Air-Frying Pork Belly: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can cook belly pork in an air fryer. In fact, cooking belly pork in an air fryer is a great way to achieve a delicious, crispy texture without the need for complicated cooking techniques or lots of oil. You can cook belly pork in an air fryer with or without marinating it first, and it's a great option for a midweek family meal or a centrepiece for a special occasion.

How to cook pork belly in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook pork belly in an air fryer. The air fryer is a healthier and more convenient alternative to traditional cooking methods, delivering exceptional results without the need for complicated cooking techniques.

To cook pork belly in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for three minutes. Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket, preferably on a rack, and cook for 40 minutes. Check the pork belly after 15 minutes, as the meat will shrink as it cooks, and you may need to wrap the foil a little tighter around the meat. Increase the heat to 190°C (375°F) and air fry for a further 8-10 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and bubbling. The internal temperature should be 90-95°C (195-200°F) when checked with a meat thermometer.

For extra flavour, you can rub the pork belly with garlic and Chinese five spice and leave it to marinate for a few hours or even overnight. Alternatively, you can combine oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl, and add the pork belly pieces to the oil mixture, ensuring each piece is covered.

Air fryer pork belly bites

Yes, you can cook belly pork in an air fryer. The air fryer's rapid hot air circulation ensures that the belly pork achieves a delightful crispiness while retaining its natural juices.

To make air fryer pork belly bites, you will need to combine oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the pork belly pieces to the oil mixture, covering each piece. Lay the pork belly pieces in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. Preheat the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for three minutes. Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket and cook for 40 minutes. Check after 15 minutes – the meat will be shrinking as it cooks so you may need to wrap the foil a little tighter around the pork meat. Increase the heat to 190°C (375°F) and air fry for 8-10 minutes or until the skin is crispy and bubbling. The internal temperature should be 90-95°C / 195-200°F when checked with a meat thermometer.

If you have time, you can rub the garlic and Chinese five spice and leave it to marinate for a few hours or even overnight. However, this is not necessary, and the pork belly will still taste great without marinating.

Chinese crispy pork belly

Yes, you can cook belly pork in an air fryer. In fact, the air fryer has been described as a "game-changer" for cooking Chinese crispy pork belly, delivering exceptional results without the need for complicated cooking techniques.

To make Chinese crispy pork belly in an air fryer, you should start by selecting the right cut of pork belly. You can then rub the meat with garlic and Chinese five spice and leave it to marinate for a few hours or even overnight. However, if you don't have time, you can cook it straight away. Before putting the pork belly into the air fryer, create a foil basket that you wrap around the meat, with the skin still exposed. This helps to keep the juices around the meat as it cooks and prevents dripping, which can cause smoke and extra mess.

Preheat your air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for three minutes. Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket and cook for 40 minutes. Check after 15 minutes, as the meat will be shrinking as it cooks, so you may need to wrap the foil a little tighter around the pork. Increase the heat to 190°C (375°F) and air fry for 8-10 minutes or until the skin is crispy and bubbling. The internal temperature should be 90-95°C / 195-200°F when checked with a meat thermometer.

You can also season the pork belly with garlic powder, brown sugar, salt and pepper.

Air fryer temperature and cooking time

Yes, you can cook belly pork in an air fryer. The air fryer's rapid hot air circulation ensures that the belly pork achieves a delightful crispiness while retaining its natural juices.

Preheat the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for three minutes. Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket and cook for 40 minutes. Check after 15 minutes – the meat will be shrinking as it cooks so you may need to wrap the foil a little tighter around the pork meat. Increase the heat to 190°C (375°F) and air fry for 8-10 minutes or until the skin is crispy and bubbling. The internal temperature should be 90-95°C / 195-200°F when checked with a meat thermometer.

Marinating pork belly

Yes, you can cook belly pork in an air fryer. The air fryer is a healthier and more convenient alternative to traditional cooking methods, delivering exceptional results without the need for complicated cooking techniques.

You can marinate pork belly in a mixture of oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover each piece of pork belly in the oil mixture and leave to marinate for a few hours or even overnight. If you're short on time, you can skip the marinating process and cook the pork belly straight away. It will still taste great!

When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for three minutes. Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket, ensuring the skin is exposed. You can use a rack in the basket, but it's not essential. Cook for 40 minutes, checking after 15 minutes as the meat will shrink. You may need to wrap the foil tighter around the meat to keep it snug.

Increase the heat to 190°C (375°F) and air fry for 8-10 minutes or until the skin is crispy and bubbling. The internal temperature should be 90-95°C / 195-200°F when checked with a meat thermometer.

Frequently asked questions