air fryer pork belly

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Marinating Time: 1 hour (optional)
Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: 40-45 minutes
Servings: 2-3
Intensity: Moderate

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) pork belly slices or strips
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (optional, for sweetness)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking spray or oil for greasing

Instructions:

1. Prepare Pork Belly:
   • If your pork belly slices are thick, you can score the skin side with a sharp knife in a crisscross pattern (be careful not to cut too deep into the meat).
   • Pat dry the pork belly slices with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Marinate Pork (Optional):
   • In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, honey or brown sugar (if using), rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
   • Place the pork belly slices in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over them. Ensure the pork belly is well coated in the marinade.
   • Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight for more flavor (optional step).
3. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
4. Air Fry Pork Belly:
   • Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil.
   • Place the marinated pork belly slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin-side up if applicable, without overcrowding (you may need to cook in batches).
   • Air fry the pork belly at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.
5. Flip and Continue Cooking:
   • After 15 minutes, carefully flip the pork belly slices using tongs.
   • Continue to air fry at 400°F (200°C) for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the pork belly is crispy and cooked through. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the slices.
6. Check Doneness:
   • To check if the pork belly is cooked, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. It should register at least 145°F (63°C) for pork to be safe to eat.
7. Rest and Serve:
   • Once cooked, remove the air-fried pork belly slices from the air fryer basket and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing.
   • Slice the pork belly into strips or pieces and serve hot as a delicious main dish or appetizer.

Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the pork belly slices and your air fryer model. Adjust cooking time as needed for desired crispiness and doneness.

Enjoy your crispy and flavorful air fryer pork belly! It pairs well with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or a fresh salad.