Sunday roasts at Grandma’s had that golden crunch you could hear across the tableand now Air Fryer Pork Roast With Crackling is blowing up online for a reason. Pinterest, TikTok, even Reddit folks are obsessed. This one’s crispy, juicy, and shockingly easy. Set aside about 45 minutes and no you don’t need to be a pro.
This beauty starts with a boneless pork shoulder, a kiss of garlic, salt and oilplus pantry staples and zero fuss. The meat stays tender, the fat makes its own party, and that skin? Pure magic. Think traditional roast, but with buttons. Full details in the blog!
I grew up watching my uncle sear pork on Sundays, always chasing that perfect *snap* on the skin. Now, I test modern twists that still taste like home. No complicated steps, just real food. I’ve tested this one five times. You’ll love the secret tip I found.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy and hands-free: With an air fryer doing most of the work, this recipe is perfect for those busy evenings when you want minimal effort but maximum flavor.
That irresistible crackle: The crispy pork skin delivers a symphony of crunch while the meat stays tender and juicy.
No scoring necessary: Forget complicated techniques! Just keep that pork skin dry, and the air fryer does the rest.
Nostalgic comfort: Think Sunday roast vibes without the full oven hassle.
Ingredients & Quick Prep Tips
Here’s what you’ll need to create your Air Fryer Pork Roast With Crackling:
Pork shoulder: Pick a 3lb cut with skin (for that gorgeous crackling!).
Olive oil: Helps the seasoning stick and the skin crisp up beautifully.
Dried sage & garlic granules: Adds deep, herby flavor that works perfectly with pork.
Coarse salt: Essential for that bubbly, crispy skindon’t skimp on this one.
Black pepper: A classic touch to balance the seasoning.
Pro Tip: Rub coarse salt over the skin and let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the fridge) to draw out moisture and ensure maximum crispiness!
Ingredient
Amount
Pork shoulder
3lb
Olive oil
2 Tablespoons
Dried sage
2 teaspoons
Garlic granules
½ Tablespoon
Coarse salt
1 Tablespoon, divided
Black pepper
To taste
Step-By-Step Cooking Guide
Follow these simple steps to make your perfect pork roast:
Prep the pork: Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Pat the skin dry and rub coarse salt into it. Let it sit to help dry it out further.
Season the flesh: Flip the pork, drizzle with olive oil, and rub in salt, pepper, sage, and garlic granules.
Season the skin: Turn the pork back over, rub olive oil into the skin, and sprinkle coarse salt generously over the surface.
Cook in the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Cook the pork at 320°F for 50 minutes, then increase to 400°F for another 15-30 minutes for crispy crackling.
Let it rest: Remove the pork, tent it with foil, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before carving. This seals in the juices!
Step
Time
Temperature
Initial Cook
50 minutes
320°F
Crackling Finish
15-30 minutes
400°F
Resting (before carving)
15-20 minutes
–
Troubleshooting & Tips For Perfect Crackling
If the skin isn’t crispy enough: Remove it from the meat, pop it back in the air fryer, and cook for an additional 5 minutes at 400°F.
Keep the skin dry: This is your key to crackling success. Pat it dry thoroughly before seasoning, and avoid excess moisture during cooking.
Crowding the air fryer basket: Make sure the pork fits comfortably in your air fryer to allow air to circulate evenly.
Pro Tip: Save those flavorful drippings caught at the bottom of your air fryerperfect for whipping up a quick gravy!
How to Store and Reheat
Storage: Once cooled, store leftover pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Bring the pork back to life in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes or until warmed through.
Storage Method
Timeframe
Fridge (airtight container)
Up to 3 days
Freezer (wrapped tightly)
Up to 3 months
Expert Insight: Mastering Air Fryer Pork Roast With Crackling
Achieving perfect crackling on an air fryer pork roast requires a dry skin and high heat to render the fat crisply without drying the meat. This method leverages rapid hot air circulation for evenly cooked pork that’s tender inside and beautifully crunchy outside a smart shortcut to traditional roasting.
