Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin with Roasted Red Wine Cranberries: A Festive & Easy Holiday Meal
Welcome the holiday season with an effortlessly elegant dish: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin, perfectly complemented by rich Roasted Red Wine Cranberries. This recipe is not only incredibly quick and simple to prepare but also versatile enough for any occasion. Whether you’re planning a celebratory weeknight dinner or searching for a delightful alternative to traditional turkey for Thanksgiving, this combination of savory pork and tart-sweet cranberries is an absolute match made in heaven. Its festive flavors make it an ideal centerpiece for any holiday gathering, delivering gourmet taste with minimal fuss.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by AdapTable Meals. As always, all opinions are my own.
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About This Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin: Your Ultimate Holiday Shortcut
When it comes to crafting a truly memorable meal, there’s a timeless truth: bacon makes everything better, especially when it embraces a succulent pork loin. This isn’t just *any* bacon-wrapped pork loin recipe; it’s a revolutionary approach to holiday cooking, designed to save you time and effort without compromising on flavor or presentation. Thanks to AdapTable Meals, the intensive labor of perfectly wrapping a pork loin is entirely taken care of with their incredible Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Boneless Pork Loin Filet. This pre-prepped masterpiece is a game-changer for busy home cooks who still want to deliver exceptional quality.
The secret to this dish’s irresistible appeal lies in the hickory smoked bacon, which infuses the pork with a deep, smoky aroma and crisps up beautifully in the air fryer. The result is a perfect textural contrast: incredibly crispy bacon on the outside, safeguarding a tender, juicy pork loin within. AdapTable Meals has become my secret weapon for both quick weeknight dinners and special occasions. Their entire product line makes it incredibly simple to create flavorful meals without a ton of effort. This means more time enjoying your company and less time stuck in the kitchen, which is truly a blessing during the bustling holiday season. Plus, you can feel good knowing all their products use simple, familiar ingredients with no added preservatives.
This festive meal is an absolute winner for a variety of gatherings:
- Spontaneous Dinner Parties: Impress your neighbors or friends with a seemingly complex dish that was, in fact, incredibly easy to prepare.
- Elevated Weeknight Meals: Transform an ordinary Tuesday into something extraordinary, perfect when you crave a little extra indulgence.
- Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner: Offer a delicious and easy alternative to turkey, or a fantastic additional main course that caters to different tastes.
- Holiday Gatherings of Any Size: Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner for four or a larger celebration for eight or more, this recipe is easily scalable. (More details on scaling below, ensuring everyone gets a taste of this deliciousness!)
There’s simply no denying the magic of air fryer recipes! The high heat circulation ensures the bacon achieves an unparalleled crispiness that’s often harder to achieve in a conventional oven, making every bite a delight.
Key Ingredients for Flavorful Success
Crafting this delicious air fryer bacon wrapped pork loin with roasted red wine cranberries requires a few key ingredients, each playing a vital role in the final flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need to create this memorable dish:
Pork Loin: The star of our show! You’ll need one AdapTable Meals Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Boneless Pork Loin Filet for this recipe, which conveniently feeds four. The beauty of this product is that it comes pre-wrapped with delicious, smoky bacon, eliminating a step and guaranteeing incredible flavor and tenderness. The combination of the hickory-smoked bacon and the quality pork creates a rich, savory experience that’s truly exceptional. No need for extra seasoning on the pork loin itself; simply cook it straight out of the package and into your air fryer for a stress-free meal.
Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are absolutely essential for the vibrant roasted side. Their natural tartness perfectly balances the richness of the pork and bacon, creating a harmonious holiday flavor. Cranberries are typically in season through the fall and winter holidays, making this the ideal time to take advantage of their fresh, bright taste. Avoid using dried cranberries for this recipe, as they will not yield the same texture or tangy burst of flavor that fresh ones provide.
Red Wine: The red wine in the cranberry sauce adds depth, complexity, and a hint of sophistication. While you can use any dry red wine you have on hand, I highly recommend a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Shiraz. These varietals offer robust fruit notes and a good body that stands up beautifully to the tart cranberries, enhancing the overall roasted flavor without overpowering it.
