Air Fryer Pulled Pork
Air Fryer Pulled Pork – Delightful Pork Recipe
Combining pork with sweet flavors creates a delightful culinary experience. That’s why I apply a pork loin seasoning infused with brown sugar and spices to the pork. This not only imparts flavor to the meat but also lends a rich hue to the final dish.
Unlike Instant Pot pulled pork, which achieves tenderness through sauce and high pressure, Air Fryer pulled pork is prepared without sauce and boasts a drier texture than its Instant Pot counterpart. The pork is diligently cooked and turned to ensure even cooking on all sides.
Once fully cooked, simply pull the pork apart using two forks, and it’s ready to be savored.
Choosing the Ideal Pork Cut for Pulled Pork
When opting for pulled pork, there are several suitable choices:
Pork shoulder: This stands as the prime pick for pulled pork. Its high fat content is crucial for achieving succulent and effortlessly shreddable meat.
Pork butt: Also a prime contender, pork butt offers rich flavor, tenderness, and a perfect texture for shredding.
Pork loin: While pork loin can be used, its lean nature results in drier meat.
Essential Ingredients for Air Fryer Pulled Pork
To craft air fryer pulled pork recipe, gather the following items for your grocery list:
- Boneless pork shoulder
- Pork loin seasoning
- Olive oil
- Fresh ground pepper
- Salt
The Pork Loin Seasoning Recipe includes a blend of:
- Brown sugar
- Homemade chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Ground mustard
- Dried thyme
- Cumin
- Dried oregano
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Chili flakes
- Salt
- Black pepper
Feel free to either create this seasoning at home or purchase it from a store.
Steps to Prepare Air Fryer Pulled Pork
Coat the pork shoulder with olive oil, either brushing it on or using a cooking spray.
Mix the spices in a small bowl or use the pork seasoning blend.
Thoroughly rub the pork seasoning all over the pork, ensuring the spices infuse into the meat.
Preheat the Air Fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
Place the pork inside an Air Fryer cake barrel or cake pan to retain the pork’s juices.
Set the timer for 1½ hours and rotate the pork every 30 minutes during the cooking time.
Verify if the thickest part of the pork has reached 180°F (82°C); if not, extend the cooking time by 15 minutes.
Once done, leave the pork inside the Air Fryer for at least 30 minutes to allow the meat to rest and continue cooking.
As the Air Fryer cools, the pork further relaxes and cooks. Afterward, remove the pork from the Air Fryer and use two forks to shred it.
Can You Make Air Fryer Pulled Pork Ahead?
Certainly, you can prepare this pulled pork recipe in advance. Allowing it to sit in advance enhances the flavors, resulting in an even more delectable dish. So, whip up this recipe, store it, and enjoy it whenever you desire.
How to Properly Store and Reheat Air Fryer Pulled Pork
After preparing a generous batch of pulled pork or finding yourself with leftovers, you have a few choices for effective storage:
Ensure the pulled pork is completely cooled before proceeding.
Refrigeration: If you plan to consume the pulled pork within one or two days, store it in the refrigerator. Place the pork in either a resealable bag or an airtight food container.
Freezing: For longer storage, freezing is an option. Put the pulled pork in a Ziploc bag or a freezer-friendly food container. Label the packaging and store it for up to 3 months.
How To Reheat Pulled Pork
To successfully reheat pulled pork, consider these methods:
Air Fryer: Reheating pulled pork using an Air Fryer is simple. Preheat the Air Fryer to 375℉ and place the pork in a cake barrel. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water and heat for about 5 minutes. Use tongs to stir the pork, ensuring even heating.
Oven: The oven is another viable option. Preheat it to 350℉, then place the pulled pork along with its juices in a Dutch oven. Warm the pork until the internal temperature reaches 165℉, stirring regularly for even reheating.
You may want to read:
Bella Pro Series Air Fryer Review
Instant Pot: Reheat the pork and its juices in a bowl within an Instant Pot. Add one cup of water to the Instant Pot’s inner pot and place the bowl of pork on a trivet. Opt for the Manual or Pressure Cook setting for 1 minute to reheat the meat. Alternatively, you can place the meat directly in the Instant Pot inner pot and add ¼ cup of water.
Slow Cooker: Employ a slow cooker or Crock-Pot Express by selecting the Keep Warm function on your pressure cooker or utilizing the Sauté option on your Crock-Pot. Do note that using the Keep Warm function takes the longest time to warm up the pork.
Looking to explore more pulled pork recipes? Beyond the Air Fryer method, consider these options:
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Vegan Pulled Pork
- Oven-Roasted Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless pork shoulder
- 2 tablespoons pork loin seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Freshly ground pepper
- Salt
Instructions:
- Brush the pork shoulder with olive oil.
- In a small bowl, combine the spices or use pre-made pork seasoning.
- Rub the seasoning onto the pork, massaging it thoroughly into the meat.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 375°F/190℃ for 3 minutes. Place the pork in an Air Fryer cake barrel or cake pan, ensuring the juices are retained.
- Set the timer for 1½ hours, flipping the pork every 30 minutes during cooking.
- Verify the pork’s thickest part reaches 180°F/82℃; if not, extend the cooking time by 15 minutes.
- After cooking, let the pork rest inside the Air Fryer for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove the pork from the Air Fryer and use two forks to pull the meat apart for serving.