For more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Reddit!
Mastering the Air Fryer Pork Roast With Crackling
This air fryer pork roast with crackling didn’t happen overnight. After several attemptsonce I overcooked the edges while chasing that perfect crunchI finally nailed the balance. Years of trial and error in a busy kitchen have made this recipe reliably crispy and tender, just how my family loves it.
FAQs ( Air Fryer Pork Roast With Crackling )
How long does it take to cook pork roast in air fryer?
A typical 2-3 pound pork roast takes about 45-60 minutes in the air fryer at 380°F. The exact cooking time depends on the size and thickness of your roast. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F for food safety. Let the roast rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
How do you get crispy crackling on pork in air fryer?
Score the pork skin in a crosshatch pattern about 1/4 inch deep, then rub generously with coarse salt and let it sit for 30 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat the skin completely dry before cooking and start at a high temperature (400°F) for the first 15-20 minutes to crisp the skin. The circulating hot air in the air fryer creates perfectly crispy crackling without additional oil.
What temperature should air fryer pork roast be cooked at?
Start your air fryer pork roast at 400°F for the first 15-20 minutes to achieve crispy crackling, then reduce to 380°F for the remaining cooking time. The internal temperature should reach 145°F as measured by a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part. This two-temperature method ensures both crispy skin and perfectly cooked, juicy meat throughout.
Do you need to flip pork roast in air fryer?
No, you typically don’t need to flip a pork roast in the air fryer, especially if you want to maintain crispy crackling on top. The air fryer’s circulation cooks the meat evenly from all sides. However, if your roast is very thick or cooking unevenly, you can flip it once halfway through cooking. Just be gentle to avoid breaking the crispy skin.
Can you cook frozen pork roast in air fryer?
While it’s possible to cook a frozen pork roast in an air fryer, it’s not recommended for best results. Frozen meat won’t develop proper crackling and will cook unevenly. For food safety and optimal texture, thaw your pork roast completely in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before cooking. This ensures even cooking and allows you to properly score and season the skin for crackling.
Wrapping Up Your Air Fryer Pork Roast With Crackling
Your Air Fryer Pork Roast With Crackling comes together in under an hourcrispy skin, juicy meat, zero stress. It’s the kind of cozy, no-fuss recipe that feels like a warm kitchen hug after a long day. You’ll love how easy it is to impress without sweating the small stuff.
Want to mix it up? Try swapping sage for rosemary or adding a touch of smoked paprika for a little extra punch. Leftovers store beautifully in the fridge and reheat perfectly in the air fryer to keep that crackling crispa neat trick a pro baker once shared with me.
Did this recipe bring back a Sunday roast memory or spark a new favorite? I’d love to see your version or hear your tweaksdrop a comment or share a photo! Pass it along to someone who deserves a little extra comfort from their kitchen this week.
This air fryer pork roast delivers succulent, tender, and juicy meat with irresistibly crispy crackling, requiring minimal prep and almost hands-free cooking, perfect for a delicious dinner centerpiece.
Ingredients
Scale
3lb kg Pork shoulder with skin about 1.5kg
2 Tablespoons Olive oil
2 teaspoons Dried sage
½ Tablespoon Garlic granules
1 Tablespoon coarse salt divided into 2
fine cooking salt use as desired
ground black pepper
Instructions
Bring out the pork half an hour from the fridge before you cook it. Unroll the pork and score the rind with a sharp knife a few times without cutting into the flesh. Sprinkle the rind with ½ Tablespoon coarse 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.
If you have time, place the salted pork in the fridge for up to 24 hours uncovered.
Preheat the air fryer to 400F/200C for 5 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
Notes
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
Allow 25 -30 minutes per lb plus 15-30 minutes for crispy crackling
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
Sharing a handpicked collection of easy, healthy recipes made in our family kitchen. Rachel brings comforting classics, while Emily adds fresh, modern ideas together creating meals that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
