Air Fryer Pork Belly

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Air Fryer Pork Belly is a delicious and easy dish to make in your air fryer. We love to serve this dish as an appetizer or as a main dish with some vegetables and fried rice.

The key to air fryer pork belly is ensuring that you get a good crispy outer crust while the meat is still juicy and tender on the inside.

cilantro and meat on a white plate ready for someone to eat it

One of our favorite ways to enjoy this pork belly is with Instant Pot Basmati Rice, it's literally the best! Of course, adding Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts to the meal makes it even more delicious!

For us, pork belly is just so easy to make in the air fryer, but you can also make it other ways like Sous Vide Pork Belly or Kakuni (Japanese Pork Belly) style. Both are YUMMY!

Interested in more air fryer ideas? Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Air Fryer Chicken Karaage are both amazing options that you can try for dinner this week!

Why This Recipe Works

The marinade adds great flavor to the pork belly.
Using the air fryer creates a crispy outer crust without deep frying.
Cooking in small batches ensures that the pork belly cooks evenly.

Ingredients

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.

Using pork belly, you can make a delicious meal for your family. Pork belly can be purchased at your local butcher or grocery store, and it is often sold in large slabs. We recommend slicing the pork belly into 1 inch thick slices before marinating.

The next important ingredient in this dish is soy sauce, which adds a rich umami flavor to the pork belly.

Rice vineger and brown sugar also add sweetness to the marinade, creating a balanced flavor profile.

Keep in mind you can play with the ingredients for the marinade, but it's fairly simple and very easy to make!

Step by Step Instructions

Combine all the ingredients (except pork belly) in a bowl and mix to combine.

Add the pork belly and mix to coat well. Let it sit in the fridge for 30-60 minutes.

Place the pork belly in the air fryer basket in a single layer (may have to cook 2 batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket).

pork belly put on a white plate with cilantro on top

Cook at 400F degrees for 18-22 minutes, tossing the basket every 7-8 minutes. *start checking for doneness at 18 minutes to ensure the pork belly doesn't burn.

Remove and serve hot as an appetizer or with this Instant Pot Jasmine Rice for a full meal.

Expert Tips

Allow the pork belly to marinate for at least 2 hours, or even overnight for the best flavor.
Cut the pork belly in even pieces to ensure it cooks evenly.
Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer to ensure the pork belly gets nice and crisp.
Add ⅛-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the marinade for some heat if you like spicy.
Cook in small batches in the air fryer to ensure that the pork belly cooks evenly.
Serve with rice and your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.
Leftover pork belly can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days and can be reheated in the air fryer or in a skillet.
This dish is also delicious served cold as a sandwich or wrap filling.

pieces of pork belly on a white plate cut into small pieces

Common Questions

Can I cook frozen pork belly in the air fryer?

I would recommend thawing and marinating the pork belly before cooking in the air fryer for the best results. Cooking frozen meat in the air fryer can lead to uneven cooking and can result in undercooked or overcooked meat.

Should I use a different type of marinade for this dish?

Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite marinade or sauce for this dish. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time if needed.

Can I use a different cut of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can definitely use a different cut of meat such as pork chops or pork loin. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Is it possible to make this dish without an air fryer?

If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook the pork belly in a skillet on the stovetop or bake it in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until crispy and cooked through.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover pork belly can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days and can be reheated in the air fryer or in a skillet.

You can freeze leftover pork belly, but the texture may change slightly after being frozen and thawed. It will still be delicious in sandwiches or wraps.

pieces of meat cut up into tiny pieces with cilantro

More Pork Belly Recipes

Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!