Air Fryer Pork Belly with Crispy Skin

Make this pork belly air fryer recipe when you want tender, juicy pork belly with beautifully crisp skin. Pork belly is similar to fresh, unsliced bacon, but it is usually sold as a slab with the skin still attached. Because pork belly is naturally high in fat, the air fryer is a useful way to cook it: the hot circulating air helps render some of the fat while crisping the skin. Serve it with warm cinnamon applesauce, fruit salsa, barbecue sauce, or simple vegetables for a comforting and satisfying meal.

This air fryer pork belly recipe was created after a reader asked for a simple way to make pork belly at home. If you enjoy air fryer recipes, this is a great one to try because the method is straightforward and the results are impressive.

Pork belly is not as common in everyday American cooking as bacon, but the two cuts are closely related. Both come from the belly of the pig. Bacon is usually cured, smoked, and sliced, while pork belly is generally sold fresh and minimally processed. When you turn a slab of pork belly on its side, you can see the familiar layers of meat and fat that resemble bacon.

What is pork belly? Pork belly is a fresh, fatty cut from the underside of the pig. You can think of it as uncured, unsliced bacon with the skin still attached.

Air frying bacon can sometimes make a greasy mess, but air frying pork belly is easier to manage. You get rich flavor, crisp skin, and less cleanup because much of the rendered fat collects in the drip pan instead of staying on the food.

Time is one of the most important ingredients in this recipe. For the crispiest pork belly skin, start the preparation the night before you plan to serve it. The ingredient list itself is short and simple:

• 1½ lbs pork belly, skin attached
• 1 teaspoon finely ground sea salt
• ½ tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried sage
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• Cooking oil spray

Baking powder may seem unusual in a pork belly recipe, but it is essential for crisp skin. It helps the surface dry and blister under high heat, creating that crackly texture many people love. If you use too little baking powder, the skin may remain soft. You can continue cooking at 400°F, but too much extra time at high heat can dry the meat.

The same technique works well on foods with skin, such as air fryer chicken wings. Here, it helps pork belly skin crisp quickly while the meat stays moist.

➕ How to Cook Pork Belly in Air Fryer

Use an air fryer with enough room for the pork belly to sit flat without touching the heating element. Cooking times can vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so check the pork belly as it cooks and adjust the time if needed.

For best results, begin the night before. Dry skin is the key to crispy air fryer pork belly, and resting the salted pork belly in the refrigerator helps draw out moisture.

1. Use a metal skewer to poke holes in the pork belly skin, spacing them about 1½ to 2 inches apart. Try not to push all the way through the meat, though it is fine if that happens occasionally.

2. Rub the pork belly all over with salt. Place it skin side up on a plate and refrigerate overnight. If moisture collects on the plate or on the surface of the pork belly, blot it with paper towels.

3. The next evening, mix the baking powder, garlic powder, dried sage, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Rub the mixture over all sides of the pork belly, then mist the pork belly generously with cooking oil spray. The baking powder mixture should be well moistened with oil.

⏲ Pork Belly Air Fryer Temperature and Time

5. Watch the pork belly during the final high-heat stage. If the skin is not crisp enough after 10 minutes at 400°F, continue cooking for up to 10 minutes more.

6. Let the pork belly rest for 10 minutes after air frying. Slice it into strips or bite-sized pieces with a sharp knife and serve warm.

♨️ A Tip for Cooking Pork Belly in the Air Fryer

Pork belly can buckle slightly as it cooks. If it rises too close to the top heating element, the skin may develop a little ash or residue. If you notice this happening, move the pork belly to a lower rack if your air fryer allows it.

If you do not catch it in time, do not worry. Any ash or excess baking powder on the skin can usually be wiped away with a paper towel, and the crispy skin will remain intact.

For the best texture, use enough baking powder. The finished pork belly may not look perfectly neat before cooking, but the result is worth it. Flavor and crispiness matter more than appearance here.

⭐ Why Make Air Fryer Pork Belly

• It helps render excess fat. As the pork belly cooks, some of the fat drips into the bottom of the air fryer instead of staying on the plate.
• The skin gets crisp and crackly. The combination of overnight drying, baking powder, oil spray, and high heat creates a crisp top layer.
• No boiling is required. This method keeps the process simple while still producing great texture.
• It can fit low-carb and keto-style meals. Pork belly is very low in carbohydrates, though it is also high in fat and calories.
• It makes a special meal. If you have never cooked pork belly at home, the air fryer is a practical and approachable method.

🥗 What Goes with Air Fryer Pork Belly?

Because pork belly is rich, it pairs well with fruits and vegetables that balance the meal. Warm applesauce is a classic choice, especially with cinnamon. Pear sauce, fruit salsa, low-calorie salsa, potato rice, or roasted vegetables can also work well.

For a lighter plate, add non-starchy vegetables such as zucchini, carrots, green beans, cabbage, or a simple side salad. Barbecue sauce can also be served with crispy pork belly if you prefer a sweet and savory flavor.

👩🏻‍🍳 More Pork Belly Cooking Notes

You can season pork belly in different ways while keeping the same basic cooking method. Chinese five-spice powder may be used instead of the sage, thyme, and rosemary. Chili powder, black pepper, maple-style sweetness, honey, or a glaze can also be used depending on your taste. If your pork belly is split lengthwise, the air frying temperature and time can remain the same, though you may need to poke fewer holes in the skin.

Pork Belly Air Fryer Recipe

This recipe includes metric measurements for cooks in Australia and other parts of the world. Enjoy it as a delicious homemade alternative to pork belly dishes served at Korean barbecue, Filipino restaurants, or Chinese-style meals.