I recently tried an air fried pork belly recipe that left me pleasantly surprised. The pork belly, enhanced with kosher salt, garlic, and a little apple cider vinegar, turned out remarkably crunchy with every bite. It’s an inventive twist that promises the irresistible flavor of perfectly crisped pork belly in a fraction of the usual time.

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I’ve been experimenting with pork belly recipes lately and stumbled upon a game-changer with this Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly. I couldn’t believe how quickly it all came together when I used just a few simple ingredients like 1 lb pork belly with its skin on and scored, a pinch of kosher salt (I split it into seasoning and crisping parts), some baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, a bit of black pepper and just a dash of apple cider vinegar.

What normally takes hours can now be done in a fraction of the time thanks to the air fryer magic. If you love that Lechon Air Fryer vibe or are into Pork Airfryer Recipes, then you definitely gotta give this a try.

It’s a fresh spin on the usual Crispy Pork Loin method and double as a fun, healthy twist on traditional Pork Belly Slow Cooker recipes. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked on this crispy goodness.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because it gives me a quick way to get that crispy pork belly crunch that normally takes forever to make. I really dig the mix of spices and the apple cider vinegar on the skin which brings a tangy flavor that makes each bite interesting. I also love how simple and straightforward it is to make, even though it still produces a restaurant-quality dish. Lastly, using the air fryer means I can enjoy tender, evenly cooked pork belly without all the hassle of a long roast, which is perfect when I’m short on time.

Ingredients

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Pork Belly is loaded with protein and fat that gives rich flavor and tender meat
Kosher Salt boosts taste and helps crisp the skin even better
Baking Powder works its magic in the air fryer to create a crunchier surface
Garlic Powder adds a savory punch with some healthful anti-inflammatory perks
Onion Powder delivers a light sweetness that balances the overall taste
Ground Black Pepper gives a subtle kick that elevates the seasoning
Apple Cider Vinegar brings a sharp tang that brightens and tenderizes the pork belly

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb pork belly, skin on and scored

1 tablespoon kosher salt (divided; some for seasoning, some for crisping)

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

How to Make this

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1. First, pat the pork belly dry with some paper towels, making sure the skin is really dry and already scored.

2. Mix the baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl.

3. Rub 1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt and the spice mix all over the meat side of the pork belly.

4. Flip it over and rub the other 1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt evenly into the skin so it can get really crispy.

5. Drizzle the apple cider vinegar all over the skin for an extra tang that helps crisp it up.

6. Let the pork belly sit uncovered in the fridge for about 30 minutes so that the skin dries out a bit.

7. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

8. Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket with the skin side up.

9. Cook for about 25-30 minutes until the skin is crunchy and the meat feels tender, checking and flipping if needed.

10. Take it out, let it rest for a few minutes then cut it into bite sized pieces, serve and enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Paper towels
2. Small bowl for mixing spices
3. Measuring spoons for kosher salt, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and apple cider vinegar
4. Refrigerator to chill the pork belly
5. Air fryer with its basket
6. Tongs or a spatula for flipping the pork belly if needed
7. Knife and cutting board for slicing the pork belly after cooking

FAQ

Q: How do I get the skin super crispy?

Make sure you pat the pork belly dry really well before adding the salt and baking powder. The combination of salt and powder help to pull the moisture out and crisp it up.

Q: Do I need to score the pork belly skin?

Yes, scoring helps the fat render evenly and the seasonings to work better. Just be careful not to cut too deep into the meat.

Q: What air fryer settings should I use?

Most air fryers do a great job at about 400°F. Cook it for around 25-30 minutes and flip halfway through to get an even crisp.

Q: Can I use regular salt instead of kosher salt?

You can, but regular table salt is finer which may cause it to be too salty if you dont adjust the quantity. Its best to use kosher salt as stated.

Q: Is apple cider vinegar really necessary?

The vinegar helps tenderize the meat a bit and adds a subtle tang so it is worth using. If you dont have any, its optional but you might miss a bit of that flavor kick.

Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Instead of kosher salt you can use sea salt or table salt but make sure to adjust the amount since they vary in saltiness
If you dont have baking powder, you can mix 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
If garlic powder isnt around you can substitute with a little bit of crushed fresh garlic, though it changes the flavor a bit
For the apple cider vinegar, white vinegar or even a squeeze of lemon juice will work just fine

Pro Tips

1) Make really sure the skin is as dry as possible before cooking cause moisture can cause soggy skin and nobody likes that crunchy crunch. Sometimes i even leave it in the fridge a bit longer if its humid.
2) If your air fryer cooks a little uneven, don’t be afraid to check it halfway through and flip or shift it around a bit so everything gets equal crispy goodness.
3) Let it rest after cooking even though it seems like you cant wait, because letting it settle means juicier meat and easier slicing without it falling apart.
4) Experiment with the seasoning amounts a little bit; do a test run to see if you prefer a bit more salt or a stronger vinegar kick because every piece of pork belly can behave a little different.

Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Recipe

Recipe by Pho Tsventsi

0.0 from 0 votes

I recently tried an air fried pork belly recipe that left me pleasantly surprised. The pork belly, enhanced with kosher salt, garlic, and a little apple cider vinegar, turned out remarkably crunchy with every bite. It's an inventive twist that promises the irresistible flavor of perfectly crisped pork belly in a fraction of the usual time.

Servings

servings

Calories

350

kcal

Equipment: 1. Paper towels
2. Small bowl for mixing spices
3. Measuring spoons for kosher salt, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and apple cider vinegar
4. Refrigerator to chill the pork belly
5. Air fryer with its basket
6. Tongs or a spatula for flipping the pork belly if needed
7. Knife and cutting board for slicing the pork belly after cooking

Ingredients

1 lb pork belly, skin on and scored
1 tablespoon kosher salt (divided; some for seasoning, some for crisping)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Directions

First, pat the pork belly dry with some paper towels, making sure the skin is really dry and already scored.
Mix the baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Rub 1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt and the spice mix all over the meat side of the pork belly.
Flip it over and rub the other 1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt evenly into the skin so it can get really crispy.
Drizzle the apple cider vinegar all over the skin for an extra tang that helps crisp it up.
Let the pork belly sit uncovered in the fridge for about 30 minutes so that the skin dries out a bit.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket with the skin side up.
Cook for about 25-30 minutes until the skin is crunchy and the meat feels tender, checking and flipping if needed.
Take it out, let it rest for a few minutes then cut it into bite sized pieces, serve and enjoy!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.