Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook juicy, tender, and flavourful pulled pork. While some recipes suggest that pulled pork is best cooked slowly in an oven, air fryers can produce similar results in a fraction of the time. The key to achieving tender pulled pork in an air fryer is to cook the meat at a low temperature for a long period, turning the meat regularly to ensure it cooks evenly. Once cooked, the meat can be shredded using two forks and mixed with barbecue sauce. The pulled pork can be served in a variety of ways, including in sandwiches, wraps, tacos, salads, or on top of nachos.
How to cook pulled pork in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Boneless pork shoulder or pork butt, olive oil, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, pepper, pineapple juice, water, barbecue sauce |
| Preparation | Trim excess fat, cut into chunks, rub with oil, cover with crushed pineapple, sprinkle with spice rub, wrap in foil |
| Cooking time | 60-90 minutes at 350°F (180°C) |
| Internal temperature | 185°F-205°F (85°C-96°C) |
| Resting time | 10-15 minutes |
| Shredding | Use two forks |
| Serving suggestions | Bread rolls, quesadillas, tacos, nachos, salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, burrito bowls, Spanish pork stew, mac and cheese pizza |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days, freeze for up to 3 months |
| Reheating | Preheat air fryer to 350°F (180°C), place pulled pork in the basket and heat for 5-10 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of pork
Firstly, opt for a well-marbled pork shoulder or pork butt. These cuts are ideal for pulled pork as they have a higher fat content, which contributes to the juiciness and flavour of the dish. The fat will also help keep the meat moist during the cooking process, ensuring a tender end product. Boneless pork shoulder is a good option as it becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender when cooked slowly at a low temperature.
When selecting your pork, look for a cut with some fat covering it, but not excessive amounts. A moderate amount of fat will add flavour and moisture to the dish, while too much can make the dish greasy. Therefore, it is important to trim any large chunks of excess fat from the pork before cooking, while still leaving some for optimal results.
The size of the pork cut is also an important consideration. For even cooking in an air fryer, it is best to choose a piece of pork that will fit comfortably in the basket or pan without overcrowding it. This will allow for better air circulation and more effective cooking.
Additionally, consider the quality and freshness of the pork. Look for meat that is a healthy pink colour, with firm and elastic texture. Avoid pork that has an off-putting odour or discolouration, as this may affect the final taste and texture of your pulled pork.
Lastly, when preparing the pork, be sure to season it generously. A good dry rub or spice blend can enhance the flavour of the meat. Common spices used include brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Don't forget to drizzle the pork with olive oil before applying the rub, as this will help the spices adhere to the meat for maximum flavour.
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Preparing the pork
Selecting the Right Cut of Pork:
Start by choosing a suitable cut of pork for pulled pork. Boneless pork shoulder or pork butt is an excellent option, as the meat becomes incredibly tender when cooked slowly in the air fryer. This cut of meat has a higher fat content, which is essential for adding flavour and moisture to your dish.
Trimming and Seasoning the Pork:
Once you have selected your pork shoulder or butt, trim any large chunks of excess fat from the meat. While some fat is desirable for flavour and moisture, removing excess fat will prevent the dish from becoming too greasy. After trimming, cut the pork into 4 to 5 equal-sized chunks to ensure even cooking.
Next, season the pork generously. You can use a store-bought pork seasoning or make your own spice rub. A typical spice rub for pulled pork might include olive oil, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Drizzle the pork with olive oil, ensuring it is well-coated, and then sprinkle the spice rub all over the meat. Use your hands to rub the spices into the pork, making sure it is completely covered.
Wrapping and Air Frying the Pork:
Line your work surface with foil and place the seasoned pork pieces on it. If desired, you can add additional ingredients like crushed pineapple and pineapple juice or water to enhance the flavour and moisture of the dish. Tightly wrap the pork in the foil to create a parcel, sealing in the moisture and flavours.
Place the foil-wrapped pork in the air fryer basket, ensuring it is not overcrowded. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and cooking time, typically around 350°F (180°C) for 60 minutes, then an additional 60-90 minutes after flipping the pork. You can also pour water into the bottom of the air fryer under the basket to help maintain moisture during cooking.
Resting and Shredding the Pork:
Once the cooking time is complete, remove the pork from the air fryer and let it rest. It is essential to let the meat rest for at least 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute and make the pork tender and juicy. After resting, use two forks to shred the pork into bite-sized pieces. Discard any remaining pieces of fat.
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Cooking the pork
Once your pork is prepared, it's time to set up your air fryer. Place the pork in an air fryer-safe pan or lined basket, ensuring it's not too crowded. Some recipes suggest wrapping the pork in foil to seal in moisture and prevent drying out. You can add a small amount of liquid, such as water or pineapple juice, to the bottom of the air fryer or directly to the pork before cooking.
Now, you're ready to start cooking! The cooking time and temperature can vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of the pork. However, most recipes suggest cooking the pork at around 350°F (180°C) for 60 minutes, then flipping it over and cooking for an additional 60-90 minutes. This will ensure that both sides are evenly browned and cooked. You may need to adjust the temperature and timing based on your air fryer's capabilities and the desired doneness of the pork. It's important to note that some air fryers may not be suitable for cooking times longer than an hour due to limited ventilation.
To check if the pork is cooked, you can use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 195-205°F (85-100°C). Alternatively, you can pierce the pork with a knife, and if it's very soft, it's likely done. Once the pork is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before shredding it with two forks. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicy, tender pulled pork.
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Resting the pork
During the resting period, the pork will continue to cook due to the residual heat in the air fryer. This helps to ensure that the pork is cooked through and can also intensify the flavours. If you are cooking a large batch, it is advisable to let the pork rest for a longer period, up to 30 minutes, to ensure even cooking.
While the pork rests, the internal temperature will continue to rise. This is known as carryover cooking or "resting temperature rise". The temperature can increase by 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is important to consider this when determining the cooking time to avoid overcooking the pork.
The resting period also allows you to prepare other components of your meal, such as warming the buns or tortillas, chopping vegetables, or making a quick salad. It is a good opportunity to ensure that all elements of your dish are ready before serving.
After the resting period, you can then shred the pork using two forks. The pork should be tender and easy to pull apart. Removing any large chunks of fat at this stage will help prevent greasiness in the final dish.
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Reheating the pork
Air Fryer
To reheat pulled pork in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175-180°C). Place the pulled pork in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the pulled pork is heated through and crispy on the outside.
Oven
To reheat in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pulled pork in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pulled pork is heated through.
Instant Pot
To reheat the pork in an instant pot, add one cup of water to the inner pot and put the pork in a bowl on a trivet. Select Manual or Pressure Cook for 1 minute to heat the meat. Alternatively, put the meat directly into the inner pot with ¼ cup of water.
Slow Cooker
You can also reheat pulled pork in a slow cooker or Crock-Pot Express. Set it to the Keep Warm function or use the Sauté option.
Microwave
You can also reheat pulled pork in the microwave. Place the pulled pork in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 1-minute intervals until warm.
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Frequently asked questions
Boneless pork shoulder or pork butt is the best cut of meat for pulled pork in an air fryer.
It takes around 1 to 1.5 hours to cook pulled pork in an air fryer, depending on the size of the pork and the type of air fryer.
The temperature depends on the type of air fryer you have. Some sources suggest cooking at 350°F (175-180°C) for 60 minutes, while others suggest 375°F (190°C) for 90 minutes.
To reheat pulled pork in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350-375°F (175-180°C). Place the pulled pork in the air fryer basket with 1-2 tablespoons of water and heat for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.
