Chicharrones (Cuban Crispy Fried Pork Belly)
Who doesn't love chicharrones?! Crackling skin, juicy and chewy interior, rich flavor... que ricooo! These thick strips of pork belly are seasoned with salt and then fried to crispy perfection. They make for the perfect Cuban snack or appetizer, especially when served with a cold beer. Learn how to get that perfect crackle with just 2 ingredients. Trust me, this recipe doesn’t need anything extra.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lb pork belly, skin on (barrigada de cerdo)
- Salt, to taste
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- Lime wedges , for serving
Instructions
- Cut the pork belly into 1-inch cubes. 2 lbs should give you about 10-12 pieces. Season and rub the pork belly cubes with salt. Set aside.
- In a deep nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork belly cubes and reduce the heat to medium-low.
- This will be more of a shallow fry with enough oil so the pork doesn’t stick to the pot. The pork will render a lot of its own fat so no need to add more oil. Be careful while you’re frying because the hot oil will splatter and pop. Use a splatter screen to prevent any burns.
- Cook the pork belly pieces for 30 minutes, turning them every 5 minutes.
- Increase the heat to HIGH and continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes, while stirring, until crispy and golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Transfer the chicharrones to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Season with salt to taste.
- Allow to cool slightly. Serve the crispy pork cracklings with lime wedges.
Notes
Ary Fryer Instructions
- Prepare the pork belly as directed. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Place the pork belly in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding, as this can affect the crispiness. You may need to cook in batches.
- Cook for about 15-20 minutes at 300ºF. The exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them. After 20 minutes, flip them over.
- Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F and continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes. This will help achieve the desired crispiness. Periodically check for doneness. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Season with salt and serve. Transfer the air fryer chicharrones to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Season with salt to taste. Allow to cool slightly. Serve the crispy pork cracklings with lime wedges.
Serving: 1piece, Calories: 447kcal, Protein: 7g, Fat: 46g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 23g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 54mg, Sodium: 24mg, Potassium: 140mg, Vitamin A: 8IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 4mg, Iron: 0.4mg
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