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Crispy pork belly is a dish that brings together the perfect balance of tender meat and crackling skin. Cooking it in an air fryer not only makes the process easier but also ensures you get that coveted crispy texture every time. Whether you’re serving it as a snack, in tacos with avocado, or as part of an Asian-inspired dish, this crispy pork belly will become a favorite in your rotation. In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps to prepare, cook, and enjoy this delicious dish.
Let’s Prep:
Preparing crispy pork belly is straightforward but requires a little attention to detail to ensure perfect results. Here’s how to get started:
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs pork belly
- Vinegar
- Kosher salt
- O.M.G. Seasoning (or your preferred seasoning blend) (10% discount link)
Tools:
- Air fryer
- Aluminum foil
- Paper towels
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Basting brush
Preparation:
- Trim the Pork Belly: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to trim the pork belly to fit. Use a sharp knife to cut the pork belly into pieces that will comfortably fit in the air fryer basket.
- Pat Dry and Poke Holes: Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels. This step is crucial to getting crispy skin. Use a sharp knife or meat tenderizer to poke holes all over the skin, being careful not to pierce through the meat. This helps render the fat and achieve that perfect crackling texture.
- Season the Meat Side: Flip the pork belly over so the meat side is facing up. Season it generously with O.M.G. Seasoning . This adds flavor to the meat, enhancing the overall taste of the crispy pork belly.
- Foil Boat: Create a boat out of aluminum foil to contain the juices that will be expelled during cooking. This step is essential to prevent the pork belly’s grease and juices from running onto your air fryer’s heating element and causing smoke.
- Vinegar and Salt: Brush the skin side of the pork belly with white vinegar. This acts as a binder for the salt and helps with crisping the skin. Cover the skin liberally with kosher salt, ensuring you can’t see any meat through the salt. This creates a crust that will be removed later, aiding in the drying process.
Let’s Cook:
Crispy Pork Belly coming up!
Cooking the pork belly in an air fryer is a two-step process that ensures the meat is cooked through while achieving a crispy skin.
- First Cook: Preheat your air fryer to 250°F (120°C). Place the pork belly in the foil boat, skin side up, into the air fryer basket. Cook for 30 minutes. This low and slow cooking process helps render the fat and begin the crisping process.
- Remove Salt Crust: After 30 minutes, remove the pork belly from the air fryer. Carefully peel off the salt crust, which should now be in large, dry pieces. Pat the skin dry with paper towels to remove any remaining moisture.
- Final Crisping: Brush the skin with a light layer of canola oil. Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C). Return the pork belly to the air fryer and cook for an additional 30-40 minutes. Check the pork belly at the 25-minute mark to ensure the skin isn’t charring. If it is, remove it from the air fryer. If not, continue cooking until the skin is perfectly crispy.
Let’s Eat:
Now that your crispy pork belly is cooked to perfection, it’s time to enjoy it. The unique flavors and textures make it a versatile dish that can be served in various ways.
- As a Snack: Cut the crispy pork belly into bite-sized pieces. Serve them as a snack or appetizer. The crispy skin and tender meat make for an irresistible combination that’s perfect for casual munching.
- Tacos with Avocado: For a fresh and flavorful twist, use the crispy pork belly as a filling for tacos. Pair it with slices of ripe avocado, a sprinkle of lime juice, and your favorite taco toppings. The creamy avocado complements the crispy pork belly beautifully.
- Asian-Inspired Dish: Incorporate the crispy pork belly into an Asian-inspired meal. Serve it over a bed of steamed rice with a side of pickled vegetables and a drizzle of hoisin or soy sauce. The rich, umami flavors of the pork belly pair wonderfully with these elements.
Cooking crispy pork belly in the air fryer is an easy and efficient way to enjoy this delicious dish. The foil boat is essential to prevent smoke, and the two-step cooking process ensures a crispy skin and tender meat. Whether you’re serving it as a snack, in tacos, or as part of an Asian-inspired meal, this crispy pork belly is sure to impress. Enjoy the rich flavors and crispy texture that make this dish a standout!
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Pork Belly
- Vinegar
- Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Trim pork belly to size to fit in air fryer if neccassary
- Pat dry well with paper towel, and poke holes in the skin all over. Make sure the holes don't pierce through the meat below
- On meat side of pork belly – season well with O.M.G. Seasoning (link below)
- Flip over and put pork belly in a boat of aluminum foil to contain the juices expelled, and add flavor to the meat of the pork belly
- Brush skin side of meat with white vinegar to use as a binder
- Cover liberally with Kosher Salt. Make sure you can't see any meat through the salt.
- Air fry at 250F for 30 minutes
- Remove salt, which should now be in large dry pieces, and pat dry with paper towel
- Brush with a light layer of canola oil
- Place back in air fryer at 400F for 30-40 minutes (check at 25 minutes) to make sure the skin isn't charring. If it is, remove. Else continue cooking for the rest of the time. The meat is already cooked, this step is about crisping the top.
