Air Fryer Pork Belly
Air Fryer Pork Belly – Crispy Crackling, Juicy Perfection Every Time!
If you’re a fan of tender, flavorful pork belly with that irresistible crispy crackling, this air fryer pork belly recipe will quickly become your go-to favorite! It’s practically fool-proof — golden, crunchy skin on top with melt-in-your-mouth juicy meat underneath. 🤤
The best part? You only need a handful of ingredients and an air fryer to achieve that perfect roast-pork-style crunch without using the oven!
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ No oven needed – your air fryer does all the magic
✅ Perfectly crispy crackling and juicy meat
✅ Simple seasoning with big flavor
✅ Reliable results — every single time
🧂 Ingredients
- 1½ lb / 700g pork belly
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher or flaked salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare the Pork Belly
Use a sharp knife to score the rind (skin) of the pork belly, making sure to cut into the fat layer — not into the meat.
Rub 1 teaspoon of salt into the skin, making sure it gets into the scored lines. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then blot away any moisture with paper towels (this helps the crackling crisp up beautifully).
Step 2 – Season and Wrap
Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
Drizzle olive oil over the pork belly and rub it in. Flip it over and season the meat side with the remaining salt and black pepper.
Place the pork belly on a large piece of foil — wrap the sides up around the meat but leave the skin uncovered. This keeps the meat juicy while letting the skin crisp perfectly.
Step 3 – Air Fry to Tender Perfection
Place the pork belly skin side up in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 30 minutes.
- Then increase the temperature to 390°F (195°C) and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Check it after 5 minutes — if the crackling is perfectly crisp and golden, you can stop early to prevent burning.
Step 4 – Rest and Serve
Once done, let the pork belly rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
Then, place it skin-side down on a cutting board and slice using a sharp knife. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce (sweet chili, soy-garlic, or hoisin) and enjoy the crunch! 😋
📏 Notes
- Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and pork thickness.
- Target internal temperature: 195°F (90°C) for tender, juicy results.
- Pork is safe to eat at 145°F (65°C), but higher temperatures help render the fat beautifully.
- For extra crispy skin, you can pat dry and refrigerate the pork (uncovered) for 2 hours before cooking.
🌟 Tips for Perfect Pork Belly
- Dry skin = crispy skin – moisture is the enemy of crackling!
- Don’t skip the resting step – it keeps the meat juicy and flavorful.
- Use coarse salt – it helps draw out moisture from the skin.
- Experiment with flavors – add a little garlic powder, five spice, or smoked paprika to the meat side before cooking for a fun twist.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair your air fryer pork belly with:
- Air Fryer Garlic Butter Brussels Sprouts 🥦
- Steamed rice and dipping sauce 🍚
- Roasted potatoes or air-fried veggies 🥔
- Fresh cucumber salad 🥗
This Air Fryer Pork Belly is the ultimate combination of ease and indulgence — crunchy, salty crackling and juicy, flavorful pork that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re cooking for a family feast or prepping ahead for the week, this recipe never disappoints.
Once you try it, you’ll never go back to oven-roasting again! 🧡
