Marianne Martinez
Cooking pork shoulder in an air fryer is a great way to achieve tender, juicy meat with a crispy crackling. It's a simple and delicious way to cook this cut of meat, and it can be served in a variety of ways, from sandwiches to stir-fries. The key to getting that irresistible crispness is to pat the pork dry, score the rind, and rub it with salt and other seasonings. You can also wrap the pork in foil to seal in the moisture and stop it from drying out. Depending on the weight of your pork shoulder, the cooking time will vary, but it typically takes around 90-120 minutes at 180-200°C (350-400°F).
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Pork Shoulder in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Pork Shoulder |
| Cut | Steaks or Roast |
| Weight | 1.5kg/3 lbs or 1.7 kg/3.7 lbs |
| Type of Roast | Boneless |
| Temperature | 200°C/400°F for 20 minutes, then 180°C/350°F until cooked through |
| Resting Time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 12-14 minutes per pound or 90-120 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 70°C/158°F or 85°C/185°F |
| Oil | Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Mixed Herbs, Steak Seasoning |
| Sides | Baby Carrots, Baby Potatoes, Apple Sauce |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze |
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What You'll Learn
How to get the perfect crackling
To get the perfect crackling, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, ensure you buy a pork roast that will fit in your air fryer. If it's too big, it may touch the heating element. A roast that is around 1.5kg or 3 lbs typically fits well in a 5.5L or 5.5 Qt air fryer.
Secondly, remove the pork from its packaging and any netting, then pat it dry with a paper towel. Score the rind at 1cm intervals, being careful not to cut into the meat. You can ask your butcher to do this step for you if you prefer. Leaving the meat uncovered in the fridge overnight helps to dry out the rind, which will assist in achieving that perfect crackling. Even just an hour or a few hours will help.
When you're ready to cook, rub the pork all over with olive oil and then add a generous amount of salt to the rind, rubbing it into the scores. Place the pork in the air fryer basket with the rind facing up and cook at 200°C or 400°F for 20 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180°C or 350°F until it is cooked through. As a guide, allow for around 25 minutes of cooking time per 500g of pork.
Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the air fryer basket and place it on a cutting board. Cover it with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat even juicier.
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Marinating and seasoning the pork
Firstly, pat the pork dry with kitchen paper or a towel. This will help the seasonings stick to the meat and promote even browning during cooking. If your pork shoulder has a rind, use a sharp knife to score the surface in a crisscross pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat. Scoring the rind helps render the fat and creates those delicious crispy bits.
Next, rub the pork generously with olive oil or any other cooking oil of your choice. You can also use a neutral-flavoured oil like vegetable oil if you don't want the oil to overpower the flavour of your seasonings. Make sure to oil the meat and not the air fryer basket to prevent smoke and make cleaning easier.
Now it's time to add the seasonings. Be generous with the salt, as this will help to draw out moisture and create that irresistible crackling. You can use coarse salt, kosher salt, or sea salt. Rub the salt all over the pork, making sure to get it into the scores of the rind. You can also add other seasonings like pepper, garlic powder, mixed herbs, fennel seeds, or even a pre-made steak seasoning blend. Get creative and experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs to find your perfect flavour profile.
For an extra flavour boost, you can also create a marinade for your pork shoulder. While not essential, marinating the pork overnight in the fridge can enhance its flavour and tenderness. Try mixing pineapple juice or apple cider vinegar with brown sugar, or use store-bought barbecue sauce as a marinade. You can also add spices to your marinade to create a spice rub, which will add even more depth of flavour to your pork.
Remember, the key to successful marinating and seasoning is to be generous and ensure the entire surface of the pork is coated. This will help develop a mouthwatering crust and keep the meat juicy and tender.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for pork shoulder in an air fryer depend on the weight of the meat and the desired level of doneness. It's recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork roast, which should be at least 70°C (145°F-160°F).
