Air Fryer BBQ Jackfruit is perfect for piling on a bun with all your favorite fixings. Or get creative and add it to tacos, pizza, and more. Done in less than 30 minutes, this easy jackfruit recipe is the perfect vegan substitute for pulled pork!
BBQ Jackfruit has been popular for a few years now, but I noticed there weren't any recipes for making it in the air fryer, so I decided to fix that by creating my own version.
I adapted and refined my oven-baked jackfruit for an even tastier, quicker air fryer recipe that doesn't skimp on flavor or texture.
This meaty, juicy, and delicious vegan "pulled pork" is perfect for pairing with coleslaw and piling on a bun. Or add it to tacos, pizza, salads, and more!Even if you're not vegan or vegetarian, this easy meat-free recipe should be on your list.
Not sure, what Jackfruit is? Be sure to check out the FAQs below!
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Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this air fryer jackfruit recipe.
- canned jackfruit: Be sure to use unripe and unsweetened Jackfruit. You might also see the words young or green on the label. Be sure that you are not using ripe or sweetened jackfruit, as it will be far too sweet for this dish. For more tips on working with Jackfruit, see the FAQs below.
- white or yellow onion: Any kind will do. I usually opt for a Vidalia onion or something similar.
- granulated garlic: These seasonings help flavor the jackfruit and balance out some of the natural sweetness.
- granulated onion: Like the garlic above, these seasonings help make the dish richer and more savory.
- smoked paprika: The smoked variety of paprika really helps add a smokey, BBQ flavor to the dish.
- dried oregano: I like the addition of dried oregano, as it adds a bit of earthiness that compliments the sweetness.
- salt: Just to enhance the other flavors and neutralize the jackfruit.
- BBQ sauce: Any kind is fine. You can make your own at home or buy your favorite brand at the store. Since this dish has some natural sweetness, you might opt for a vinegar-based sauce like Memphis-style BBQ sauce.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here are step-by-step instructions with photos.
- Drain and rinse the canned jackfruit. Shred the jackfruit using your hands or two forks. Be sure the break up the harder ends. The seeds are edible so you don't need to remove them.
- Place the shredded jackfruit in a fine mesh strainer and thoroughly rinse the jackfruit with water. (This will help neutralize the flavor).
- Add the shredded jackfruit, sliced onion, and all of the seasonings except the BBQ sauce to a mixing bowl. Mix until all of the onions and jackfruit are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Add a ½ cup of BBQ sauce to the jackfruit and mix until everything is coated with the sauce.
- Transfer the jackfruit to a lined air fryer basket and cook at 400F or 200C for about 20 minutes, stopping a few times to mix the jackfruit up. Keep a close eye near the end because the tips can burn easily.
- Mix in the rest of the BBQ sauce and serve right away!
Hint: Be sure to thoroughly rinse the jackfruit after you shred to it remove the natural sweetness. Then give the jackfruit a good squeeze to remove excess water. This will help it to get crispier in the air fryer. If, after 20 minutes, the tips aren't crispy enough, you can turn up the air fryer temperature to 425F/220C and cook for a few extra minutes. Just keep a close eye on things since the tips can burn easily.
Variations
Here are some ways to switch things up!
- Oven-baked - if you need the air fryer for a side dish, you can also bake this in the oven.
- Spicy - add cayenne pepper with the other seasonings.
- Korean BBQ - instead of American-style BBQ sauce, try Korean BBQ sauce.
Equipment
For this recipe, you need an air fryer and a mixing bowl. A fine mesh strainer or colander will be helpful for rinsing and squeezing the water out of the jackfruit. I also recommend using an air fryer liner since this recipe is messy.
All of my favorite products and kitchen tools can be found in my Amazon shop.
How to serve
The easiest way to serve this air-fried jackfruit is piled on a bun with coleslaw as a BBQ jackfruit sandwich. I love to pair a BBQ sandwich with sweet potato fries or diced sweet potatoes. It would also be perfect with sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts.
You could also add this vegan "pulled pork" to tacos, pizza, or a salad.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer, microwave, or skillet.
Top tip
Jackfruit is a fruit, so the trick to using it in savory dishes is to neutralize the flavor. Be sure to use unripe green (sometimes called young) canned jackfruit for this recipe. If you are unsure, check the nutrition label: there should not be any added sugar. Once you've shredded the jackfruit, rinse it thoroughly with water to remove any lingering sweetness.
FAQ
If you find Jackfruit in the produce aisle, it can be a bit intimidating. It's a large spiky, green fruit found most commonly in tropical regions. Thankfully you can also buy canned jackfruit, which is much easier to work with! Once shredded, jackfruit has a texture similar to shredded meat, which makes it a great vegan alternative.
There are two main varieties of canned Jackfruit. One is ripe and sweetened--you want to avoid that for this recipe. The other is unripe green (young) jackfruit, which is unsweetened, has a more neutral flavor, and is what you want for this recipe.
If you are using jackfruit as a pulled pork substitute, it's good to know if it's also a source of protein. Jackfruit does have more protein than most fruits, at around 3 grams per cup. Although that's still quite a bit less than traditional meat dishes, almost every food has protein, and at the end of the day, if you're eating a healthy and varied diet, you're probably getting enough.
Choose the air fryer that best meets your needs. Consider things like price, size, and functionality. I personally love my Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer, because it has a bigger capacity, which better suits my family of four.
For more info, see my post What Air Fryer Should I Buy? or check out Good Housekeeping's review of the Best Air Fryers of 2024.
Related
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try these:
Air Fryer BBQ Jackfruit
Ingredients
- 20 oz young jackfruit (canned) (unripe)
- ½ medium white or yellow onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce (divided)
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the canned jackfruit. Shred the jackfruit using your hands or two forks. Be sure the break up the harder ends. The seeds are edible so you don't need to remove them.
- Place the shredded jackfruit in a fine mesh strainer and thoroughly rinse the jackfruit with water. (This will help neutralize the flavor).
- Add the shredded jackfruit, sliced onion, and all of the seasonings except the BBQ sauce to a mixing bowl. Mix until all of the onions and jackfruit are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Add a ½ cup of BBQ sauce to the jackfruit and mix until everything is coated with the sauce.
- Transfer the BBQ jackfruit to a lined air fryer basket and cook at 400F or 200C for about 20 minutes, stopping a few times to mix the jackfruit up. Keep a close eye near the end because the jackfruit shreds can burn easily.
- Mix in the rest of the BBQ sauce and serve right away!
Notes
- Be sure to buy young, unripe canned jackfruit. If you aren't sure, look at the ingredients. There shouldn't be any added sugar.
- This recipe serves 2 to 4 people depending on how it's used. It would make enough for 2 large sandwiches or 3 to 4 smaller sandwiches.
- Nutritional info is calculated for 2 servings.
- Since the recipe can be a bit messy, I recommend using an air fryer liner or baking paper to cut slightly larger than the basket size.
Nutrition
Air Fryer and food safety tips
Here are a few safety tips for cooking with an air fryer.
- Cook food to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always use oven mitts or some protective hand covering when shaking the basket or removing food from the air fryer.
- Hot air comes out the back of the air fryer. Try to keep the back of the air fryer at least a hands length away from the wall, other ingredients, or anything else that could be damaged by heat.
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