carnitas in air fryer

If you're a fan of carnitas, you might be surprised to know that you can now make them in your air fryer. Yes, that's right! With the help of this amazing kitchen gadget, you can now achieve delicious, crispy carnitas with minimal effort. In this article, we'll guide you through the entire process of making carnitas in an air fryer, including various tips and tricks to help you master the art of cooking the perfect carnitas. So, let's get started!

How to Use an Air Fryer to Make Delicious Carnitas

If you've never used an air fryer before, don't worry, the process is quite simple. First, preheat your air fryer to 360°F. While it's heating up, it's time to prepare your carnitas. Start by cutting your pork into small, bite-sized cubes and seasoning them with salt, pepper, and any other spices of your choice.

Next, place the seasoned pork into your air fryer and let it cook for around 20 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. Once the pork is cooked and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes.

While the pork is resting, it's time to prepare your toppings. Traditional carnitas are served with diced onions, cilantro, and lime wedges. You can also add avocado, salsa, or any other toppings you prefer.

Once your toppings are ready, it's time to assemble your carnitas. Serve the crispy pork on a warm tortilla and top with your desired toppings. Enjoy your delicious and easy-to-make air fryer carnitas!

The Best Carnitas Recipe for Your Air Fryer

Now that you know how to use your air fryer to cook carnitas, it's time to share our favorite recipe. Here's what you'll need:

2 pounds of pork shoulder, cut into bite-sized cubes
½ cup of orange juice
¼ cup of lime juice
1 tablespoon of chili powder
1 tablespoon of cumin
1 tablespoon of paprika
2 teaspoons of garlic powder
2 teaspoons of salt

To make the marinade, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Place the pork cubes into the marinade and let it sit for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.

When you're ready to cook, place the marinated pork cubes into the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes at 360°F. Shake the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. Once the pork is crispy and cooked through, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Perfect Carnitas in Your Air Fryer

While the recipe above is quite simple, there are a few tips and tricks that can help take your carnitas to the next level. Here's a step-by-step guide to making perfect carnitas in your air fryer:

Choose the right cut of pork. Pork shoulder is the best cut for carnitas, as it has plenty of fat and collagen that will keep the meat tender and juicy.
Marinate the pork. The longer you marinate the pork, the better the flavor will be. We recommend marinating for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
Preheat your air fryer. This will ensure that your carnitas cook evenly and come out crispy.
Don't over-crowd the basket. It's important to give your carnitas enough space to cook evenly. If the basket is too crowded, the pork will steam instead of crisping up.
Shake the basket occasionally. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent the pork from sticking to the basket.
Let the carnitas rest before serving. This will ensure that the juices distribute evenly and that the meat stays tender and juicy.

Another important tip to keep in mind is to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the pork is cooked to the right temperature. The internal temperature of the pork should reach 145°F (63°C) to be safe to eat.

Additionally, you can add some extra flavor to your carnitas by adding spices such as cumin, chili powder, and oregano to the marinade. You can also add some sliced onions and garlic to the air fryer basket to cook alongside the pork for added flavor.

Tips and Tricks for Cooking Carnitas in an Air Fryer

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your air fryer:

Use the right amount of oil. While air fryers are designed to cook food with little to no oil, a small amount can help give your carnitas that crispy texture you're looking for.
Experiment with different spices. The recipe we shared earlier is just a starting point. Feel free to play around with spices and seasonings to find your perfect flavor combination.
Don't be afraid to double or triple the recipe. The great thing about cooking carnitas in an air fryer is that it's easy to make large batches. This is perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week ahead.

Another tip for cooking carnitas in an air fryer is to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the pork is cooked to the proper temperature. This will help prevent undercooked or overcooked meat.

Additionally, if you want to add some extra flavor to your carnitas, try marinating the pork in a mixture of citrus juice, garlic, and spices before cooking it in the air fryer. This will infuse the meat with even more delicious flavor.

