Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly with Perfect Crackling 🐖✨

Just look at that golden, bubbly crackling! This Air Fryer Pork Belly turns out crispy on top and tender underneath every single time — and the best part is, it’s so easy with this tried-and-true method from J’Something on YouTube.

🐖 Air Fryer Pork Belly (Perfect Crackling Every Time)

This method gives you restaurant-quality pork belly at home — no oven, no fuss, just your trusty air fryer. The secret? Drying the rind first before blasting it at high heat. 👌

🧂 Ingredients

1 slab of pork belly
Salt & pepper (to taste)
1 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prep the pork belly

Bring the pork belly to room temperature.
Score the rind carefully with a Stanley knife (new, sharp blade).
Season the underside of the pork with salt and pepper.

2️⃣ Dry the rind

Place the pork belly rind-side up on a paper liner in your air fryer basket.
Pat the rind completely dry with a paper towel.
Brush with vinegar to help draw out moisture.

3️⃣ Low and slow first

Air fry at 100°C (210°F) for 30 minutes.
This step dries the rind — essential for that signature crunch!

4️⃣ Crisp it up

Brush the rind with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt.
Increase temperature to 200°C (390°F) and air fry for 25–35 minutes, depending on the size of your pork belly.

5️⃣ Rest and serve

Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing to keep the meat juicy.
Serve with roasted veggies or a tangy apple slaw.

✨ Tips for Extra Crispy Crackling

💡 Make sure the rind is completely dry before air frying.
💡 Avoid overcrowding the air fryer — air circulation is key.
💡 For a flavor twist, rub a little Chinese five spice or garlic powder into the meat before cooking.