Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Pork with Apple
Easy Apple Sweet and Sour Pork using the Air Fryer!
I made sweet and sour pork with the pork tenderloin I had left over from making curry. 🙂 It’s a simple and delicious way to enjoy this classic dish at home.
Main Ingredients
- 300g Pork Tenderloin
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/4 Carrot
- 1/2 Apple
- 3 Tbsp Starch (for coating)
- 200ml Water (for starch slurry)
- 5 Tbsp Canola Oil (for coating)
Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Ketchup
- 3 Tbsp Plum Extract (Maesilcheong)
- 3 Tbsp Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Starch (for sauce)
- 250ml Water (for sauce)
- 1/2 Tbsp Salt
- 1/2 Tbsp Black Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Ketchup
- 3 Tbsp Plum Extract (Maesilcheong)
- 3 Tbsp Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Starch (for sauce)
- 250ml Water (for sauce)
- 1/2 Tbsp Salt
- 1/2 Tbsp Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the starch for the sweet and sour sauce. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of starch for the sauce with 200ml of water and mix well until smooth. Ensuring there are no lumps will result in a smoother sauce.
Step 2
Prepare the vegetables for the sauce. Core and chop the apple into bite-sized pieces. Slice the onion into thin strips. Peel the carrot and slice it thinly into rounds. Add these prepared vegetables to 250ml of boiling water and blanch them briefly.
Step 3
Add all the sauce ingredients except the starch (2 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp ketchup, 3 Tbsp plum extract, 3 Tbsp vinegar, 1/2 Tbsp salt, 1/2 Tbsp black pepper) to the boiling water with the vegetables. Stir well to combine everything.
Step 4
While the vegetables and sauce ingredients are simmering, let the starch mixture from step 1 settle at the bottom. Carefully pour off the excess water from the top, leaving the settled starch behind. (This step helps to control the sauce’s thickness).
Step 5
Stir the settled starch again and add it to the simmering sauce to thicken. Cook until the sauce begins to bubble and reaches a desired viscous consistency, then remove from heat. Be careful not to let it become too thick.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to prepare the pork for frying. Cut the pork tenderloin into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). Season the pork pieces with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Step 7
Add 3 tablespoons of starch for coating to the seasoned pork. Put on disposable gloves and mix the pork thoroughly, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with a thin layer of starch. Avoid clumping the starch.
Step 8
Place the starch-coated pork into the air fryer basket. Drizzle 5 tablespoons of canola oil evenly over the pork. The oil will help achieve a crispier texture.
Step 9
Set the air fryer to 200°C (392°F) and cook for 5 minutes. It’s advisable to check on the pork occasionally to prevent burning.
Step 10
After 5 minutes, carefully remove the air fryer basket. Use a spoon or fork to gently toss and separate the pork pieces so they don’t stick together. Repeat this 5-minute cooking cycle two more times, for a total of 15 minutes. The goal is to achieve a golden-brown and crispy exterior.
Step 11
Serve the crispy sweet and sour pork tossed with the warm sauce, or enjoy it by dipping it into the sauce (jjim-mak). You’ve now made delicious air fryer sweet and sour pork with apple, perfect as a main dish or a snack. Enjoy your meal!
