Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly

Name: Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 lbs skin-on pork belly; 2 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder; 1/2 tsp white pepper; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp rice vinegar; 1/2 tsp baking soda (for skin only); 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Pork belly seasoned with five-spice and salt, air-fried until the skin crackles and the fat renders to silk while keeping the meat tender. Plan ahead: the pork needs to dry-brine uncovered in the refrigerator overnight.

65 minMediumServes 4600 cal/serving

ChineseDinnerAir FryerLow CarbHigh ProteinGluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

2 lbs skin-on pork belly
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp rice vinegar
1/2 tsp baking soda (for skin only)
2 scallions, thinly sliced

Instructions

1

Score the skin of the 2 lbs skin-on pork belly at 1/4-inch intervals using a sharp knife or skewer, being careful not to cut into the meat. Flip meat-side up and rub with 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, 1/2 tsp white pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Flip back to skin-side up.
2

Mix 1/2 tsp baking soda (for skin only) with a few drops of 1 tsp rice vinegar to form a thin paste. Brush this onto the skin only. Pat 2 tsp kosher salt evenly over the skin. Place uncovered on a rack in the refrigerator overnight to dry-brine.
3

Remove the pork belly from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
4

Place the pork belly skin-side up in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 25 minutes, then reduce to 350°F and cook for another 15-20 minutes. The skin should be deeply blistered and crackling, and the internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
5

If the skin needs more crackling, increase back to 400°F for 3-5 minutes, watching closely. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
6

Slice into bite-sized pieces and garnish with 2 thinly sliced scallions. Serve with steamed rice and dipping sauce if desired.

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Questions

How hot should the oil be for Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly?

For Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly, the air fryer is set to 400 F (about 205 C) in step 3. The longest stretch at that heat is 25 minutes, in step 4. Air fryers run hot or cool by model, so check two minutes early the first time. The frying oil is held at 400 F (about 205 C) in step 4. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy. The frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 4. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy.

Is the brine in Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly worth the time?

Step 2 reads: "Place uncovered on a rack in the refrigerator overnight to dry-brine." Yes. The salt in step 2 seasons the meat all the way through and helps it hold moisture, which gives you a wider margin before it dries out.

Is there a substitute for five-spice powder in Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly?

The entry for Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly calls for 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder. In its place: Ground cinnamon and star anise or anise seed, with a pinch each of clove and black pepper.

Is Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly low-carb?

A serving of Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly carries 0 g of carbohydrate. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 0 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 0 percent.

How much protein is in Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) has 28 g of protein in about 600 calories, alongside 0 g carbohydrate and 52 g fat, plus 480 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein dinner collection.

Serve it with

Scallion Pancakes side
Smashed Cucumber Salad with Garlic salad
Plum Sauce sauce
Hong Kong Milk Tea drink

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