How to Roast Pork in the Air Fryer: Crispy Crackling and Juicy Pork Every Time

I absolutely love roast pork.

What I don’t love is the mess it leaves behind in the oven which meant I used to save it only for special occasions or large family gatherings.

Then I discovered how to roast pork in the air fryer and honestly, it completely changed the way I cook roast pork at home.

The air fryer creates beautifully juicy pork with perfectly crispy crackling while keeping cleanup so much easier than traditional roasting methods.

Now roast pork has become one of our regular family meals and entertaining favourites.

Why Roast Pork Works So Well in the Air Fryer

Cooking roast pork in the air fryer has so many advantages.

It:

• Creates incredibly crispy crackling
• Keeps the pork moist and tender
• Requires less cleanup
• Cooks faster than the oven
• Is perfect for smaller family meals

Once you learn the simple preparation steps, it becomes one of the easiest roast dinners to make.

Choosing the Best Cut of Pork

My favourite cut for air fryer roast pork is a deboned pork loin roast.

The size you choose will depend entirely on the size of your air fryer basket.

I use a Ninja Foodi Multi Cooker and can comfortably fit a roast around 2.3kg (approximately 5 pounds).

If your roast is too large for the basket, the airflow won’t circulate properly which can affect the crackling.

The Secret to Crispy Pork Crackling

The key to good crackling is moisture removal.

Prepare the Pork the Day Before

For the best crackling, buy your pork at least one day before cooking.

The night before roasting:

1. Remove the pork from the packaging
2. Place it on paper towel
3. Score the skin if needed
4. Pat the skin completely dry
5. Rub generously with salt
6. Cover loosely with paper towel or a tea towel
7. Refrigerate uncovered overnight

This drying process helps remove excess moisture from the skin which is essential for crispy crackling.

I also like to add extra scoring to make the crackling easier to break apart once cooked.

Preparing the Pork Before Cooking

Around 30 minutes before cooking, remove the pork from the fridge and allow it to come closer to room temperature.

Once rested:

• Pat the skin dry again
• Rub the roast with oil
• Add another generous layer of salt

Dry skin plus salt is the real secret to crispy crackling.

Air Fryer Safety Tip

Before cooking, lightly spray your air fryer basket with oil.

And if you’re new to air frying, always place your air fryer on a wooden chopping board or heat-safe surface rather than directly on your benchtop.

It’s a simple precaution that can help protect your kitchen surfaces from heat damage.

How to Cook Roast Pork in the Air Fryer

Place the pork into the air fryer basket.

If you’re using a larger roast, it may fit quite snugly which is completely fine.

Step 1: Start with High Heat

Cook the pork for:

• 20 minutes at 200°C (390°F)

This initial high heat helps begin crisping the crackling.

Step 2: Lower the Temperature

After the first 20 minutes, continue cooking based on the weight of your roast.

As a guide:

• Allow approximately 25 minutes per 500g (1 pound)

For my 1.4kg roast, the total cooking time was 75 minutes.

After the initial high heat stage:

• Cook at 180°C (355°F) for 50 minutes
• Then reduce to 160°C (320°F) for the final portion of cooking time

This gradual reduction in temperature helps keep the pork juicy while allowing the crackling to continue crisping without burning.

Using a Meat Thermometer

I personally don’t use a thermometer and have never had issues with undercooked pork, but if you prefer additional reassurance, a meat thermometer is always helpful.

Pork loin is considered cooked when the thickest part reaches:

• 71°C (160°F)

The Final Result

The result is beautifully juicy roast pork with crunchy golden crackling and far less mess than traditional oven roasting.

It’s become one of my favourite ways to cook pork for both family dinners and casual entertaining because it’s reliable, easy, and always popular.

Once you learn how to roast pork in the air fryer, it’s honestly hard to go back to the oven version. If you’re looking for a delicious side try my Sweet Potato Mash.