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Pork and sauerkraut in a white casserole dish.
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5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Pork and Sauerkraut

This Air Fryer Pork and Sauerkraut Recipe is sure to bring you good luck all year! This delicious pork recipe is my favorite meal for New Year's Day. Ready in just an hour, you will be amazed at how truly scrumptious air fryer pork roast is. It's perfect for healthy family dinners anytime!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Rest Time20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Air Fryer
Cuisine: German
Keyword: air fryer, air fryer pork, dairy free, easy, gluten free, healthy, keto, new years day, paleo, pork loin, quick, whole30
Servings: 4 -6 servings
Calories: 429kcal
Author: Bethany Galloway

Ingredients

Pork Loin

  • 1.156 kg 2.5lbs Pork loin
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Sauerkraut side dish

  • 455 g 1lb sauerkraut
  • 1 onion finely sliced
  • 1 apple sliced
  • 1/2 tablespoon caraway seeds
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1-3 teaspoons of brown sugar coconut sugar, or brown sugar substitute (optional)
  • Salt & ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Air Fryer Pork Loin

  • Remove the pork from the fridge, patting it dry with a paper towel, and allowing it to sit at room temperature for an hour.
    Patting pork loin dry.
  • After an hour, preheat the air fryer to 200°C/400°F. Set the timer to 65 minutes.
  • If the pork loin has kitchen twine over it, pull it back and score the thick fat on top. I slice the fat right down to the meat. Place the twine back on the meat. If it comes loose, discard it and re-wrap the pork roast 2-3 times with fresh twine.
    Slicing the fat on pork loin.
  • Mix the rub spices together with the olive oil and rub it all over the pork loin, beginning with the bottom, then turning it over to get the sides and top of the roast. Make sure to get in between the sliced fat on top.
    Making sure spices are rubbed between fat on the pork loin.
  • Place the pork loin in the air fryer basket with the fat facing the top and cook it for 20 minutes (skip down to the air fryer sauerkraut instructions to begin those while the pork cooks).
    Pork loin in an air fryer.
  • After 20 minutes, have a quick check. If the pork loin is cooking quicker in one area, turn it around.
  • Cook for a further 20 minutes.
  • Check the internal temperature of the pork loin reaches 62°C/145°F. I used a dial meat thermometer, however, an instant-read thermometer is ideal.
    Checking the temperature of the pork loin with a dial thermometer.
  • Remove the pork loin from the air fryer and allow it to rest for 20 minutes. Turn the temperature down to 177°C/350°F on the air fryer.
    Tongs placing pork loin on a wooden chopping board to rest.
  • After the pork has rested, cut it into slices and serve.

Air Fryer Sauerkraut

  • While the pork loin is cooking in the air fryer, begin to prepare the sauerkraut side dish.
  • Slice the onion and apple thinly and mix them well with the sauerkraut, caraway seeds, olive oil, sugar (if you're using it), salt, and pepper. I tossed it with tongs.
    Sauerkraut ingredients in a bowl.
  • Add the sauerkraut to the air fryer, spread it out evenly, and cook for 15 minutes, tossing it with tongs or stirring it with a wooden spoon every 5 minutes. When it's finished cooking, it will be heated through with some browned bits here and there.
    Overhead shot of sauerkraut in an air fryer.

Notes

  • Stovetop Sauerkraut: Alternatively, you can cook the sauerkraut dish in a large nonstick skillet on the stove. Some optional ingredients to add in this case are a little chicken broth or apple juice for a little bit of sweetness and moisture. I begin by heating the olive oil and frying the onions for 5 minutes before adding the apple, sauerkraut, and caraway seeds. Add a few splashes of apple juice or chicken stock and cook until the ingredients are softer and heated through. Add a little sugar if desired.
  • Short on time: If you don't have time to bring the pork to room temperature before cooking it, it can still be cooked straight from the fridge. Follow the instructions as they are, and add another 10 minutes to the cooking time to start. Cook the pork loin in bursts of extra 10 minutes until it reaches 62°C/145°F, and then take it out to rest.
  • Leftovers: I like to double the sauerkraut dish for easy leftovers throughout the week. It's delightful hot or cold and great with hot dogs, or another delicious sausage like Polish sausage, Italian sausage, or bratwurst. I sometimes just eat it on its own as a snack, it's just so good.
  • Other cuts: Pork and sauerkraut can be made with other cuts of pork like juicy pork chops (either bone-in pork loin chops, boneless or pork chops with bread crumbs), a small pork shoulder, or pork tenderloin.

    • Storage Instructions

  • Fridge: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The sauerkraut will last for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze: Freeze any leftovers in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw completely before reheating.
  • Reheat: Reheat the leftover pork in the air fryer for 10 minutes, until it is piping hot. Check it after 5 minutes so it doesn't become overcooked. The sauerkraut can be reheated in the air fryer, on the stove, or in the microwave until it's heated through.

    • Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 51g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 793mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g