Honey: A touch of honey brings a natural sweetness to the cranberries, balancing their tartness and helping to create a luscious, chutney-like consistency. Feel free to use your favorite variety of honey. If you prefer, agave nectar or maple syrup are also excellent alternatives that provide similar sweetness and a delightful syrupy texture.
Orange Zest: The zest of a fresh orange introduces a bright, aromatic citrus note that elevates the entire dish. It provides a fragrant counterpoint to the rich pork and deepens the complexity of the cranberry sauce, tying all the flavors together beautifully for a truly festive taste.
Essential Tools for a Seamless Cooking Experience
This recipe is designed for ease, and you’ll only need a few basic kitchen tools to bring it to life. Having the right equipment on hand ensures a smooth and enjoyable cooking process, from preparing the vibrant cranberries to air frying the perfect pork loin.
For the sumptuous roasted cranberries, a **square glass baking dish** (preferably 9×9 inches) is ideal. Its size is perfect for allowing the cranberries to roast evenly and the liquid to reduce into a delicious chutney. You’ll also need a **wooden spoon or a heat-resistant spatula** to gently stir the cranberry mixture before and after roasting, ensuring all the flavors meld together perfectly.
The star appliance for the pork loin is, of course, your **air fryer**. I personally use my Instant Pot air fryer, which delivers fantastic results, but any model you own and are comfortable with will work wonderfully. The air fryer is key to achieving that desirable crispy bacon exterior while keeping the pork incredibly moist. A good pair of **tongs** is indispensable for safely and easily transferring the hot pork loin in and out of the air fryer basket, protecting your hands and maintaining the integrity of the bacon wrap.
Finally, once your magnificent pork loin is cooked to perfection, you’ll need a sharp **chef’s knife** and a sturdy **cutting board**. These will allow you to cleanly slice the tender pork, showcasing its beautiful internal doneness and making it ready for serving alongside your flavorful cranberries. These simple tools ensure every step of this holiday meal is as straightforward as it is delicious.
Step-by-Step: How to Master Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin
Creating this impressive dish is simpler than you might imagine. By breaking it down into a few straightforward steps, you’ll achieve a perfect holiday meal with ease. Let’s walk through the process:
Crafting the Roasted Red Wine Cranberries
Begin by preheating your oven to 375˚F (190˚C). In a square 9×9-inch baking dish, combine your fresh cranberries, red wine, honey, and the vibrant zest of one orange. Give everything a good stir to ensure the cranberries are evenly coated with the sweet and aromatic mixture. Place the dish in the preheated oven and roast for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cranberries have softened and burst, and the liquid has beautifully reduced into a thick, chutney-like consistency. This creates a rich, tangy, and slightly sweet accompaniment that perfectly complements the savory pork. Once roasted, remove the dish from the oven, give it another stir, and set it aside to cool slightly while you prepare the pork. The flavors will continue to meld as it rests.
Air Frying the Perfect Pork Loin
While your cranberries are roasting, it’s time to prepare the star of the meal. Lightly spray the insert or basket of your air fryer with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Preheat your air fryer to a robust 400˚F (200˚C). Once the air fryer has reached its target temperature, carefully place the AdapTable Meals Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Boneless Pork Loin Filet into the insert, ensuring the seam side is facing down. This helps keep the bacon wrap intact during cooking. Air fry the pork loin for approximately 20 minutes. The key to perfect doneness is using a meat thermometer: the pork is ready when its internal temperature reaches 145˚F to 150˚F (63˚C to 66˚C) in the thickest part for a delicious medium-rare. If you prefer a different level of doneness, please refer to our detailed temperature guide below to adjust cooking times accordingly.
The All-Important Rest
Once cooked, gently remove the pork loin from the air fryer using tongs. Transfer it to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This resting period is crucial: it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is incredibly tender, moist, and flavorful. Skipping this step can result in a drier pork loin. After resting, slice the pork loin into medallions or thick cuts, and serve immediately with the warm, roasted red wine cranberries. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for an extra touch of color and freshness.
