Pork, Bacon & Sausage
Air Fryer Pork Loin Roast with Garlic Herb Crust
Juicy air fryer pork loin roast: 360°F for about 20–25 minutes per pound, flipped halfway, until 145°F. With a garlic herb crust and times for pork loin filets.
Quick answer
Cook a boneless pork loin roast in the air fryer at 360°F180°C for about 20–25 minutes per pound, flipping halfway, until the center reaches 145°F63°C. A 2 lb roast takes about 40–50 minutes, and a 2½ lb roast about 50–60 minutes. Rest it for 10 minutes before slicing. Pre-marinated pork loin filets take about 25–30 minutes at 380°F195°C.
- Time
- 20–25 min per lb
- Flip
- Yes, halfway
- Done when
- 145°F63°C, then rest 10 min
Garlic Herb Air Fryer Pork Loin Roast air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boneless pork loin roast, 2 lb | 360°F180°C | 40–50 min | Flip halfway |
| Boneless pork loin roast, 2½ lb | 360°F180°C | 50–60 min | Flip halfway |
| Boneless pork loin roast, 3 lb | 360°F180°C | 60–70 min | Only if it fits, or cut in half |
| Small pork roast, 1–1½ lb | 360°F180°C | 25–35 min | Check early |
| Pre-marinated pork loin filet (about 1½ lb) | 380°F195°C | 25–30 min | Check the package; pat dry |
| Bone-in pork loin roast, 2–3 lb | 360°F180°C | 25–28 min per lb | Check next to the bone |
| Boneless pork loin chops, 1 inch | 400°F205°C | 10–14 min | Flip halfway |
| Reheating sliced pork loin | 350°F175°C | 3–5 min | Wrap in foil with a splash of broth |
Times are for a preheated 5–6 quart basket air fryer with food in a single layer. Oven-style and very large air fryers can run 1–3 minutes slower. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
A pork loin roast is one of the easiest holiday mains to make in the air fryer. The circulating heat gives it a golden, garlicky crust while the inside stays juicy, and it’s done in about an hour without heating the oven. It’s just as good for Sunday dinner, with leftovers for sandwiches all week.
How to cook pork loin in the air fryer
- Pat it dry and score the fat cap.
- Rub with the garlic herb crust: Dijon, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Air fry at 360°F180°C for about 20–25 minutes per pound, flipping halfway.
- Pull it at 145°F63°C in the center.
- Rest for 10 minutes, then slice.
How long to air fry a pork loin roast
Plan on about 20–25 minutes per pound at 360°F180°C. A 2 lb roast takes 40–50 minutes, and a 2½ lb roast takes 50–60. Thickness matters as much as weight, so start checking with a thermometer about 10 minutes before the low end.
Make sure the roast fits with at least an inch of space around it. Most 5–6 qt baskets take a roast of up to about 2½ lb. For a longer loin, cut it in half crosswise and cook both pieces side by side.
Pork loin filets and smaller roasts
- Pre-marinated pork loin filets (about 1½ lb): 380°F195°C for 25–30 minutes, flipped halfway. The lower heat keeps the sugary marinade from burning.
- Small roasts (1–1½ lb): 360°F180°C for 25–35 minutes.
- Bone-in pork loin roasts: about 25–28 minutes per pound. Check the temperature next to the bone, which is the last part to cook.
For Christmas dinner
A pork loin roast serves 8 and leaves the oven free for the sides. While it rests, make maple sweet potatoes or green beans in the air fryer. For a full plan, see our air fryer side dishes guide. Cooking for fewer people? A pork tenderloin is ready in about 20 minutes.
Tips for juicy pork loin
- Season it ahead. Salting the roast a day before and leaving it uncovered in the fridge gives a juicier roast and a crisper crust.
- Pull it at 145°F63°C. The temperature rises a few degrees while it rests.
- Rest it for 10 minutes before slicing so the juices stay in the meat.
- Slice it thin across the grain, about ½ inch thick.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftover pork loin for up to 4 days. To reheat, wrap the slices in foil with a splash of broth and heat at 350°F175°C for 3–5 minutes. See our reheating guide for other leftovers.
Garlic Herb Air Fryer Pork Loin Roast
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 hr 5 min
- Air fryer
- 360°F180°C
- Makes
- 8 servings
- Calories
- 230 per serving
Ingredients
- 1 boneless pork loin roast (about 2½ lb)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, finely grated
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Dry and score. Pat the pork dry with paper towels. If it has a fat cap, score it in a shallow crosshatch, about ⅛ inch deep, so the fat renders and the seasoning sinks in.
- Season. Stir together the olive oil, Dijon, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Rub it all over the roast. For the best flavor, do this up to a day ahead and refrigerate the roast uncovered.
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F180°C for 3 minutes. Check that the roast fits with at least an inch of space around it. If it doesn't, cut it in half crosswise.
- Air fry. Place the roast fat side up and cook for 25 minutes. Flip it and cook another 20–35 minutes, until the center reaches 145°F63°C. Start checking at 45 minutes total.
- Rest and slice. Move the roast to a cutting board, tent it loosely with foil and rest for 10 minutes. Slice about ½ inch thick and spoon the juices over the top.
Notes
- If the outside browns before the center is done, cover the top loosely with foil, tucked under the roast so it can't blow around.
- A 3 lb roast is too long for many baskets. Two shorter pieces cook faster and more evenly than one roast squeezed in.
- Leftovers keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook a pork loin in the air fryer?
At 360°F180°C, a boneless pork loin roast takes about 20–25 minutes per pound: 40–50 minutes for 2 lb and 50–60 minutes for 2½ lb. Flip it halfway, and take it out when the center reaches 145°F63°C.
What temperature do you cook a pork roast in the air fryer?
360°F180°C works best for a roast. It browns the outside without burning it while the center cooks through. Cook the pork to an internal temperature of 145°F63°C, then rest it for 10 minutes.
How long does a 2 lb pork roast take in the air fryer?
About 40–50 minutes at 360°F180°C, flipped halfway. Thicker roasts take longer than long, thin ones of the same weight, so check with a thermometer from 35 minutes.
How do you cook a pork loin filet in the air fryer?
Pre-marinated pork loin filets, like Smithfield's, usually weigh about 1½ lb. Pat it dry and cook at 380°F195°C for about 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until it reaches 145°F63°C. Check the package for its weight and any directions.
Can you put a frozen pork loin in the air fryer?
It's better to thaw it first. A frozen roast this size browns and dries out on the outside long before the center is safe. Thaw it in the refrigerator for about a day, then cook as usual.
Should a pork loin be pink in the middle?
A little pink is fine. At 145°F63°C with a rest, pork loin is safe and stays juicy, with a blush of pink in the center. Cooking it until it's white all the way through, around 160°F71°C, makes it dry.
Is pork loin the same as pork tenderloin?
No. Pork loin is a wide roast, usually 2–4 lb, often with a fat cap, and it takes about an hour. Pork tenderloin is a narrow 1–1½ lb strip that cooks in about 20 minutes. See our air fryer pork tenderloin recipe.
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