Air fryers have become an incredibly popular kitchen appliance in recent years. Their ability to make crispy foods like french fries and chicken wings using little to no oil is very appealing. Many people use them as an alternative to traditional deep frying. But can you also use an air fryer to rotisserie cook a pork roast?
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a small countertop convection oven that uses hot air to cook food. A fan circulates the hot air around the food at high speed, cooking the food and producing a crispy texture similar to deep frying. Air fryers cook food very quickly and can reduce the fat content of fried foods by 70-80% compared to deep frying.
Most air fryers have a basket design that allows air to circulate freely around the food. The basket is similar to a wire rack that goes inside a convection oven. Air fryers also have temperature and timer controls so you can easily adjust the settings.
Popular foods to make in an air fryer include french fries, chicken wings, fish fillets, roasted vegetables and more. Anything with a crunchy exterior coating or breaded exterior tends to come out well when air fried.
What is Rotisserie Cooking?
Rotisserie cooking involves rotating the food constantly to cook it evenly on all sides. The rotation allows the meat to self-baste as the juices redistribute over the surface while cooking. It produces very moist, flavorful results.
Rotisserie cooking is most commonly done using a rotisserie oven or outdoor grill with a rotisserie function. A spit or skewer goes through the center of the meat, allowing it to rotate during the cooking process. The rotation can be motorized or manual.
Common rotisserie meats include whole chickens, turkey breasts, beef roasts, pork loins and legs of lamb. The constant rotation allows for even cooking and browning on all sides.
Can You Rotisserie Cook in an Air Fryer?
Most standard air fryers are not designed for rotisserie cooking. However, there are some air fryer models on the market that do have a built-in rotisserie function.
Air fryer rotisseries typically have a motorized spit that goes through the center of the meat or poultry. The basket may be oblong or oval shaped to accommodate the rotisserie function. You load the food onto the skewer, program the settings, and the air fryer rotates and cooks the food evenly using super heated air.
So in short, yes you can rotisserie certain foods in an air fryer as long as you have a model that has been specifically designed with rotisserie capabilities.
Benefits of Rotisserie Cooking in an Air Fryer
There are a few benefits to rotisserie cooking in an air fryer compared to using a traditional rotisserie oven:
- Takes up less countertop space – Air fryers are much smaller than convection ovens.
- Faster preheating – The hot air in an air fryer circulates quickly, allowing for faster preheating.
- Crispier results – The high velocity hot air can help produce a crispy browned exterior on rotisserie meats.
- Self-basting – The rotation still allows for self-basting with juices like standard rotisserie cooking.
The constant rotation and super heated air combine to cook foods very quickly while keeping the interior moist and juicy. An air fryer rotisserie can be a great alternative for small kitchens or for quick weeknight meals.
How to Rotisserie a Pork Roast in an Air Fryer
Most rotisserie-enabled air fryer models can accommodate a 3-4 pound bone-in or boneless pork roast. Here are some tips for rotisserie cooking pork roast in an air fryer:
1. Prepare the Pork Roast
Start with a high quality bone-in or boneless pork roast that will fit in your air fryer rotisserie. Leave the bone in for more flavor and moisture. Trim off any excess fat to prevent flare ups. Pat the pork dry and season all over with salt, pepper, and any additional herbs or spices you want.
2. Skewer the Pork Roast
Insert the rotisserie skewer through the center of the pork, being careful to balance it as evenly as possible on the skewer. Secure the meat in place with the skewer forks or clamps. You want a snug and tight fit but not so tight that it tears the meat.
3. Load the Air Fryer Rotisserie
Place the loaded skewer into your air fryer rotisserie. Make sure the meat is properly balanced and centered. Close the air fryer and plug it in.
4. Program the Settings
Most air fryer rotisseries have built-in preset programs for different meats. Select the preset pork roast setting which will automatically program the temperature and cook time. If there is no preset, set the air fryer to 380°F and cook for approximately 25-30 minutes until the pork reaches 145°F internally.
5. Allow to Rest
Once cooked through, remove the pork from the air fryer and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 10-15 minutes which allows the juices to redistribute through the meat. The internal temp will raise by about 10°F during this time.
6. Carve and Serve
Carefully remove the skewer and carve the pork roast into slices. Serve while hot and juicy. Enjoy the tender, moist pork that has crispy browned exterior bits from the hot circulated air.
Tips for the Best Results
Here are some top tips to get the best results when rotisserie cooking pork roast in an air fryer:
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Use boneless or bone-in | Bone-in has more flavor but boneless will cook slightly faster. |
| Secure properly on skewer | Balance and secure the roast well on the skewer to prevent slippage. |
| Preheat 5 minutes | Allow the air fryer to fully preheat before loading the pork roast. |
| Brush with oil | Coat all sides lightly with oil to help browning and self-basting. |
| Cook to 145°F | Cook until the internal temp of the pork reaches 145°F for proper doneness. |
| Let rest 10-15 minutes | Never slice rotisserie meats immediately. Letting them rest distributes juices. |
Following these tips will help you achieve a perfectly cooked juicy pork roast with a crispy browned exterior using your air fryer rotisserie function.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size pork roast works best?
For most air fryer rotisseries, a 3-4 pound pork roast is ideal. Anything larger likely won’t fit. Go for a smaller 2-3 pound roast if your air fryer is on the smaller side.
Should you brine the pork first?
Brining is not required but can help keep the pork extra moist and flavorful. Dissolve 1/2 cup salt in 4 cups water. Submerge the pork and brine 12-24 hours before cooking.
What temperature should pork roast be cooked to?
Cook the pork roast until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. This ensures it stays juicy while still being cooked through safely.
What if my air fryer doesn’t have a rotisserie function?
Unfortunately you won’t be able to rotisserie the pork roast unless your specific model has a built-in rotisserie spit and motor. You can still cook pork roast pieces in a standard air fryer though.
Should you flip the pork roast halfway through?
No, flipping is not necessary when rotisserie cooking. The constant rotation cooks it evenly on all sides without the need to flip.
Conclusion
Rotisserie cooking pork roast in an air fryer is possible as long as you have an air fryer designed with rotisserie capabilities. The hot circulating air cooks the meat fast while the rotation allows self-basting in its own juices. Follow the preparation, skewing, and cooking steps properly to end up with a flavorful and juicy pork roast using the convenient air fryer rotisserie function.