Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin: A Juicy, Crispy, and Easy Holiday Feast with Roasted Red Wine Cranberries
Prepare to elevate your holiday dining experience with this incredibly quick, simple, and irresistibly delicious Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin served alongside vibrant Roasted Red Wine Cranberries. This festive dish is not only perfect for the bustling holiday season but also makes an impressive yet effortless celebratory weeknight meal. Thinking beyond turkey for Thanksgiving? This pork loin offers a fantastic, flavorful alternative that will delight your guests. The timeless combination of succulent pork and tart cranberries truly embodies the spirit of holiday feasting.
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
When it comes to creating an exceptional pork dish, there’s one secret ingredient that undeniably elevates it to new heights: more pork! Specifically, we’re talking about the incredible flavor and texture that bacon brings when it embraces a tender pork loin. While bacon-wrapped anything is usually a crowd-pleaser, wrapping it around another cut of pork creates a synergy of flavors and textures that is truly unparalleled.
What makes this recipe particularly special and incredibly convenient is that we skip the labor-intensive step of wrapping the pork loin ourselves. Thanks to AdapTable Meals, their Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Boneless Pork Loin Filet comes perfectly prepared, saving you precious time and effort in the kitchen. The hickory smoked bacon not only infuses the pork with a rich, smoky aroma but also crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, creating a delightful contrast to the juicy, tender pork inside. You’ll achieve that coveted crispy exterior and succulent interior with minimal fuss.
AdapTable Meals has quickly become a go-to for both my everyday weeknight dinners and for those occasions when I want to prepare something a little more special. Their entire product line is designed to make it effortless to serve a flavorful, high-quality meal without extensive preparation. During the busy holiday season, this convenience is a true blessing. Plus, you can feel good about serving their products, as they are made with simple, familiar ingredients and contain no preservatives.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Elegance: This dish looks incredibly impressive, yet it’s surprisingly easy to prepare, thanks to the pre-wrapped AdapTable Meals pork loin.
- Perfectly Crispy Bacon: The air fryer is a game-changer for bacon, delivering unmatched crispiness that’s hard to achieve in a traditional oven.
- Juicy, Flavorful Pork: The bacon not only adds flavor but also helps keep the pork loin incredibly moist and tender.
- Holiday Ready: An ideal main course for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering, offering a delicious alternative to traditional holiday roasts.
- Weeknight Wonder: Quick enough for a special weeknight dinner when you want to treat yourself and your family.
- Scalable: Easily adjust the recipe to feed a larger crowd, making it perfect for dinner parties big or small.
- Seasonal Flavor Pairing: The roasted red wine cranberries add a sweet, tart, and sophisticated counterpoint that perfectly complements the rich pork.
Ingredients for a Perfect Meal
Crafting this memorable meal requires just a few key components, focusing on quality and flavor:
- Pork Loin: The star of our show! You’ll need one AdapTable Meals Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Boneless Pork Loin Filet. This pre-seasoned and pre-wrapped filet is a fantastic shortcut, offering smoky bacon and tender pork without any fuss. No need to add extra seasonings to the pork loin itself; simply cook it straight from the package. If you’re feeding a larger group, remember this recipe scales up easily, so consider grabbing additional pork loins.
- Fresh Cranberries: Essential for the vibrant roasted side dish. Fresh cranberries are typically in season throughout the fall and winter holidays, making this the perfect time to enjoy their bright, tart flavor. Avoid using dried cranberries for this recipe, as their texture and sugar content are quite different and won’t yield the same results.
- Red Wine: Choose a red wine you enjoy drinking! For the roasted cranberries, a robust choice like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Shiraz (Syrah) will impart a rich, deep flavor that beautifully complements the cranberries without being overly sweet.
- Honey: A natural sweetener that balances the tartness of the cranberries. Feel free to use your favorite variety of honey. Alternatively, agave nectar or maple syrup are excellent substitutes if you prefer.
- Orange Zest: The zest from one fresh orange adds a bright, citrusy aroma and flavor to the cranberries, enhancing their festive appeal. Be sure to zest only the orange part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith.
Kitchen Essentials: Your Must-Haves
You don’t need a gourmet kitchen full of specialized gadgets to create this incredible meal. Just a few basic tools will ensure success:
- Square Glass Baking Dish: A 9×9-inch dish is ideal for roasting the cranberries, allowing them to spread out and roast evenly.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring the cranberry mixture before and after roasting.
