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Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly: The Ultimate Guide to a Perfectly Juicy, Crackling Bite
If you’ve been craving a perfectly crispy yet tender pork belly, but don’t want to wait hours for the oven or deal with splattering oil, the air fryer might just be your new best friend. This method delivers mouthwatering results with a fraction of the time and mess. Pork belly cooked in the air fryer becomes irresistibly crispy on the outside, while remaining succulent and juicy inside. Whether you’re serving it as a main dish, adding it to ramen, or simply snacking, this recipe will become your go-to for pork belly perfection.
In this post, I’ll share tips for achieving the perfect pork belly in an air fryer, a tried-and-true recipe, and answers to common questions you may have when tackling this delicious dish.
Tips for Air Fryer Pork Belly Success
- Score the Skin: Scoring the skin with a sharp knife helps the fat render more easily and ensures the skin gets extra crispy. Be careful not to cut too deep into the meat.
- Dry the Skin Thoroughly: Moisture is the enemy of crispy skin! Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels. For extra crispiness, let the pork belly sit uncovered in the fridge for an hour before cooking to draw out excess moisture from the skin.
- Seasoning: Use a simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder to season the pork belly. Salt is particularly important as it helps draw out moisture and creates a flavorful crust. Don’t be shy with the salt on the skin—this will help it crisp up beautifully.
- Cook in Stages: To get the most out of your pork belly, cook it at a lower temperature first to render the fat, then increase the heat to crisp up the skin.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Give each piece of pork belly enough room in the basket for the hot air to circulate around it. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.
Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb pork belly, skin on
- 1 tsp salt (plus more for the skin)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pork Belly:
Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels. Use a sharp knife to score the skin in a crisscross pattern, making sure not to cut into the meat. Rub olive oil all over the pork, then generously season the meat side with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle additional salt on the skin. - Preheat the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). - First Cook – Render the Fat:
Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket, skin side up. Cook for 25-30 minutes at 300°F. This will render out the fat and start crisping up the skin. - Second Cook – Crisp the Skin:
Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. - Rest the Meat:
Remove the pork belly from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat tender and flavorful. - Serve and Enjoy:
Slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces and serve with your favorite dipping sauce or as part of a larger dish like ramen or stir-fried noodles.
Common Questions and Answers
Q: Can I use frozen pork belly in the air fryer?
A: Yes, you can cook frozen pork belly in the air fryer. However, it’s best to thaw the pork belly in the refrigerator overnight for more even cooking. If cooking directly from frozen, add an additional 10-15 minutes to the initial cooking time at a lower temperature (around 275°F) to ensure the pork is fully cooked before crisping.
Q: How do I know if the pork belly is done?
A: Pork belly is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). However, the final cooking time can vary based on the thickness of your pork belly. For the best results, use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
Q: My pork belly skin isn’t crispy. What went wrong?
A: There are a few reasons why your pork belly skin may not have crisped up properly:
- The skin wasn’t dried thoroughly before cooking.
- Not enough salt was applied to the skin.
- The cooking temperature wasn’t high enough in the final stage to allow the skin to crisp.
Q: Can I use any cut of pork belly?
A: Yes, you can use any pork belly cut, but pieces with a higher ratio of fat to meat will yield a juicier and more flavorful result. If the pork belly has been cut into smaller strips, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Q: Can I reheat pork belly in the air fryer?
A: Absolutely! The air fryer is one of the best ways to reheat pork belly, as it will restore the crispiness of the skin. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until warmed through and the skin has re-crisped.
Printable Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork belly skin on
- 1 tsp salt plus more for the skin
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork Belly:
- Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels. Use a sharp knife to score the skin in a crisscross pattern, making sure not to cut into the meat. Rub olive oil all over the pork, then generously season the meat side with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle additional salt on the skin.
- Preheat the Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C).
- First Cook – Render the Fat:
- Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket, skin side up. Cook for 25-30 minutes at 300°F. This will render out the fat and start crisping up the skin.
- Second Cook – Crisp the Skin:
- Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Rest the Meat:
- Remove the pork belly from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat tender and flavorful.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces and serve with your favorite dipping sauce or as part of a larger dish like ramen or stir-fried noodles.
Final Thoughts
Air fryer pork belly is a game-changer when it comes to achieving that perfect balance of crispy skin and tender meat. With minimal effort and a faster cooking time than traditional methods, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned air fryer pro or just getting started, these tips will ensure your pork belly is always a crowd-pleaser!
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