Easy Air Fryer BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe
If you're craving a tangy and delicious pulled pork sandwich but don't want to fire up the grill or smoker, this Air Fryer Pulled Pork sandwich recipe is your new best friend.
Servings: 6 portions
Calories: 330kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork butt boneless, or shoulder
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt kosher
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2- cup barbecue sauce sweet baby ray’s, or your regional favorite
Instructions
- Place the pork in a gallon storage bag. Add the oil and liquid smoke. Seal the bag, leaving a bit of air inside, and shake it to coat the pork evenly. Open the bag and add your spices. Seal it again with some air and shake to coat the pork thoroughly with the spices.
- Marinated pork for at least 30 minutes. For the best results and tenderness, chill the pork overnight with the air removed from the bag.
- Form an aluminum foil bowl in the air fryer and preheat it to 370°F. When ready to cook, bring the meat to room temperature and place the pork in the air fryer basket with the fatty side up. Pour over any remaining juices.
- Cook the pork for 1 ½ hours at 370 °F, flipping it twice every 30 minutes. Ensure the meat reaches 180 °F for complete cooking; cook for an additional 15 minutes if needed.
- After cooking, let the pork rest in the air fryer for 30 minutes. Remove the pork and shred it on a cutting board.
- Transfer the shredded meat to a large mixing bowl and add ½ cup of barbecue sauce, or more if desired. Fold the meat into the sauce to coat it well.
- Serve this delicious flavoursome pulled pork on a fresh bun, topped with more sauce and your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Always ensure your air fryer is preheated to the correct temperature before adding the pork. This helps in achieving an even cook and a nicely browned exterior.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the pork is thoroughly cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that it reaches an internal temperature of 180°F.
- Don't Skip the Marinade Time: Allowing the pork to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, significantly enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- Flip Consistently: Remember to flip the pork every 30 minutes to ensure even cooking on all sides.
- Shred While Warm: Shredding the pork while it's still warm makes the process easier and ensures the meat absorbs more of the barbecue sauce.
- Adjust Spice Levels: Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder and other spices to suit your preferred level of heat and flavor.
- Add Sauce Gradually: Add barbecue sauce gradually to the shredded pork to achieve the desired level of sauciness without overwhelming the flavors.
Nutrition
Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 546mg | Potassium: 597mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 157IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Vitamin D: 1µg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg