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Crispy Pork Belly in an Air Fryer: The Ultimate Delight

Pork belly is a beloved dish in many cultures, renowned for its succulent meat and crispy skin. Traditionally, it can take hours to achieve the perfect balance of crunch and tenderness when roasted in the oven. However, with the advent of air fryers, cooking crispy pork belly has become significantly quicker and easier. This article will guide you through the process of making crispy pork belly in an air fryer, providing you with a delightful dish that is sure to impress family and friends.

Why Choose the Air Fryer?

Air fryers have rapidly gained popularity for their ability to produce crispy food without the excess fat that comes from deep frying. By using hot air circulation, these nifty appliances ensure an even cook while keeping your dish healthier. This is particularly beneficial for pork belly, which can be rich and fatty. The air fryer crisps the skin beautifully while allowing the fat to render, resulting in a dish that is both crunchy and flavoursome.

Ingredients

To make your crispy pork belly in an air fryer, you will need:

• 1 kg pork belly, skin scored
• 2 teaspoons salt (preferably sea salt)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon five-spice powder (optional for added flavour)
• Fresh herbs (such as rosemary or thyme) for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preparing the Pork Belly

Begin by selecting a good-quality piece of pork belly from your butcher or supermarket. Look for a piece with a good balance of meat and fat, as this will give you the best results. Score the skin with a sharp knife in a criss-cross pattern, taking care not to cut into the meat itself. This scoring helps the fat render down and results in a crispier texture.

2. Seasoning

Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture — this step is crucial for achieving crispy skin. Rub olive oil all over the pork belly, then generously season with salt and black pepper, ensuring that the seasoning gets into the scored skin. If you choose to use five-spice powder, rub it into the meat area as well for added depth of flavour.

3. Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for about 5 minutes. Preheating ensures that the pork belly starts cooking at the right temperature, which is essential for crispiness.

4. Cooking

Place the pork belly skin-side up in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 40–50 minutes, or until the skin has reached your desired level of crispiness. It’s wise to check the pork belly halfway through the cooking time; you can turn it over for even cooking if necessary. If the skin isn’t as crispy as you would like, you can give it an extra few minutes at the end, monitoring it closely to prevent burning.

5. Resting

Once cooked, remove the pork belly from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each bite is tender and juicy.

6. Serving

To serve, slice the pork belly into portions and arrange them on a platter. You can garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Crispy pork belly pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, such as creamy mashed potatoes, steamed greens, or a zesty apple slaw.

Tips for Success

• Make sure to dry the skin thoroughly before seasoning to achieve maximum crispiness.
• Experiment with different seasonings and spices to create your own unique flavour profile.
• Leftover pork belly can be stored in the fridge and reheated in the air fryer for another delicious meal.

Conclusion

Crispy pork belly cooked in an air fryer is not only easy and efficient but also yields impressive results that are sure to satisfy any meat lover. With its crunchy exterior and tender interior, this dish is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a Sunday roast or a mid-week treat. So, pull out your air fryer and give this recipe a try — you’ll be rewarded with a succulent delight that embodies comfort food at its finest!

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