Air-Fried Pork Belly: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Cooking pork belly in an air fryer is a great way to create a tasty, crispy dish with less oil and mess than deep-frying. You can season the pork belly with a variety of ingredients, such as coconut sugar, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper, and then lay the pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. The cooking time will depend on how crispy you like your pork belly, but it usually takes around 30-40 minutes, with an increase in temperature towards the end to ensure the skin is bubbling.

How to season pork belly for the air fryer

Seasoning pork belly for the air fryer is a simple process. First, combine oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. You can also add coconut sugar to the mixture. Then, add the pork belly pieces to the bowl, ensuring that each piece is covered in the mixture. Lay the pork belly pieces in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the pork belly in batches.

How long to cook pork belly in an air fryer

Cooking pork belly in an air fryer is a great way to get a crispy texture with less oil and mess than deep-frying.

The length of time you need to cook pork belly in an air fryer depends on the size of your air fryer and the amount of pork belly you are cooking. You should always cook the pork belly in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and you may need to cook it in batches.

Most recipes suggest cooking the pork belly for 40 minutes at 160°C (320°F), checking after 15 minutes to ensure the foil is tight around the meat. Then, increase the heat to 190°C (375°F) and cook 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.

However, some recipes suggest cooking the pork belly for just 20 minutes, flipping the meat halfway through. If you want your pork belly to be crispy, you can cook it for longer, checking regularly to ensure it doesn't burn.

How to get crispy pork belly in an air fryer

To get crispy pork belly in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for three minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your pork belly by mixing it with a combination of oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Make sure the pork belly pieces are fully coated in the mixture.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the pork belly pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the pork belly in multiple batches. Air fry the pork belly for 40 minutes, checking after 15 minutes to ensure the foil is wrapped tightly around the meat.

After 40 minutes, increase the heat to 190°C (375°F) and air fry for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and bubbling. The internal temperature of the pork belly should be 90-95°C (195-200°F).

Once the pork belly is cooked to your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the air fryer and drain any excess grease on a paper towel. Serve with syrup, honey, salt, and pepper, or your desired seasonings and enjoy!

How to layer pork belly in an air fryer

To layer pork belly in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for three minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your pork belly by cutting it into bite-sized pieces. You can then mix the pork belly pieces with a combination of oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl, ensuring each piece is well-coated.

Next, place the pork belly pieces in the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the pork belly in multiple batches. Set the air fryer to 160°C (320°F) and cook the pork belly for 40 minutes. After 15 minutes, check on the pork belly as the meat will be shrinking, and you may need to adjust the foil wrapping to keep it snug around the meat.

Once the initial cooking time is up, increase the temperature to 190°C (375°F) and air fry for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and bubbling. The internal temperature of the pork belly should reach 90-95°C (195-200°F).

If you are cooking a larger piece of pork belly, you can follow a similar process but adjust the cooking time accordingly. Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Then, flip the pork belly and cook for an additional 10 minutes. You can also use a rack in the air fryer basket if you prefer, but it is not essential.

How to store leftover air fryer pork belly

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 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.

To store leftover air fryer pork belly, let it cool, then place it in an airtight container and into the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. If you want to freeze leftover pork belly, let it cool, wrap it in foil or plastic, and then freeze it in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. To reheat, return the leftover pork belly to a preheated 200°C/400°F air fryer for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Frequently asked questions