- Air Fryer: Any model will do! I personally use my Instant Pot air fryer, but whether you have a basket-style or an oven-style air fryer, the principles remain the same.
- Tongs: An indispensable tool for safely placing the pork loin into the hot air fryer and removing it once cooked.
- Meat Thermometer: Absolutely crucial for ensuring the pork is cooked to your desired doneness without overcooking. A good instant-read thermometer is a worthwhile investment for any home cook.
- Chef’s Knife and Cutting Board: For expertly slicing the perfectly cooked pork loin before serving.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin and Roasted Cranberries
This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. Here’s a detailed guide to creating your festive pork loin and cranberry side:
Preparing the Roasted Red Wine Cranberries
The cranberries are an essential accompaniment, adding a burst of sweet-tart flavor that cuts through the richness of the pork. Begin by preheating your oven to 375˚F (190˚C). In a 9×9-inch baking dish, combine your fresh cranberries, red wine, honey, and orange zest. Stir these ingredients thoroughly to ensure the cranberries are well coated. Roasting transforms the raw cranberries into a luscious, jam-like chutney, with the wine and honey creating a rich, syrupy consistency. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cranberries have softened and the liquid has visibly reduced, forming a beautiful chutney. Once done, remove from the oven, give it a good stir, and set it aside. This can be made in advance and reheated gently before serving, or served at room temperature.
Air Frying the Pork Loin to Perfection
While your cranberries are roasting, you can prepare the pork. Lightly spray the insert of your air fryer with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Preheat your air fryer to 400˚F (200˚C). This preheating step is crucial for achieving that crispy bacon exterior and even cooking. Once preheated, carefully place the AdapTable Meals Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Boneless Pork Loin Filet into the air fryer insert, ensuring the seam side is facing down. This helps prevent the bacon from unraveling during cooking. Cook the pork loin for approximately 20 minutes. The internal temperature is your most reliable indicator of doneness. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the pork loin; it should read between 145˚F to 150˚F (63˚C to 66˚C) for a perfect medium-rare cook. Refer to the “Air Fryer Pork Loin Cooking Times and Temperatures” section below for other doneness preferences.
The Importance of Resting Your Meat
Once your pork loin reaches the desired internal temperature, resist the urge to slice into it immediately. Remove the pork loin from the air fryer and allow it to rest on a cutting board for at least 5 minutes. This resting period is critical for juicy results; it allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb the juices, ensuring a tender and flavorful slice every time. Skipping this step can result in drier meat as the juices will simply run out onto your cutting board. After resting, slice the pork loin and serve it generously with your prepared roasted red wine cranberries.
Pro Tips for Success
Achieving a perfectly cooked, juicy pork loin with crispy bacon in your air fryer is simple with these expert tips:
- Always Use a Meat Thermometer: This is your best friend in the kitchen. Visual cues can be deceiving, but an instant-read meat thermometer ensures precise doneness. For medium-rare pork, aim for an internal temperature of 145˚F to 150˚F (63˚C to 66˚C). Remember, the temperature will rise a few degrees as the meat rests.
- Don’t Skip Preheat: Just like with a conventional oven, preheating your air fryer is vital. It ensures consistent cooking temperatures from the moment the food enters the basket, leading to that desirable crispy bacon and evenly cooked pork. Most air fryers have a dedicated preheat setting; if yours doesn’t, simply run it at the specified temperature for 5 minutes before adding the pork.
- Avoid Overcrowding: For optimal air circulation and crispiness, ensure there’s enough space around the pork loin in the air fryer basket. If you’re cooking multiple loins, it’s better to cook them in batches rather than cramming them in, which can lead to steaming instead of crisping.
- Pat Dry Before Cooking: While the AdapTable Meals pork loin is ready to go, for general bacon-wrapped items, patting the surface of the meat and bacon dry with paper towels before air frying can help achieve extra crispiness.
- Uniform Slicing: After resting, slice the pork loin against the grain into even pieces. This not only makes the meat more tender but also ensures a beautiful presentation.
Air Fryer Pork Loin Cooking Times and Temperatures
Cooking times for pork loin in an air fryer can vary slightly based on the size and thickness of your particular cut, as well as your air fryer model. However, a general guideline for a standard AdapTable Meals filet is approximately 20 minutes at 400˚F (200˚C) to reach a medium-rare doneness. Always use an instant-read meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature for accuracy.
Here’s a quick reference guide for pork doneness temperatures:
- Medium Rare: 145˚F to 150˚F (63˚C to 66˚C) – Recommended for the juiciest results.
