I’ve officially cracked the code on making insanely delicious pulled pork at home! The air fryer is my secret weapon.
The key is starting with a well-marbled pork shoulder and giving it a good rubdown with spices.
Trust me, this combo of brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic, and other savory spices makes it to die for.
I love piling this pulled pork high on a soft bun with tangy slaw. Who needs a smoker when you have an air fryer?
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Pulled Pork
Quick Cooking: Air frying significantly reduces the cooking time for pulled pork. It’s ready in a jiffy.
Flavor Explosion: The air fryer creates an incredibly flavorful bark and crust on the pork. It highlights the savory and smoky notes.
Meals Galore: It can be served in a variety of ways, from classic sandwiches to tacos, nachos, and even salads.
Cleanup Is a Breeze: There’s less mess and splatter, making the cleanup process a breeze.
Ingredients
You only need four ingredients to make this incredible pulled pork:
- Boneless Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt: This cut becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender when cooked low and slow.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle helps the spice rub adhere to the meat for maximum flavor.
- Spice Rub: You’ll love the savory blend of brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Barbecue Sauce: Slather on your favorite smoky-sweet BBQ sauce for the ultimate pulled pork experience.
How to Make Air Fryer Pulled Pork
Making this pork couldn’t possibly be easier.
1. MIX the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to make the spice rub.
2. COAT the pork with olive oil, then rub with the spice mixture on all sides. Let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
3. PLACE the pork in an air fryer-safe pan or lined basket. Pour ½ cup water over the meat.
4. AIR FRY at 350°F for 60–90 minutes, flipping every 20 minutes, until the pork reaches 180°F. Turn off the air fryer and rest the pork for 30 minutes.
5. TRANSFER the pork to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and rest for 10–15 minutes. Shred with two forks.
6. CRISP the shredded pork by returning it to the air fryer basket. Toss with barbecue sauce and air fry for 5 minutes until hot and sticky.
7. SERVE the pulled pork on buns, tacos, nachos, or salads. Enjoy!
Tips For the Best Air Fryer Pulled Pork
Following these tips and tricks will make your pulled pork even better!
- Choose the right cut. Opt for a well-marbled pork shoulder or pork butt for the most tender and flavorful pulled pork.
- Ditch the excess fat. Remove any large chunks of fat from the pork to prevent greasiness. But leave some for moisture and flavor.
- Give it a good basting. Baste the pork with some of the cooking liquid every 30 minutes to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Let it rest. Allow the cooked pork to rest for 10-15 minutes before shredding to let the juices redistribute.
- Try a shredding shortcut. Use two forks to easily shred the tender pork into bite-sized pieces.
- Get creative and have fun. Enjoy pulled pork on buns, in tacos, over nachos, or on top of salads.
How to Store
If you have leftover pork, follow these tips to keep it fresh.
To Store: Place the cooled pork in an air-tight container or heavy-duty zip-top bag and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Store the pork with any leftover juices to help keep it moist.
To Freeze: Transfer the cooled pulled pork to freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To Reheat: Reheat pulled pork in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat in a microwave-safe dish in 1-minute intervals until warm.
Air Fryer Pulled Pork
10
servings10
minutes2
hours30
307
kcalThis air fryer pulled pork is juicy, sweet, savory, and delicious! Plus, it takes a fraction of the time of using a slow cooker.
Ingredients
2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder or pork butt, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to make the spice rub.
- Rub the pork all over with olive oil. Coat the pork generously on all sides with the spice rub, pressing it into the meat. Then let it warm to room temperature (about an hour).
- Place the seasoned pork in an air fryer-safe pan or lined basket. Pour ½ cup water over the meat.
- Air fry at 350°F for 60-90 minutes, flipping every 20 minutes until it reaches 180°F. Turn off the air fryer and let the pork rest for 30 minutes.
- Transfer the pork to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let it rest again for 10-15 minutes. Shred the pork using two forks.
- For a crispier finish, return the shredded pork to the air fryer pan or basket. Pour the barbecue sauce over the pork and toss to coat evenly.
- Air fry for an additional 5 minutes until the pork is hot and the sauce is sticky.
- Serve the pulled pork on buns, in tacos, or on top of nachos or salads. Enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the pork in the spice rub in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight before air frying.
- Baste the pork with some of the cooking liquid every 30 minutes to keep it moist.
- Let the pork rest before shredding to allow the juices to redistribute.
