Air Fryer Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is such a family fave! And if you are wondering whether you can make pulled pork in the air fryer then you have come to the right place.

Air Fryer pulled pork is not just possible, it is DELICIOUS! You can use pulled pork in so many ways too, from quesadillas, to nachos to sliders and so much more. Let’s take a look at how to make Air Fryer Pulled Pork.

Pulled Pork in Air Fryer: The Ingredients

• Pork: boneless pork shoulder or butt roast are the perfect choices for pulled pork. Discard any large pieces of fat or rind before cooking in the air fryer.
• Spice rub: this adds flavor and tenderizes the pork as it cooks. I used paprika, garlic granules, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, oregano, salt and a chicken stock cube.
• The not so secret ingredient: crushed pineapple! Crushed pineapple and its juice will add tang and moisture to our pulled pork.
• Barbecue sauce: after the pork is cooked and shredded I mix it with a BBQ sauce made with smoky Chipotle ketchup, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, Worcester sauce and honey.

How to Make Air Fryer Pulled Pork

1. Line your worktop with foil and place the pork pieces on it. Sprinkle with the spice rub, a little oil and cover with the crushed pineapple. Pour in the pineapple juice or a little water. Tightly wrap the pork in the foil to make a parcel.

1. Air Fry for 90 minutes at 180°C (350°F), or until the pork is about 85°C (185°F) when checked with a meat thermometer. Another way to check if it is done is to pierce it with a knife – it should be very soft. If not then continue to cook for another 15-20 minutes.

1. Open the foil parcel and allow the meat to rest. Place in a bowl and shred using two forks. Discard any pieces of fat.

1. Add all the ingredients for the barbecue sauce to a deep cake pan and stir to combine. Place in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes at 200°C (400°F) or until it is bubbling. Mix in the shredded pork.

1. Serve the pork piled on bread rolls, in quesadillas, tacos, over nachos or in a salad bowl.

Storing and Freezing

Store the pulled pork in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat pulled pork in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes or in a saucepan / the microwave until warmed through.

To freeze, portion into suitable containers and use within three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat until piping hot all the way through before serving.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Can I cook the pork directly in the Air Fryer basket? I prefer to cook it wrapped in foil to seal in the moisture and stop it from drying out too much. After the pork is cooked you can scrape the pineapple off and cook it in the basket to crisp the crust.
• Should I marinate the pork? You can mix the pork with the spice rub and pineapple and marinate overnight in the fridge if you like. It is not essential however.
• Can I use store-bought barbecue sauce? You can use your favorite brand instead of using the ingredients listed.