If you have ever craved that irresistible combo of crispy crackling and tender, juicy pork but didn’t want to mess around with the oven (or cleaning up!), this Air Fryer Belly Pork recipe is your new go-to. I have been testing this one for a while to get the skin just right. And honestly, the air fryer knocks it out of the park.
Pork belly is one of those cuts that feels a bit indulgent and totally comforting. Traditionally slow roasted or deep fried, it can be time consuming or greasy. But not anymore! The air fryer delivers that perfect crunch with way less oil and fuss, and in a fraction of the time. And yes, you can get that gorgeous crispy skin without hours of prep or heating up your whole kitchen.
This version is lightly marinated with soy, garlic, vinegar, and a little five spice for those warm, savoury flavours that pair beautifully with the rich pork. I also use a little baking powder trick (more on that below!) to help crisp up the skin even more. So don’t skip that step if you’re after crackling perfection.
Whether you are serving this as a main with rice and stir fried greens, piling it into bao buns with hoisin and pickled cucumber, or just sneaking pieces straight from the air fryer basket (no judgement here!), it is one of those recipes that never lasts long.
If you’ve never cooked pork belly in the air fryer before, you’re in for a treat. Once you’ve tried it this way, you might never go back!
So let’s dive into the recipe. Crispy, sticky, and absolutely delicious pork belly awaits.
PREP 10 minutes (plus marinating time)
COOK 30 – 35 minutes
SERVES 4 people
KIT you will need an air fryer and kitchen roll
Ingredients for Air Fryer Belly Pork
500g pork belly, skin on, cut into bite-sized chunks or strips
1 tsp of sea salt
½ tsp of baking powder (optional, helps crisp the skin)
1 tsp of Chinese five spice
1 tbsp of soy sauce
A tbsp of rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp of brown sugar
Olive oil spray
Method
So start by cutting your pork belly into bite-sized chunks or strips, depending on how you like it served. Make sure each piece has a good bit of skin, fat, and meat for the perfect balance. Pat the pork dry with kitchen paper. So this is key for crispy skin. If the skin hasn’t already been scored, you can gently score it with a sharp knife or prick it all over with a skewer or fork. This helps the fat render and gives you that crunchy crackling.
Then in a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, brown sugar, and five spice powder. Stir well until the sugar dissolves. Toss the pork belly pieces in the marinade, making sure they’re well coated. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavour.
After marinating, take the pork out and pat it dry again. Especially the skin. This step helps remove any moisture that could stop it crisping. Rub the skin side with sea salt and a light dusting of baking powder. The baking powder helps blister the skin and make it really crunchy.
Next, preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for a couple of minutes. Leave the crisper plates in. So lightly spray the basket with oil, then place the pork belly pieces skin-side up in a single layer. Air fry for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway through. For extra crispy skin, increase the temperature to 210°C for the final 5 minutes.
So let the pork belly rest for 5 minutes after cooking. This will help to keep it really juicy. Finally serve hot with rice, bao buns, or dipping sauces.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Belly Pork
Here’s some top tips to get the best result every time you cook pork belly in your air-fryer.
1. Dry = Crispy
So moisture is the biggest enemy of crispy skin. Always pat the pork belly dry before and after marinating, especially the skin. So if you have time, leave it uncovered in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) after marinating to dry out the skin even more.
2. Don’t Skip the Baking Powder
A small amount of baking powder (not baking soda!) helps the skin blister and puff up, giving you that signature crunch. It’s a well-loved trick in crispy wing recipes and works brilliantly on pork skin too.
3. Give It Space
So don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Air needs to circulate around each piece to get an even crisp. If needed, cook in batches for the best results.
4. Start Lower, Finish Hot
Cooking at 200°C gives you a juicy centre, while bumping it up to 210°C for the final 5 minutes helps the skin crisp up beautifully. Keep an eye on it near the end so it doesn’t burn.
5. Let It Rest
Resting your pork belly for 5 to 10 minutes after cooking allows the juices to redistribute, making each bite more succulent. It also gives the skin a moment to firm up further.
6. Reheat Like a Pro
Leftovers? Pop them back in the air fryer for 3 or 4 minutes at 180°C. The skin crisps back up like magic.
7. Flavour Swaps
So try different marinades. You can go smoky with paprika and BBQ sauce, spicy with gochujang, or keep it simple with salt and pepper. Pork belly is super versatile!
Related Recipes
If crispy, flavour-packed comfort food is your thing (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love that?), you’ll definitely want to check out these other popular recipes from the site. Each one is so simple, satisfying, and made right in the air fryer. No faff, no fuss, just good food fast.
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Air Fryer Crispy Pork Chops
So crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, these air fryer pork chops are coated in a seasoned crumb and make a brilliant alternative to deep frying.
Air Fryer Roast Pork
This no-fuss roast pork comes out juicy with perfectly crisp crackling. All from the air fryer. Serve it up with roasties, gravy, and your favourite veg for a proper Sunday dinner.
Air Fryer Sausage Bake
A comfort food classic, this one-pan wonder delivers big flavour and minimal washing up. So great served in a bun or over mash.
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