Crispy Roast Pork Belly with Air Fryer
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Crispy Roast Pork Belly with Air Fryer (Thịt Heo Quay)
Here is a super simple crispy roast pork recipe using an air fryer. In this recipe, there is no long list of ingredients. No added oil. No poking holes, no scoring, and no special salt-vinegar treating the skin.
All you need to do is season the pork belly with four ingredients. Let it sit in the fridge for the meat to marinate and the skin to dry out, then pop this baby in the air fryer to get perfectly puffy and crispy crackling with juicy and tender meat.
None of the added work, yet still delicious roasted pork belly as if you just visited Chinatown.
Crispy Roast Pork Belly with Air Fryer (Thịt Heo Quay)
Choose the Right Pork Belly
Look for a pork belly slab that is even in thickness all around. This will ensure that the skin will be uniformly puffy and crispy.
Pork belly contains a lot of fat in both the skin and the meat. If possible, select a pork belly piece that has a thin layer of pork skin and a thin layer of fat within the meat. I have no shame in rejecting the first piece my butcher gives me and pinpointing him to the best-looking piece behind the counter.
Get Rid of the Funky Smell
Depending on where you get your pork belly, it may have a lingering funky smell. If not prepped correctly, it will not taste good, as the aroma will still be there once cooked.
If you run into this problem, which I sometimes do when purchasing pork belly at small Asian stores, give the pork belly a good rub down with coarse salt, then rinse well with water and pat dry with paper towels.
The coarse salt rubs away any surface residue that may be causing the smell. Other traditional methods that work is rubbing it with vinegar, cooking wine and/or all-purpose flour.
Crispy Roast Pork Belly with Air Fryer (Thịt Heo Quay)
Seasoning Ingredients and Prep
For this super simple recipe, there are only four seasoning ingredients, and it's likely that you already have them all.
What you will need:
Salt — The main seasoning ingredient. I’m using fine ground sea salt.
Sugar — A little is needed to balance the salt. I’m using simply granulated cane sugar. Nothing fancy.
Chinese five-spice powder — The Asian spice that will remind you of Chinatown roast pork. This spice mixture typically contains a combination of Chinese cinnamon, fennel seed, star anise, cloves, and ginger.
Ground white pepper — Provides a milder but more complex kick than ground black pepper.
To start, combine all the above seasonings in a small bowl and rub this mixture onto the pork belly, including the skin.
Season pork belly with salt, sugar, Chinese five-spice powder and ground white pepper.
Once seasoned, make a little tray out of aluminum foil that will perfectly fit around the pork belly. Transfer pork onto the foil tray with skin-side up, making sure the foil is covering all sides of the pork belly tightly. Leave the pork belly skin completely exposed so that it dries out. Let the pork belly marinate for at least four hours or overnight in the fridge for better results.
Wrap the pork belly with aluminum foil, but leave the skin exposed.
How to Cook Pork Belly in the Air Fryer
No need to preheat the air fryer. Throw this bad boy directly in the air fryer basket (no foil), skin-side up, and cook at 375°F for 40 minutes. My typical slab of pork belly from the Asian market fits snugly into the air fryer basket. Keep in mind that it will shrink quite a bit as well. Check on it at the 30-minute mark, just to make it's not burning. If not, give it a high-five and let it continue cooking. If it is burning, move it around, rotate, or slightly lower the temperature. No need for flipping.
The fat in the skin is going to drip down so the pork belly is cooking in its own fat for super succulent meat. Nom nom.
Storing and Reheating
Store any leftover pork belly in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, and enjoy it within 4 days. You can reheat the pork belly in the air fryer at 375°F for 5 minutes or until warmed through.
Other Air Fryer Recipes You Might Enjoy
Air Fried Quails with Five Spice & Butter (Chim Cút Nướng Air Fryer | Ngũ Vị Hương Bơ)
Crispy Roast Pork Belly with Air Fryer
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine salt, sugar, Chinese five-spice powder, and ground white pepper in a bowl and rub this mixture onto the pork belly, including the skin.
- Wrap the meat part of the pork belly with saran wrap or foil but keep the skin uncovered. Store in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight to let the skin dry out completely.
- Place pork belly skin side-up in an air fryer (no foil). My typical slab of pork belly from the Asian market fits snugly into the air fryer basket. Keep in mind that it will shrink quite a bit as well. Set temperature to 375°F for 40 minutes. No need for flipping. Do check in on it to prevent burning. If it is burning, move it around, rotate, or slightly lower the temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
472Fat
48 gSat. Fat
18 gCarbs
1 gFiber
0 gNet carbs
1 gSugar
0 gProtein
8 gSodium
262 mgCholesterol
65 mgThe values provided should be considered estimates. Factors such as brands purchased, natural variations in fresh ingredients, etc. will change the nutritional information in any recipe. To obtain accurate nutritional information for a recipe, use your preferred nutrition calculator to determine nutritional information with the actual ingredients and quantities used.
