It’s really easy to follow these step-by-step instructions on how to air fry belly pork slices without boiling them first. Air-fried belly pork strips are easy to make and taste great. They have layers of crispy fat and soft meat.
I love belly pork and cook it often. But it isn’t all created equally. Which way you want the rind or skin on the slices to be can depend on where you shop, what’s available, and your personal taste. I regularly cook both options.
Even though they cook in about the same amount of time, I use different cooking methods for each type, so I made two separate posts for them. I’ve also created a recipe for belly bites.
This rind-off recipe is all about making the outside of the pork nice and crispy and browned on all sides. Whilst my rind on recipe focusses on getting the crispiest crackling with soft, slightly steamed pork meat.
No matter which way you choose, making belly pork strips is easy and can be added to a lot of different meals.
Pork belly is a deliciously fatty and flavorful cut of meat that is absolutely melt-in-your-mouth tender when cooked properly Getting that perfect balance of crispy, crackling skin with succulent and juicy meat can be tricky though Frying creates greasy splatters, oven roasting takes forever, and grilling can char the exterior before the inside is done.
But what if you could achieve restaurant-quality crispy pork belly right in your own kitchen with minimal fuss? Well, you can, using one handy kitchen gadget – the air fryer!
Air frying is the perfect way to make pork belly with skin that shatters when you bite into it. The circulating hot air crisps up the fatty skin beautifully. Since air fryers cook food quickly at a high heat, the pork belly gets crispy on the outside while remaining incredibly moist and tender on the inside
Read on to learn how simple it is to make melt-in-your-mouth, crispy pork belly slices in your air fryer.
Why Cook Pork Belly in an Air Fryer?
Cooking pork belly in the air fryer offers several benefits
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Gets skin ultra crispy – The hot air circulates around the pork, drying out and crisping up the fatty skin.
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Cooks quickly – No long oven waits. Air frying cooks the pork at a high heat, reducing cook time.
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Retains moisture – The quick cook time keeps moisture locked into the meat, instead of drying it out.
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Requires minimal oil – Air frying creates that fried texture with barely any oil needed. Much healthier!
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Easy and hands-off – Simply set the air fryer temperature and timer. No constant monitoring.
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Versatile – Can make all different cuts of pork belly from slices to cubes.
For fast and easy pork belly with skin that shatters crisply when bitten, an air fryer can’t be beaten!
Tips for Air Frying Pork Belly
Follow these tips to achieve ultimate crispy pork belly from your air fryer:
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Choose thick cuts – Look for at least 1⁄4 inch thick slices or chunks to allow crisping. Thinner cuts overcook.
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Pat pork dry – Remove excess moisture from the skin’s surface for optimal crisping.
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Score skin – Cutting slits into the skin helps release fat and moisture.
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Brush on oil – Lightly coating the skin with oil aids browning and crunchiness.
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Don’t overcrowd – Avoid stacking slices. Space out evenly for even cooking.
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Flip halfway – Turning over halfway through lets both sides get crispy.
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Brush on glaze – Coat with BBQ or other glaze in the last 5 minutes if desired.
Follow these simple air fryer pork belly tips and you’ll be sinking your teeth into irresistibly crispy, crackly skin and succulent meat in no time.
How Long to Air Fry Pork Belly
Pork belly cooking time can vary slightly depending on thickness, but here are general guidelines:
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Slices or cubes – Cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
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Thick slab – Cook at 370°F for 25-35 minutes, flipping a few times.
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Small chunks – Cook at 380°F for 10-15 minutes, shake basket occasionally.
Check pork slices or cubes with a meat thermometer for doneness. They are ready when the internal temperature reaches 195°F. The high heat renders the fatty skin beautifully crispy.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly crispy pork belly every time:
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Prep pork – Choose evenly thick slabs, slices or cubes of pork belly. Pat extremely dry with paper towels.
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Score skin – Use a sharp knife to cut slits in the skin side about 1 inch apart. Do not cut into the meat.
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Season – Rub sliced or chopped garlic, salt, pepper and any other spices or herbs over the pork skin.
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Brush on oil – Use a pastry brush or your hands to lightly coat the seasoned pork skin with oil.
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Preheat air fryer – Set air fryer to 380°F-400°F depending on thickness.
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Air fry pork – Add pork belly pieces in a single layer with space between them. Air fry for half the time.
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Flip pork – Remove basket, flip pork pieces over using tongs and air fry remaining time.
