Air Fryer Chicharrones [Video+Recipe] Easy, Quick Pork Rind

Faster, less messy to make, these air fryer chicharrones are the perfect snack or meal for the air fryer lovers who also enjoy the crispy texture of homemade pork rind.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Dominican, Latino

Keyword air fryer chicharrones recipe, chicharrones instant pot air fryer, cook chicharrones air fryer

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Resting time 25

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 797kcal

Author Clara Gonzalez

Ingredients

2 pound pork belly [0.91 kg]
1 teaspoon oregano (dry, ground)
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon salt
2 limes (cut into wedges)

Instructions

1. Season

In a pot, combine oregano, salt, and garlic. Place the pork meat skin-side up.
Add enough water to cover the meat, but not quite up to the skin.

2. Boil

Boil the meat, covered, over low heat for 40 minutes; add water as needed to maintain the original level.
After this time, remove the meat from the water and let it cool to room temperature.

3. Refrigerate

Place the meat in a container with a little of the cooking liquid and refrigerate, uncovered, overnight or for a few hours.
💡 This helps dry out the meat so it becomes crispier when cooked.

4. Score the skin

Score the skin into small squares without completely separating the meat.
💡 This helps keep the meat juicy while making the skin nice and crispy.

5. Cook

a) To cook in an air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400 ºF [200ºC]. Place the pieces of meat in the air fryer, skin-side up.
Cook for 20–25 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
b) To cook in the oven
Preheat the oven to 400 ºF [200ºC]. Place the meat on a wire rack, skin-side up.
Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

6. Cut and Cook Again

Cut the meat into cubes. The meat will be very juicy (though pale) and the skin crispy, but if you want to brown the meat further, after cutting return it to the air fryer and cook again until the meat takes on a slightly golden color (10 to 15 minutes).
⚠️ Don’t overcook it, or the meat will dry out.

7. Serve

Remove from the air fryer and serve garnished with lime wedges.

Video

Notes

Because a combination of fat, seasonings, and meat juices will accumulate at the bottom of the air fryer base, I suggest you line the bottom (not the basket, just the base where the basket sits) with a circle of aluminum foil or parchment paper to make it easier to clean later on.

Nutrition