Making Crispy Pork Belly in an Air Fryer is so easy and only takes 1 hour. Follow this step-by-step guide and learn how make the perfect pork belly every single time!
Growing up, crispy pork belly was always a special treat especially on Lunar New Year. That crackling sound when you bite into perfectly crispy skin is so addicting and makes you want more! While traditionally made in an oven, I've recently discovered that you can make crispy pork belly in an air fryer with less time and effort. This recipe has become my go-to for family gatherings, and I'm so excited to share it with you!
Looking for more Lunar New Year recipes? Check out CHINESE BBQ PORK (CHAR SIU), MONEY BAG DUMPLINGS, CHINESE STEAMED FISH, and CRISPY EGG ROLLS.
Jump to:
SYMBOLISM OF PORK DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR
Pork is one of the most common dishes eaten during Lunar New Year. It is also used as offerings to ancestors and gods. In Chinese culture, pork symbolizes wealth, strength, and abundant blessings. It is said that the cackling skin represents "breaking through" of good fortune, which is why crispy pork belly is a popular dish to serve during the new year festivities.
Ingredients
- Pork Belly
- Chinese Cooking Wine (Shaoxing Wine)
- Five-spice powder
- White Pepper
- White Vinegar
- Salt
- Neutral Oil
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Crispy Pork Belly in Air Fryer
Step 1: Score the meat in a crosshatch pattern.
Step 2: Rub the meat with Chinese cooking wine, five-spice powder and white pepper.
Step 3: Use a sharp knife or skewer to poke holes into the skin side.
Step 4: Brush skin with white vinegar
Step 5: Wrap the pork belly with aluminum foil, and cover the skin with a generous amount of salt.
Step 6: Place pork belly in the air fryer basket. Cook for 30 minutes at 200F.
Step 7: Remove pork belly from the air fryer. Salt should dried up.
Step 8: Remove and brush off all the salt from the belly skin.
Step 9: Brush the pork belly with some neutral oil.
Step 10: Cook in air fryer for another 30 minutes at 400F, until golden brown.
How to Serve Crispy Pork Belly
To serve, chop the pork belly into slices, then cut each slices into smaller pieces. Serve hot with dipping sauce and rice, or wrap it with lettuce.
Dipping Sauce for Crispy Pork Belly
Here is how to make my easy 5-ingredient dipping sauce to serve with crispy pork belly. You will need:
- 2 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon fish sauce
- 3 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 Thai red chili (optional), chopped
- 1 tablespoon cilantro (optional), chopped
Prepare the Dipping Sauce: In a bowl, combine all the ingredients together. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe Video
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Sharp Knife
- Small Brush
Storage
It is best to enjoy crispy pork belly immediately. However, you can store the leftover pork in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the pork belly in an air fryer and cook at 375°F for 5-6 minutes until it is heated through and crispy.
Tips for the Best Pork Belly
- Poke lots of holes in the skin create that signature crackling bubbles. Use a sharp knife, ice pick, or skewer to prick holes into the skin.
- Drying the pork belly skin will give the crispiest result. Patty the belly skin dry and covering the skin with salt will help remove the moisture on the surface. The dryer the skin, the more crackling texture you will get.
- Adjust cooking time based on the size of the pork belly. Air fryer temperatures can vary, so it is best to check the pork belly periodically to avoid burning.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Make sure you also tag me @onehappybite on Instagram and hashtag it #onehappybite so I can see your creations!
Recipe
Print
Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 60
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Description
Making Crispy Pork Belly in an Air Fryer is so easy and only takes 1 hour. Follow this step-by-step guide and learn how make the perfect pork belly every single time!
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork belly
- 2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
- 2 tsp Chinese five spice powder
- 2 tsp white pepper
- ½ cup salt, plus more to cover the entire pork belly skin
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp cooking oil (any neutral oil works)
Dipping Sauce
- 2 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 Thai red chili (optional), chopped
- 1 tbsp cilantro (optional), chopped
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, score the meat in a crosshatch pattern.
- Rub the meat (not the skin) with Chinese cooking wine, five-spice powder and white pepper.
- Use a sharp knife, ice pick, or skewer to poke tons of holes into the skin. Make sure not to pierce too deep into the meat side. Pat dry, then brush skin with white vinegar
- Wrap the pork belly with aluminum foil on four sides.
- Cover the skin with a generous amount of salt.
- Place pork belly in the air fryer basket. Cook for 30 minutes at 200F, or until the salt has dried out completely.
- Remove pork belly from the air fryer, and brush off all the salt from the skin.
- Return pork to the air fryer. Brush the pork belly with some neutral oil, and cook for another 30-40 minutes at 400F, or until golden brown and crispy.
- To serve, chop the pork belly into slices, then cut each slices into smaller pieces. Serve hot with dipping sauce and rice, or wrap it with lettuce. Air fryer temperature may vary, so make sure to check your pork belly every 10 minutes to prevent burning.
Dipping sauce
- In a small bowl, combine fish sauce, garlic, water, sugar, limed juice, Thai red chili, and cilantro together.
- Dipping crispy pork belly in the dipping sauce, serve with rice or lettuce. Enjoy!
Notes
Recipe inspired/adapted from Recipe Tin Eats and CJ Eats Recipes.
Leave a Reply