This moist and flavorful pork loin with cashews, fennel, and garlic was roasted in an air fryer. If you don’t like pork that is all dried out, you will like this because the crust keeps the moisture in.
I developed this recipe for the air fryer based on the oven recipe for Fennel and Cashew Crusted Pork Loin. Cashews do very well with pork, and even better with fennel seed. If you are trying to lower your carb and fat intake, this air fryer version might just be the one for you! The original recipe uses Panko bread crumbs, and I’ll leave the recipe for it below.
Pork Loin
Pork loin has very little fat so you have to do something to keep it moist. Using a crust and an air fryer, which is quicker than a conventional oven. keeps the moisture inside. If you are watching your fat intake, even though loin is less fatty than other pork parts, I would advise trimming any loose or thick fat. Use a sharp boning knife to do the job.
Cashew Crust
The cashew crust comes together in a jiffy in the small bowl of a Braun food processor or any small food processor. Just process the cashews, fennel seed, and garlic together. It smells really good and you will probably find yourself having a few bites for yourself. You could even spread it on crackers and forget the pork altogether, it’s that good.
Air Fryer Roasted Pork
There are still people who roast pork to death because they are afraid of getting Trichinosis. Pork is treated now to reduce this from happening, so you don’t have to eat shoe leather anymore. However, the pork should still be cooked until it’s light pink, 145 F / 162 C. Use an instant-read thermometer and put it in the thickest part of the meat.
Email Me the Recipe
Cashew and Fennel Seed Crusted Pork Loin
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ pound pork loin
- ½ cup cashews
- 6 cloves garlic, medium size
- 2 tablespoons fennel seed
- ½ teaspoon whole peppercorns
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Mise En Place
- Put the garlic, cashews, fennel seed, peppercorns, and pepper flakes into the bowl of a food processor. Process until the cashews are the size of sand. Start adding olive oil with the processor running until the mixture starts making a ball.
- Remove any unwanted fat from the pork. Pat it dry with a paper towel. Put the rotisserie rod in and secure the ends. Take the mixture in the food processor and using your fingers, press it all over the pork loin.
- Put the crusted loin in the air fryer and set it 320 for 25 minutes on the rotisserie. Check with an instant-read thermometer. Add an additional 15 to 20 minutes. When the pork reaches 130 degrees, increase the heat to 400 for 5 minutes.
- Let the roast rest for about 10 minutes then remove it from the oven. Remove the rod and slice it. You will find that some of the crust has come off. Simply spoon that delicious mixture over the roast for presentation.
- Enjoy with risotto and a big salad.
