Perfect Crispy Pork Belly Recipe: Quick, Easy, and Delicious 😋

Our family absolutely adores this dish; there’s nothing quite like the harmonious blend of crispy, crackling skin and incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly meat. If you’ve ever wondered what is pork belly or how to cook pork belly perfectly, you’re in the right place! While many pork belly recipes often demand hours of roasting, our Instant Pot method delivers that same exquisite flavor and texture in a fraction of the time, bringing more joy to your dinner table! 🥳 The pressure cooking technique ensures maximum juiciness for the pork belly, while a quick air fryer crisping step transforms the skin into that coveted golden, shatteringly perfect finish, making it truly a crispy pork belly masterpiece. ✨ Infused with a harmonious blend of five-spice, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine, every bite of this pork belly offers a deep, savory goodness that makes it truly irresistible. Whether it’s for a cozy weeknight meal or a special gathering, this pork belly recipe is always a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. 🎉 We genuinely hope you’ll cherish this crispy pork belly recipe as much as our family does, savoring its comforting flavors right in your own kitchen! 🏡

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Pork Belly Recipe: ❤️

Discover why this crispy pork belly recipe will become a staple in your kitchen for delicious pork belly recipes:

• Quick & Easy: The Instant Pot significantly reduces the cooking time for tender pork belly while preserving its rich, bold flavors. ⏱️
• Crispy Perfection: Our simple technique ensures the pork belly skin achieves a light, airy, and consistently crispy texture. 💯 This is truly the best crispy pork belly you can make at home!
• Versatile: Enjoy this delicious pork belly with steamed rice, tucked into bao buns, or as a flavorful addition to your favorite noodle dishes. 🍚🍜
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Master this incredibly flavorful pork belly dish, and you’ll find yourself skipping takeout for good! 🏠🥢

Nutritional Benefits of Pork Belly: 💪

While pork belly is certainly an indulgent delight, it also offers surprising pork belly nutrition benefits when enjoyed in moderation. Here’s why this dish isn’t just delicious but also contributes positively to your table:

• Rich in High-Quality Protein: It provides essential amino acids vital for muscle growth, tissue repair, and overall bodily function, making this pork belly a satisfying protein source. 🥩
• Healthy Fats for Energy & Brain Function: Containing both monounsaturated and saturated fats, this cut plays a key role in delivering sustained energy. These fats are crucial for brain function, hormone regulation, and cellular health. 🧠
• Digestive Benefits from Five-Spice Powder: The warm spices in five-spice powder, such as star anise, cloves, and cinnamon, can aid digestion and improve circulation—a traditional benefit often found in many pork belly recipes utilizing this blend. 🌿
• Mineral Boost from Sea Salt & Soy Sauce: This pork belly recipe includes essential minerals like sodium and potassium, which help maintain fluid balance and muscle function. Choosing a low-sodium soy sauce can help manage sodium levels while providing rich umami. 🧂
• Garlic for Immune Support: Fresh garlic not only deepens the flavor of the pork belly but also offers antioxidants and antibacterial properties that support a healthy immune system. 🧄
• Avocado Oil for Heart Health: Our use of avocado oil, instead of traditional oils, brings heart-friendly monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, ensuring the meat remains deliciously crispy while promoting cardiovascular wellness. 🥑

Pairing your pork belly with fiber-rich vegetables, whole grains, or a fresh salad can create a balanced and satisfying meal. 🥗 Enjoying this pork belly recipe in moderation means you get all the deliciousness without the guilt! 😋

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pork Belly: 🛒

To create this perfect crispy pork belly recipe, you’ll need a few key ingredients, divided into those for cooking the meat itself and those for achieving that irresistible crispy skin. This is the foundation for all great pork belly recipes.

For the Tender 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 – Essential for generating the steam needed during pressure cooking. 💧
• 5 garlic cloves, crushed – Adds an aromatic depth to the cooking broth. 🧄
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce – Infuses the meat with a rich umami flavor. 🍶
• 2 tsp pink himalayan salt – Crucial for seasoning and drawing out moisture for crispiness. 🧂
• 2 tsp five-spice powder – A warm, aromatic blend that elevates natural savoriness. 🌶️
• 1 tsp granulated sugar – Balances the seasonings with a subtle caramelized sweetness. 🍬
• ½ tsp white pepper – Provides a delicate heat and earthy undertone. 🤍
• 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine (optional) – A traditional Chinese cooking wine that adds significant depth. 🍷

For the Crispy Pork Belly Skin: 🌟

• ½ tsp pink himalayan salt – Further aids in drying out the skin for ultimate crispiness. 🧂
• ½ tsp baking powder – Our secret ingredient for achieving that famously light, crackling skin. 🧪
• 1 tbsp avocado spray oil – Ensures even crisping without burning. 🥑

Step-by-Step Instructions for Crispy Pork Belly: 📝

Follow these detailed steps to master your own crispy pork belly recipe and create a dish that’s truly unforgettable. Each stage is designed to ensure tender meat and perfectly crisp skin.

