Instant Pot Crispy Pork Belly Recipe: Easy & Flavorful Delight

Instant Pot Crispy Pork Belly is a big-time favorite in our household! There’s just something about that perfect balance of crispy, crackling skin and melt-in-your-mouth tender meat that keeps my family coming back for more. Traditionally, making this dish takes hours of roasting, but thanks to the Instant Pot, we can enjoy that same incredible flavor and texture in way less time—which means more happy faces around the dinner table!

Pressure cooking locks in all the juiciness, while a quick crisping step using the air fryer transforms the skin into that golden, shatteringly crispy perfection we all love. The combination of five-spice, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine infuses every bite with deep, savory goodness that makes this dish totally irresistible.

Whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a special gathering with friends and family, this recipe is a guaranteed winner. I hope you’ll love this Instant Pot Crispy Pork Belly Recipe as much as my family does and enjoy all the comforting flavors from the warmth of your own kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

✔ Quick & Easy – The Instant Pot dramatically cuts down cooking time while keeping the flavors bold and rich.
✔ Crispy Perfection – A simple technique in the air fryer ensures the skin turns out light, airy, and crispy every time.
✔ Versatile – Enjoy this pork belly with rice, in bao buns, or as a flavorful addition to noodle dishes.
✔ Restaurant-Quality at Home – You’ll never need takeout again after making this incredibly crispy and flavorful pork belly at home!

Nutritional Benefits:

While pork belly is definitely an indulgent treat, it also comes with some surprising nutritional benefits when enjoyed in moderation. Here’s why this dish isn’t just delicious but also brings some goodness to the table:

🥩 Rich in High-Quality Protein – Pork belly provides essential amino acids that support muscle growth, tissue repair, and overall body function. If you’re looking for a satisfying protein source, this dish has got you covered!

🧈 Healthy Fats for Energy & Brain Function – Pork belly contains both monounsaturated and saturated fats, which play a key role in providing long-lasting energy. Contrary to old beliefs, healthy fats are essential for brain function, hormone regulation, and overall cellular health.

🌿 Digestive Benefits from Five-Spice Powder – The warm spices in five-spice powder, such as star anise, cloves, and cinnamon, can help aid digestion and improve circulation. These aromatic spices have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to promote gut health.

🧂 Mineral Boost from Sea Salt & Soy Sauce – This dish contains essential minerals like sodium and potassium, which help maintain fluid balance and muscle function. Opting for a low-sodium soy sauce can help keep sodium levels in check while still delivering bold umami flavor.

🧄 Garlic for Immune Support – Fresh garlic not only adds depth to the flavor but also provides antioxidants and antibacterial properties that support a healthy immune system. It’s a small but mighty ingredient in this dish!

🥑 Avocado Oil for Heart Health – Instead of traditional oils, we use avocado oil, which is packed with heart-friendly monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. This helps promote cardiovascular health while keeping the pork belly crispy and delicious.

While pork belly is certainly a treat-yourself kind of dish, pairing it with fiber-rich veggies, whole grains, or a fresh salad can make it a balanced and satisfying meal. Enjoying it in moderation means you get all the deliciousness without the guilt! 😋

Ingredients:

For the Pork Belly:

• 1.5 lb pork belly – Choose a cut with a balanced fat-to-meat ratio for the best texture.
• 1 cup cold water – Helps create the steam needed for pressure cooking.
• 5 garlic cloves, crushed – Adds aromatic depth to the cooking broth.
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce – Infuses the pork with umami richness.
• 2 tsp pink himalayan salt – Essential for flavor and drawing out moisture for crispy skin.
• 2 tsp five-spice powder – A warm blend that enhances the pork’s natural savoriness.
• 1 tsp granulated sugar – Balances the seasoning with a slight caramelized sweetness.
• ½ tsp white pepper – Provides subtle heat and earthiness.
• 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine (optional) – A traditional Chinese cooking wine that adds depth.

For the Crispy Skin:

• ½ tsp pink himalayan salt – Helps dry out the skin for extra crispiness.
• ½ tsp baking powder – A secret trick to achieving light, crackling skin.
• 1 tbsp avocado spray oil – Ensures even crisping without burning.

Instructions:

Step 1: Gather and Prepare Your Ingredients
Before diving into this crispy pork belly recipe, take a moment to gather all your ingredients. Having everything measured and ready makes the cooking process seamless. Lay out the pork belly, soy sauce, five-spice powder, sugar, salt, white pepper, Shaoxing wine (if using), garlic cloves, and water. Trust me, this little bit of prep will make your cooking experience so much more enjoyable!

Step 2: Slice and Trim the Pork Belly
Place the pork belly on a sturdy cutting board. Using a sharp knife, trim any excess fat or uneven edges to ensure it cooks evenly. You want a nice, uniform slab that will crisp up beautifully later. If your pork belly has any stray bits of bone, carefully remove them as well.

Step 3: Score the Meat for Maximum Flavor
Flip the pork belly so the meaty side is facing up, and carefully score it in a diagonal pattern. Make sure not to cut too deep—just enough to allow the marinade to seep into the meat. This helps every bite burst with flavor and creates that irresistible texture we all love.

Step 4: Create the Spice Blend
In a small bowl, mix together the five-spice powder, salt, sugar, and white pepper. These spices are what give this recipe its signature aroma and deep, savory taste. The five-spice powder brings warmth and a touch of sweetness, while the salt and sugar balance everything beautifully.

