Air Fryer Pork Belly
Get ready to experience the ultimate crispy indulgence with this Air Fryer Pork Belly. This recipe promises a delightful balance of tenderness and crunch, infused with a tantalizing blend of sweet and smoky flavors.
Suitable for Gluten Free diets.
Air Fryer Pork Belly is a delicious dish with sweet and smoky flavor that’s incredibly quick and easy to make! And this air-fried pork belly is not just delicious; it’s also a healthier alternative to deep-frying because you use significantly less oil.
Whether you’re planning a game day get-together, a family movie night, or holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other special occasions, serving a bowl of crispy crackling pork belly with a dipping sauce along with Air Fryer Duck, or even these Air Fryer Cornish Hen, will go down so well with your guests.
You may wonder, “Why make this air fryer pork belly recipe?” Well, let me tell you, it’s all about achieving that perfect balance of tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
This dish is infused with a deep and bold flavor, thanks to hoisin sauce, molasses, sesame oil, and a touch of liquid smoke.
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The added minced garlic and paprika give it that extra oomph. Plus, it’s a breeze to make in your air fryer, taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
P.S. These Air Fryer Ribs are perfect for game day gatherings too! We love air fryer recipes! Don’t you?
Why Make This Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe
- Perfect for Parties – Our Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe is a party favorite. Impress your guests with this crispy and flavorful dish, ideal for gatherings and special occasions.
- Quick Weeknight Dinner – Need a speedy dinner option? This air-fried pork belly is ready in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights.
- Healthier Alternative – Craving the crunch of deep-fried foods without the guilt? Our recipe uses less oil, offering a healthier way to enjoy the crispy texture you love. Same goes for Air Fryer Whole Chicken too.
- Family Movie Night Snack – Elevate your family movie night with our Air Fryer Pork Belly. It’s a tasty and easy-to-make snack that everyone will enjoy. Goes Graet With Air Fryer Baby potatoes.
Ingredient Notes
- Pork belly – Opt for fresh pork belly for the best taste and texture. While frozen options can be used, fresh pork belly yields better results.
- Minced garlic – Fresh minced garlic adds a robust flavor to the dish. If fresh isn’t available, a small amount of garlic powder can be a suitable substitute.
- Liquid smoke – Use liquid smoke sparingly for its intense smoky flavor. Adjust the quantity based on your preference for smokiness.
- Molasses – The rich sweetness of molasses complements the savory elements of the dish. Substitute with honey for a lighter flavor profile if desired.
- Rice vinegar – Rice vinegar adds a subtle tang to the recipe. If unavailable, apple cider vinegar can serve as an alternative.
- Hoisin sauce – With its sweet and savory profile, it adds depth to the dish. If necessary, substitute with a combination of soy sauce, honey, and five-spice powder.
- Sesame oil – A small amount of sesame oil imparts a delightful nutty aroma. If needed, substitute with a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil.
- Sweet paprika – Sweet paprika contributes a mild, sweet pepper taste. Smoked paprika can be used as a substitute for a more robust, smoky taste.
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How To Cook Pork Belly In Air Fryer
Don’t forget to check out my best air fryer tips to get better results with every recipe.
Get complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card further below.
- Slice the pork belly into strips with a sharp knife. You may have to cut it in half to fit in the air fryer, or if you prefer, cut it into bite-size pieces.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F / 204 degrees C.
- Arrange the pork belly strips in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes. Flip and air fry for another 7 minutes or until nicely browned and as crispy as you prefer.
- In a small bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients.
- Open the air fryer basket and brush the pork belly strips with the marinade sauce mixture. Air fry for 3 – 4 minutes or until the sauce caramelizes and you have a crispy skin. You can serve the juicy meat strips with more sauce on the side.
Expert Tips
- Watch the time carefully to avoid overcooking the hoisin sauce, which can result in a bitter taste.
- Look for pork belly with the skin still attached, often found at Asian supermarkets.
- Rubbing the pork belly with light olive oil before cooking helps achieve crispy pork belly skin.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 145 degrees F / 63 degrees C, especially for thicker sliced meat.
- You can reduce saturated fat by selecting a section of meat with less fat or removing excess fat yourself.
