Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly: The Perfect Crunch!

Crispy pork belly is a delicious dish that can be made in an air fryer with minimal effort and maximum taste. This mouth-watering dish is a great alternative to bacon, with a tender texture and a perfect crisp to every bite. The key to achieving the perfect crispy pork belly is drying out the skin, poking holes in the skin to let the fat render out, and rubbing salt into the skin to draw out moisture and create a bubbled texture. The air fryer's circulating air makes crispy skin pork belly without the need for slow cooking, making it a quick and easy dish to prepare and serve.

Selecting the right cut of pork belly

Firstly, look for a pork belly with a nice balance of meat and fat. This balance is crucial as it ensures both flavour and crispiness in your final dish. Aim for a cut with a firm, smooth rind and white layers of fat between the meat. The fat should be evenly marbled throughout the meat, and the meat itself should be bright pink with no signs of discolouration.

Secondly, consider the thickness and width of the cut. Choose a piece that is around 3cm/1.2 inches thick and wide. This thickness will help ensure even cooking, and you want it to be wide enough to lie flat in your air fryer. A flat, even slice will cook more evenly and help you achieve that coveted crispy skin.

Thirdly, opt for a fresh-cut slab of pork belly over pre-packaged, vacuum-sealed pork belly if possible. The sealed packaging often retains moisture, which can prevent the skin from crisping properly during cooking. If you can only get your hands on a vacuum-sealed option, you can still achieve great results by leaving the pork uncovered in the fridge overnight to allow the skin to dry out.

Finally, don't forget to pat the pork belly dry with paper towels before cooking. This step helps remove any excess moisture, which can hinder the crisping process.

By following these guidelines and choosing the right cut of pork belly, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy pork belly in your air fryer!

Preparing the pork belly for the air fryer

Firstly, select the right cut of pork belly. Look for a piece with a generous layer of fat and a good balance of meat. Ensure it has an even thickness for consistent results, and choose a manageable size that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket.

Before you begin, pat the pork belly dry with a kitchen or paper towel to remove excess moisture. This step is important as moisture is the enemy of crispy skin.

Next, score the skin of the pork belly with a sharp knife. Create shallow cuts that only puncture the skin and fat without piercing into the meat. This allows the fat to render out more easily, helping the skin to crisp up and puff up.

After scoring, rub a generous amount of coarse sea salt into the skin. Salt draws out moisture and aids in achieving that super crunchy topping.

If you have time, you can also rub the meat with a spice rub or marinade. A simple salt rub works well, but you can experiment with different spices and flavourings such as Chinese five-spice powder, garlic powder, or red pepper flakes. You can even try a glaze, BBQ sauce, or a honey drizzle.

Finally, cut the pork belly to fit your air fryer. You may need to slice it into bite-sized pieces or strips to ensure it fits comfortably in the basket, allowing room for air to circulate.

Cooking the pork belly

The first step to cooking your pork belly is to prep the meat. You'll want to slice the pork belly to fit in the air fryer basket without bending it. The ideal size will depend on the size of your air fryer. Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels, as moisture is the enemy of crispy skin.

Next, rub a generous amount of coarse sea salt into the skin. This will help draw out moisture and make the skin crispy. You can also poke holes in the skin with a sharp knife to help the skin crisp up. Be careful not to pierce the meat.

Now it's time to season the pork belly. You can use a simple salt rub, or get creative with spices and flavouring agents. Try a glaze, BBQ sauce, or a candied coating. If you want to keep things simple, just add some black pepper.

Once your pork belly is prepped and seasoned, it's time to air fry. Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket and cook at 200ºC/400ºF until the skin crackles. Then, lower the temperature to 160ºC/320ºF and continue cooking until the pork is cooked through.

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your pork belly and the model of your air fryer, so be sure to keep an eye on it. For a 1.5-pound pork belly, you'll likely need to air fry for 20-25 minutes at 400ºF, then an additional 10-15 minutes at 320ºF. If you're cooking a 3-pound pork belly, try 30 minutes at 250ºF, then 30-40 minutes at 400ºF.

Once your pork belly is cooked to perfection, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in juicier meat.

And that's it! You now have a delicious, crispy pork belly that's perfect for any meal. Enjoy!

Resting the pork belly

During the resting process, the juices will be reabsorbed into the meat, ensuring that the pork belly is tender and moist. This step is crucial as it helps to lock in the flavours and moisture, preventing the meat from drying out.

While the pork belly is resting, you can prepare any side dishes or sauces to accompany the meal. It is important not to skip this step, as it will ensure that your pork belly is juicy and flavourful.

Once the pork belly has rested, you can slice it and serve it with your chosen accompaniments. Enjoy the delicious, crispy pork belly!

Serving suggestions

As a Main Course

You can serve the pork belly as a main course with a side of steamed rice and green vegetables like pak choi. You can also include a dipping sauce such as Chinese chilli sauce, hoisin sauce, okonomiyaki sauce, or apple sauce. Alternatively, you can serve it with ramen, soup noodles, or egg fried rice.

In a Salad

Cut the pork belly into pieces and add them to a salad.

In a Sandwich

You can make a BLT sandwich with fresh garden tomatoes and lettuce.

In Tacos

Create some pork belly tacos.

For Breakfast

As pork belly is similar to bacon, you can eat it for breakfast.

As an Appetizer

The pork belly can be served as an appetizer or afternoon snack.

Frequently asked questions