Crispy Pork Belly (Moo Krob) – Air Fryer Recipe

By Sho @ Hungry for Thai on Mar 24th 2025

I absolutely love this dish! I'm a huge fan of crispy pork, and this recipe is a perfect. It has a crispy, crunchy exterior while keeping the soft, tender, and flavorful inside, just like Moo Krob should be.

If you’re craving crispy pork belly with perfectly crunchy skin and juicy meat, this air fryer crispy pork belly recipe is for you! 😍🔥

It’s an easy, foolproof way to get that signature crispy skin without deep-frying. And if you’d rather use the oven, I’ve got you covered!

This is the classic Thai-style fried pork belly that is unbelievably good, and it only takes 60 minutes to make. You’ll need just 3 ingredients to create the perfect crispy pork belly in an air fryer.

What you'll need

• Pork Belly – Choose a cut with a good balance of meat and fat for the best texture.
• Vinegar – Helps dry out the skin and create a crispy texture.
• Salt – Enhances flavor and helps draw out moisture from the skin for better crisping.

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Pork Belly Recipe 🩷

✅ Super crispy skin without deep-frying

✅ Quick and easy with just 3 ingredients

✅ Perfect for serving as a main dish or adding to stir-fried dishes

✅ Air fryer and oven methods included

How to Cook Crispy Pork Belly

1. Use a fork or knife to prick the pork skin all over. This helps the skin crisp up.
2. Cut through the skin into the fat layer, but don’t go too deep into the meat.
3. Rub salt evenly over the pork belly to season it.
4. Place the pork belly skin-side down in a shallow dish with white vinegar for 15-20 minutes. This helps the skin dry out and turn pale.
5. Pat the pork belly completely dry with a paper towel.

Air Fryer Method

1. First Round: Place the pork belly skin-side up in the air fryer. Air fry at 100°C (212°F) for 20 minutes to remove moisture from the skin.
2. Second Round: Flip the pork belly skin-side down. Increase the temperature to 200°C (392°F) and air fry for 15 minutes to cook the meat.
3. Third Round: Flip it back, skin-side up, and air fry at 200°C (392°F) for another 15 minutes. This will give the pork that signature crispy, puffy skin.

Oven Method (Alternative)

1. First Bake: Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Bake the pork belly skin-side up for 20 minutes to dry the skin.
2. Second Bake: Increase to 400°F (200°C) and bake skin-side down for 15 minutes.
3. Final Bake: Flip the pork belly skin-side up and roast for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C) to make the skin crispy and golden.

What to Serve with

Looking for the perfect sides to round out your meal? Here are some tasty ideas:

🥗 Starter: Homemade Vegetable Gyoza 

🥩 Main Course: Thai Coconut Soup

🍛 Side Dish: Easy-Pickled Cucumber Salad 

🍰 Dessert: Thai Soft Coconut Crepes

We're making it super easy in the air fryer! Perfect for ramen, rice bowls, or just snacking straight from the plate.

Slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces (crispy pork belly bited) and serve with a tangy dipping sauce. You can also add it to stir-fried dishes like Pad Kana Moo Krob or serve it over rice.