Top Tips for Air Fryer Pork Loin Success
Achieving a perfectly cooked, juicy air fryer bacon wrapped pork loin is simple with these expert tips:
Always Check the Internal Temperature: This is the single most important step for perfectly cooked pork. Visual cues can be misleading, especially with the bacon wrap. Use a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork loin, avoiding any bone if present (though this recipe uses boneless). For medium-rare, aim for 145˚F to 150˚F. The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for pork, followed by a 3-minute rest, for safety and optimal tenderness. Checking the temperature ensures your pork is safe, juicy, and cooked to your desired doneness.
Don’t Skip Preheating Your Air Fryer: Just like a traditional oven, preheating your air fryer is crucial for consistent cooking and achieving that coveted crispy bacon. Most modern air fryers have a dedicated preheat setting. If yours doesn’t, simply set it to 400˚F (200˚C) and let it run empty for 5-7 minutes before adding the pork loin. This ensures the cooking chamber is at the correct temperature from the moment your pork enters, leading to a perfectly seared exterior and even cooking throughout.
Avoid Overcrowding the Basket: Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food. If the basket is too full, air cannot circulate properly, leading to uneven cooking and less crispy bacon. For best results, cook one AdapTable Meals pork loin at a time unless your air fryer basket is exceptionally large and allows for adequate space around two. If cooking for a crowd, it’s better to cook in batches (see below for more on this).
Ensure Bacon is Secure: The AdapTable Meals pork loin comes pre-wrapped, which is fantastic. However, if any bacon strips appear loose, you can gently secure them with toothpicks before air frying. Just remember to remove them before slicing and serving!
Pat Pork Dry: Before placing the pork loin in the air fryer, ensure its surface is relatively dry. Excess moisture can steam rather than crisp the bacon, preventing that golden, crackly texture we’re aiming for.
Understanding Air Fryer Pork Loin Cooking Times and Doneness
The cooking time for a pork loin in the air fryer can vary slightly based on its size, thickness, and your personal preference for doneness. Generally, a typical AdapTable Meals pork loin will take approximately 20 minutes at 400˚F (200˚C) to reach a perfect medium-rare. However, the most reliable way to ensure your pork is cooked exactly how you like it, and safely, is to always rely on an instant-read meat thermometer. Below is a comprehensive guide to pork doneness temperatures for your easy reference. If you prefer your pork cooked beyond medium-rare, simply add an additional 3 to 5 minutes for each subsequent level of doneness, checking the temperature frequently to prevent overcooking.
Doneness Temperatures for Pork:
- Medium Rare: 145˚F to 150˚F (63˚C to 66˚C) – This is often recommended for the juiciest, most tender pork. The pork will have a slightly pink center.
- Medium: 150˚F to 155˚F (66˚C to 68˚C) – Still very juicy with a hint of pink.
- Medium Well: 155˚F to 160˚F (68˚C to 71˚C) – Cooked through with minimal pinkness, starting to become firmer.
- Well Done: 160˚F+ (71˚C+) – While safe, this level of doneness is generally not recommended as the pork can become dry and less flavorful.
Remember that the pork’s internal temperature will continue to rise by a few degrees (carryover cooking) even after it’s removed from the air fryer, especially during the crucial resting period. Always pull your pork from the heat when it’s at the lower end of your desired temperature range to account for this.
Serving a Crowd: Scaling Your Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin for Guests
One of the fantastic aspects of this Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin recipe is its adaptability, making it perfect for both intimate family dinners and larger holiday gatherings. While the recipe provided is perfectly portioned to feed 4 hungry individuals, it’s incredibly easy to scale up and impress a larger group of guests.
Most standard air fryers are spacious enough to comfortably accommodate two AdapTable Meals Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Boneless Pork Loin Filets at once. When cooking two instead of one, you’ll be pleased to know that **the cooking time does not significantly change**, provided your air fryer basket isn’t overcrowded and allows for proper air circulation around both pork loins. Simply ensure there’s enough space between them for even crisping of the bacon and uniform cooking of the pork. Always use your meat thermometer to confirm internal temperatures for both loins.
