Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Recipe

I love trying creative recipes. Recently, I perfected a pork in air fryer dish that reimagines traditional pork belly flavors. The pork belly is seasoned with sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Chinese five spice powder with a hint of rice vinegar to bring out a satisfyingly crispy finish.

I recently stumbled upon a game changing way to make crispy pork belly that left me totally impressed. I’m talking about bite sized pieces of pork belly that are crunchy, delightful and made in the air fryer in just a fraction of the time it normally takes.

I start with 1 lb pork belly, skin scored and cut into bite sized pieces, and then season it with 1 tablespoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, a dash of freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and a hint of Chinese five spice powder. A splash of rice vinegar works its magic too.

I’ve tossed in a few techniques from my experiments with lechon air fryer classics and other pork airfryer recipes so that every bite bursts with flavor. Seriously, if you’re into air fried pork belly recipes and healthy pork belly recipes alike, you’ll love how simple it is to get that perfect crunch every time.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love how this recipe turns pork belly into crunchy, crispy pieces so fast. Normally I’d have to wait hours for perfectly cooked pork belly but the airfryer gets it done in a fraction of the time.

I also really dig how the spices like garlic powder and Chinese five spice bring out a deep, savory flavor. It isn’t overly complicated so you dont mess it up and the taste just hits right.

Another thing is the texture. Drying the pork with paper towels before seasoning and cooking makes sure every bite is super crunchy which is exactly what i look for.

And lastly, I appreciate how simple the recipe is. The ingredients are common and its easy enough that i can whip it up on a busy day without any fuss.

Ingredients

• Pork Belly: Protein-rich, fatty cut that crisps up beautifully for ultimate flavor.
• Sea Salt: Enhances natural taste and draws out the pork belly’s savory qualities.
• Baking Soda: Helps tenderize meat ensuring an even, crisp exterior every time.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle, spicy kick that awakens the palate.
• Garlic Powder: Offers savory depth and a distinct aroma to complement the pork.
• Chinese Five Spice: Blends sweet, bitter, and warm spices for a complex flavor profile.
• Rice Vinegar: Imparts tangy acidity that brightens and balances the intense flavors.
• Together they create a mouthwatering mix perfect for an easy air fried meal.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb pork belly, skin scored and cut into bite size pieces
• 1 tablespoon sea salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

How to Make this

1. Pat the pork belly pieces dry really well with paper towels to help get that crisp.

2. In a bowl, toss the pork with 1/2 tablespoon sea salt, the baking soda, black pepper, garlic powder, and Chinese five spice powder.

3. Drizzle the rice vinegar over the pork and stir until everything is evenly coated.

4. Let the pork sit for about 15 minutes so the spices can work their magic.

5. While you wait, preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

6. Arrange the pork belly pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer so they cook evenly.

7. Air fry the pork for 25 minutes, turning or shaking the basket halfway through the time.

8. After the cooking time, check if the pork is extra crispy – if not, cook for another 3-5 minutes.

9. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 tablespoon sea salt over the pork while it’s hot.

10. Let the pork rest for a couple of minutes before serving and enjoy your crunchy, crispy pork belly!

Equipment Needed

1. Paper towels – for drying the pork belly pieces really well
2. A mixing bowl – to toss the pork with all the spices and vinegar
3. Measuring spoons – so you can accurately measure sea salt, baking soda, and the other spices
4. A bottle or container for the rice vinegar – makes it easier to drizzle
5. An air fryer – this is essential for cooking the pork until its perfectly crisp
6. Tongs or a spatula – useful for turning the pork halfway through the cooking process
7. A timer – to keep track of the cooking time and ensure you hit that perfect crunch
8. A serving plate – to let the pork rest a couple of minutes before serving

FAQ

Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Sea salt: If you can’t find sea salt, you can use kosher salt or even Himalayan pink salt.
• Baking soda: If you’re out of baking soda, you might try using a little extra salt, though it’s not exactly the same for crisping.
• Garlic powder: You can substitute minced garlic or crushed dried garlic flakes if garlic powder isn’t available.
• Chinese five spice powder: Mix equal parts of ground star anise, cloves, fennel seed, and cinnamon to mimic it.
• Rice vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar works just as good in this recipe.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you pat the pork belly dry really well and even double pat if you need to, because any extra moisture will stop it from getting that perfect crispiness.
2. When mixing the spices, use your hands to really rub them into the pork belly pieces so every nook gets flavored, it makes a noticeable difference.
3. If your air fryer tends to cook unevenly, try rearranging the pieces at least once during cooking, this helps avoid any soggy bits.
4. Let the pork rest after air frying for a few minutes, this really helps the juices settle and makes the crunch even better.