Ingredients
- 2 kg (4.4 lbs) pork shoulder or Boston butt, trimmed and cut into large chunks
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for a spicy kick)
- 1 cup homemade BBQ sauce (recipe follows)
For the homemade BBQ sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp molasses
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to 150°C (300°F) and allow it to heat up for about 5 minutes.
2. Prepare the pork for cooking: If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the pork in batches. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking.
3. Place the pork in the air fryer: Arrange the pork chunks in a single layer. For juicier pork, you can wrap the pieces in foil; however, if you prefer a crispier exterior, leave them unwrapped.
4. Cooking time: Cook the pork for about 20 minutes. Check midway and turn the pieces to ensure all sides are evenly cooked.
5. Check doneness: The pork should be tender enough to shred. If not, cook for an additional 10 minutes.
6. Shred the pork: Remove the pork from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. Using two forks, shred the meat into thin strips.
7. Add BBQ sauce: Place the shredded pork back into the air fryer. Pour the homemade BBQ sauce over the pork and toss to coat evenly.
8. Final cook: Cook the sauced pork for an additional 15 minutes at 150°C (300°F), allowing the sauce to caramelize slightly.
Notes
Always ensure the internal temperature of the pork reaches at least 75°C (165°F) to confirm it is fully cooked and safe to eat. Using a meat thermometer will help you check this accurately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 150 grams
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: air fryer bbq pulled pork