If your guest list is even longer and you need to cook more than two pork loins, you will need to work in batches. While this might add a little time to the overall process, the results are absolutely worth it. When cooking in batches, I recommend keeping the previously cooked pork loins warm in a low oven, set to approximately 175˚F (80˚C). This gentle temperature will keep the pork warm without continuing to cook and dry it out. Alternatively, you can simply cover the cooked pork loins tightly with aluminum foil to retain their heat and moisture until all batches are ready to serve. This strategy ensures every piece of bacon-wrapped pork loin is served at its best, hot, juicy, and delicious for all your guests.
Need some more inspiration for dinnertime? Be sure to explore my main dish recipe page for a variety of delicious ideas!
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Air Fryer Pork Loin
The beauty of this air fryer bacon wrapped pork loin with roasted red wine cranberries is its incredible versatility, making it a fantastic main course that pairs wonderfully with a wide array of side dishes. This makes it an ideal choice for various meals throughout the busy holiday season, easily fitting into any menu. As you can see in the photos, I love to pair mine with creamy, comforting mashed potatoes and some simply wilted kale, seasoned lightly with a squeeze of lemon, a pinch of salt, and a dash of freshly ground black pepper. These classic sides provide a delightful contrast in texture and flavor to the rich pork and tangy cranberries.
If you’re looking for specific recipe recommendations to elevate your meal even further, here are some fan favorites from Cake ‘n Knife that would beautifully complement your pork loin:
- For a truly indulgent side, try these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic and Parmesan. The ease of the Instant Pot combined with the deep flavors of roasted garlic and sharp Parmesan makes for an unforgettable potato dish.
- Add a touch of green with these vibrant Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Lemon. Their slight bitterness and crispy texture, brightened by lemon, cut through the richness of the pork perfectly.
- A creamy Risotto (any kind!) is always a sophisticated choice. I particularly enjoy making mine with seasonal ingredients like mushrooms or butternut squash during the cooler months, adding another layer of comfort and flavor.
- For a rustic and hearty accompaniment, these Garlic Butter Oven Roasted Carrots and Potatoes offer tender vegetables infused with aromatic garlic and rich butter, a perfect balance to the main course.
And to conclude your festive feast on a sweet note, consider a comforting fall/winter favorite like this delightful Stuffed Baked Apples with Dates and Granola recipe. It’s warm, spiced, and offers a wonderful, wholesome finish to a rich meal.
Finally, if you have the pleasure of making this air fryer bacon-wrapped pork loin recipe, please don’t hesitate to share your experience! I truly love hearing when you all try my recipes. A rating or a comment below means the world to me, and I always take the time to respond to every single one. Feel free to drop any questions you might have about the recipe, ingredients, or techniques as well! Oh, and for a personal touch, be sure to tag me on Instagram (@cakenknife) if you make the recipe! It’s my absolute favorite thing to see these dishes come to life in your homes – it genuinely makes my day!
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin
Equipment
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9-Inch Baking Pan
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9-Inch Tongs
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Instant Pot DUO
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Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid 6 in 1
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Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/3 cup red wine
- 1 Tbsp honey
- Zest of 1 orange
- Cooking spray
- 1 AdapTable Meals Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Boneless Pork Loin Filet
- Garnish: freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 375˚F (190˚C). In a 9×9-inch baking dish, combine the fresh cranberries, red wine, honey, and orange zest. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
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Bake the cranberries for 30 to 35 minutes, or until they are soft, have burst, and the liquid has evaporated, forming a delicious, thick chutney. Set aside until ready to serve.
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While the cranberries are baking, lightly spray the insert or basket of your air fryer with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
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Preheat the air fryer to 400˚F (200˚C). Once preheated, place the AdapTable Meals Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Boneless Pork Loin Filet into the air fryer, ensuring the seam side is facing down.
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Air fry the pork for 20 minutes at 400˚F (200˚C). The pork is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the center registers 145˚F to 150˚F (63˚C to 66˚C) for medium-rare*.
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Carefully remove the pork loin from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes on a cutting board before slicing and serving with the roasted red wine cranberries. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Medium Rare – 145˚F to 150˚F (63˚C to 66˚C)
Medium – 150˚F to 155˚F (66˚C to 68˚C)
Medium Well – 155˚F to 160˚F (68˚C to 71˚C)
Well (not recommended as the pork will dry out) – 160˚F+ (71˚C+)