Air Fryer Pork Carnitas
Ready in about 29 minutes.
Updated 7 September 2026
These Mexican carnitas get their signature crispy-edged, tender bite from the air fryer, which crisps slow-cooked pork shoulder far faster than a hot oven. Perfect piled into tacos with lime and coriander.
Ingredients
- 1 kg pork shoulder, cut into chunks
- 1 orange, juiced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp oil
Method
- 1Toss the pork chunks with orange juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper, and marinate 30 minutes.
- 2Simmer or slow-cook the pork until fork-tender, then shred into large pieces.
- 3Preheat the air fryer to 200°C/400°F.
- 4Spread the shredded pork in the basket, drizzle with a little oil and some cooking juices.
- 5Air fry 12-15 minutes, tossing halfway, until the edges are crisp and browned.
- 6Serve hot in warm tortillas with lime, onion and coriander.
Tips for the best results
- Do not overcrowd, or the pork steams instead of crisping.
- A spoon of the reserved juices keeps the interior moist while the edges char.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature and time for air fryer pork carnitas?+
Cook at 200°C / 400°F for 12-15 min, toss halfway.
Can I use pre-cooked pulled pork?+
Absolutely, this method is a brilliant way to crisp up leftover pulled pork into carnitas.