Step 5: Mix the Marinade in the Instant Pot
Now, let’s build the base of our marinade. In the Instant Pot, combine soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, water, and the spice blend from the previous step. Give it a quick stir to dissolve the seasonings and create a fragrant cooking liquid that will infuse the pork belly with amazing flavor.

Step 6: Add the Garlic for an Extra Flavor Boost
Toss in the crushed garlic cloves—they’ll release their delicious aroma as the pork belly cooks. If you love a touch of garlic as much as I do, you’ll appreciate how it adds a subtle depth of flavor to this pork belly recipe.

Step 7: Place the Pork Belly in the Instant Pot
Carefully lower the pork belly into the Instant Pot, making sure the skin side is facing up. This ensures that the meat absorbs all the delicious flavors while the skin remains dry, setting it up for that perfect crispiness later on.

Step 8: Pressure Cook the Pork Belly to Tender Perfection
Seal the Instant Pot and set it to HIGH PRESSURE for 20 minutes. Once it’s done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before carefully venting any remaining steam. When you open the lid, you’ll be greeted with beautifully tender pork belly that’s already bursting with flavor!

Step 9: Remove and Let the Pork Belly Rest
Using tongs, carefully transfer the pork belly to a cutting board or plate. Let it rest for about 10 minutes—this helps retain the juices inside. While it’s resting, resist the temptation to start eating because we still have the best part ahead: making it crispy!

Step 10: Preheat the Air Fryer for the Ultimate Crunch
While the pork belly rests, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This high heat is what transforms the skin into that iconic, shatteringly crisp layer. If you’re using an oven, set it to 425°F on broil mode.

Step 11: Dry the Skin and Coat with Baking Powder & Salt
Pat the skin of the pork belly completely dry with paper towels. Sprinkle it with baking powder and salt, rubbing it in evenly. The baking powder helps create those beautiful air pockets. Be sure to spray an even spray of Avocado Oil on the skin to give it that ultimate crispiness.

Step 12: Place the Pork Belly in the Air Fryer
Carefully place the pork belly skin-side up in the air fryer basket. If it fits snugly, that’s okay—just make sure the hot air can circulate around it for even crisping.

Step 13: Air Fry the Pork Belly Until Golden and Crispy
Cook the pork belly at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, checking occasionally to make sure the skin is bubbling and crisping up evenly. If needed, you can extend the time by 5 more minutes for extra crunch.

Step 14: Slice and Serve
Once your pork belly is a deep golden brown and beautifully crunchy, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. Using a sharp knife, slice it into bite-sized pieces and get ready to enjoy the most satisfying bite of crispy pork belly you’ve ever had. Serve it with steamed rice, noodles, or as a delicious appetizer!

Pro Tips for the Crispiest Pork Belly

✔ Keep the skin dry – The drier the skin, the crispier the result! Pat it down with paper towels before seasoning.
✔ Use baking powder – This is the secret to achieving light, airy crispiness.
✔ Air fry in batches if needed – If making a larger batch, crisp up smaller portions separately.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

❓ Can I make crispy pork belly without an air fryer?
Yes! Simply place the pork belly under a preheated broiler at 425°F for 10-15 minutes, watching closely until the skin becomes crispy.

❓ How do I store leftover crispy pork belly?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to crisp it back up.

❓ What to serve with crispy pork belly?
Crispy pork belly pairs well with steamed jasmine rice, garlic fried rice, sautéed greens, bok choy, Asian slaw, noodles, bao buns, miso soup, or dipping sauces like hoisin, sweet soy glaze, or tangy vinegar sauce.

❓ How long does it take for pork belly to crisp up?
Once the pork belly is fully cooked, it typically takes 20-25 minutes in the air fryer at 400°F for the skin to become crispy. If using an oven broiler, expect 10-15 minutes at 425°F. The exact time can vary depending on your air fryer or oven, so keep an eye on it to prevent burning.

❓ Why isn’t my pork belly crispy?
If your crispy pork belly isn’t turning out as crunchy as expected, it could be due to a few reasons:

• The skin was too moist – Make sure to thoroughly pat it dry before seasoning.
• Not enough baking powder or salt – These help draw out moisture, leading to crispier skin.
• Air fryer or oven temperature was too low – Cooking at 400°F or higher is key.
• Not enough time – Sometimes an extra 5-10 minutes in the air fryer can make all the difference.
• Overcrowding – Make sure the pork belly has space for air to circulate evenly.

If needed, you can always pop it back into the air fryer or broiler for a few extra minutes to help it crisp up further!

Love This Recipe? Try More of My Chinese-Style Dishes!

If you enjoyed this Instant Pot Crispy Pork Belly Recipe, you’ll love trying more of my flavorful Chinese-inspired dishes! For another comforting and delicious classic, check out my Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Noodle Recipe, a quick and satisfying stir-fried noodle dish packed with savory flavors. Looking for a protein-packed snack? My Tea Eggs are a must-try, featuring beautifully marbled eggs infused with soy sauce, tea, and warm spices. And for an easy and delicious takeout favorite at home, my Chinese Beef and Broccoli Recipe delivers tender beef and crisp broccoli coated in a rich, savory sauce. Try them all and bring the bold and authentic flavors of Chinese cooking to your kitchen!