
how to cook pork belly in an air fryer
Air frying has emerged as an innovative way of cooking, offering a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. Among the myriad ingredients you can cook in an air fryer, pork belly stands out, thanks to the crispy, golden brown results you can achieve. With the right techniques, you can slow or fast cook pork belly in an air fryer to perfection. This guide will take you through the journey of preparing the ultimate air fryer pork belly, laced with helpful tips and tricks for the best outcomes.
Table of Contents
- 1. Understanding Pork Belly
- 2. Benefits of Air Frying Pork Belly
- 3. Slow or Fast Cook – The Choice is Yours
- 4. Necessary Ingredients
- 5. Preparing the Pork Belly
- 6. Air Frying the Pork Belly
- 7. Understanding Air Fryer Cooking Times
- 8. Serving Suggestions
- 9. Storing Leftovers
- 10. Expert Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Pork Belly
1. Understanding Pork Belly
Pork belly is a cut of meat that originates from the belly of a pig. It’s a rich, fatty cut of meat that can be smoked or cured to make bacon, or sold uncured in large slabs. As the name suggests, it’s literally the belly of the pig, replete with layers of fat and lean meat. This cut of meat has been garnering attention recently due to its versatility and the unique flavour profile it brings to various dishes.
1.1 Pork Belly vs Bacon
Pork belly and bacon both come from the same cut of the pig but undergo different processing methods. Bacon is typically cured, smoked, and sliced thinly, while pork belly is left in its more natural state, often with the skin still attached. When cooked, pork belly showcases a deep, intense flavour, quite different from bacon.
1.2 Where to Buy Pork Belly
While not all supermarkets carry pork belly, you can usually find it at your local butcher or an Asian supermarket. It’s also available in wholesale clubs like Costco. Remember the golden rule: always buy good pork. The quality of meat you choose can significantly influence the final result of your dish.
2. Benefits of Air Frying Pork Belly
Air frying pork belly comes with a host of benefits. This cooking method involves circulating hot air around the food to cook it, leading to less oil usage compared to traditional frying methods. As a result, you get a healthier version of your favourite pork belly dish, with less fat and fewer calories.
Air frying also offers a mess-free cooking experience, as it keeps grease splatters contained within the air fryer. Plus, it’s faster, with the air fryer heating up quicker and cooking up to 25% faster than a conventional oven.
3. Slow or Fast Cook – The Choice is Yours
The beauty of air frying pork belly is the flexibility it offers. You can choose to slow cook it at a low temperature for succulent, tender meat, or fast cook it at a higher temperature for a crispier finish. The choice depends on your personal preference and the texture you want to achieve.
4. Necessary Ingredients
To prepare air fryer pork belly, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds of pork belly
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
- Optional ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, or Chinese five-spice for added flavour
- Cooking oil spray
5. Preparing the Pork Belly
Before you begin air frying, it’s essential to properly prepare the pork belly.
5.1 Scoring the Pork Belly
Start by scoring the pork belly. Using a sharp knife, make incisions in a criss-cross pattern on the skin, approximately ½ inch/1cm apart. Be careful to only score the skin and not cut through to the meat.
5.2 Seasoning the Pork Belly
Next, rub salt into the pork belly skin and meat. This helps to draw out the moisture from the skin, leading to a crispier result. If you prefer, you can also add other seasonings at this stage, like garlic powder, onion powder, or chilli powder.
5.3 Refrigerating the Pork Belly
Once seasoned, place the pork belly in the refrigerator and leave it to chill overnight. This step is essential for getting that perfect crispy skin when air frying.
6. Air Frying the Pork Belly
After the pork belly has chilled overnight, it’s time to air fry it.
6.1 Preheating the Air Fryer
Always preheat your air fryer before cooking. This ensures the air fryer reaches the correct temperature and cooks your food evenly.
6.2 Spraying the Pork Belly
Before putting the pork belly in the air fryer, spray it generously with cooking oil. This helps to moisten the dry mixture and create a crispy, golden brown finish.
6.3 Air Frying the Pork Belly
Place the pork belly in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there’s enough space between the pieces for air to circulate. Depending on whether you’re slow or fast cooking, adjust the temperature and time accordingly.
For slow cooking, air fry the pork belly at 250 degrees F for about 30 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 400 degrees F and air fry for an additional 20 minutes until the skin is crispy to your liking.
For fast cooking, you can start at a higher temperature of 400 degrees F and air fry for about 20 minutes, flipping the pork belly halfway through for even cooking.
7. Understanding Air Fryer Cooking Times
The exact time required to air fry pork belly will depend on several factors, including the thickness of the pork belly and the efficiency of your air fryer. However, a general rule is to slow roast at a low temperature until the meat is succulent, followed by a short blast at a high temperature for a crispy finish.
8. Serving Suggestions
Air fryer pork belly is versatile and can be served in various ways. It’s delicious on its own or as part of a main meal. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Appetiser: Cut the air fried pork belly into bite-sized pieces and serve as an appetiser with your favourite dipping sauce.
- Main Course: Serve the pork belly slices with steamed vegetables or a side salad for a hearty main course.
- Sandwich: Use the pork belly slices in a BLT sandwich for a twist on the classic recipe.
9. Storing Leftovers
Store leftover air fried pork belly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can enjoy the leftovers cold or reheat them in the air fryer to restore the crispiness.
10. Expert Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Pork Belly
- Season and refrigerate the pork belly overnight. This draws out extra moisture from the skin, leading to a crispier result.
- Use enough baking powder on the skin. This is the key to achieving a crispy skin in a short time.
- Monitor the pork belly during the final stages of cooking to prevent overcooking and ensure the skin is crispy to your liking.
Air frying pork belly is an effortless way to enjoy this rich, fatty cut of meat. By following these steps and tips, you’ll be able to achieve the perfect balance of crispy skin and succulent meat, making this the ultimate air fryer pork belly recipe.