This is about to be the best pork roast with crackling you will make! Not only does this air fryer pork roast require minimal prep, but it is almost hands-free too.
In this post, you will learn how to cook a succulent, tender, juicy, and delicious pork roast with an irresistible crackle. I will also share valuable tips on the temperature to get it right at all times. Let me show you how to make it.
Why you will love this recipe
5 ingredients! All I used to season the pork are salt, black pepper, dried sage, olive oil and garlic granules. Sage goes well with pork meat without overpowering the delicious flavor of the pork. If you would like more seasoning on your meat then you should check out my pork rub seasoning recipe.
Minimal prep
Flavorful
Crispy crackling guaranteed
Perfect for all occasions: Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, dinner dates, Sunday dinner, or a regular weeknight when you want to treat your family to something special.
Tips before you start
Please bear all this information in mind before you cook your pork for a juicy and tender pork roast with a fantastic bubbly crispy crackling!
- Unroll the pork before you put it in the air fryer. Depending on the shape and size of your air fryer. Cooking the pork on an even level helps you achieve the best pork crackles you can hope for.
- Take your time to draw out enough moisture from the pork skin before you cook it. If you forgot to do this step or don’t have the time, pat the pork skin dry before cooking. This is important!
- Cook the pork at two different temperatures. First, on a low temperature enough to cook the meat beautifully while it slow cooks and is infused with flavors. Lastly, on a high heat to give it that final irresistible crackling worthy of a centerpiece.
- There is no need to score the skin for this recipe. Yes, you read that right. You can cook before roast pork without scoring the skin if done right. i.e. keeping the skin dry before cooking.
- Make sure your meat can fit into your air fryer.
- If you will be scoring the skin yourself, make sure you don’t cut through the flesh, as this may cause the meat to dry out as it cooks.
- Don’t rush to carve the meat once it is cooked. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes with a foil tent over it for the juice to redistribute back into the pork. Don’t worry; it won’t be cold, nor will the crackles get soft before you serve it.
- Don’t waste the pan drippings caught at the bottom of the air fryer basket. Make some gravy!
What you will need
Boneless pork shoulder with crackling
Olive oil
Dried sage: Substitute with fennel
Garlic granules
sea salt: I used the cooking salt (finer in texture) to season the fleshy part of the pork, while the coarse salt was used to season the rind of the pork.
How to make air fryer pork roast
Prep the pork: This step is important, so don’t skip it! Bring out the pork half an hour from the fridge before you cook it. Score the pork rind with a sharp knife a few times without cutting into the flesh. Season the rind with salt, ensuring all the surface is covered, and cover immediately with a kitchen paper towel.
Set it aside until you are ready to air-fry the pork. Doing this process above will not only bring the meat to room temperature but will help draw the moisture from the pork, which will enhance your getting a better crackling.
Preheat the air fryer to 400F/200C for 5 minutes.
Season the flesh: Flip the pork on a flat plate (the flesh side facing you). Drizzle olive oil on the pork, followed by salt and black pepper, sage and garlic granules. Rub the seasoning into the nooks and crannies of the meat.
Season the pork skin: Flip the pork (skin side facing you), drizzle with olive oil and rub it on the skin. Sprinkle the sea salt all over the pork’s skin, ensuring no part is left out.
Air fry: Carefully place the seasoned pork into the air fryer basket. Cook at 320F/160C for 50 minutes. Increase the heat of the air fryer to 400F/200C for 15-30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 155F – 160F.
If the crackling is not crispy to your liking after this time, Remove it from the pork meat (not to overcook the pork). Return the crackling to the air fryer and cook for another 5 minutes or until crispy to your liking.
Rest the pork for at least 15-20 minutes before carving it. Serve and enjoy
How long to cook pork roast in the air fryer
The cooking time will depend on the size of your pork and the wattage of your air fryer. You should estimate 25 minutes per lb (450g).
For a boneless pork shoulder or leg joint weighing about 1-2 kg, cook it for 50 to 1 hour, 20 minutes at 320F/160C, and 15-30 minutes at 400F/200C to get that crunchy crackling.
When done, the internal temperature of the meat should read between 145°F to 160°F if you like it medium well or well done like me.
What is the best cut of pork for roasting and crackling
The best cut of pork for roasting and crackling is the shoulder or leg joint. It has a good balance of fat and protein, which makes it ideal for roasting in an air fryer.
These cut also has plenty of marbling, which helps to keep the meat juicy and succulent. The crackling is also much easier to get right with this cut as it benefits from the fat and natural collagen in the meat. The crackling also gets nice and crispy when cooked correctly in an air fryer.
If you are buying from the butcher, let them know what you intend to use the meat for, and you will be served the best meat possible. Most supermarkets will label their pork cut and whether it is great for crackling.
Can I roast pork in the air fryer without skin
You can cook pork without crackling in the air fryer or oven. Air fry for 25-30 minutes per lb (or 500g) or until the internal temperature of the thickest of the pork reaches 155F – 160F on a meat thermometer.
Pork roast in air fryer recipe
This is about to be the best pork roast with crackling you will make! Not only does this air fryer pork roast require minimal prep, but it is almost hands-free too. In this post, you will learn how to cook a succulent, tender, juicy, and delicious pork roast with an irresistible crackle. I will also share valuable tips on the temperature to get it right at all times. Let me show you how to make it.
