Air Fryer Al Pastor Spicy Pork Tacos
These Air Fryer Al Pastor Spicy Pork Tacos are a quick and flavorful meal to throw together on a busy weeknight. Tender pieces of pork are mixed with a flavorful blend of spices, then cooked in the air fryer until golden brown. You won’t regret making this family-friendly meal.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll This Recipe
- Deliciously flavorful. The pork is cooked with a tasty blend of spices that adds a bit of heat and depth to this dish.
- Perfect for busy weeknight if you set in the fridge to marinate the night before.
- Feel free to add extra spices or vegetables to customize it to your preferences.
Equipment Needed
You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this easy air fryer recipe. Gather these tools and get ready to enjoy this savory meal.
- Ziploc bag
- small bowl
- small saucepan
- air fryer
Ingredients
The spices needed are in the recipe card and the list may look lengthy, but you probably have most of the spices stocked in your pantry. However, these are the ingredients that you might not have stocked:
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – reserve some of the sauce.
- Pineapple juice – if you use canned pineapple, save the juice.
- Pineapple chunks – grab a fresh pineapple if you can. I show you how to cut pineapple in this post.
- Pork shoulder
- Corn tortillas or homemade flour tortillas for an authentic meal.
- Garnish – limes, cilantro, diced white onion, diced jalapeños
Even if you need to pick up some ingredients you won’t regret making a trip to your local grocery store, after your first bite of these delicious tacos.
How to Make These Air Fryer Spicy Pork Tacos
Making these pork tacos is so simple. However, I do recommend marinating the pork overnight for the spicy flavors to penetrate into the meat.
For the Al Pastor Spicy Sauce
Step 1: Mix the seasonings, vinegar, and oil into a paste
In a small mixing bowl add 4 teaspoons paprika, and half of the remaining spices; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon oil to a mixing bowl. Mix into a paste.
Step 2: Dice the chipotle peppers
On a small cutting board chop the chipotle peppers into small pieces.
Step 3: Heat the sauce
Add the prepared paste, remaining spices, 1/4 cup vinegar, pineapple juice, chipotle peppers, and 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce to a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, remove from heat and let it cool.
Step 4: Marinate the pork
Add marinade to a Ziplock bag with the sliced pork. Massage the ingredients into the pork ensuring the meat is fully coated with the sauce. Place in the refrigerator overnight
Cook Spicy Pork Tacos in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Add the pork to the air fryer basket
Spray the insert of the air fryer basket with olive oil. Add the pork and top with the pineapple chunks.
Step 2: Air Fry the pork
Cook at 350°F for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Step 3: Chop the pork
Remove the pork from the air fryer and chop into small pieces.
Step 4: Warm the tortillas
Warm the tortillas on a cast iron, large skillet or place in the microwave with a damp paper towel and heat for 30 seconds.
Step 5: Assemble the warm tortillas
Fill each tortilla with the chopped meat, and garnish with diced onion, chopped cilantro, and squeeze of lime juice.
Cook in the Oven
Step 1: Add the pork to a prepared baking sheet
Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking oil. Place the pork on the baking sheet and top with the pineapple chunks.
Step 2: Roast the pork
Cook at 400°F for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Step 3: Chop the pork
Remove the pork from the oven and chop into small pieces.
Step 4: Warm the tortillas and top them
Warm the tortillas as noted above and add your favorite toppings.
What To Serve With This Dish
I love to serve this dish with a side of Easy Refried Beans or this Instant Pot Mexican Rice. And, if you love to end your meal with a sweet treat like I do, you may also enjoy these Authentic Churros.
Substitutions and Additions
Here are a few ways that you can change up or personalize this delicious taco recipe.
- Substitute pork shoulder for chicken breast
- Add some roasted bell peppers
- Swap out the corn tortillas for soft flour tortillas or whole wheat tortillas.
- Top the tacos with avocado or lime crema for even better meal.
- For garnish you could serve some lime wedges so that your family could squeeze some fresh lime juice on top of their tacos.
- The toppings for this recipe are unlimited but my favorites are red onion, cabbage, pico da gallo, fresh salsa, pineapple salsa, sour cream, tomatoes or even hot sauce.
- If you want to add even more heat to this recipe, you can add black pepper, cayenne pepper, or chipotle powder to your marinade.
How To Store
Leftovers – Store any leftover pork tacos in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days.
Reheating – Reheat the pork tacos in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-4 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed.
Freezing – This recipe can be frozen by storing the cooked pork in a resealable freezer bag. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as needed.
Sandra’s Pro Tips
Here are a few tips to ensure that these tacos turn out perfectly for you every time that you make them.
- Make sure to marinate the pork overnight for the best flavor.
- You can adjust the spiciness level by adding more or less chipotle peppers to your sauce.
- If you are air frying these tacos, make sure to spray the basket of your air fryer with non-stick cooking oil so that they don’t stick.
- Also, don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, if you have a smaller air fryer you may need to cook in batches.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this spicy pork tacos recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
I like to use pork shoulder, but you could also use pork butt, pork roast, or even pork tenderloin for this recipe.
Al Pastor is a type of pork taco that is marinated in a flavorful blend of spices, while carnitas are slow cooked pork in fat or liquid with Mexican spices.
Yes, you can use fresh pineapple. Simply cut into small pieces and cook with the pork.
Air Fryer Al Pastor Spicy Pork Tacos
Ingredients
- 5 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon olive oil
- 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce plus 1 tablespoon of the sauce reserved
- 1/2 cup of pineapple juice
- 2 pounds pork shoulder trimmed and sliced
- 1/2-1 cup pineapple chunks
- Garnish; limes cilantro, diced white onion, diced jalapeno
- 1 dozen corn tortillas
Instructions
- Spicy Marinade
- In a small mixing bowl add 4 teaspoons paprika, and half of the remaining spices; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon oil to a mixing bowl. Mix into a paste.
- On a small cutting board chop the chipotle peppers into small pieces.
- Add the prepared paste, remaining spices, 1/4 cup vinegar, pineapple juice, chipotle peppers, and 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce to a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, remove from heat and let it cool.
- Add marinade to a Ziploc bag with the sliced pork. Massage the ingredients into the pork ensuring the meat is fully coated with the sauce. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
- Air Fryer Instructions
- Lightly grease the insert of the air fryer basket with olive oil, avocado oil or non-stick cooking spray.
- Add the pork to the air fryer insert and top with pineapple chunks.
- Cook at 350°F for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Remove the pork from the air fryer and chop into small pieces.
- Warm the tortillas on a cast iron, large skillet or place in the microwave with a damp paper towel and heat for 30 seconds. Fill each tortilla with the chopped meat, and garnish with diced onion, chopped cilantro, jalapeños, and squeeze of lime juice.
- Oven Instructions
- Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil, avocado oil or with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place the pork on the baking sheet and top with the pineapple chunks.
- Cook at 400°F for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Remove the pork from the oven and chop into small pieces.
- Warm tortillas and garnish with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
Other Delicious Pork Recipes You May Enjoy
- Hawaiian Pulled Pork – Pulled pork with a tropical flair. This dish is great for a crowd.
- Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Pork – A favorite family meal with a sweet and spicy flavorful combination.
- Bruschetta Pork Chops – Italian pork chops topped with tomato basil topping from Swirls of Flavor.
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin – Cooked with a flavorful dry rub. This will be one of your favorite ways to cook pork tenderloin.
