Air Fryer Pork Belly with Scored Cuts & Quick Pickled Onions
Air Fryer Pork Belly with Scored Cuts & Quick Pickled Onions
Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside! Scored Pork Belly & Refreshing Pickled Onions Recipe
Experience the ultimate pork belly with this incredibly delicious air fryer recipe! The scored pork belly emerges with a wonderfully crispy exterior and a juicy, flavorful interior that will amaze you. The accompanying quick pickled onions offer a delightful tangy and sweet contrast, cutting through the richness of the pork belly beautifully. This recipe is simple enough for beginners and uses just an air fryer for perfect results. Get ready for a sensational meal!
Main Ingredients- 600g thick-cut pork belly
- 1 medium onion
Pickled Onion Dressing- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 5 Tbsp vinegar
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp water
- 1/2 Tbsp mustard powder (or prepared mustard)
- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 5 Tbsp vinegar
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp water
- 1/2 Tbsp mustard powder (or prepared mustard)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the pork belly for cooking. Make several shallow, parallel cuts across the surface of the pork belly, about 1 cm apart. This scoring helps the fat render evenly, keeps the meat tender, and allows flavors to penetrate better. After scoring, season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Step 2
Arrange the seasoned pork belly in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Air fry at 180°C (356°F) for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of the pork belly. For even cooking, you can flip the pork belly halfway through. This method yields a perfectly crispy exterior and a succulent, juicy interior.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the quick pickled onions. Peel the onion and slice it thinly into half-moons or rings. To mellow the onion’s sharpness, soak the sliced onions in cold water for about 20 minutes. This step helps to soften the bite and make them more palatable. Drain the onions thoroughly after soaking.
Step 4
Prepare the dressing for the pickled onions. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, water, and mustard powder (or prepared mustard). Whisk everything together until the sugar is dissolved. Add the drained pickled onions to the dressing and toss gently to ensure they are evenly coated. Your refreshing and flavorful pickled onions are now ready to serve alongside the pork belly.