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. This bit of preparation will significantly enhance your cooking experience! ✨

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’re aiming for a nice, uniform slab that will crisp up beautifully later. If it has any stray bits of bone, carefully remove them. 🔪

Step 3: Score the Meat for Maximum Flavor
Flip the meat so the meaty side is facing up, and carefully score it in a diagonal pattern. Ensure you don’t cut too deep—just enough to allow the marinade to seep into the meat. This scoring technique helps every bite burst with flavor and contributes to that irresistible texture. 🤤

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 perfectly balance the flavors. 🥣

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 meat with amazing flavor. 🍲

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

Step 7: Place the Pork Belly in the Instant Pot (Skin Side Up)
Carefully lower the pork belly into the Instant Pot, ensuring the skin side is facing up. This crucial step 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 to Tender Perfection
Seal the Instant Pot and set it to HIGH PRESSURE for 20 minutes. Once cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before carefully venting any remaining steam. When you open the lid, you’ll be greeted with beautifully tender meat that’s already bursting with flavor! 🌬️

Step 9: Remove and Let Rest
Using tongs, carefully transfer the cooked meat 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, as the best part is yet to come: achieving that incredible crispiness! 🍽️

Step 10: Preheat the Air Fryer for the Ultimate Crunch
While the meat rests, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). 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 (218°C) on broil mode. ♨️

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

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

Step 13: Air Fry Until Golden and Crispy
Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure the skin is bubbling and crisping up evenly. If needed, you can extend the time by 5 more minutes for extra crunch. ⏱️ A golden glow is what you’re looking for! 🤩

Step 14: Slice and Serve Your Perfect Pork Belly
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 🌟

To ensure your pork belly recipe yields the absolute crispiest results every time, keep these professional tips in mind:

• Keep the Skin Dry: The drier the pork belly skin, the more spectacular the crispy outcome! Always pat it down thoroughly with paper towels before applying seasonings. 🌬️
• Utilize Baking Powder: This is truly the secret ingredient for achieving that remarkably light and airy crispiness on your pork belly. ✨
• Air Fry in Batches (If Necessary): If you’re preparing a larger quantity of pork belly, it’s best to crisp up smaller portions separately to allow for optimal air circulation and even crunch. 🍽️

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Pork Belly Recipe: 🤔

Here are some common questions about preparing and enjoying this delicious pork belly recipe:

What is Pork Belly?
Pork belly is a boneless, fatty cut of meat from the underside of the pig, known for its rich flavor and tender texture when cooked properly. It’s especially prized for its distinct layers of meat and fat, and when prepared well, its delightfully crispy skin. 🥓

How to cook Pork Belly?
Our pork belly recipe uses a two-step process: first, pressure cooking in an Instant Pot to tenderize the meat, followed by air frying to achieve that irresistible crispy pork belly skin. This method is efficient and delivers fantastic results! ⏱️

Can I make crispy pork belly without an air fryer?
Yes! You can achieve wonderfully crispy pork belly by simply placing the cooked meat under a preheated broiler at 425°F (218°C) for 10-15 minutes. Watch it closely to prevent burning until the skin becomes perfectly crispy. ♨️

How do I store leftover crispy pork belly?
Store your leftover crispy pork belly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To restore its crispiness, reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. 🧊

What to serve with crispy pork belly?
This dish pairs exceptionally well with steamed jasmine rice, garlic fried rice, sautéed greens like bok choy, Asian slaw, noodles, bao buns, miso soup, or various dipping sauces such as hoisin, sweet soy glaze, or a tangy vinegar sauce. 🍚🥗🍜

How long to cook pork belly in air fryer?
Once fully cooked, it typically takes 20-25 minutes in an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for the skin to become crispy. If using an oven broiler, expect 10-15 minutes at 425°F (218°C). The exact time can vary, so monitor closely. ⏱️

Why isn’t it crispy? If your crispy pork belly skin isn’t as crunchy as desired, it might be due to several factors:

• The skin was too moist – Ensure you thoroughly pat it dry before seasoning. 💧
• Insufficient baking powder or salt – These ingredients are crucial for drawing out moisture and achieving crispier skin. 🧂
• Air fryer or oven temperature was too low – Cooking at 400°F (200°C) 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 meat has enough space for hot air to circulate evenly. 🌬️ If needed, you can always pop your pork belly back into the air fryer or broiler for a few extra minutes to help it crisp up further! ✨

Discover More Delicious Chinese-Style Dishes! 🥢

If you thoroughly enjoyed this Instant Pot Crispy Pork Belly Recipe, we encourage you to explore more of our flavorful Chinese-inspired dishes! For another comforting and delicious classic, delve into our 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? Our 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, our 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 to your kitchen! 😋