Air Fryer Cracklins: A Quick, Crispy Treat

If you're looking for a tasty treat that's crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, then look no further than cracklins made in an air fryer! This cooking method is super easy and can be done in as little as 20 minutes. You can use pork belly or pork skin to make cracklins, and the key to getting that perfect crispy texture is to dry out the pork before cooking. This can be done by leaving it uncovered in the fridge overnight or for at least 24 hours. Once the pork is dried, simply rub it with oil and salt, preheat your air fryer, and cook according to your desired level of crispiness.

Prepping pork belly the night before

To make the perfect crackling, it is important to prep the pork belly well in advance. This will ensure that the crackling is crispy and the meat is juicy and tender. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prep pork belly the night before cooking it in an air fryer:

Step 1: Dry the Pork Belly Skin

Place the pork belly on a plate and use paper towels to pat the skin dry. It is important to ensure that the skin is as dry as possible, as this will help achieve a crispy texture when cooked. Leave the pork belly uncovered in the fridge overnight to allow the skin to dry out completely. This step is crucial, especially if you are using vacuum-packed supermarket pork belly, as the skin tends to be soaked with juices.

Step 2: Season the Pork Belly

After drying the skin, it's time to season the pork belly. Drizzle or rub oil onto the flesh of the pork belly, making sure to cover all sides. Then, sprinkle salt generously over the skin and flesh. You can also add other seasonings like black pepper, fennel powder, or garlic powder. The salt will help create the bubbly, crispy texture we desire for the crackling. Don't be afraid to use a generous amount of salt, as it is key to achieving perfect crackling.

Step 3: Wrap and Refrigerate

Once the pork belly is seasoned, wrap it tightly in plastic or place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate the pork belly overnight to allow the flavours to meld and intensify. This step will also help the meat retain moisture, ensuring a juicy and tender texture when cooked.

Step 4: Slice the Pork Belly (Optional)

If you prefer smaller, bite-sized pieces of pork belly, you can slice it into your desired sizes at this stage. However, this step is optional, and you can choose to slice the pork belly after cooking as well. Slicing the pork belly before cooking will increase the surface area, resulting in more crispy edges.

Remember to store the sliced pork belly in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it in the air fryer the next day.

By following these steps, you will be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy crackling and tender pork belly in your air fryer. The drying and seasoning processes are crucial to achieving the perfect texture and flavour, so don't skip them! Now, all that's left is to cook your perfectly prepped pork belly and enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Scoring and oiling the skin

Preparing the Pork Skin

Start by separating the pork skin from the meat. It is best to do this the night before you plan to cook the cracklins. Dry the skin completely by leaving it uncovered on a plate and placing it in the fridge overnight. This step helps to remove any moisture from the skin, which is crucial for achieving that perfect crispy texture.

A few hours before cooking, take the pork skin out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. This will ensure that your cracklings cook evenly.

Scoring the Skin

Once the skin is dry and at room temperature, it's time to score it. Use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts across the surface of the skin. These cuts should be in a crosshatch pattern, creating a diamond shape. Be careful not to cut too deep, as you don't want to pierce the meat underneath. Scoring the skin helps the cracklings cook more evenly and also provides a larger surface area for the oil and seasonings to penetrate.

Oiling the Skin

After scoring the skin, it's time to rub oil onto the surface. Use your fingers to rub the oil into the cracks and all over the skin. You can use any type of cooking oil for this step, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil. Ensure the oil penetrates the cracks made from scoring—this will help create that signature crispy texture. You can also add salt at this stage, rubbing it into the cracks and all over the skin for extra flavor.

Air Frying the Skin

Now it's time to air fry the pork skin. Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 200°C or 390°F. Place the skin into the air fryer basket, ensuring the skin side is up, and cook for about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the cracklings, as the exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model.

Once the cracklings are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and slice them into strips. Serve them as a delicious snack or appetizer!

Seasoning

Before seasoning, it is important to prepare the pork belly by cutting it into bite-sized pieces or chunks. Ideally, each piece should be about 1 inch in size. This step can be done a day ahead, allowing the pork to chill overnight, which helps draw out moisture and promote a crispier texture.

The first step in seasoning is to apply salt. Sprinkle salt generously over the pork belly pieces and rub it into the skin and meat. Salt not only enhances the flavour but also aids in drawing out moisture, which is key to achieving crispy cracklins. Make sure to season evenly and thoroughly.

The next step is to add additional seasonings to build flavour. This can include a variety of spices and herbs such as baking soda, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, granulated garlic, or garlic powder. For a Caribbean twist, you can add lime juice to tenderize the pork and give it a unique flavour. You can also include Sazon, a popular seasoning in Latin American cuisine, to add an authentic touch to your cracklins. These additional seasonings should be mixed and rubbed onto the pork belly pieces, ensuring an even coating.

After seasoning, it is important to let the pork belly rest for a while to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat. This step will enhance the overall taste of the dish.

Once the seasoning is complete, you can move on to the cooking process, preheating your air fryer, and following the specific instructions for cooking cracklins. Remember to keep an eye on the cracklins during cooking, as the timing may vary depending on your desired level of crispiness.

Feel free to experiment with different seasoning combinations to find your favourite flavour profile for air-fried cracklins!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for making cracklins in an air fryer will depend on the specific air fryer model and the type of cracklins you want to make. Here is a detailed guide on the cooking time and temperature for crispy and delicious cracklins:

• Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 250°F and 400°F. The specific temperature will depend on your air fryer model and the desired doneness of your cracklins. Keep in mind that higher temperatures will result in crispier cracklins.
• For cracklins with a crispy texture, it is recommended to cook them at 400°F for 45 minutes. However, if you prefer your cracklins to be extra crispy, you can increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes.
• During the cooking process, it is important to shake the air fryer basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to do this every 10 minutes or so.
• If you are using a Philips XXL Air Fryer (2200 watts), 20 minutes at 390°F should be sufficient. However, for lower-wattage air fryers, you may need to increase the cooking time to 30-40 minutes.
• For puffy and light cracklins, cook at the maximum temperature (230°C) for approximately 4 minutes. Then, cut the pork rind into strips or desired shapes and place them back in the air fryer for another 5 minutes.
• To achieve the desired crispiness, you can continue cooking in 2-minute increments, removing the cracklins that are already done and placing them on a paper towel to drain.
• It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your cracklins. Thicker pieces may require a longer cooking time, while thinner pieces may be done sooner.
• Always refer to your air fryer manual for specific instructions and guidelines regarding cooking time and temperature.

Reheating and storing

Once you've cooked your pork crackling or pork belly, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four or five days. If you want to freeze your pork, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and seal it in a plastic zipper bag. However, freezing pork crackling is not recommended as it will lose its crispy texture upon defrosting.

To reheat your pork belly in the air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spritz the leftover pork belly with oil and cook it skin-side-up for about 7 minutes until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions