Air fryer pulled pork is a fast, flavorful way to enjoy tender shredded pork without turning on the slow cooker or smoker. It’s perfect to make when you want pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, or bowls but don’t have all day to cook.
Using a simple spice rub and a quick air fryer method, this pork cooks up juicy on the inside with a lightly crisp exterior. After a short rest it’s ready to serve however your crew loves it.
If you’ve ever wondered whether pulled pork can really work in the air fryer, I'm here to tell you - it can!
Why This Recipe Works
- No slow cooker or smoker required and it doesn't heat up your kitchen.
- An awesome option for weeknight dinners or weekend meal prep
- Uses simple pantry spices
- Easy to shred and customize with your favorite barbecue sauce
- Shredded pork is great for sandwiches, tacos, salads, and more
Want to cook more pork in the air fryer? Try my thin air fried pork chops or air fryer pork tenderloin.
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🛒 Ingredients
Here's what you'll need from the pantry and fridge.
- boneless pork butt or boneless pork shoulder - Both of these cuts work well and have enough fat to stay juicy during air frying.
- olive oil
- liquid smoke - A little goes a long way. Measure carefully — it adds smoky flavor without overpowering the pork.
- homemade spice blend - this is made up o salt & pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder and ground cumin. The great thing is that you can customize it, too. I'll give you some options in a sec!
- optional: you favorite barbecue sauce - This is added after shredding so you can control how saucy the pork is or you can leave it off altogether if you're making it for other pork dishes.
See recipe card below for specific quantities and ingredient list.
🥣 How to Make Air Fryer Pulled Pork
- Step 1: Season the pork. Toss the pork with oil, liquid smoke, and the spice rub until evenly coated.
Let marinate (optional but recommended). Let the pork rest in the seasoning for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best flavor.
- Step 2: Place in Air Fryer. Transfer the pork to a foil-lined air fryer basket or pan, fatty side up.
Tip: Fat side up helps keep the pork juicy.
- Step 3: Air Fry Until Tender.
Cook, flipping occasionally, until the pork is deeply browned and fork-tender and the temperature is 195–200°F when measured with a meat thermometer.
Note: Air fryers vary. Always rely on the temperature, not just time.
Let the pork rest before shredding to keep it juicy.
- Step 4: Shred. Shred the pork using two forks or this handy-dandy meat shredding tool before serving.
Helpful tip: My air fryer model lets me cook up to 60 minutes. I usually set the cook time for 30 minutes, flip the pork, cook another 30 minutes and flip again before it finishes cooking for the last portion of time.
📋 Seasoning Variations
Use your favorite store-bought spice blend or even simple salt and black pepper. Some of my other favorite additions are smoked paprika, oregano or a little brown sugar for extra flavor.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Use pulled pork to make pulled pork nachos, totchos or flatbread pizza
- Serve up some pulled pork sliders with pickles or pickled red onions
- Use the shredded meat in tacos or pulled pork quesadillas
- Make pulled pork salads or grain bowls and top with a scoop of sweet and creamy coleslaw.
- Top baked potatoes with barbecue pork. Potato party, anyone??
Farm Girl Tip
Shredding cold pork is no fun - trust me. Pulled pork is easiest to shred when it’s still warm - a few minutes now will save you time and frustration later.
Save This Recipe For Later
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
How to Store and Reheat Pulled Pork
Allow leftover pulled pork to cool for about 20–30 minutes. Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To freeze, store in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Remember the cardinal rule of freezing foods: label, label, label!
You can reheat pulled pork gently in the microwave, oven, or air fryer. Add extra barbecue sauce if needed to keep the pork moist.
If you have leftover pork, try this easy Cuban sandwich for a crispy, melty dinner option.
Make Ahead Tips
- Prep the dry rub in advance. Mix up a double or triple batch of the spice rub and store it in a small jar. When you’re ready to make pulled pork, it’s one less step. Just oil the meat, season, and you're on your way.
- Look for pre-cut pork shoulder. Many grocery stores sell pork shoulder already cut into smaller chunks. These cook more evenly and can shave time off the overall cooking process. Or, If your roast is very thick, cutting it into 2–3 large pieces can reduce cook time. When I purchased the pork for this recipe, I asked the butcher to cut a seven pound pork shoulder in half - and they gladly did. ☺️
- Marinate overnight when possible. Letting the pork sit in the seasoning overnight means better flavor with zero extra effort the next day. Winning!
If you've made it this far and don't have an air fryer, be sure to check out my crockpot bbq pulled pork and pulled pork in the Instant Pot. I've got something for everyone! 😉
FAQ
Pulled pork becomes tender when it’s cooked to a higher internal temperature. If the pork was removed too early, it may be fully cooked but not yet tender. For best results, cook until the internal temperature reaches 195–200°F, then allow the pork to rest before shredding.
Air fryers vary by size and airflow. If your pork is thick or unevenly shaped, flipping it every 30 minutes helps it cook more evenly. Smaller or pre-cut pieces of pork shoulder can also help reduce uneven cooking.
Larger basket-style air fryers tend to cook more evenly than compact models. If your air fryer runs hot, lower the temperature slightly and extend the cook time. Always rely on a meat thermometer rather than time alone, and check the pork early if you’re using a smaller air fryer.
Why does pulled pork need to rest?
Resting allows the juices to redistribute and helps the pork finish tenderizing. Shredding too soon can cause the meat to dry out.
What internal temperature is best for pulled pork?
Pulled pork is safest at 145°F, but it becomes tender and easy to shred at 195–200°F.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! This pulled pork reheats very well and is great for meal prep.
Tell me, what are your favorite toppings with shredded pork? I'd love to know 😊🍽️
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Air Fryer Pulled Pork
Send me this recipe!
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless pork butt or pork shoulder
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke measure precisely, this stuff is strong
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ cup of your favorite barbecue sauce I used Sweet Baby Ray’s
- aluminium foil
- gallon sized ziplock bag
Instructions
- Fold the top of a gallon sized ziplock bag and fold the top over. This makes it easier to add the pork butt without making a mess on the outside of the bag. Add the pork to the bag.
- Add olive oil, liquid smoke and seasonings through the ground cumin.
- Seal the bag tightly, leaving some air so the pork can move around. Use your hands on the outside of the bag to fully coat the pork in all the spices. Let sit for 30 minutes, or for best results, refrigerate overnight to infuse the seasonings.
- Make an aluminium foil bowl in your air fryer and pre-heat to 370°F. If you meat has been refrigerated, let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Place the meat in the air fryer basket with the fatty side up. Pour the remaining juices over the top.
- Cook for 1 ½ hours at 370°F, flipping the pork every 30 minutes. Cook the meat to 180°F to ensure the meat is fully cooked and willl easily shred. Use a digital meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- When the pork is finished cooking, allow it to rest for 30 minutes. Transfer meat to a platter or cutting board and shred using two forks.
- Add the shredded pork to a large mixing bowl. Add ½ cup bbq sauce and toss to coat. Check for seasoning. Add additional sauce if desired, or serve on the side.
Notes
- Try cutting your pulled pork into large pieces to make shredding it a little easier.
- My first choice for this recipe is boneless pork butt. It's ideaa with it's texture and tenderness. If you can't find it, a boneless pork shoulder will work in its place.
- Before air frying, be sure to trim some (but not all) of the excess fat off the pork butt. If you trim too much, your pork may dry out while cooking in the air fryer.
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
