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Air Fryer Pork Shoulder with Crispy Crackling
Make a classic pork roast recipe in your Air Fryer! Pork shoulder is cooked until the meat is tender and succulent meat while the crackling is crispy golden perfection. Easy, delicious and worth the wait.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 5 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 55 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 813 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
British
Ingredients
For the seasoning
- 1 tbsp coarse salt kosher salt
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds , ground in pestle and mortar
- 1 tsp mixed herbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp brown sugar
For the pork
- 1 tbsp olive oil or as needed
- 1.7 kg (3.7 lbs) pork shoulder joint with rind
- 1 apple cored and cut into rounds
- ½ onion sliced
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
For the gravy
- 1 tbsp cornflour (= cornstarch)
- 250 ml (1 cup) beef stock or broth
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- any cooking juices from the pork
Instructions
PREP THE PORK SHOULDER
- Pat the pork dry with kitchen towels. Place two large pieces of kitchen foil on your worktop in a cross formation.
- Place the pork rind side up in the middle of the foil and drizzle with a little oil then rub the rind with salt and herbs.
- Turn the pork joint over and rub with oil, garlic powder, fennel and sugar.
- Push the pork over to the side and place the apple and onion slices in the middle of the foil. Position the pork shoulder on top, rind side up.
Cup of Yum
ROAST IN THE AIR FRYER
- Wrap the foil tightly around the pork to cover it completely in a snug package. Place in a 180° (360°F) preheated air fryer and cook for 90-120 minutes (note: this is dependent on the weight of your pork).
- Check the internal temperature of your pork roast by inserting a meat thermometer in the middle of the meat (from the side, avoiding the crackling). It should be nearing 90°C (195°F).
- Open up the top of the foil. Add a little extra salt on the crackling and carefully pour the apple cider vinegar into the foil parcel. Tuck the ends of the foil around the meat, leaving only the crackling exposed.
- Crank up the heat and air fry for a further 5-10 minutes, or until the crackling is thoroughly crisp.
REST THE MEAT BEFORE SLICING
- Carefully remove the roast from the air fryer basket and leave it to rest, crackling uncovered, for 10 minutes.
- Place the roast pork, crackling side down, on a wooden cutting board. Pour any of the cooking juices into a saucepan for the gravy.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the pork, placing your palm on top of the knife to cut through the crisp crackling.
PREPARE THE GRAVY
- Make a cornstarch slurry by diluting a tablespoon with equal amount cold water. Add to the saucepan with the meat juices, top up with one cup of beef stock (broth) and add the apple cider vinegar. Simmer over low heat, stirring, until the gravy thickens.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Serve the pork with the gravy and mash, smashed or roast potatoes.
Notes
- Pork shoulder has a fair amount of fat and connective tissue so it will need to cook for approximately 25-30 minutes per 450g (1 pound). My cut was 1.7kg (3.7lbs) and I cooked it for 90 minutes plus an additional 10 to crisp up the crackling.
- The best way to ensure the pork is cooked perfectly is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Although pork is safe to eat at 63°C / 145° the recommended internal temperature for a fatty cut such as pork shoulder is much higher at 95°C / 203°F.
Nutrition Information
Calories
813kcal
(41%)
Carbohydrates
8g
(3%)
Protein
67g
(134%)
Fat
56g
(86%)
Saturated Fat
20g
(100%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
25g
Cholesterol
244mg
(81%)
Sodium
1440mg
(60%)
Potassium
1092mg
(31%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
39IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
100mg
(10%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 813
% Daily Value*
Calories | 813kcal | 41% |
Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
Protein | 67g | 134% |
Fat | 56g | 86% |
Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
Monounsaturated Fat | 25g | 125% |
Cholesterol | 244mg | 81% |
Sodium | 1440mg | 60% |
Potassium | 1092mg | 23% |
Fiber | 1g | 4% |
Sugar | 4g | 8% |
Vitamin A | 39IU | 1% |
Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
Calcium | 100mg | 10% |
Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.