Air Fryer Pork Neck Recipe

Are you tired of the same old boring pork recipes? Look no further! My air fryer pork neck recipe is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

I’ll be teaching you how to make a delicious dish that is a way healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried pork chops.

Air-fried pork neck can be enjoyed by both kids and adults (especially parents!) who love meat but are looking for a healthier and quicker way to make them.

It’s particularly ideal for those who want to enjoy the taste and texture of fried pork chops without the added oil and calories. My recipe is also perfect for people who follow specific diets, such as low-carb or keto, as it’s low in carbs and high in protein.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
•  Equipment and Supplies Needed
• Step By Step Guide
• Serving Recommendations
• Storing and Freezing Your Leftover Pork Neck
• Pro Tips
• Recipe

Ingredients

• Pork neck
• Dried basil
• Black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Soy sauce
• Your favorite herbs and spices (I used pink pepper, red pepper, dry garlic, dry ginger, sea salt, allspice, tarragon, and rosemary.)

 Equipment and Supplies Needed

• Paper towels
• Tongs
• Marinating container
• Air Fryer (I use the Instant Pot Vortex Plus XL Air Fryer.)
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Steak tenderizer
• Fork
• Plastic Wrap
• Peppermill
• A serving dish

Step By Step Guide

1. Slice the pork into 3 cm thick pieces.

2. Pierce your meat with a fork or using a meat tenderizer tool.

3. Put it in a container for marinating. Pour 20 ml of olive oil and 30 ml of soy sauce.

4. Add all-purpose meat seasoning or your favorite spices. I used pink pepper, red pepper, dry garlic, dry ginger, sea salt, allspice, tarragon, and rosemary.

5. Cover with cling film and marinate for two hours at room temperature or leave it overnight in the fridge.

6. Once marinated, take out the meat. If taken out of the refrigerator, leave it at room temperature for about 30 mins to an hour.

7. Set your 380 °F/195 °C and preheat for a couple of minutes. Once the air fryer has heated up, place your meat in the air fryer basket. 

8. Flip your pork slices at the 4th- and 8th-minute mark.

9. After 12 minutes, rest your air-fried pork neck for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows for the juices to spread over the meat. When sliced, the meat should be slightly pink or light brown inside, depending on your preferred doneness.

10. Add your favorite side dish and enjoy!

Note: Different fryer models have various temperature ranges, and some models may cook faster or slower than others. Always make it a habit to read the user manual of your air fryer to understand the specific temperature and time settings for your model.

I recommend cooking pork neck in an air fryer at around 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 205°C). If your air fryer tends to cook faster, you may need to lower the temperature by 10-15°F. On the other hand, if it tends to cook slower, you may need to crank up the heat by 10-15°F.

If you prefer your pork slices to be crispier, you may want to increase the cooking time by about 3-5 minutes. If you prefer your pork neck to be more tender and juicy, you may want to reduce the cooking time slightly.

Serving Recommendations

Garnishing your pork slices can add extra flavor and elevate their presentation. A simple garnish of parsley, thyme, or your other choice of fresh herbs, can add a pop of color and freshness to the plate.

Another good option is to drizzle your favorite sauce, such as a simple mushroom cream sauce or a fresh basil pesto, for an unexpected but delicious combo. 

When it comes to side dishes, there is a wide range of options. Roasted vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, broccoli, or brussels sprouts, make a great addition. You can also go for mashed potatoes if you want classic comfort side dishes. You can never go wrong with a salad of mixed greens with a citrus vinaigrette as well.

Storing and Freezing Your Leftover Pork Neck

I highly recommend consuming your air-fried pork neck as soon as it’s done. Reheating takes away the softness, aroma, and juiciness of your meat.

Nonetheless, if you have leftovers (and it’s such a waste to throw away a delicious dish!), you can keep your air-fried pork neck in the refrigerator for several days. If you opt to freeze them, they will stay for up to two months.

You have to keep in mind though that freezing cooked meat will not taste as good as when they’re freshly made. You also need to use airtight containers or vacuum seal your air-fried pork neck.

Once you’ve defrosted your cooked meat, we do not recommend refreezing it again.

Pro Tips

Seasoning the Pork Slices

Seasoning your meat is one of the most important parts of preparing your pork neck. A well-seasoned pork neck will be flavorful, juicy, and tender. 

The simplest way to season a cut of meat is with salt and pepper, but I recommend adding other herbs and spices such as pink pepper, red pepper, dry garlic, dry ginger, sea salt, allspice, tarragon, and rosemary to give it a little more oomph. 

Marinating the Pork Neck

If you’re pressed with time, and you need to serve your air-fried pork right away, the previously mentioned steps will do. However, the best result I got was when I marinated the pork. 

Marinating for two hours will do, but leaving it in the fridge overnight will give you an intense flavor. You can leave the salt out when marinating the pork because we’ll be using soy sauce in the marinade. 

To create the marinade, add your mix of favorite spices to your bowl with soy sauce, a dash of olive or avocado oil, and black pepper. The oil here acts as a conductor of flavors as it breaks down and draws out the flavors from the spices and also evenly distributes the spices over the meat. 

The oil also creates a protective film that prevents the formation of a dry crust on the surface of your meat and the growth of bacteria.

Once your marinade is ready, pierce your pieces of meat with a fork or use the kitchen tool shown in the video. Place your pork slices in the marinade and cover with cling wrap for two hours at room temperature. You can also store it overnight in the fridge.

Checking the Doneness of the Pork Neck

The most reliable way of checking if your pork slices are done is by using a meat thermometer. To do this, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chop, making sure it's not touching bone. The meat is safely cooked if the internal temperature reaches 160°F/71°C.

If you don’t have a meat thermometer at home, you can always check for signs of browning and firmness to the touch. If the pork juices run clear, it’s a good sign that it’s cooked through.

Fixing Possible Problems

One of the most common problems with air-fried pork neck is that it can become dry and overcooked if the cooking time or temperature is not adjusted properly. This can result in a tough and rubbery pork neck that is difficult to chew.

On the other hand, if the pork neck is not cooked thoroughly, it can pose a health risk due to the potential presence of harmful bacteria. Make sure to check the internal temperature of the pork neck using a meat thermometer to ensure it is fully cooked.

If the pork neck slices are unevenly cooked, it’s possible that you have not arranged them evenly in the air fryer basket. Arrange the slices in a single layer and leave some space between them for even cooking.

Lastly, if your pork slices are sticking to the air fryer basket, it’s possible that your meat was not properly seasoned or coated with oil. Make sure to lightly coat the pork neck with oil before air frying.

Recipe