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Glaze (optional) – In the last 5 minutes, brush your favorite glaze or sauce over the pork belly.
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Check doneness – Use a meat thermometer to confirm 195°F internal temperature.
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Rest and serve – Let pork rest 5 minutes before serving for juicy results!
In just 20-30 minutes, you can now enjoy perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth crispy pork belly straight from your air fryer. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
![Crispy air fried pork belly][image1]
Mouthwatering crispy pork belly slices fresh from the air fryer. (Image credit: Joe Lingeman)
Best Cuts of Pork Belly for Air Frying
You can air fry all different cuts of pork belly. Here are some of the best options:
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Pork belly slices – Even 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch slices get crispy in the air fryer. Great for dishes like tacos or sandwiches.
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Pork belly cubes – Diced into 1 to 2 inch chunks, these make delicious appetizers.
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Pork belly burnt ends – Small pieces of smoked pork belly with crisped edges.
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Thick-cut pork belly – Great big slabs with tons of crispy crackling.
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Pork belly strips – Long thin strips that caramelize beautifully.
No matter which shape or size you select, the air fryer can crisp up pork belly like nobody’s business. Play around with different cuts to find your favorites!
Flavoring Ideas for Air Fried Pork Belly
Beyond just salt and pepper, you can add lots of delicious flavors to your crispy air fried pork belly:
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BBQ Rub – Classic barbecue spices like chili powder, paprika, garlic and onion powder.
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Soy Sauce & 5 Spice – Umami soy with the warm Chinese spice blend.
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Jerk Seasoning – Caribbean jerk spices like allspice, thyme and scotch bonnet.
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Citrus & Herbs – Lemon, lime, rosemary and oregano brighten up the pork.
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Coffee & Chili – Espresso powder and ancho chile lend deep rich notes.
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Brown Sugar & Cayenne – A sweet and spicy complement to the pork.
Get creative with your favorite seasonings and let the air fryer work its magic!
Serving Ideas for Air Fried Pork Belly
Once you’ve made your mouthwatering crispy pork belly in the air fryer, here are some tasty ways to serve it up:
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On mini buns as slider sandwiches with pickles and hoisin.
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Diced over fried rice or noodles.
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In lettuce wraps or soft tacos with salsa and guacamole.
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On top of Caesar salad for protein and crunch.
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Chopped into egg fried rice for some meaty bites.
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As an elevated elevated pork rind on charcuterie boards.
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On pasta tossed with cheese and greens.
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Alongside roasted veggies and mashed potatoes.
However you decide to serve it, crispy air fried pork belly is sure to be a hit!
With the air fryer, gone are the days of dried out pork belly or grease splattered stovetops. In just minutes, you can now make restaurant-worthy crispy skin pork belly from the comfort of your own kitchen. Give it a try!
Common Air Fryer Questions – A Brief Guide to Air Frying
Come on over to Facebook and join my community discussing all things air fryer. Talk about your problems and successes to help other people and find out what great things everyone is cooking in their air fryers.
Can Food Be Cooked From Frozen In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you will need to lower the temperature and lengthen the cooking time when cooking from frozen to make sure the food is cooked all the way through.
If you want to know how to cook something from frozen, you should look at my individual recipes. And there are occasionally exceptions to the rule.
JUICY PORK BELLY RECIPE AIR FRY
FAQ
How long does it take to cook pork belly slices in the air fryer?
Is pork belly better in air fryer or oven?
How do you keep pork from drying out in an air fryer?
Why are my pork belly slices tough?
Can you freeze pork belly in an air fryer?
Sprinkle the pork belly with salt and rub it into the skin and meat. Next, sprinkle with black pepper. Tightly wrap the pork belly in plastic wrap, seal in a plastic zipper bag, then freeze. STEP TWO: When ready to cook, preheat the air fryer to 250 degrees F. Remove the pork belly from the freezer.
Can one cook broccoli in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook broccoli in the air fryer like any other vegetable. You can add a little salt, garlic powder and pepper to enhance the flavor.
How to cook pork belly in air fryer?
– Place the wrapped pork belly in the air fryer. – Air fry the pork belly at **320°F / 160°C** for **30 minutes**. 5.**Crisp the Pork Belly**: – Turn up the temperature to **390°F / 195°C**. –
Is air frying pork belly good?
Air frying pork belly gets great results because the hot air helps to dry the skin out, getting it extra crispy. It’s simple. There is no need to boil it or pressure cook it first, no poking holes with a stick, and no deep frying. It’s fast.