For thinner pork shoulder steaks, the cooking time will be shorter, and for thicker steaks, the cooking time will need to be increased. As a reference, for 1.5kg of pork roast, cook at 200°C/400°F for 20 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180°C/350°F and cook for approximately another 25 minutes for every 500g of meat, or until the internal temperature reaches 70°C/158°F. This will give you a pork roast with a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
Another option is to cook the pork shoulder at 180°C/350°F for 90 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 85°C/185°F. Then, open the foil and let the meat rest before shredding it.
Additionally, you can cook the pork shoulder at a higher temperature of 400°F for 20 minutes, then flip the roast and reduce the temperature to 350°F for another 35 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the weight of your pork shoulder, so it's important to monitor the internal temperature to ensure it reaches the safe zone of 145°F-160°F.
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Resting and storing the pork
Resting the pork is an important step in the cooking process. Once the pork is cooked, it should be removed from the air fryer basket and placed on a cutting board or plate. Cover the pork with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat even more juicy.
After the pork has rested, it can be carved and served. If you are checking the temperature of the meat, the inside of the roast must heat to 145°F to be fully cooked through. The crackling should be crisp. If it isn't, you can remove the skin from the meat, cover the meat, and leave it to rest while you cook the skin at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. Otherwise, leave the joint uncovered for 10-20 minutes.
Leftover pork roast should be wrapped and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, cook for around 1/3 of the original cooking time at the same temperature. For example, if the pork was cooked for 20 minutes at 400°F, reheat it in the air fryer for around 7 minutes at 400°F. You can also reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the stove.
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Sides and sauces to serve with the pork
Sides
- Mashed potatoes: A classic, comforting side dish that pairs wonderfully with pork shoulder.
- Tostadas: A crispy, flavourful side with Mexican flair. Top crunchy corn tortillas with beans, cheese, and salsa to provide a delicious contrast to the tender, savoury pork.
- Garden salad: A refreshing crisp salad with a burst of freshness that balances the richness of the pork. Mix a variety of fresh greens like spinach, arugula, and romaine with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions. Dress it lightly with olive oil and lemon juice or balsamic vinaigrette.
- Fried rice: A versatile, flavourful side dish that pairs well with pork shoulder. The combination of rice, vegetables, and savory seasonings creates a delicious accompaniment that can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences.
- Roasted Brussels sprouts: A tasty and nutritious side dish that adds a touch of earthiness and crunch to your pork shoulder meal. The caramelized, slightly charred sprouts complement the rich flavours of the pork, offering a delightful balance.
- Grilled asparagus: A simple yet elegant side dish that complements the flavours of pork shoulder. The tender, smoky asparagus spears add a touch of freshness and a slight charred flavour that enhances the savoury notes of the pork.
- Smashed potatoes: These potatoes offer a delightful textural contrast with their crispy edges and fluffy centres. Boil small potatoes until tender, then smash them lightly and roast with olive oil, coarse salt, and rosemary until golden brown.
- Corn on the cob: Grilled or boiled, this adds a sweet, juicy element to the meal.
- Yucca fries
- Potato salad
- Sweet potato fries
- Garlic fries
- Boston baked beans
- Deviled eggs
- Oven-roasted Brussels sprouts
- Roasted green beans
- Oven-roasted asparagus
- Dinner rolls
Sauces
- BBQ sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Gravy
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the weight of the pork shoulder. It is recommended to cook pork shoulder in an air fryer for about 12-14 minutes per pound at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is recommended to cook pork shoulder in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for the first 20 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
First, pat the pork shoulder dry and let it come to room temperature. Score the rind in a crisscross pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat. Rub the pork shoulder with oil and a generous amount of salt, especially on the scores.
Yes, you can cook pork shoulder steaks in an air fryer. Drizzle oil and seasoning over the steaks and toss to coat. Place them in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each steak for air circulation. Cook for 15 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius or until the meat is nearly white in the centre.
It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork shoulder, which should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit to be fully cooked. You can also wrap the pork in foil to prevent it from drying out and seal in moisture.
