This Air Fryer Pork Belly is finger-licking-good! Made with a delicious sweet, spicy, savory marinade inspired by pork al pastor, you won’t be able to get enough! Bonus – It’s made in the air fryer, so it only requires about 25 minutes of cook time. Serve it over rice and veggies for a yummy, filling meal.
This crispy air fryer pork belly has a deliciously complex flavor and quick cook time, making it an excellent option for weeknight dinners. The marinade is easy to toss together (you likely have all the ingredients on hand) yet adds a mouthwatering taste to the recipe. These air fryer pork belly strips are made with less oil than the deep-fried version.
If you’re wondering what to serve with pork belly, I curated a list of 20 Easy Side Dishes!
You may want to add a few other pork recipes to your weekly meal rotation. Here are a few ideas: Easy Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Chops, Sticky Asian Pork Ribs in the Oven, or Dutch Oven Pulled Pork.
Interested in more easy air fryer recipes? Check out my 20 Easy Cosori Air Fryer Recipes post!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy – By cooking this yummy air fryer pork belly at a higher temperature first, it helps create a deliciously crunchy, crispy skin.
- No boiling required – Even without boiling, you’ll still have tender marinated pork belly strips (air fryer).
- No prep the day before – With this air-fried pork belly recipe, you don’t have to salt the pork belly the night before.
- Sweet – Pineapple juice, pineapple bits, and brown sugar help add a deliciously sweet taste to the pork belly.
- Kick of heat – Using chili powder adds a slight touch of heat to this dish.
- Umami-rich – Adding soy sauce helps create a complex, umami-rich taste.
- Versatile – Enjoy this yummy pork belly recipe as an appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
Can’t find any adobo sauce? I found The Best Substitutes for Adobo Sauce.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Make Pork Belly in the Air Fryer
Quick Overview
- Slice pork belly into strips.
- Marinate.
- Air fry until crispy.
Step by Step Instructions
Cut the pork belly into even pieces.
Do not overcook the pork belly; it will become tough/rubbery.
Step 1: Using a sharp knife, cut the pork belly into 3/4-inch cubes. I recommend cutting it into strips first and then in the opposite direction to create cubes.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl or zip-top bag, add the pork belly cubes.
Step 3: Add the pineapple juice, pineapple, brown sugar, soy sauce, adobo sauce, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, garlic, and cumin. Toss until well combined. Marinate for 4-6 hours.
Step 4: After the pork has finished marinating, place the cubes in the air fryer basket. All of the pork cubes should fit in most large air fryers at once.
Step 5: Air fry at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, shaking 2-3 times while cooking to rotate the cubes.
Step 6: Air fry at 280 degrees for another 12-15 minutes, shaking a few times, or until the pork is cooked to your liking. It should have a slight char and be crispy but still have some fat intact. If it is tough, continue cooking it at 280 degrees until it is tender.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Garnish this air fryer pork belly with fresh cilantro, a dash of hot sauce, or a drizzle of Cilantro Lime Sauce.
I love serving this tasty pork belly inside tacos or with dipping sauces. Here are a few Mexican side dishes you can prep alongside pork belly tacos:
Expert Tips
- Marinate the pork. Allowing this air fryer pork belly to marinate for at least four hours ensures it is flavorful. The pineapple juice is acidic, which helps tenderize the meat as it sits in the marinade.
- Do not add any oil. Since pork belly is very fatty, you do not need to add any oil. It should not stick to your air fryer, even with the marinade.
- Adjust cook time as needed. Since all air fryers cook differently, you may need to adjust the cook time for this crispy pork belly recipe. The outside of the pork belly should have a nice crisp/char. Yet, the meat should be tender and still have some fat when done.
Storage
Once your air fryer pork belly has cooled, you can serve it to your loved ones. Add leftover pork belly to airtight containers. Then, store it in the fridge for up to four days. Toss it in the air fryer to re-crisp and heat it for a few minutes at 400F before eating.
Additions & Variations
- Oven: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can still make this yummy pork belly dish in the oven. Follow the steps above to create the marinade, and allow the pork belly to sit in the sauce for four hours. Preheat the oven to 400F. Place the pork belly bites on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, cook for about 45 minutes or until you see crispy pork belly skin.
- Other seasoning: You can also make this air fryer pork belly with a Korean or Chinese-style marinade if you prefer. BBQ sauce also works well with pork belly. Adjust the seasoning when making this air fryer crispy pork belly dish to your liking.
Recipe FAQs
The length of time you need to cook air fryer pork belly depends on a few factors: the size of the pork belly pieces and the temperature. If you’re cooking pork belly at a higher temp, it won’t take as long to cook. I recommend cooking the pork belly at 400F for about 10 minutes in this air fry pork belly recipe. Then, drop the temperature to 280F and cook for another 12 minutes (or until the desired texture is reached).
I recommend cooking pork belly in the air fryer, as it helps cut down the cook time. Additionally, the air frying tends to create crispier air fryer pork belly bites.
Start by cooking the pork belly at a higher temp for a few minutes so it can char on the outside for a smoky flavor. Then, cook the pork belly at a lower temp to ensure it’s fully cooked.
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Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork belly
- 1/3 cup canned pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup diced pineapple
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons adobo sauce
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder, granulated garlic, & cumin
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, cut the pork belly into 3/4-inch cubes. I recommend cutting it into strips first and then in the opposite direction to create cubes.1 pound pork belly
- In a large mixing bowl or zip-top bag, add the pork belly cubes.
- Add the pineapple juice, pineapple, brown sugar, soy sauce, adobo sauce, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, garlic, and cumin. Toss until well combined. Marinate for 4-6 hours.1/3 cup canned pineapple juice, 1/4 cup diced pineapple, 3 Tablespoons brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons soy sauce, 2 Tablespoons adobo sauce, 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon chili powder, granulated garlic, & cumin
- After the pork has finished marinating, place the cubes in the air fryer basket. All of the pork cubes should fit in most large air fryers at once.
- Air fry at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, shaking 2-3 times while cooking to rotate the cubes.
- Air fry at 280 degrees for another 12-15 minutes, shaking a few times, or until the pork is cooked to your liking. It should have a slight char and be crispy but still have some fat intact. If it is tough, continue cooking it at 280 degrees until it is tender.
Notes
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
- Marinate the pork. Allowing this air fryer pork belly to marinate for at least four hours ensures it is flavorful. The pineapple juice is acidic, which helps tenderize the meat as it sits in the marinade.
- Do not add any oil. Since pork belly is very fatty, you do not need to add any oil. It should not stick to your air fryer, even with the marinade.
- Adjust cook time as needed. Since all air fryers cook differently, you may need to adjust the cook time for this crispy pork belly recipe. The outside of the pork belly should have a nice crisp/char. Yet, the meat should be tender and still have some fat when done.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe is delicious. I’ve made it multiple times along with the pickled red onions. I do have a dilemma. I was rushed to make it and it has only marinaded for an hour and a half. Will it be kinda “meh” as a result? We’ll find out.
I’m sure it will still be amazing!
It was. Making it yet again for family.