Air Fryer Pork Shoulder with Crackling

You'll never get enough of this moist and tender air fryer pork shoulder. The easy dry rub gives it a robust flavor while the air fryer creates a beautifully seared, crispy crackling. A family favorite for any night of the week and delicious enough for company.

Meaty Air Fryer Main Dish Recipes

Cooking dinner in the air fryer is a game-changer! It turns your favorite meats into irresistible dinners in no time! It roasts to perfection and turns out moist and flavorful results every time. Once you find all the ways you can fix main dishes in your air fryer you'll rethink how you cook all your mealtime favorites.

Save time and cleanup with some of my favorites - Air Fryer Cornish Hen, Air Fryer Filet Mignon, and Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin.

Why You'll Love Air Fryer Pork Shoulder Roast

• Easy Prep: This pork recipe requires just a few simple steps - salt the meat, pat the roast dry, rub on the seasoning, pop it in the air fryer, and done! That's just 15 minutes of prep!
• Less Cooking Time: An air fryer significantly reduces the cooking time making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• Crispy, Crunchy Crackling: The air fryer makes achieving that perfect crispy crackling easy. While the skin crisps up, the meat remains juicy and tender, making one mouthwatering dinner.
• Foolproof Results: No need to stress about overcooking or undercooking your air fryer pork roast. The air fryer takes the guesswork out, simply set it and forget it.

Ingredients

Here's what you need to season the air fry pork shoulder with crispy crackling. The full measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

For the pork shoulder:

• Pork Shoulder - boneless pork shoulder with skin is preferred, meat should be room temperature
• Coarse Salt - such as kosher salt or sea salt
• Olive Oil - or, if you prefer, avocado or vegetable oil can be used

For the seasoning rub:

• Dried Sage
• Dried Thyme
• Paprika
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Black Pepper

How to Cook Pork Shoulder in Air Fryer

Here are the easy steps for cooking pork shoulder in an air fryer:

1. Using a sharp knife, score the fat in a criss-cross pattern on top of the roast.
2. Rub coarse salt into the fat, making sure to get in all the crevices, and let rest for 10 minutes.
3. Pat dry with a paper towel.
4. Rub oil over the entire roast.
5. Mix the seasoning rub ingredients in a small bowl and rub into the roast covering all sides.
6. Ready to the air fryer.

7. Preheat air fryer to 360°F for 4 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the seasoned pork shoulder into the bottom.
8. Cook for 25-30 minutes per pound or about 50-60 minutes for a 2-pound roast. A digital instant-read thermometer should read 145°F when done.

How Long to Cook Pork Shoulder in Air Fryer

This table outlines the approximate pork shoulder air fryer time for different sizes of pork shoulder, allowing for easy reference and planning when preparing your delicious pork roast. These times are based on air frying at 360°F.

Pork Shoulder Size	Approximate Air Fryer Cook Time at 360°F
1 pound	22 minutes
1.5 pounds	33 minutes
2 pounds	44 minutes
2.5 pounds	55 minutes
3 pounds	1 hour 6 minutes
3.5 pounds	1 hour 17 minutes
4 pounds	1 hour 28 minutes

Note the cooking time can vary depending on the air fryer model. Pork shoulder is done when the internal temperature is 145°F, measured in the thickest part of the roast with a meat thermometer.

How to Get Crispy Crackling in an Air Fryer

Here are some helpful hints for achieving that perfect crispy crackling on your pork shoulder roast in an air fryer.

• Remove the moisture: Before cooking, ensure the pork skin is dry. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness so patting the skin dry will help achieve that satisfyingly crisp crackling.
• Score the fat: Score carefully with a sharp knife so that you only cut through the skin and fat, avoiding the meat itself. This will promote even cooking and allow the skin to crisp up evenly.
• Seasoning: Salt isn't just for flavor - it's an important ingredient in achieving that crunchy coating. Rub the salt into the scored skin, ensuring it gets into every crevice. Let the salt work for about 10 minutes to draw out moisture for perfect crispiness.
• Oil rub: Coating the skin with a light layer of oil aids in the crisping process but also creates a reaction with the salt and fat beneath the skin, resulting in a puffed-up and crispy exterior.

If your crackling is not quite as crispy as you would like, give it a little extra air frying time to achieve that satisfying crunch you love.

Simply remove the crackling carefully once the pork is cooked through, place it back in the air fryer, set the air fryer to 360°F, and let it crisp up for an additional 5-10 minutes, while the roast rests. Don't you just love that perfect crackling!

What to Serve with Pork Shoulder Roast

Pair the flavors of your pork roast dinner with your favorite side dishes or try one of these tasty ideas:

• Roasted Vegetables: Roast carrots, fingerling potatoes, Brussels sprouts, or a mix of your favorites as roasting will bring out their natural sweetness, a tasty contrast to the savory richness of the pork.
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The classic pairing of pork with smooth, buttery, creamy mashed potatoes makes the perfect comfort food dinner. Don't forget to drizzle with gravy for an extra layer of indulgence.
• Fresh Green Salad: Balance out the richness of the pork roast with a refreshing green salad of crisp lettuce, vibrant cherry tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers tossed in a zesty vinaigrette.
• Crusty Bread: There's nothing quite like tearing into a warm loaf of crusty bread to accompany your pork roast. Choose from a rustic baguette, sourdough boule, or garlic-infused focaccia, perfect for sopping up those flavorful juices.
• Braised Red Cabbage: Slow-cooked with spices and a hint of sweetness, it lends a pop of color and depth of flavor that complements the rich pork roast.
• Sweet Potatoes: Who doesn't love crispy sweet potato fries?! Their natural sweetness caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer making for the perfect side. Or try a baked sweet potato complete with cinnamon sugar.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Leftovers

Storing: Place leftover pork shoulder in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing: Place leftover pork roast in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag and freeze it for up to 3 month. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Reheating: Reheat the pork in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes. You can also reheat it in the microwave on HIGH in 20-second increments.

More Air Fryer Dinner Recipes

• Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs
• Air Fryer Fish Sticks
• Air Fryer Panko Shrimp
• Air Fryer Pork Chops
• Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Find lots of quick and easy air fryer recipes right here on 2CM!

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