Ingredients:
- For the Pork Belly:
- 1 lb (450 g) pork belly, skin scored
- 1 tablespoon five-spice powder
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium for a healthier option)
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine or dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
Instructions:
- Preheat Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Pork Belly:
- Score the skin of the pork belly in a crosshatch pattern. This helps the skin become crispy.
- Rub the pork belly all over with five-spice powder, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice wine, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Ensure the seasoning gets into the scored skin.
- Marinate:
- In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and grated ginger.
- Brush this marinade mixture over the pork belly. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator, or overnight for more flavor.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket:
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pork Belly:
- Place the marinated pork belly in the air fryer basket, skin side up. Ensure it’s in a single layer and not overcrowded.
- Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown. You might need to flip the pork belly halfway through cooking for even crispiness.
- Rest and Slice:
- Let the pork belly rest for about 5 minutes after cooking. This helps retain its juices and makes slicing easier.
- Slice into bite-sized pieces and serve.
- Serve:
- Serve the crispy Chinese pork belly with steamed rice, vegetables, or in a bao bun with your favorite toppings.
Tips:
- Scoring Skin: Make sure to score the skin deeply but not through the meat. This helps the skin crisp up nicely.
- Marinating Time: For the best flavor, allow the pork belly to marinate overnight if possible.
- Crispy Skin: If the skin isn’t as crispy as you’d like, you can add an extra 5 minutes of cooking time or use the air fryer’s “crisp” function if it has one.