This mouthwatering dish proves that simple ingredients can transform mundane meat into a masterpiece!
If you’ve never tried pork belly before, consider this your invitation. Pork belly is a rich, flavorful meat that’s often forgotten when it comes to favorite pork cuts. Known for its layers of fat and meat, it offers the ideal balance of texture, flavor, and indulgence. When cooked and prepared properly, the fat actually renders down, leaving the remaining meat impossibly juicy and tender. Convinced yet?
Because of this, pork belly has started to pop up more and more in restaurants. Its popularity is due to its tasty versatility and filling, satisfying heartiness. If you haven’t tried pork belly, you’re in for a treat. Thanks to its high fat content, this meat cooks particularly well in the air fryer, with a crispy exterior and a juicy, tender interior. This recipe balances sweet and savory with a mixture of maple syrup, garlic powder, and a bit of salt and pepper. However, feel free to add your favorite spices to make this recipe your own.
Is Pork Belly Healthy?
Yes, pork belly has a lot of fat. Like a lot of fat. But pork belly does have some healthy components to it (and it is keto-friendly, too). If you’re not needing to watch your fat intake, pork belly contains an abundance of B vitamins as well as vitamin E and selenium. Now, I bet you’re wondering about all that fat. Well, pork belly is an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, which are generally considered healthy fats. However, it does also contain high levels of saturated fat, too. I’m not saying you should eat pork belly every day, but there’s certainly no shortage of nutrients if you’re craving a meat treat here and there.
What Is Pork Belly? And Where Can I Find It?
Pork belly is one of the most popular meats worldwide, and it’s growing in popularity in America, too. But what is it exactly? Basically, it’s a cut that comes from the pig’s underside. That’s why it’s such a fatty cut of meat, which also makes it perfect for air fryer recipes. The air fryer’s heat circulation puts that fat to good use by rendering it out slowly, allowing the meat to become crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside.
These days, it’s pretty easy to find pork belly at your grocery store’s butcher section. I like to visit my local butcher, who carries a great selection of organic, pasture-raised meats, which I personally find taste better.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Air-fryer pork belly makes excellent leftovers, and it even tastes delicious cold (try it on a salad for lunch! It’ll add protein and unparalleled flavor). As long as you store it in an airtight container, this dish should last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
I love dipping this air-fried pork belly in a Chipotle Sauce or Honey-Mustard Sauce. The contrasting flavors of the pork belly with either of these dipping sauces is just delightful. However, when it comes to pork belly, you need more than just dipping sauces. While certainly versatile, pork belly is a comfort food dish to me, and I like to serve it up alongside some favorite comfort food dishes. This includes Mashed Potatoes, Corn on the Cob and a heaping side of Crispy Asparagus. Served up like this, you’ll have yourself a hearty, comfort-filled meal.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds pork belly cut into 1-inch pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Ensure the air fryer is ready to cook for even, crispy results.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the avocado oil, maple syrup, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Toss the pork belly pieces in the oil mixture until each piece is evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Arrange the pork belly pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded for optimal air circulation.
- Cook the pork belly in the air fryer for 18-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to promote even cooking and crispiness.
- Once the pork belly bites are golden brown and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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