Pulled pork usually means hours in the oven or a slow cooker, but a smaller piece of shoulder does brilliantly in the air fryer — wrapped in foil at a low temperature until it shreds with a fork. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: Can you make pulled pork in an air fryer?
A: Yes — a piece of pork shoulder at 160°C (320°F), wrapped in foil, for about 35–45 minutes per 500g, until it shreds easily.
Q: What cut do you use?
A: Pork shoulder (or "pork butt") — its fat keeps it moist and shreddable.
Low and slow
Rub a shoulder piece (around 700g–1kg) with a dry spice mix, then wrap tightly in foil and cook low at 160°C until a fork twists easily in the meat. Shred it, toss with BBQ sauce, and if you like, crisp the edges uncovered for a few minutes.
The recipe
Air Fryer Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 900g pork shoulder
- 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin, garlic, salt
- BBQ sauce to finish
Method
- Rub with spices; wrap tightly in foil.
- Cook at 160°C until fork-tender.
- Shred and toss with BBQ sauce.
- Crisp uncovered for 5 min if you like.
Tips
- Wrap tightly to keep the moisture in.
- Cook to tender, not the clock — it shreds when ready.
- Crisp the edges uncovered for texture. Great in buns or wraps.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make pulled pork in an air fryer?
Yes — wrap a pork shoulder piece in foil and cook at 160°C for about 35–45 minutes per 500g, until it shreds easily with a fork.
What cut is best for pulled pork?
Pork shoulder (sometimes labelled pork butt) — its fat content keeps it moist and gives that shreddable texture.
Should you sauce it before or after?
Shred first, then toss with BBQ sauce. You can crisp the saucy edges uncovered for a few minutes for extra texture.