Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance for quick and easy cooking using little to no oil. An air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food to produce a crispy, fried finish using just a tablespoon or less of oil. This makes it a healthier alternative to deep frying. Air fryers can be used to cook a wide variety of foods from frozen snacks to fresh vegetables, and also meat. Pork chops and tenderloin are especially delicious prepared in an air fryer. But what temperature should you set your air fryer to perfectly cook pork?
Factors That Determine Air Fryer Temperature For Pork
There are a few factors to consider that will determine the best air fryer temperature for cooking pork:
Thickness and Cut of Pork
– Thinner pork chops and pieces will cook faster and may require a slightly lower temperature than thicker cuts. A thin boneless pork chop may cook well at 370°F while a 2-inch thick bone-in chop may need 390°F.
Bone-In vs Boneless
– Bone-in pork chops or cuts will take longer to cook than boneless. The bone continues to cook the meat from the inside even when the outside is browned. Boneless pieces will cook faster.
Level of Doneness
– The internal temperature you are aiming for, which determines how well-done the pork is, will affect air fryer temperature. Lower temperatures around 300°F will gently cook to 145°F for pink pork. Higher temps around 400°F will quickly cook pork to 170°F for well-done.
Amount of Pork
– The more pork you are cooking, the longer it will take. Smaller batches will cook faster than max capacity. You may need to increase the temperature slightly for larger batches to ensure the pork cooks through.
Best Air Fryer Temperatures for Different Cuts of Pork
Here are some guidelines for the best air fryer temperatures based on the cut of pork:
Pork Tenderloin
| Thickness | Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1-inch | 380°F | 8-14 minutes |
| 2-inches | 360°F | 18-22 minutes |
– Pork tenderloin cooks quickly and evenly. Use 380°F for 1-inch thick pieces or 360°F for 2-inch cuts. Cook to internal temp of 145°F for slight pinkness.
Pork Chops
| Thickness | Bone-In or Boneless | Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 inch | Boneless | 370°F | 8-12 minutes |
| 3/4 inch | Bone-In | 400°F | 14-18 minutes |
| 1 inch | Boneless | 380°F | 10-14 minutes |
| 1 1/2 inch | Bone-In | 390°F | 20-25 minutes |
– Thinner chops do well at 370°F while thicker bone-in cuts may need up to 400°F. Cook bone-in chops 5 minutes longer. Remove chops when internal temp reaches 145°F.
Pork Roast
| Size | Bone-In or Boneless | Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 lbs | Boneless | 360°F | 40-50 minutes |
| 3 lbs | Bone-In | 350°F | 55-70 minutes |
– For boneless roasts cook at 360°F, bone-in roasts should be cooked at 350°F. Cook times will range from 40 minutes for 2 pounds up to 70 minutes for a 3 pound bone-in roast.
Pork Ribs
| Type | Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Baby back | 360°F | 25-35 minutes |
| Spare ribs | 360°F | 25-35 minutes |
| Country-style | 400°F | 25-30 minutes |
– Different cuts of ribs can all be cooked between 360-400°F. Cook for 25-35 minutes until tender and sauce glazes.
Ground Pork
– Cook ground pork at 400°F, until browned and 160°F internal temperature, about 8-12 minutes
Pork Sausage
– Fresh sausages can be cooked at 380°F for 12-15 minutes until browned and 160°F internal temperature. Pre-cooked sausages only need 5 minutes at 350°F to warm through.
Ham
– Fully cooked ham slices just need warming at 300°F for 6-8 minutes.
Tips for Air Frying Pork
Follow these tips for moist, tender and perfectly cooked pork in your air fryer:
– Brush or rub pork with a small amount of oil before cooking for crispy results.
– Flip pork halfway during cooking time for even browning.
– Always use an instant-read meat thermometer to check final internal temperature.
– Allow pork to rest for 5 minutes before serving so juices redistribute.
– Preheating air fryer for 3-5 minutes helps it recover temperature when food is added.
– For even cooking, cut pork into uniform pieces sized about the same thickness.
– Spray air fryer basket with oil before cooking for easy release.
Conclusion
Air fryers provide a quick and convenient way to cook juicy pork by circulating hot air around the meat. While most pork cuts can be cooked between 350-400°F, consider the thickness, bone-in vs boneless, and level of doneness you want. Thinner boneless chops and pieces will cook faster at lower temps around 370°F. Thicker bone-in chops or roasts may require higher heat up to 400°F. Check internal temperature to avoid overcooking. With the right time and temperature guidelines, air fryers can produce tender, flavorful pork just like deep frying but in a healthier way.