Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly
Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork belly, skin on, boneless slab
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1/2 cup coarse sea salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Marinade (Suggested)
- 2 tablespoons rice wine
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Instructions
- 1
Using a meat tenderizer or a sharp fork, thoroughly prick the skin side of the pork belly. Aim for many small holes without piercing through to the meat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a small bowl, combine the rice wine, five-spice powder, garlic powder, and white pepper to create the marinade. Mix well until a paste forms.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Score the meat side of the pork belly with a sharp knife, making cuts about 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Be careful not to cut through the skin. Rub the prepared marinade generously into all the crevices of the scored meat side, ensuring even coverage.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Wrap the sides of the pork belly with aluminum foil, creating a protective barrier around the meat while leaving the skin side completely exposed.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Brush the white vinegar evenly over the entire exposed skin of the pork belly. Then, apply a thick, even layer of coarse sea salt over the vinegar-coated skin. This will help draw out moisture and promote crispiness.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Carefully place the foil-wrapped pork belly, skin side up with the salt layer, into the air fryer basket. Air fry at 250°F for 30 minutes. This slow cooking will render some of the fat.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 250
- 7
Remove the pork belly from the air fryer. Using a spoon or a stiff brush, carefully scrape off all the hardened salt from the skin. Discard the salt. Brush the vegetable oil evenly over the now clean and dry skin of the pork belly.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Return the pork belly to the air fryer, skin side up. Air fry at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the skin is deeply golden brown, blistered, and exceptionally crispy. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 400
- 9
Once the pork belly is perfectly crispy, carefully remove it from the air fryer. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into bite-sized pieces. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly
- 2 pounds pork belly, skin on, boneless slab
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1/2 cup coarse sea salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Marinade (Suggested)
- 2 tablespoons rice wine
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Instructions
- 1
Using a meat tenderizer or a sharp fork, thoroughly prick the skin side of the pork belly. Aim for many small holes without piercing through to the meat.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a small bowl, combine the rice wine, five-spice powder, garlic powder, and white pepper to create the marinade. Mix well until a paste forms.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Score the meat side of the pork belly with a sharp knife, making cuts about 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Be careful not to cut through the skin. Rub the prepared marinade generously into all the crevices of the scored meat side, ensuring even coverage.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Wrap the sides of the pork belly with aluminum foil, creating a protective barrier around the meat while leaving the skin side completely exposed.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Brush the white vinegar evenly over the entire exposed skin of the pork belly. Then, apply a thick, even layer of coarse sea salt over the vinegar-coated skin. This will help draw out moisture and promote crispiness.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Carefully place the foil-wrapped pork belly, skin side up with the salt layer, into the air fryer basket. Air fry at 250°F for 30 minutes. This slow cooking will render some of the fat.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 250 - 7
Remove the pork belly from the air fryer. Using a spoon or a stiff brush, carefully scrape off all the hardened salt from the skin. Discard the salt. Brush the vegetable oil evenly over the now clean and dry skin of the pork belly.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Return the pork belly to the air fryer, skin side up. Air fry at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the skin is deeply golden brown, blistered, and exceptionally crispy. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 400 - 9
Once the pork belly is perfectly crispy, carefully remove it from the air fryer. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into bite-sized pieces. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min