserie.

Oil – I recommend spraying your pork shoulder with extra virgin olive oil. It is the best solution for getting your seasonings onto your pork and for creating a crispy pork shoulder. You don’t need a lot and it’s a much lower calorie alternative compared to the oven.

Seasoning – You might have your own preferred seasoning for air fryer roast pork. Though we prefer ours with salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, and thyme.

Then for the kitchen gadgets that we have used in this pork roast air fryer recipe, it has just been our new Air Fryer oven. We have this one and its wonderful for rotisserie meat.

How To Cook Pork Roast In Air Fryer?

Recipe This | Air Fryer Pork Roast (3)
  • Score. Start by scoring your pork with typical scoring squares. This will allow the flavours to go into the middle of the pork and not just create a crispy coating.
  • Season. Next you want to add a coating of extra virgin olive oil over the pork, followed by coating it in your seasoning. This makes sure you get a flavoursome roast pork.
  • Prepare. Once you have seasoned your pork, you need to add the rotisserie attachments. You will have a large rod that you need to push through your air fryer pork and then a couple of clamps on each side.
  • Position. Next you want to position your roast pork in air fryer. Making sure each side is level and that the air fryer can take the weight of your pork. I.e. this is why you don’t want to go too big. For example, check out our air fryer roast duck video where we have to cut the wings off because it simply wont fit otherwise.
  • Cook. Next, set the time and temperature for your air fryer pork. Note the larger it is, the longer it will take. We have found that it can differ between 50 minutes and 90 minutes depending on the size.
  • Potatoes. While your air fryer pork roast is rotating in your air fryer oven, make your roasted sweet potatoes. They are easy to prep, and you can time it so that your sweet potatoes are ready at the same time as your pork.

Air Fryer Frozen Pork Roast

I thought it would be interesting to experiment and cook air fryer frozen pork roast too.

What if we bought one of those pork tenderloins that has been rolled up with garlic butter and see how it did in the air fryer basket.

Well, it didn’t taste as bad as I thought it would!

A bit crispy around some of the edges but not dry and perfect for serving with air fryer roast potatoes or a side of air fryer frozen broccoli.

This is how we cooked air fryer frozen pork roast:

  1. Load frozen pork into the air fryer basket.
  2. Cook for 30 minutes at 80c/180f.
  3. Follow up with a further 30 minutes at 160c/320f.

You can see that we have gone with low cooking temperatures. The first helps defrost the pork at the same time as starting to cook it.

The second round makes sure the pork doesn’t burn and is cooked through.

How Long To Cook Pork Roast In Air Fryer?

Like I mentioned above, the pork shoulder air fryer time can vary greatly depending on the size of pork shoulder you are cooking.

We originally shared with you how to cook a 1 kilo pork shoulder in the air fryer this took just short of 50 minutes, then when we did our air fryer pork shoulder video which was closer to 1.5 kilos and took just over an hour and the updated pork roast air fryer recipe uses a 2.1kg pork joint and took us 90 minutes.

In summary, I find it easier to compare pork shoulders or boston butts as small, medium, and large.

  • Small pork roast in air fryer = 45 to 50 minutes
  • Medium pork roast in air fryer = 60 to 70 minutes
  • Large pork roast in air fryer = 90 minutes

What Temperature To Cook Pork Shoulder In Air Fryer?

When cooking any type of pork roast in the air fryer oven or the air fryer basket, the recommended temperature is 180c/360f.

This ensures that your pork in the air fryer has a juicy and moist centre, whilst still crisping up the pork for you at the same time.

Listen To Air Fryer Pork Roast

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What To Do With Leftover Pork Roast?

So, you made this amazing air fryer pork roast, or as you might call it air fryer boston butt. But of course, you didn’t manage to eat it all, so you have leftovers.

My favourite choice would be air fryer pork roast sandwiches the next day, they are amazing and taste so so good!

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Or of course you can use the air fryer to reheat your pork and have another roast dinner or mix them into a casserole.

What To Serve With Pork Roast?

I love my pork roast with air fryer potatoes. You can make air fryer roast potatoes with rosemary, air fryer baby potatoes because they are the easiest ever air fryer potato recipe, or why not try air fryer frozen roast potatoes.

Then to add some vegetables to your dinner plate, I recommend you serve your pork with some instant pot frozen broccoli or make our instant pot cauliflower gratin.

More Air Fryer Pork Recipes

  • Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
  • Air Fryer Pork Ribs
  • Air Fryer Pork Steak
  • Air Fryer Breaded Pork Chops
Recipe This | Air Fryer Pork Roast (6)

Recipe This | Air Fryer Pork Roast (7)

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5 from 6 votes

Air Fryer Pork Roast

Air Fryer Pork Roast. How to cook pork roast in air fryer. Let chef Dom walk through the process of cooking the best pork roast you have ever had.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Air Fryer Oven

Servings: 4

Calories: 520kcal

Author: RecipeThis.com

Ingredients

Kitchen Gadgets:

Air Fryer Pork Roast Ingredients:

MetricImperial

Instructions

  • Score your pork roast with similar sized square slits. Spray with extra virgin olive oil. Season your pork with salt and pepper and your other seasonings.

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  • Place the rod through the pork shoulder so that it has come through both ends.

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  • Secure the clamps on each side.

    Recipe This | Air Fryer Pork Roast (10)

  • Place in the air fryer oven and make sure its secure. Set the time to 1 hour and the temperature to 180c/360f.

    Recipe This | Air Fryer Pork Roast (11)

  • When the air fryer beeps, remove from the air fryer to rest.

