Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly

If you’re craving a perfectly crispy, flavorful pork belly with tender meat, the air fryer is your new best friend! This recipe will give you all the crispy goodness of roasted pork belly but in a fraction of the time. Using the air fryer ensures a crunchy skin and juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meat without all the mess of deep-frying.

Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4
Difficulty Level: Easy

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Ingredients

• Pork Belly:
  • 2 pounds (900g) pork belly (skin-on, bone-in or boneless)
• For the Marinade:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon five-spice powder (optional, for extra flavor)
• For the Crispy Skin:
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda (optional, to help crisp the skin)
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt (or kosher salt)

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Equipment Needed:

• Air fryer
• Sharp knife
• Mixing bowl
• Paper towels

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pork Belly

1.1 Score the Skin

Start by scoring the skin of the pork belly. Use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts across the skin, about 1-inch apart. Be careful not to cut into the meat itself. Scoring the skin helps the fat render out and gives you a crispier finish.

1.2 Pat Dry

Use paper towels to pat the pork belly skin dry as much as possible. The dryer the skin, the crispier it will become in the air fryer.

1.3 Apply Baking Soda (Optional)

If you want extra-crispy skin, sprinkle the baking soda lightly on the scored skin. This helps break down the skin and encourages crisping. Make sure to rub it into the cuts, but don’t overdo it—just a light coating will do.

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Step 2: Marinate the Pork Belly

2.1 Prepare the Marinade

In a small mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, and five-spice powder (if using). Stir until well combined.

2.2 Coat the Pork Belly

Rub the marinade mixture all over the meat side of the pork belly, making sure it’s evenly coated. Be careful not to get the marinade on the skin side, as the skin needs to remain dry for optimal crispiness.

2.3 Marinate

Let the pork belly marinate for 15-30 minutes at room temperature. If you have more time, you can refrigerate it for a few hours for even more flavor.

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Step 3: Air Fry the Pork Belly

3.1 Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Preheating ensures the pork belly cooks evenly and crisps up well.

3.2 Place the Pork Belly in the Air Fryer

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the pork belly in the basket, skin-side up. If your pork belly is large, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces to fit.

3.3 Cook at 400°F (200°C)

Air fry the pork belly at 400°F (200°C) for 40-45 minutes. Check the pork belly halfway through cooking and flip it if necessary to ensure even cooking. If your air fryer has a smaller basket, you may need to cook the pork belly in batches.

3.4 Check for Crispiness

After 40-45 minutes, check if the skin is crispy and the meat is cooked through. If the skin isn’t quite crispy enough, you can increase the temperature to 425°F (220°C) and air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes, checking often to avoid burning.

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Step 4: Rest and Serve

4.1 Let the Pork Belly Rest

Once the pork belly is crispy and golden, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and the skin to firm up even further.

4.2 Slice and Serve

Carefully slice the pork belly into 1-inch thick pieces, cutting through both the crispy skin and tender meat. Serve immediately with your favorite sides, like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

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Tips and Notes

1. Scoring the Skin: Make sure to score only the skin, not the fat or meat beneath it. If you cut into the fat, it will affect the crisping and could cause the pork belly to lose some of its juiciness.
2. Dry Skin is Key: For the crispiest pork belly skin, it’s essential to dry the skin thoroughly before cooking. You can leave the pork belly uncovered in the fridge for an hour or two before cooking to help dry out the skin.
3. Baking Soda: If you choose to use baking soda, make sure you don’t use too much, as it can give the skin a bitter taste. A light sprinkle is all you need.
4. Cook Time: The cooking time can vary depending on the size and thickness of the pork belly, as well as the model of your air fryer. Always check the pork belly at the halfway point and adjust as necessary.
5. Resting: Letting the pork belly rest after cooking is essential to maintain the moisture in the meat. It also helps keep the skin crispy when slicing.
6. Serving Suggestions: Serve with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a tangy coleslaw for a complete meal. You can also drizzle a little balsamic glaze or BBQ sauce over the pork belly for added flavor.

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Conclusion

This Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly recipe delivers all the savory, crispy goodness of traditional pork belly, but with less time and mess. The air fryer gives you perfectly tender meat and crispy skin every time. Whether you’re looking to make a simple weeknight dinner or a show-stopping dish for a special occasion, this recipe will surely impress!