Tiffany Haney
Cooking pork belly strips in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get perfect results. The high temperature of the air fryer helps to render the fat, creating a crispy exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the pork belly strips and the type of air fryer, but generally, it takes around 15-20 minutes to cook pork belly strips in an air fryer. For the best results, preheat the air fryer to 200°C and cook the pork belly strips in a single layer, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
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What You'll Learn
Pre-cooking prep
To prepare pork belly strips for cooking in an air fryer, start by buying the best quality pork you can find. You can buy pork belly pre-sliced at most major supermarkets, or ask your butcher to slice it into strips for you. Aim for a stronger meat-to-fat ratio and ensure the skin is intact.
Before seasoning the pork belly, pat the strips dry with paper towels. This helps to ensure a crispy texture by drying out the meat so that the seasoning will stick to it. If the strips are too thick, slice them thinner (about 1.5-2 cm thick) to ensure even cooking.
Next, prepare the seasoning. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and brown sugar. You can also add onion powder, chilli powder, Chinese five-spice, or smoked paprika for extra flavour. Mix the seasoning with an egg white to prevent it from blowing off in the air fryer. Generously rub the mixture all over the pork belly strips, ensuring they are well coated.
Line the air fryer basket with baking parchment, a liner, or tin foil, securing it tightly to prevent it from blowing around during cooking. Place the pork belly strips into the basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap or overcrowd so that air can circulate properly.
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Cooking temperature and time
The cooking temperature and time for pork belly strips in an air fryer depend on the level of crispiness and juiciness desired. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to a temperature of 200°C for about 2 minutes.
For even cooking, the pork belly strips should be sliced evenly to a thickness of about 1.5-2 cm. The strips should then be patted dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy texture by removing excess moisture. The dryness of the strips also helps the seasoning to stick better.
The pork belly strips are then seasoned with a mixture of olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and brown sugar. The seasoning mixture is generously rubbed all over the pork belly strips, ensuring they are well coated.
The air fryer basket should be lined with baking parchment or an air fryer liner to prevent the food from sticking and for easier cleanup. The pork belly strips are then placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap to allow proper air circulation.
The air fryer temperature is set to 200°C, and the pork belly strips are cooked for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. After 15 minutes, the pork belly strips should be checked. If they are not crispy enough, they can be cooked further in 3-5 minute increments until the desired level of crispiness is achieved.
Depending on the thickness of the pork belly strips and the model of the air fryer, the cooking time may vary. For thicker strips or different air fryer models, it is recommended to cook the pork belly strips at a lower temperature of 190°C for a longer duration, checking the doneness with a meat thermometer.
The total cooking time for pork belly strips in an air fryer typically ranges from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness and the specific air fryer model. It is important to note that the high temperature helps render the fat and create a crispy exterior, while the inside remains tender and juicy.
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Post-cooking prep
Once your pork belly strips are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for about 5 minutes. This step is important as it allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat even more tender and juicy.
After resting, you can serve the pork belly strips with your favourite sauce or side dishes. For a tangy flavour, try a BBQ sauce. Alternatively, you could chop the cooked pork belly into cubes and serve with fried rice. If you're looking for a sauce with a kick of spice, combine hoisin, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine vinegar in a small bowl, and season to taste.
If you have any leftovers, let the pork cool, then place it in an airtight container and into the fridge for up to 3 days. When you want to reheat it, stick it back in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes.
Pork belly bites are best enjoyed right after they're made, as they will lose some of their tenderness after being refrigerated and reheated.
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Sauces and dips
There are several sauces and dips that you can serve with your air-fried pork belly strips. Here are some ideas:
Spicy Asian Sauce
If you want to add some spice to your pork belly strips, you can marinate them before cooking in a blend of Asian sauces such as soy sauce and oyster sauce. These sauces add umami depth of flavor and help get rid of the meat smell. You can also add dry sherry or Chinese cooking wine to the marinade. To enhance the spice, you can mix in crushed cumin seeds, red pepper flakes, Chinese five spice, and sesame seeds. A little bit of oil will help the meat pieces fry better in the air fryer.
Tangy BBQ Sauce
For a tangy twist, you can smother your pork belly strips in BBQ sauce. You can use a store-bought BBQ sauce, such as Heinz, which is free from the top 14 allergens. However, remember to always check the packaging as some BBQ sauces contain gluten, and ingredients can vary.
Sweet Chili Sauce
For a sweet and spicy kick, serve your pork belly strips with a side of sweet chili sauce. This sauce will complement the savory flavors of the pork belly and add a touch of heat to your dish.
Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki sauce is another great option for a sweet and savory flavor profile. The combination of sweet and salty flavors in teriyaki sauce will nicely balance the crispy and juicy textures of the pork belly strips.
Hoisin Dipping Sauce
You can also create a quick four-ingredient dipping sauce by combining hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine vinegar. This sauce will add a savory and slightly sweet flavor to your pork belly strips, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Sides and Dipping Sauces
In addition to dips and sauces, you can serve your air-fried pork belly strips with a variety of side dishes. Some options include steamed vegetables, rice, noodles, or a side salad. These sides will complement the flavors of the pork belly strips and make for a well-rounded meal.
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Storage
If you have leftover pork belly strips, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Make sure the pork belly strips have cooled down before placing them in the container.
You can also freeze leftover pork belly strips. To do this, wrap the cooked and cooled pork belly strips in foil or plastic wrap, then place them in a sealed bag. Frozen pork belly strips can be stored for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy them again, thaw the pork belly strips overnight in the refrigerator and reheat them in a preheated air fryer at 200°C/400°F for about 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Before cooking, storing, or consuming pork belly strips, it's important to follow food safety guidelines and use your best judgment to ensure the meat is safe and of good quality.
When purchasing pork belly, aim for the best quality available. Look for slabs that are evenly marbled with fat and have a bright pink colour, free from any signs of discolouration. You can find pre-sliced pork belly in most major supermarkets, or you can ask your butcher to slice it into strips for you. If you're slicing the pork belly yourself, aim for a thickness of about 1.5-2 cm to ensure even cooking.
Before cooking, always pat the pork belly strips dry with paper towels. This helps to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispy texture after cooking. You can also use this opportunity to trim any unwanted fat or connective tissue from the meat.
After cooking, allow the pork belly strips to rest for about 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, making the meat even more tender and juicy.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times vary depending on the thickness of the pork belly strips and the type of air fryer used. As a general rule, allow for 10 minutes of preparation and 15-20 minutes of cooking time in the air fryer.
Before seasoning, pat the pork belly strips dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will help to ensure a crispy texture. You can also try wrapping the pork belly in foil to protect it from the direct heat of the air fryer and prevent it from burning.
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C for about 2 minutes. Then, air fry at 200°C for 15 minutes, flipping the pork belly strips halfway through the cooking time. If they aren't crispy enough after 15 minutes, continue air frying in 3-5 minute increments until they reach your desired level of crispiness.
