Tillie Doyle
There are many ways to cook pork belly in an air fryer, and the Panlasang Pinoy method is a delicious, healthier alternative to deep-fried pork belly. The air fryer method is a great way to get that crispy texture without having to use as much oil, which means less fat and fewer calories. The pork belly can be boiled with aromatics, cooled, and salted before being placed in the air fryer, and served with a spicy vinegar dipping sauce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Pork belly, water, peppercorn, bay leaves, garlic, onion, ginger, tomato, ube, kalabasa, Knorr Pork Cube, bagoong alamang, rock salt or sea salt, cooking oil |
| Cooking Method | Boil pork belly, slice, air fry, sauté vegetables, boil, stir |
| Cooking Time | Boil for 30-35 minutes, air fry for 18 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy |
| Serving Suggestions | Spicy vinegar dipping sauce, garlic rice |
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What You'll Learn
Boiling the pork belly
To make Crispy Pork Belly Chips, you'll need to start by boiling your pork belly. Grab a wide cooking pot and place it on your stove. Take 1 ½ lbs. of pork belly, 6 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of whole peppercorn, and 3 pieces of dried bay leaves, and place them in the pot. Cover the pot and wait for the water to boil. Once boiling, adjust the heat between low and medium and let it boil for another hour.
After an hour, remove the pork belly from the pot and wait for it to cool down. You can then choose to freeze the pork belly for 1 ½ hours before slicing to keep the meat hardened and stable. However, this step is optional. Once the pork belly is cool, slice it into thin pieces resembling chips.
Another variation of this recipe involves boiling the pork belly for 30 to 35 minutes. After boiling, remove the pork from the pot and let it cool down. Before air-frying, rub salt all over the pork belly and let it sit for 10 minutes so the meat can absorb the salt.
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Preparing the air fryer
The air fryer should then be preheated to the desired temperature, which can vary depending on the specific recipe and desired level of crispness. For example, one recipe suggests preheating the air fryer to 370°F (188°C) for the best results. Another recipe recommends starting at 450°F (232°C) for 15 minutes and then lowering the temperature to 350°F (177°C) for the remaining cooking time. It is important to refer to your specific recipe for precise temperature and timing guidelines.
Once the air fryer has preheated, you can place the prepared pork belly inside. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the pork belly and the desired level of doneness. For example, thicker cuts of pork belly may require a longer cooking time, while thinner slices may cook more quickly. It is important to monitor the pork belly during the cooking process to avoid overcooking or drying out the meat.
During the cooking process, it is essential to flip the pork belly slices periodically to ensure even cooking on all sides. This will help to achieve a consistent crispness and colour across the entire surface of the meat. The recommended cooking time can range from 18 minutes per side to a total of 25-40 minutes, depending on the specific recipe and the desired level of crispness.
After the pork belly has reached the desired level of doneness, it is important to remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a cutting board or serving plate. Allowing the meat to rest for at least a few minutes before serving ensures that the juices redistribute and that the cooking process is complete. This resting period also provides an opportunity to wipe off any excess salt that may be on the surface of the pork belly.
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Air-frying the pork belly
Boiling the Pork Belly:
Start by placing the pork belly in a cooking pot with water, peppercorn, and dried bay leaves. Bring it to a boil, and then adjust the heat to low-medium. Let it boil for about an hour to ensure the meat stays tender. This step is essential to lock in the juices and ensure the meat doesn't dry out during frying.
Preparing the Pork Belly for Air-Frying:
Once the pork belly is nicely boiled, take it out of the pot and let it cool down. You can choose to freeze the pork belly for about an hour and a half to maintain stability while cutting. Then, slice the pork belly into thin pieces, resembling chips or strips. If you want to enhance the flavour and texture further, rub salt all over the pork belly and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This step will help the meat absorb the salt, making it tastier.
Now, it's time to air-fry! Set your air fryer to 370°F (some recipes suggest 450°F for the initial cooking time) and place the pork belly slices inside. Air-fry for about 15-25 minutes, keeping an eye on them to ensure they don't burn. You may need to flip the pork slices halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Finalizing the Dish:
Once the pork belly slices are golden brown and have reached your desired level of crispiness, take them out of the air fryer and place them on a serving plate. You can serve them as-is or cut them into bite-sized pieces. To enhance the flavour even more, sprinkle some rock salt or flaky sea salt on top.
Serving Suggestions:
These crispy pork belly chips are perfect as a snack or appetizer. Serve them with a spicy vinegar dipping sauce, or combine cane vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and chilis for a more complex flavour profile. Enjoy the delicious combination of crispy, juicy, and savoury flavours in every bite!
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Making a dipping sauce
To make a dipping sauce to accompany your pork belly, you can make a spiced vinegar. This sauce is made by combining cane vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and chilis. This spicy vinegar is the perfect complement to the savoury, juicy, and crisp pork belly.
You can also make a sizzling sisig sauce to accompany garlic rice for a complete meal.
Another option is to make a Mang Tomas lechon sauce. This sauce is a great pairing with the crispy, juicy pork belly.
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Serving suggestions
There are several ways to serve air-fried pork belly. One popular option is to make Crispy Pork Belly Chips, a delicious and crunchy snack that's perfect for a get-together or drinking session. The chips can be served with a spicy vinegar dipping sauce, enhancing the savory flavor of the pork.
Another option is to create a heartier meal by pairing the air-fried pork belly with vegetables. One recipe suggests making Crispy Air Fried Liempo Pinakbet with Ube, a dish that combines the salty and semi-bitter flavors of Pinakbet with the juicy crispness of pork belly. This recipe includes vegetables like sitaw, okra, and talong, creating a well-rounded and flavorful meal.
For a more traditional Filipino dish, you can try making Lechon Kawali, which involves simmering the pork belly with aromatics like garlic before air frying it to a golden brown crisp. This method ensures the meat stays tender and juicy, while the skin becomes super crispy. Serve it with spiced vinegar, made by combining cane vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and chilis, or with Mang Tomas lechon sauce.
Additionally, you can use air-fried pork belly as a topping for your favorite bowl of chips, adding a meaty twist to a classic snack. This option provides the satisfaction of indulging in a bag of chips with the added bonus of a tempting salty flavor from the pork.
Lastly, for a complete meal, consider serving your air-fried pork belly with garlic rice. This combination will surely impress your taste buds and satisfy your cravings.
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Frequently asked questions
The best temperature to cook pork belly in an air fryer is between 350F and 450F.
It takes between 15 and 40 minutes to cook pork belly in an air fryer, depending on the desired level of crispiness.
To make pork belly crispy in an air fryer, rub cooking oil or salt over the pork belly before placing it in the air fryer. This will help to draw out moisture from the skin and create a crispy texture.
Yes, you can put raw pork belly directly into an air fryer. However, some recipes suggest boiling the pork belly first to make it tender and enhance its flavour.
Pork belly cooked in an air fryer can be served with a spicy vinegar dipping sauce or with garlic rice for a complete meal.
