Lechon Kawali (Air-fry and Deep-fry)
This Lechon Kawali (Air-fry and Deep-fry) or litsong kawali in Tagalog, is a Filipino pork dish consisting of pork belly slabs deep-fried in a pan or wok (kawali). I also made it with an air-fryer and the result is perfectly crispy and tasty lechon. It is seasoned and boiled to tenderize, fry then cut into thin pieces or cubes to be served with vinegar and soy sauce dipping sauce.
Equipment
1 Wok
air-fryer
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork belly slab
- 3 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 small yellow onion
- 2 large dry bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1 cup cooking oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine pork belly, smashed garlic, sliced onion, bay leaves peppercorns, and salt. Add enough water to cover the pork belly. Bring it to a boil and let it cook until the pork belly is tender.
- Allow the pork belly to cool and dry which is crucial to achieve crispy texture. Pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. You can air-dry it for a few hours in the refrigerator to make sure it's completely dry.
- For deep frying: Heat the oil in your deep-fryer or pot until it's hot enough to sizzle when a drop of water is added. Carefully add the pieces of pork belly to your frying pan and fry until they turn golden brown and crispy. Turn the pork belly and fry the other side. The skin should bubble and crackle, creating a signature Lechon Kawali crunch. Once the meat is perfectly crispy, remove it from the oil and let it drain on paper towels to remove any excess oil. Let it slightly cool.
- For air-fryer: Preheat your air-fryer for a few minutes. If there is no preheat setting, turn your air fryer at 400F for 4 minutes. Transfer your pork belly to an air-fryer basket or tray and put it in the air fryer. Air fry for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. Time may vary depending on the size of the meat. The smaller the pork belly, the faster it cooks. Once the meat is perfectly crispy, remove it from the oil and let it drain on paper towels or a baking rack to remove any excess oil. Let it slightly cool.
- Slice your lechon kawali using a chopping board and sharp knife. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 8servingsCalories: 594kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 11gFat: 60gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 28gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 328mgPotassium: 235mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 16IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!