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  • After it has rested for about 5 minutes remove the clamps and rod and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

    Recipe This | Air Fryer Pork Roast (13)

Video

Notes

Time. The cook time we mentioned above is perfect for a pork roast in the air fryer that is approximately 1.2kg/2.6lbs. Our larger one is 2.1kg/4.6lbs and took 90 minutes.

Thanks for reading our air fryer pork roast recipe on Recipe This. We have many more air fryer recipes for you to check out next. Though if you would like to try more air fryer roasts, I recommend you try our air fryer rump roast next.

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 278mg | Potassium: 1481mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 35563IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition InfoPlease Note: Nutrition values are our best estimate based on the software we use at Recipe This and are meant as a guide. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

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FAQs

How do you keep pork from drying out 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.

What temperature to cook pork roast in air fryer ninja? ›

Place in Ninja Put it on Air Fry mode at 200 for 30 mins. After the airfry time take it out, rotate the pork clockwise 180 deg in the basket. Now return the Ninja on Roast setting, temp 190 deg for 40 mins. Check at 10min intervals if possible to monitor the crackling.

Can you put raw pork in an air fryer? ›

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

What is the best temperature to cook a pork roast? ›

Pre-heat oven to 325F (163C). 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).

Should I sear a pork roast before roasting? ›

Searing (quickly browning at high heat) the outside of a pork roast before continuing with cooking is a great way to seal in flavor. Roasts should have a hint of pink in the centre after cooking.

Should you cover a pork roast while cooking? ›

Tenting can be suitable for some cuts of meat, but if you want a crunchy crust on your roast, then it's best to leave it uncovered. If you notice that the roasted pork is browning too much, you can lightly cover it with aluminum foil. However, do not cover it for the last 5-10 minutes in the oven.

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 I make my pork roast less dry? ›

Brine the pork to maintain moisture by soaking it in a mixture of salt and water, baking soda, vinegar or even milk. You can also pour hot water over the loin to shrink the rind, which can enable better absorption of brine, milk, oil or marinade.

What's the difference between roast and air fry on a Ninja? ›

Air Fry: Use this function to give your food crispiness and crunch with little to no oil. Roast: Best for roasting joints of meat and vegetables. Reheat: Revive leftovers by gently warming them, leaving you with crispy results.

What is the roasting setting on Airfryer? ›

Use a temperature about 25 degrees F lower than what you may might be accustomed to with a conventional oven: Baking in the air fryer is typically about 325 instead of 350 degrees F, roasting will be about 400 instead of 425 degrees, and so on.

Can you put foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

What cannot be cooked in an air fryer? ›

7 Foods You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer
  1. Wet Batters. Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. ...
  2. Cheesy Items. ...
  3. Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  4. Baked Goods. ...
  5. Greens. ...
  6. Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  7. Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

Can I wrap pork in foil in air fryer? ›

It is absolutely safe to use aluminum foil in your air fryer. In fact, it can make cooking with the air fryer easier.

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.

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.

Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400? ›

Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400? Cooking a pork loin at 400°F will give a nice crust and cook it faster, reducing the risk of drying out. If using 350°F, cooking will take longer but be gentler, helping retain moisture.

What temperature is pork the most tender at? ›

These new pork temperature guidelines will help elevate the understanding of properly cooking pork. And you can bet that this “other white meat” cooked to the USDA-recommended temperature of 145°F (63°C) will be juicy, tender, (possibly) pink, and safe for your family.

Should you oil pork before roasting? ›

Prepare Pork for Roasting

Dry skin – Pat skin dry using a paper towel; Season flesh – Season the flesh sides of the pork with salt, pepper and optional fennel, with a drizzle of oil; Salt skin – On the skin side, drizzle with oil then sprinkle evenly with salt.

Should you cover a pork roast? ›

Tenting can be suitable for some cuts of meat, but if you want a crunchy crust on your roast, then it's best to leave it uncovered. If you notice that the roasted pork is browning too much, you can lightly cover it with aluminum foil. However, do not cover it for the last 5-10 minutes in the oven.

Is it better to cook a pork roast slow or fast? ›

Overcooking any meat dries it out. A pork loin roast is more tender and juicy when cooked to medium than when it is well done. If you're talking about a pork shoulder or pork butt, it is best braised low and slow to let the collagen soften. As soon as the meat pulls apart with a fork, it is done.

What liquid should I cook pork in? ›

Worcestershire sauce with cola is a classic combo for slow-cooked pork, but barbecue sauce and orange juice, a pale ale and apple cider vinegar, or Dijon mustard and honey are equally as delicious combos.

Do you rinse a pork roast before cooking? ›

Information. 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.

Does cooking a pork roast longer make it more tender? ›

Tough Cuts of Pork: Cooking Time and Temperature

The juiciest pork ribs and the tenderest pork shoulders—otherwise known as Boston butts—are best when cooked at a lower temperature for longer periods of time to allow the collagen to break down and achieve the aforementioned succulence.

Why does my air fryer make my meat dry? ›

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.

How do I make sure my pork is not dry? ›

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 ...

What can I add to pulled pork so it doesn't dry? ›

Try brine: Choose a wet marinade rather than a dry one. Dry rubs may work fine but brine or a wet rub will add that extra moisture along with the flavor that will penetrate deep inside the meat. Keep a spray bottle handy: Keep spraying the meat during smoking or reheating to replace the lost moisture.

How do you remove moisture from pork? ›

Salt gives flavour and helps absorb any remaining moisture. 5 minutes before roasting, rub the piece of pork very generously with salt, ensuring it goes right into the scoring. You can use a mix of regular table salt (which will penetrate the skin) and salt flakes (for a crisp crust).

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