The Health Benefits of Cooking Carnitas in an Air Fryer

Cooking carnitas in an air fryer has several health benefits. For one, air fryers use a fraction of the oil traditionally used to cook carnitas, which makes them much healthier. Additionally, cooking with an air fryer results in less smoke and grease, which means that you can cook your carnitas indoors without any of the associated risks.

Another health benefit of cooking carnitas in an air fryer is that it helps to reduce the amount of saturated fat in the meat. This is because the air fryer cooks the meat by circulating hot air around it, which helps to remove excess fat. As a result, your carnitas will be much leaner and healthier than if you were to cook them using traditional methods.

Finally, cooking carnitas in an air fryer is a great way to save time and energy. Air fryers cook food much faster than traditional ovens, which means that you can have your carnitas ready in a fraction of the time. Additionally, air fryers are much more energy-efficient than ovens, which means that you'll save money on your energy bills in the long run.

How to Get Crispy and Juicy Carnitas Using an Air Fryer

The key to getting crispy and juicy carnitas using an air fryer is to make sure that you don't overcook the pork. While it's important to cook pork all the way through, overcooking it can make it tough and dry. The trick is to cook it just long enough to achieve that crispy exterior and tender interior. Additionally, using a meat thermometer can be helpful to ensure that your pork has reached a safe temperature without overcooking it.

Another important factor in getting crispy and juicy carnitas is to marinate the pork before cooking. A simple marinade of lime juice, garlic, and spices can add flavor and help tenderize the meat. It's best to marinate the pork for at least an hour, but overnight is even better.

Finally, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you add too much pork at once, it can prevent the hot air from circulating properly and result in uneven cooking. It's better to cook the pork in batches, if necessary, to ensure that each piece gets crispy and juicy.

5 Creative Ways to Serve Your Air Fryer Carnitas

While carnitas are delicious on their own, there are plenty of creative ways to serve them. Here are 5 of our favorite ways to enjoy air fryer carnitas:

Tacos. This is a classic way to serve carnitas. Simply add your carnitas to a tortilla and top with your favorite taco toppings.
Burrito bowls. Add your carnitas to a bed of rice or lettuce and top with beans, salsa, avocado, and any other toppings you like.
Quesadillas. Add your carnitas to a quesadilla along with cheese, peppers, and onions.
Carnitas nachos. Top a bed of tortilla chips with carnitas, cheese, beans, salsa, and guacamole.
Carnitas sliders. Use small buns or rolls to create mini carnitas sliders, topped with your favorite condiments.

How to Make Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly Carnitas in Your Air Fryer

If you're following a low-carb or keto diet, you'll be happy to know that air fryer carnitas are the perfect meal option. Here's how to make them:

Follow the carnitas recipe we shared earlier, but omit the orange juice and use only lime juice instead.
Serve your carnitas with low-carb tortillas or lettuce wraps, along with some low-carb toppings like avocado, cheese, and salsa.

What Makes Cooking Carnitas in an Air Fryer So Easy and Convenient?

Cooking carnitas in an air fryer is easy and convenient for several reasons. For one, air fryers are designed to cook food quickly and evenly, which means that you can cook your carnitas in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven or slow cooker. Additionally, air fryers are incredibly user-friendly and require minimal preparation and clean-up.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Air Fryer for Cooking Carnitas

If you don't already own an air fryer, you might be wondering which model to choose. Here are a few things to consider:

Size. Make sure to choose an air fryer that's big enough to accommodate the amount of food you'll be cooking. If you plan on making large batches of carnitas, a larger air fryer might be a better choice.
Price. Air fryers range in price from around $40 to $300. Consider your budget and the features you need before making a purchase.
Features. Some air fryers come with additional features like a rotisserie function or a built-in dehydrator. Consider which features you need before making a purchase.

In Conclusion

There you have it, everything you need to know about cooking carnitas in an air fryer. With the right recipe and a few tips and tricks, making perfect carnitas is easy and convenient. Whether you prefer traditional pork carnitas or want to experiment with different seasonings and flavors, an air fryer is the perfect tool for the job.