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Air-Fried Crispy Pork Belly

Wanting
This Air-Fried Crispy Pork Belly is the perfect combination of crunchy crackling and juicy, tender meat. It's simple to make at home with an air fryer, giving you restaurant-quality results with minimal effort!
Course Lunch, dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pork belly with skin about 360g
  • A few spring onion stems
  • 3-5 ginger slices
  • 2 tsb Sichuan peppercorns
  • Salt
  • Rice wine vinegar or any white vinegar

MARINADE (Use equal amounts of each ingredient)

  • 1 tbsp Chinese five spice
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp white pepper
  • 1 tbsp cooking wine or sake

TO PAIR

  • Lettuce
  • Gochujang dipping sauce (mix gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, syrup, and sesame seeds) Or serve with steamed rice and your favourite Chinese sauce

Instructions
 

  • Place pork belly in a pot with cold water, spring onion, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns,and sake/cooking wine. Simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes until the meat turns white.
  • Transfer to a plate, pat dry, and ensure it's completely dry.
  • Make cuts on the meat side (not through the meat) for better marinating and easier slicing later.
  • Mix the marinade ingredients and brush over the meat side only. Avoid the skin and let marinate for at least 30 minutes. Ensure the skin stays dry.
  • Poke holes all over the skin with a fork. Wrap the pork belly in foil (skin side up), creating a foil frame.
  • Brush the skin with rice wine vinegar, cover with a generous layer of salt, and air fry at 120°C for 30 minutes.
  • Remove salt, brush the skin with vinegar again, and air fry at 200°C for 20-25 minutes, checking to avoid burning.
  • Let the pork rest before slicing. When chopping the crispy pork belly, flip skin-side down and cut from the meat side for easier slicing.
  • Serve with lettuce, rice, and dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Did you try this recipe? Tag @iswanting on Instagram and use the hashtag #iswantingrecipes – I’d love to see your creation!
Keyword Air-fried, Crispy, Pork