Get ready to enjoy some finger-licking crispy air fryer pork belly (pururuca). Now you can prepare this delicacy in a practical and faster way. It makes for a wonderful lunch or an amazing appetizer, so let’s get to the recipe!
Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly:
- 2.2 lbs (approx. 1 kg) pork belly slab;
- Salt to taste;
- Black pepper to taste;
- Oregano to taste;
- Onion powder and garlic powder to taste;
- White vinegar (for brushing);
- Aluminum foil.
How to make crispy air fryer pork belly:
- Score the skin side of the pork belly with shallow cuts about 1 inch apart, as if you were going to slice it;
- Apply a generous layer of salt over the skin, rubbing it in, and let it rest for 30 minutes;
- After 30 minutes, remove the excess salt. Use paper towels to pat the entire pork belly very dry—top, sides, and bottom. This is crucial for achieving that signature crispy “pururuca” skin;
- Flip the pork belly over and season the meat side with your favorite spices (onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano);
- Place a sheet of aluminum foil on a flat surface and put the pork belly in the center, skin side up;
- Fold the edges of the foil up to create a “tray” around the sides of the pork belly, but make sure to leave the top skin exposed;
- Place the foil tray into the air fryer basket and brush the vinegar over the skin;
- Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 45 minutes. Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on it;
- Once finished, remove from the air fryer, let it rest for a few minutes, then move to a cutting board to slice;
- That’s it! Enjoy!
Pro Tip:
To ensure your pork belly comes out perfectly crispy in the air fryer, it is essential to keep the skin as dry as possible before cooking. If you want it even more golden and crunchy, you can return the slices to the air fryer for an extra few minutes after cutting.
Did you know?
Pururuca is a traditional Brazilian culinary technique for preparing pork skin, resulting in an incredibly crispy and crackling texture. It is highly prized as a side dish or a key element in various iconic dishes, such as feijoada and Brazilian-style barbecue.
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