Everyone has a go-to meal, for some, it’s the taste of convenience. Not the kind offered by uninspired ready-made meals or Friday night takeout, but the kind that provides home-cooked deliciousness every day of the week. Whether you’re entertaining a hungry crowd or simply can’t be bothered to cook lengthy meals, all you need is the Instant Vortex VersaZone air fryer and a good cut of pork to taste the possibilities. These tender Pulled Pork Buns with Tangy Apple Chutney are all the inspiration you need!

Taste the Possibilities

Besides being an economical protein choice, pork is incredibly versatile and boasts many health benefits. Not completely convinced? Here’s the science to back it up. From being an excellent source of nutrients to providing the body with complex B vitamins, pork is a cut above the rest and makes cooking convenient, much like the VersaZone air fryer.

Make memorable meals in an ‘Instant’!

Instant Brands, the leading innovator in kitchen appliances, continues to revolutionise the culinary landscape with the introduction of the all-new Instant Vortex VersaZone with ClearCook Air Fryer, setting a new standard for versatility, performance and design.

The Versazone with ClearCook is a cut above every other air fryer out there – it ticks all the boxes: large size, power and speed, design and versatility.  Since it’s both a single and dual air fryer in one, you can choose to cook everything at once in the big drawer or insert the divider to set it to two separate cooking zones. Plus, it’s the only air fryer in SA with SyncCook and SyncFinish technology, allowing you to apply different times and temperatures to each drawer and program them to finish at the same time – all with the touch of a button. This air fryer gives the fastest crisp with the lowest energy cost, thanks to EvenCrisp™ technology, which ensures proper heat and airflow around your food. And with a QuietMark award, you can enjoy a really peaceful kitchen.

Complete with a gorgeous stainless steel exterior and eight unique functions, the VersaZone air fryer is style and convenience personified! With its expansive 8.5L capacity, it’s ideal for cooking healthy family meals and showstopping pork roasts in one go. Switch to the two 4.2L baskets for unmatched flexibility, and cook mains and veggies simultaneously. For smaller portions, simply use one zone for deliciously crispy and tender results every time! Thanks to the sleek and practical design, you don’t need to interrupt the cooking process; just peek through the ClearCook window to check the level of doneness. Make memorable meals in an ‘Instant’!

Cooking for Convenience

To show how tasty convenience can be, we created the ultimate Pulled Pork Buns with Tangy Apple Chutney and Onion Rings, all made in the Instant Vortex VersaZone air fryer.

Pulled pork usually takes hours of preparation to make, but with the right kitchen appliance, you can create lavish meals with minimal effort. The secret to making succulent pork is using a fantastic cut; pork shoulder or ‘Boston butt’ has the ideal meat-to-fat ratio, ensuring fork-tender and succulent pulled pork.

Infused with smoky flavours and topped with sweet and tangy apple chutney, these burgers are ideal for casual entertaining.

For extra deliciousness, rub the pork with liquid smoke, olive oil; garlic, chilli and onion powder; and paprika. Let the flavours marinate, and then load it in the air fryer and cook it for an hour and a half. While most pulled pork recipes require at least three hours, you can easily cook this version in half the time with the VersaZone air fryer, making hosting friends and family enjoyable. Once cooked to juicy perfection, shred away until you have tender pulled pork and add the barbecue sauce to the mix.

Topped with a deliciously sweet, sticky and tangy apple chutney, these burgers are irresistible! The tart flavour of Granny Smith apples, sweet caramelised onions and fragrant spices take this pork and apple combo to the next level.

Enjoy these tempting buns with the most satisfying onion rings. Simply dip the onions into the seasoned flour and then the egg mixture containing oil; finally, coat with the panko breadcrumbs before placing them in the air fryer. Once golden brown and irresistibly crunchy, top the toasted brioche rolls with the pulled pork and the tangy apple chutney and serve alongside the onion rings. It’s that simple! Relish every bite as you tuck into this satisfying meal.

Easy & Tasty: Pulled Pork Buns with Tangy Apple Chutney

Infused with smoky flavours and topped with sweet and tangy apple chutney, these burgers are ideal for casual entertaining.

Serves: 6-8 | Prep time: 30 minutes | Cook time: 2 hours | Difficulty: easy

Smoky Pulled Pork

1.5 kg boneless pork butt or shoulder
¼ C (60 ml) olive oil
1 tsp (5 ml) liquid smoke (optional)
1 Tbsp (15 ml) ground black pepper
1 Tbsp (15 ml) salt
2 Tbsp (30 ml) garlic powder
2 Tbsp (30 ml) onion powder
1 Tbsp (15 ml) chilli powder
2 Tbsp (30 ml) smoked paprika
½ C (125 ml) BBQ sauce

Apple Chutney

¼ C (60 ml) olive oil
3 Granny Smith Apples peeled, cored and chopped
2 whole red onions, sliced
2 Tbsp (30 ml) yellow mustard seeds
1 Tbsp (15 ml) black mustard seeds
1 C (125 ml) sultanas
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise pods
½ C (125 ml) brown sugar
1½ C (325 ml) dry white wine

Panko Onion Rings

3 medium-sized onions
1 C (250 ml) flour
2 Tbsp (30 ml) paprika
4 eggs
¼ C (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
2 C (500 ml) panko breadcrumbs

To Serve

6-8 brioche rolls
butter for spreading
1 baby white cabbage, finely sliced
2 spring onions, green part only, finely sliced on the diagonal

Smoky Pulled Pork

Rub the oil, liquid smoke, and dry spices all over the surface of the pork to fully coat it. Let the pork sit for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the fridge.

When ready to cook, remove the pork from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature. Place the meat in the basket of the Instant Vortex VersaZone air fryer, fat side up. Pour over the remaining juices.

Cook the pork for 1½ hours at 180 °C on the roast function until pull-apart tender. Switch off the air fryer and leave the pork inside for 30 minutes to rest. Remove from the air fryer and place into a dish. Using two forks, pull the meat apart until shredded. Add the barbecue sauce to the meat and mix to combine and coat, adding a little more if needed.

Tangy Apple Chutney

Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat and add the apples and red onions. Sauté until browned, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the mustard seeds, sultanas, cinnamon stick, and star anise. Add the brown sugar and white wine, and let it cook until caramelised and thick. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool before serving.

Panko Onion Rings

Set the Instant Vortex VersaZone air fryer to 180 ºC, using the air fry function.

Cut the onions into 1cm thick rings. Add paprika, salt, and pepper to the flour. Lightly whisk the eggs in a separate bowl and then add the oil. Start crumbing the rings by first dusting them in the flour, then dipping them in the egg mixture, and finally coating them in panko breadcrumbs. Place the crumbed onions into the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

To Serve

Slice the buns and butter both sides. Lightly toast the buns in a dry frying pan until golden. Top each bun base with the pulled pork, then add a generous dollop of chutney and a small handful of chopped cabbage and spring onion greens, if using. Serve immediately with the onion rings on the side.

For more tasty inspiration, try these pork recipes and air fryer-friendly recipes.

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