Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Recipe

I recently prepared one of my favorite Air Fried Pork Belly Recipes and was amazed at how the flavors melded together. With tender pork belly enhanced by kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and a touch of olive oil, every bite is an irresistible balance of crunch and savory satisfaction.

I’ve been playing around with my air fryer lately, and I came up with this incredible crispy pork belly that totally blew my mind. I used 2 lbs pork belly with skin on, scored lightly to help things crisp up.

I rubbed it down with olive oil, mixed with baking powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, plus a dash each of garlic powder, onion powder, and Chinese five spice powder. The result is amazing crunchy pieces that used to take hours to get just right – now it’s ready in a fraction of the time.

I’ve even seen some air fryer pork recipes go by names like lechon air fryer or even healthy pork belly recipes, and this one fits right in. If you’re into trying new twists on air fried pork belly recipes, trust me, this one’s a must-try.

Give it a go and let the crunch speak for itself!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it gives me that amazing, crispy pork belly in a fraction of the time that it would normally take. I love how the skin gets super crunchy from the airfryer and the spices really pack a punch, even though it’s simple to throw together. I enjoy that post-cook rest lets the juices settle in which makes it even tastier when I cut it into bite sized pieces. Lastly, I appreciate how easy it is to customize the seasonings so I can change it up depending on what I’m in the mood for.

Ingredients

• Pork Belly: Rich in protein and fats, giving juicy flavour and crispy skin in air fryer.
• Baking Powder: Helps dry out pork skin for extra crispiness and texture.
• Kosher Salt: Boosts flavor and assists in drawing out moisture during cooking.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and aroma that elevates the dish overall.
• Garlic Powder: Infuses a punchy, aromatic note, making every bite more interestin.
• Chinese Five Spice Powder: Adds complex, warm flavors and hints of natural sweetness.
• Olive Oil: Contributes healthy fats and helps evenly crisp and brown the pork belly.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 lbs pork belly with skin on, scored lightly
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

How to Make this

1. Preheat your air fryer at 400°F because a hot start really helps get that skin extra crisp.

2. Pat dry your pork belly really well using paper towels then let it sit uncovered in the fridge for about 30 minutes to dry out the skin a bit.

3. In a small bowl, mix together the baking powder, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and Chinese five spice powder.

4. Rub the olive oil over the pork belly and then generously sprinkle the spice mix all over it making sure you get it into the scored marks.

5. Place the pork belly in your air fryer with the skin side up so the moisture can escape and crisp it up nice and even.

6. Cook for 25 minutes then check on it, if needed you can flip it for another 10 minutes to make sure the meat is cooked through.

7. The pork belly should look nicely browned and the skin crunchy so if it isn’t crispy enough you can always increase the cooking time by a few minutes.

8. Once done, let it rest for about 5 minutes so the juices redistribute and it becomes easier to cut.

9. Slice into bite sized pieces while its still warm and enjoy that perfect crunch in every bite.

10. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or on its own as a tasty snack and dig in!

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer (to preheat at 400°F and cook the pork belly)
2. Paper towels (to pat the pork belly dry before refrigerating)
3. Refrigerator (to let the pork belly sit uncovered for 30 minutes)
4. Small mixing bowl (to combine the baking powder, salts, and spices)
5. Measuring spoons (for accurate spice measurements)
6. Spoon or small spatula (to mix and apply the spice mix and olive oil)
7. Tongs (to move the pork belly safely into and out of the air fryer)
8. Sharp knife (to slice the rested pork belly into bite sized pieces)
9. Cutting board (to slice on after the pork belly has rested)
10. Timer (to keep track of cooking times)

FAQ

Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Baking Powder: If you don’t have baking powder, you can mix 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar. This combo works pretty well for crisping up the pork belly.
• Kosher Salt: Sea salt makes a fine substitute. Just be careful cuz it’s sometimes a bit saltier than kosher salt.
• Garlic Powder: You can use fresh minced garlic instead, but you’ll need about 2 or 3 times the amount since the flavor won’t be as concentrated.
• Onion Powder: Dry minced onion is a decent alternative if you’re out. Just keep in mind it might add a bit of texture you didn’t plan on.
• Chinese Five Spice Powder: In a pinch, mix equal parts ground star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper and fennel seeds. It wont be exactly the same but it’ll still give a nice aromatic twist.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you dry the pork belly real good before cooking; letting it sit in the fridge uncovered for a bit helps the skin crisp up a lot once it’s in the air fryer.

2. When you rub on that spice mix, really push it into those scored marks; this ensures every bite gets that tasty flavor and extra crunch.

3. Keep an eye on it in the air fryer because not all air fryers cook the same way; checking a couple times will help you avoid under or overcooking the meat.

4. After cooking, let it rest for a few minutes so the juices get reabsorbed into the meat; this makes slicing it way easier and keeps it moist.