- Air frying times may vary depending on the thickness of the meat and your air fryer brand.
Delicious Variations
- Make it sweeter – If you prefer a sweeter pork belly, add a quarter cup of brown sugar.
- Use garlic powder – You can substitute fresh garlic with a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Experiment with herbs – Feel free to experiment with herbs and spices like ginger, rosemary, thyme, onion powder, chili powder, or Chinese five-spice powder.
- Use Seasoning – Enhance the taste of the crackling by adding kosher salt and black pepper.
- Smokier taste – Consider using smoked paprika for a smokier taste.
- Extra crisp skin – For incredibly crispy skin, sprinkle some baking powder (not baking soda) on the pork belly before placing it in the air fryer.
- Spice it up – If you like it spicy, add half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
Prep And Storage
- Prep Ahead – Marinate the pork belly overnight for intensified flavors.
- Store – Store any leftover pork belly in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze – Freezing is not recommended for this crispy pork belly dish.
- Reheat – Reheat the pork belly in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore its crispiness.
FAQs
Pork crackling, also known as pig skin, pork scratchings, pork rinds, and pork crunch, refers to the crunchy cooked pork skin.
Pork rinds are the skin without meat or fat, while scratchings, crunch, and pig skin can be made with or without meat.
Cracklings are unique with layers of fat and skin cooked slowly before deep frying.
No, you can’t eat pork belly rare.
It’s essential to ensure your pork belly reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F / 63 degrees C before eating to eliminate the risk of food poisoning and to achieve that crispy pork belly crunch.
It depends; preheating your air fryer is a great idea for recipes like this, as it helps achieve the desired crispiness.
However, for baked goods, preheating is not necessary and can lead to overly crispy exteriors and doughy interiors.
The cooking time for pork belly in an air fryer can vary based on the thickness of the meat slices and the specific model of the air fryer being used. As a general guideline, pork belly typically requires about 25-30 minutes of cooking time in the air fryer.
Adjust the time as needed, depending on the specific characteristics of your air fryer and the thickness of the pork belly slices.
Similar Recipes
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Serve Air Fryer Pork Belly With:
- Instant Pot Rice – Place pork belly on a bed of rice or pasta for a full meal.
- Instant Pot Potato Salad – Enjoy it with a great side of potato salad. Or add leftover meat as salad toppings or add to soups, chili, or casseroles for extra taste.
- Air Fryer French Fries – Pork Belly works wonderfully with a side of crispy, seasoned fries for a crunch texture.
- Asian Cucumber Salad – the flavors complement each other.
Recommended Tools
- An Air Fryer – When selecting an air fryer, consider the various makes and models available. The key is the air fryer basket size.
- This digital meat thermometer so you can easily check for doneness.
- Sharp knife – Use a sharp knife to cut the meat before cooking it into smaller pork pieces.
- For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Check out more of my awesome air fryer recipes!
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Air Fryer Pork Belly
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds (680g) pork belly
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke optional
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ⅓ cup (79ml) hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Slice the pork belly into strips, you may have to cut it in half to fit in the air fryer, or if you prefer, cut it into bite size pieces.
- Pre heat air fryer to 400 degrees F / 204 degrees C.
- Arrange the pork belly strips in the air fryer basket and air fry for 15 minutes. Flip and air fry for another 7 minutes, or until nicely browned and as crispy as you prefer it.
- In a small bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients to make the sauce mixture.
- Open the air fryer basket and brush the pork belly strips well with the sauce mixture. Air fry for 3 – 4 minutes or until the sauce caramelizes. You can serve the strips with more sauce on the side.
Video
Notes
- Watch the cooking time carefully to avoid overcooking the hoisin sauce, which can result in a bitter taste.
- Look for pork belly with the skin still attached, often found at Asian supermarkets.
- Rubbing the pork belly with light olive oil before cooking helps achieve crispy pork belly skin.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 145 degrees F / 63 degrees C, especially for thicker slices.
- You can reduce saturated fat by selecting a section of meat with less fat or removing excess fat yourself.
- Air frying times may vary depending on the thickness of the meat and your air fryer brand.
- Storage – Store any leftover pork belly in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
