There are a lot of ways to cook a lean, tender, moist, and flavorful pork roast in an air fryer. This main dish will become your new favorite thing to make in your Foodi.
The Ninja Foodi is an incredible multi-use appliance that can pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, steam, sauté, and more all in one pot. This makes it an ideal tool for cooking up a delicious pork roast recipe. With the Foodi, you can achieve a tender and juicy interior while getting that crispy, browned exterior in record time.
Benefits of Using the Ninja Foodi for Pork Roast
There are several key advantages to using the Ninja Foodi for pork roast compared to traditional oven roasting:
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Speed – The Ninja Foodi can cook a pork roast in 30-40 minutes, versus over 2 hours in the oven. The rapid air frying gives you a quick crispy exterior.
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Moisture – Pressure cooking seals in juices The pork stays incredibly moist and tender.
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Flavor – You get incredible depth of flavor as the Foodi sears and crisps the outside of the meat.
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Convenience – With preset buttons and functions, the Foodi is simple to use. It also does the work of multiple appliances in one.
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Versatility – The Ninja Foodi allows you to easily add different seasonings or glazes to customize your pork roast recipe
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Pork Roast in the Ninja Foodi
Follow these simple steps for perfect pork roast made conveniently in your Foodi:
1. Choose the Right Cut of Pork
Good options for the Ninja Foodi include pork loin roast, pork tenderloin, boneless pork shoulder, or boneless pork butt. Go for a roast between 1.5-3 lbs for the right size. Trim off any excess fat, but leave a thin layer for moisture.
2. Prepare the Pork Roast
Pat the pork dry with paper towels. Then rub or brush the pork all over with a light coating of oil. This helps promote browning and crisping. Generously season the pork on all sides with your choice of spices, herbs, or other rubs.
3. Preheat the Ninja Foodi
Preheat using the “Air Crisp” or “Bake/Roast” function at 360-390°F to get the interior pot hot. If also pressure cooking, you don’t need to preheat over 300°F.
4. Add Pork Roast to the Pot
Place the seasoned pork roast in the cook and crisp basket or cooking pot. For larger roasts over 3 lbs, you may need to cut in half to fit.
5. Select Your Cooking Function
For smaller roasts under 2 lbs: Use Air Crisp at 360°F for 15 minutes, flip, then continue air crisping for 15-25 minutes more until done.
For larger roasts over 2 lbs: Pressure cook on high for 1-2 minutes per lb, allow natural release for 10-20 minutes. Then air crisp at 400°F for 10-15 minutes to crisp and brown.
For extra tenderness: Pressure cook as above, then immediately release pressure and baste roast with juices. Air crisp at 400°F for 10-15 minutes.
6. Allow the Roast to Rest
Remove the pork roast from the Foodi, tent with foil, and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Ninja Foodi Pork Roast
Here are some helpful tips to ensure pork roast success every time with your Foodi:
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Use a meat thermometer to check doneness – aim for 145°F internal temperature.
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Let the roast rest after cooking for juicy meat.
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For bone-in or larger roasts, increase cook time by 5-10 minutes.
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Brush on any sauces or glazes in the last 5 minutes only to avoid burning.
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If the roast isn’t browning well, bump up the air crisp temperature.
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Add liquid like broth or barbecue sauce to the pot for extra moisture.
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For food safety, thoroughly clean the Ninja Foodi’s inner pot after cooking pork.
Flavoring Your Pork Roast
One of the best aspects of making pork roast in the Foodi is that the possibilities for flavors are endless! Consider using:
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Herbs & Spices: Rosemary, thyme, garlic, onion, paprika, chili powder
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Spice Blends: Cajun seasoning, jerk seasoning, adobo blend
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Sauces & Rubs: Barbecue sauce, teriyaki marinade, mustard, hoisin
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Fruity Flavors: Orange zest, pineapple salsa, apricot jam, apple butter
Get creative and use different herb and spice rubs each time to make your pork roast recipe new and exciting. The Ninja Foodi helps those flavors penetrate right into the meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size roast fits best in the Ninja Foodi?
For the best fit, choose pork roasts between 1.5-3 lbs. Roast may need to be trimmed or cut in half.
How long should I pressure cook pork roast?
For a 2-3 lb roast, pressure cook on high for 8-12 minutes, then allow natural release for 10-15 minutes. Adjust time as needed.
What internal temperature is pork roast done?
Cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F for safe, juicy pork. Always use a meat thermometer.
Can I cook pork roast from frozen?
It’s best to thaw pork in the fridge first. But you can increase pressure time for frozen meat.
Should I use air crisp or broil to finish?
The air crisp function is recommended for the crispy browned exterior. Use temperatures of 360-400°F.
Conclusion
The Ninja Foodi offers a quick and convenient way to make incredibly moist, tender and flavorful pork roast recipes right at home. Follow the tips in this guide for cooking pork roast using the Foodi’s pressure cooking, air frying and more. In no time, you’ll be impressing your family with restaurant-quality pork roast cooked right in your Foodi!
Sizing your pork roast
Before we dive in, make sure your pork roast will fit in your Ninja Foodie basket.
A boneless pork loin roast of between 1. 5 and 3 pounds should fit in the smaller Foodi Cook and Crisp Basket. I’m cooking with a 5-quart Ninja Foodi, and this roast was just under 2 pounds.
Your roast might not fit in the basket if it’s too long. You can either cut it in half or shape it to fit. When cooking more than one piece of roast, cook them each separately for best results.
If the pork tenderloin is long and thin, and fits in a circle, you can put the whole thing in the basket as long as it doesn’t touch or overlap.
- Pork Roast: We’re air-frying a pork loin roast here, but this method can be used to make any lean, boneless pork roast. Cut off the extra fat on your pork roast.
- Garlic Herb Seasoning: The blend I have is made up of garlic powder, salt, and other herbs and spices.
- Chili powder: This adds a little heat to the pork roast!
- Preheat the Ninja Foodi to 390°F/200°C on the Bake/Roast setting. If needed, trim your pork roast to remove excess fat.
- Season the pork roast on all sides with the garlic herb seasoning, onion powder, chili powder, and salt, making sure they are spread out evenly.
- Put the roast in the oven.
- Turn the roast over and cook for another 15 minutes, or until the pork roast reaches 145°F/63°C on the inside. Let it sit for five minutes before cutting it up and serving it.
Pork Tenderloin vs. Pork loin
This is a thin, narrow piece of pork meat taken from the loin of the animal. It is a very tender, lean cut of meat.
Pork loin comes from the back of the pig and is a larger roast. It will be less tender, but still tasty.
You can cook either a pork loin or a pork tenderloin in the Ninja Foodi using this recipe. Just adjust the time to match the size of your roast.
