Why air fryer crispy pork belly is a good choice
Making Crispy Pork Belly saves a lot of time and energy compared to other cooking methods. The circulating air ensures the skin becomes evenly golden and very brittle without much splashing. It also helps the meat stay juicy while the excess fat drips away into the basket. This is a reliable way to get perfect crackling every single time you cook.
Step by step: air fryer crispy pork belly
Prepare the meat: Use a sharp knife to score the skin of the pork belly in a diamond pattern without cutting into the meat. Pat the skin completely dry with paper towels to ensure it becomes crunchy. Rub the vinegar onto the skin and let it sit for a few minutes while you prepare the seasoning.
Season the pork: Mix the salt, garlic powder and black pepper in a small bowl until combined. Rub the seasoning mixture onto the meat sides and bottom but keep the top skin clean. Apply a small amount of vegetable oil to the skin to help with the crackling process.
First cook: Place the meat in the basket and set the temperature to 180 degrees. Cook the Crispy Pork Belly for about 25 minutes to allow the meat to cook through and the fat to melt. This step prepares the skin for the final high heat blast.
Crisp the skin: Increase the temperature to 200 degrees for the final 15 minutes of cooking. Watch the skin carefully as it bubbles and turns a deep golden brown. Remove the meat from the basket and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing it into pieces.
Useful tips for air fryer crispy pork belly
The most important step for Crispy Pork Belly is making sure the skin is bone dry before cooking. If there is any moisture left, the crackling will not bubble up properly or become crunchy. You can leave the pork uncovered in the fridge overnight to help the skin dry out even more if you have time.
Avoid putting too much seasoning on the skin itself as spices might burn at high temperatures. Only use salt and a little oil on the top layer for the best colour and texture. If your pork belly is very thick, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the first cooking stage. Always let the meat rest after cooking so the juices stay inside when you cut into it.
You can find more inspiration in
air fryer lamb fillet,
air fryer pizza toast or
air fryer battered prawns.