Buzz
I often come across images of crispy pork belly with thick slabs of meat crowned with bubbly, crackling skin. It's a sight that's both tempting and a little intimidating. The thought of preparing such large cuts for the first time can leave anyone wondering, 'Where can I find a pork belly that size?' or 'What if I mess it up and waste all this meat?'
This Air Fryday, I invite you to try making crispy pork belly the easy way. With the air fryer, even first-timers can achieve perfection. Treat your taste buds to the deliciousness of these air-fried pork belly bites.
Understanding the difference between pork belly and bacon.
Pork belly comes from the belly of the pig, and if it reminds you of bacon, that's no coincidence: Bacon is simply pork belly that has been smoked, cured, and sliced into strips. A raw slab of pork belly is typically unsmoked and uncured, but it still contains the same beloved layers of fat and meat found in bacon.
Fatty pork excels in the air fryer, thanks to the convection process. The hot air circulates around the basket, causing the fat in the pork to render and crisp under intense heat. Cutting the pork belly into 1-inch chunks increases the surface area for better flavor and browning, reduces cooking time, and makes the bites more casual and easy to eat. Additionally, you only need about 8 to 10 ounces of pork belly to make two servings, which is far more accessible than the larger cuts of meat.
How to prepare air fryer pork belly bites.
You can simply chop up the pork belly and toss it into the air fryer; the fat within the meat will do the work. However, when the chance to enhance the flavor presents itself, I seize it. Here’s how you can make the most of your pork belly.
1. Cut the meat into slices
If the pork belly has tough skin (or rind) along the fatty edge, trim it off. Slice the pork into one-inch pieces, cutting across the layers so that each piece includes the delicious streaks of meat and fat. If the slab is large, feel free to halve the pieces. I ended up with pieces about one inch in width, one inch in length, and two inches in height.
2. Season the pork
Place the meat in a mixing bowl and season it. I used fish sauce, pepper, and sugar, but feel free to experiment with other ingredients like Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce. For extra crispness, I added a teaspoon of cornstarch and a bit of oil. Toss everything together until the meat is fully coated.
3. Air fry the bites
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F on the 'air fry' setting, then cook the pork for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. The pork is done when the fat bubbles up and the edges become crispy.
The fat forms a tender crust while the light seasoning enhances the umami flavor. You can stuff these crispy bites into a pita with pickled veggies, add them to noodle soup, or just snack on them directly from a bowl while going about your day. (Personally, I love eating pork belly bites with a generous portion of steamed jasmine rice and a drizzle of soy sauce.)
These pork belly bites are best enjoyed the same day, but they will stay fresh in the fridge for up to five days. To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer for about three minutes.
Air Fried Pork Belly Bites Recipe
Ingredients:
10 ounces of pork belly
1 tablespoon of fish sauce
1 teaspoon of sugar
4 or 5 cracks of black pepper
½ tablespoon of cornstarch
1 teaspoon of neutral oil
1. If your pork belly has tough skin along the fatty edge, remove it. Slice the pork into pieces approximately one inch wide and long, and two inches high, ensuring each piece includes the flavorful streaks of fat and meat.
2. Place the meat in a mixing bowl and add the fish sauce, sugar, pepper, cornstarch, and oil. Mix everything together thoroughly until the pork pieces are evenly coated with a light layer of the seasoning blend.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F on the 'air fry' setting. Add the pork pieces to the basket and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the pieces every 5 minutes. The pork belly is ready when the fat has bubbled up and the edges are crispy. Let it cool for a few moments before serving.
