Crispy Golden Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe for Meat Lovers

Golden, crackling pork belly with an incredible air fryer crunch transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Succulent meat layered with perfectly rendered fat creates a dish that melts in your mouth.

The air fryer elevates this classic cut, ensuring maximum flavor and minimal effort.

Each slice promises a crispy exterior that gives way to tender, juicy meat beneath.

Seasoned simply with salt and pepper, this recipe lets the pork’s natural richness shine through.

Rich, decadent, and surprisingly easy to prepare, this dish will have everyone asking for seconds.

Gather your appetite and get ready to savor every delectable bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 440 kcal

Servings: 5

All You’ll Need For Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe

• Pork Belly: Premium cut with luxurious fat marbling that guarantees succulent and tender meat, selecting fresh cuts with balanced fat-to-meat ratio ensures exceptional texture.
• Olive Oil: Helps distribute seasonings evenly and promotes beautiful golden-brown caramelization during cooking.

• Salt: Enhances natural meat flavors and helps create delectable crispy exterior.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, zesty kick and complements pork's rich profile.
• Garlic Powder: Infuses deep, aromatic undertones without raw garlic intensity.
• Onion Powder: Provides subtle sweetness and complex savory depth.
• Paprika: Introduces mild smokiness and beautiful reddish-brown color.
• Five-Spice Powder: Traditional Chinese blend that delivers complex, warming notes.
• Soy Sauce: Contributes umami richness and helps tenderize meat.
• Vinegar: Brightens overall flavor and helps break down proteins for tender result.

• Sweet Chili Sauce: Offers tangy-sweet contrast to rich pork.
• Hoisin Sauce: Provides sweet-savory glazing option.
• Spicy Vinegar Dip: Creates zesty counterpoint to fatty meat.

Tools To Crisp Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe

• Air Fryer: Essential for achieving crispy, golden pork belly without excess oil.
• Cutting Board: Perfect for preparing and cutting pork belly into bite-sized pieces.
• Sharp Knife: Helps slice pork belly evenly and precisely.
• Mixing Bowl: Great for combining all seasoning ingredients and coating pork belly.
• Paper Towels: Crucial for patting pork belly dry and ensuring crispy skin.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps measure spices and seasonings accurately.
• Tongs: Useful for handling and arranging pork belly in the air fryer basket.

Steps To Make Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe Tender

• Prepare Pork Belly

Grab your pork belly and gently pat it dry with clean paper towels. This secret step ensures a super crispy exterior that’ll make your taste buds dance. Slice the meat into delectable bite-sized cubes or sexy one-inch strips that’ll look amazing on a plate.

• Massage in Flavor

Create a magical seasoning blend by combining aromatic spices and liquids. Rub the mixture all over the meat, making sure every single piece gets coated with deliciousness. Let the flavors mingle and soak into the meat for maximum taste explosion.

• Fire Up the Air Fryer

Crank your air fryer to a sizzling 400F. Carefully arrange the seasoned pork belly pieces in a single layer, ensuring they aren’t crowded. Place skin side up for maximum crunchiness. Cook for about 25-30 minutes, giving the basket a shake every 10 minutes to guarantee even browning.

• Crisp to Perfection

Check the meat’s crispiness. If the skin looks like it needs an extra boost, bump up the temperature to 425F and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

• Serve and Savor

Let the pork belly rest for a few magical moments. Plate with your favorite dipping sauce – maybe a zesty sweet chili or tangy hoisin. Enjoy your crispy, flavor-packed creation!

Tips To Add Sweet Heat To Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe

• Crackling Pro Tip: Pat the pork belly extremely dry before seasoning to ensure the skin gets ultra-crispy and golden brown.
• Low-Carb Friendly Option: Replace sugary dipping sauces with homemade sugar-free alternatives like spicy mustard or herb-infused olive oil to keep the dish keto-compatible.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Marinate the pork belly overnight in the refrigerator to intensify the flavor profile and allow seasonings to deeply penetrate the meat.
• Herb Lover's Twist: Experiment with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage in the seasoning mix to add unexpected aromatic dimensions to the traditional five-spice blend.
• Dietary Swap: For gluten-sensitive individuals, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and ensure all spices are certified gluten-free to create a safe, delicious meal.

Serve Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe Crispy And Hot

• Saucy Sidekick Platter: Create a vibrant dipping station with multiple sauces like sweet chili, hoisin, sriracha mayo, and tangy vinegar to let guests customize their flavor experience.
• Asian-Inspired Rice Bowl: Layer the crispy pork belly over steamed jasmine rice, garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and pickled vegetables for a complete meal with exciting textures.
• Appetizer Party Starter: Arrange pork belly pieces on toothpicks, serve with cocktail napkins for easy finger food during gatherings, perfect for game nights or social events with friends.
• Fusion Taco Night: Stuff warm tortillas with the crispy pork belly, add quick-pickled red onions, fresh cilantro, and a drizzle of lime crema for a delicious Mexican-Asian fusion twist.

Store Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe Right

• Fridge Storage Magic: Keep leftover pork belly in an airtight container for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Freezer Preservation Trick: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags to maintain quality for up to 2 months without losing texture.
• Reheating Revival: Bring back the crispy goodness by using the air fryer at 350F for 5-7 minutes, which restores the original crunchiness better than microwave methods.
• Meal Prep Champion: Slice pork belly in advance and store separately from sauces to maintain optimal crispness, making quick weekday meals a breeze for busy home cooks.

Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crispy air fryer pork belly promises a succulent journey through Chinese culinary traditions. Crackling skin and tender meat deliver a mouthwatering experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (0.45 kg) pork belly, skin on (cut into 1-inch cubes or strips)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp Chinese five-spice (optional, for extra flavor)
• 1 tsp soy sauce (or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option)
• 1 tsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Pat pork belly dry with kitchen towels and slice into uniform bite-sized cubes, ensuring consistent texture and cooking potential.
2. Marination: Craft a flavor-packed marinade by blending aromatic spices and liquid seasonings. Thoroughly coat each pork piece, massaging the mixture to guarantee complete flavor infusion.
3. Air Fryer Setup: Preheat air fryer to 400F (200C) for three minutes. Strategically arrange marinated pork pieces in a single layer with skin facing upward to maximize crackling potential.
4. Cooking Process: Execute cooking cycle, periodically rotating meat every ten minutes to ensure even browning and prevent adherence. Monitor color transformation and textural development throughout 25-30 minute cooking window.
5. Crisp Refinement: For enhanced skin crispness, boost temperature to 425F (220C) and cook an additional 3-5 minutes, vigilantly preventing potential burning.
6. Finalization: Remove pork belly and allow brief resting period for temperature stabilization and juice redistribution. Serve alongside complementary condiments like sweet chili sauce, hoisin sauce, or tangy vinegar-based dipping options.

Notes

• Moisture Removal Technique: Thoroughly pat pork belly dry with kitchen towels to guarantee ultra-crispy skin and prevent steaming during air frying.
• Seasoning Penetration Strategy: Massage marinade deeply into meat, ensuring every piece absorbs maximum flavor for a rich, consistent taste profile.
• Strategic Arrangement Hack: Position meat skin-side up in single layer for optimal crackling and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking.
• Temperature Control Precision: Watch heat carefully during final crisping stage to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning, adjusting temperature in short increments.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg