Cut the pork fillets in half and butterfly each portion. Cover the butterflied meat with a sheet of wax wrap or cling film and carefully flatten with a rolling pin or meat mallet until you achieve an even thickness of about 1cm. It’s easiest to work with a rectangle, but if it turns out to be an irregular shape, focus on the thickness.
Season the portions with a little salt and pepper to taste. Arrange two slices of ham and three slices of cheese on top of each portion. Carefully roll the meat over the filling with the long edge, tucking the filling tightly as you go. Secure with toothpicks.
Dip the prepared portions: first in flour, shaking off the excess; then in egg; and lastly in the breadcrumbs. Press the crumbs firmly against the meat as you work to make sure they stick all over. Repeat with all four portions.
Spray the meat and air fryer basket lightly with a little olive oil. You can use an olive oil spray or apply the oil using a brush. Just remember that oil will facilitate browning.
Air-fry the meat for 15 minutes, turning over halfway through the cooking time. Allow the meat to rest for a few minutes before removing the toothpicks, slicing the meat, and serving with your favourite sides. Roast potatoes, crisp green beans and gravy are delicious accompaniments; alternatively, enjoy with mash and cheese sauce or your favourite winter salad.
Remember, Pork fillet is a premium cut and can be served slightly pink, so it’s succulent.
Tips
We made this easy retro favourite with traditional Emmenthaler cheese slices and Gypsy ham, but salami and cheddar slices or Gouda and cooked ham are both great alternatives. If you like a bit of a bite, use sliced jalapeños, serrano ham and melty mozzarella as a filling. Delicious!
Cook’s note
Cooking times might vary depending on your air fryer and your pork fillet roll size. Be sure to check your pork early on in the cooking process if in doubt. An air fryer cooks food quicker because of its compact internal size, which allows the heat to reach the food faster, resulting in shorter cooking times. If you don’t have an air fryer and want to bake the stuffed pork fillets in your oven, preheat it to 180°C and roast for about 30 minutes, turning the meat over once as above.