- Medium: 150˚F to 155˚F (66˚C to 68˚C)
- Medium Well: 155˚F to 160˚F (68˚C to 71˚C)
- Well Done: 160˚F+ (71˚C+) – Not generally recommended for pork loin, as it tends to dry out the meat significantly.
If you prefer your pork cooked beyond medium-rare, you can extend the cooking time by approximately 3 to 5 minutes for each additional doneness step. Always double-check with your meat thermometer.
Scaling Up for a Crowd
While the recipe provided below is perfectly portioned to serve 4, it’s incredibly versatile and can easily be scaled up to feed 8 or even more guests for larger gatherings! Holiday entertaining often means more mouths to feed, and this recipe rises to the occasion with minimal adjustments.
Most standard air fryers are spacious enough to comfortably accommodate two AdapTable Meals Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Boneless Pork Loin Filets at once. The beauty here is that you won’t need to increase the cooking time when cooking two loins instead of just one, as long as they fit without overcrowding the basket and allowing for proper air circulation.
If your guest list is even longer and you need to cook more than two pork loins, you will need to cook them in batches. To keep the previously cooked loins warm while the others finish, I recommend a simple strategy: place the cooked pork loins in a preheated oven at a low temperature, around 175˚F (80˚C). This gentle warmth will keep them at an ideal serving temperature without overcooking or drying them out. Alternatively, you can loosely cover the cooked loins with aluminum foil on a cutting board; the foil will help retain their heat until you’re ready to serve everything.
Need some more inspiration for dinnertime? Check out my main dish recipe page!
What to Serve with This Festive Pork Loin
This Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin is incredibly versatile, pairing beautifully with a wide array of side dishes, making it perfect for any meal throughout the holiday season and beyond. As pictured, I often enjoy mine with creamy mashed potatoes and simply wilted kale, seasoned lightly with lemon, salt, and pepper – a classic and comforting combination.
For more specific side dish inspiration, here are some highly-rated fan favorites from Cake ‘n Knife that would perfectly complement this elegant pork loin:
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic and Parmesan: Creamy, savory, and effortless, these mashed potatoes are a rich and flavorful accompaniment.
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Lemon: The crispy texture and tangy-sweet flavor of these Brussels sprouts provide a wonderful contrast to the rich pork.
- Risotto (Any Kind!): A creamy, comforting risotto, especially one made with seasonal ingredients like mushrooms or butternut squash, makes for an indulgent side.
- Garlic Butter Oven Roasted Carrots and Potatoes: A simple yet satisfying vegetable side that roasts beautifully alongside the cranberries (or separately).
To round out your meal with a comforting dessert, consider a warm, fall/winter favorite like this stuffed baked apples recipe. Its cozy flavors will perfectly complete your festive dinner.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Should you have any delicious leftovers, proper storage and reheating will ensure you can enjoy them again. Store any remaining bacon-wrapped pork loin and roasted cranberries in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The pork can be sliced before storing or kept whole.
To reheat the pork loin, the air fryer is once again your best friend! Place slices or a whole piece of pork loin in a preheated air fryer at 350˚F (175˚C) for 5-8 minutes, or until warmed through and the bacon re-crisps. For the cranberries, gently reheat them in a small saucepan over low heat on the stovetop, or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally, until warm.
Finally, if you prepare this Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin, please take a moment to give the recipe a rating or leave a comment below! I truly cherish hearing from you all when you try my recipes and I always make an effort to respond to every single comment. Feel free to ask any questions you might have. And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you share photos of your culinary creations! Seeing these recipes come to life in your homes is genuinely one of my favorite things, and it means the world to me!
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 the oven to 375˚F (190˚C). Add everything for the roasted red wine cranberries to a 9×9-inch baking dish. Stir to combine.
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Bake cranberries for 30 to 35 minutes, until cranberries are soft and liquid has evaporated. It should form a nice chutney at this point! Set aside until ready to serve.
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While the cranberries are baking, spray the insert of your air fryer with cooking spray.
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Preheat air fryer to 400˚F (200˚C). Once preheated, place the AdapTable Meals Hickory Smoked Bacon Wrapped Boneless Pork Loin Filet in the air fryer, seam side down.
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Air fry the pork for 20 minutes at 400˚F (200˚C). The pork is done when it registers 145˚F to 150˚F (63˚C to 66˚C) (medium rare*) on a meat thermometer inserted into the center.
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Remove pork loin from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with freshly chopped 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+)
Nutrition