Table of Contents
- My Air Fryer Obsession Began
- What is a Galette (And Why This One)?
- Meet Filipino Tocino: Sweet & Savory Magic
- The Air Fryer Advantage: Perfectly Crispy Every Time
- Easy Dinner Recipes That Actually Impress
- Serving Suggestions: Complete the Meal
- About the Recipe: Key Details
- Notes & Tips for Success
Key Takeaways
- This recipe transforms classic Filipino tocino into a stunning, rustic galette with a flaky, crispy crust made effortlessly in your air fryer.
- It’s a perfect example of air fryer easy recipes, combining minimal prep with maximum flavor for a quick and delicious dinner.
- The sweet-salty marinade creates an incredible glaze, and using store-bought puff pastry makes it a fantastic easy dinner recipe for busy nights.
- You’ll get a complete, satisfying meal that looks impressive but comes together with simple steps, proving that quick and easy recipes for dinner can be gourmet.
My Air Fryer Obsession Began
Like many home cooks, my journey with the air fryer started with cautious optimism. Could it really deliver that perfect crisp without a vat of oil? The answer, I discovered, was a resounding yes. It quickly became my go-to for transforming everyday ingredients into extraordinary meals with minimal fuss. This discovery led me to create a collection of what I now proudly call my signature air fryer easy recipes. The goal was simple: to make delicious, impressive food accessible on even the busiest weeknights. This Filipino Tocino Galette is a shining star in that collection, perfectly embodying the magic of easy dinner recipes made spectacular with a little air fryer help.
What is a Galette (And Why This One)?
Let’s demystify the galette. Think of it as a pie’s charming, rustic cousin—free-form, forgiving, and beautifully imperfect. There’s no need for a pie dish or perfect crimping; you simply fold the edges of the dough over a delicious filling. This format is ideal for showcasing bold flavors without the pressure of pastry perfection. For this recipe, we’re filling it with the incredible taste of Filipino tocino, creating a fusion dish that’s both comforting and excitingly new. It’s the ultimate hack for a stunning centerpiece that requires far less effort than it appears, making it a top contender in my arsenal of quick and easy recipes for dinner.
Meet Filipino Tocino: Sweet & Savory Magic
The heart and soul of this galette is the tocino. This beloved Filipino breakfast staple features thin slices of pork (or sometimes chicken) marinated in a captivating blend of brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and citrus. The result is a perfect harmony of sweet, salty, and savory with a gorgeous caramelized glaze when cooked. Traditionally served with garlic rice and a fried egg, its flavor profile is so versatile and addictive that it deserves to be the star of more than just breakfast. By nestling it inside a flaky pastry, we elevate it into a complete, handheld feast.
The Air Fryer Advantage: Perfectly Crispy Every Time
This is where our trusty appliance truly shines. Baking a galette in the air fryer guarantees an evenly golden, incredibly crispy crust from edge to edge. The concentrated, circulating heat mimics a professional convection oven, puffing the pastry to flaky perfection while ensuring the filling is piping hot. It eliminates the dreaded soggy bottom and cuts down cooking time significantly. For anyone looking to expand their repertoire of air fryer easy recipes, this technique is a game-changer. It delivers restaurant-quality texture with unbeatable convenience, making gourmet easy dinner recipes a reality any night of the week.
Easy Dinner Recipes That Actually Impress
We all have those nights where we want to put something special on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. This galette is the answer. The use of store-bought puff pastry is a brilliant shortcut that doesn’t compromise on taste or presentation. The marinated pork can be prepared ahead of time, and the assembly takes mere minutes. Sliding that rustic, golden-brown beauty out of the air fryer never fails to elicit “wows” from family and guests. It proves that quick and easy recipes for dinner can be both soul-satisfying and visually stunning, turning an ordinary evening into a mini celebration.
Serving Suggestions: Complete the Meal
While the galette is a complete package, a few simple sides can turn it into a true feast. For a traditional Filipino touch, serve it with a mound of garlic fried rice (sinangag) and a side of sliced fresh tomatoes and cucumbers to cut through the richness. A small bowl of spiced vinegar (sukang maasim) for dipping adds a bright, tangy kick. For a simpler approach, a light green salad with a citrusy vinaigrette works beautifully. No matter how you plate it, this dish is a testament to how versatile and crowd-pleasing easy dinner recipes can be.
Notes & Tips for Success
- Marinating is Key: For the deepest flavor, marinate the pork overnight. Even a few hours makes a significant difference.
- Shortcut Option: Look for pre-marinated Filipino tocino in the frozen section of Asian markets to save time.
- No Air Fryer? No problem! Bake the assembled galette on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Make it Ahead: You can cook the tocino filling 1-2 days in advance and store it in the fridge. Assemble and cook the galette just before serving for the crispiest crust.
- Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to restore crispness.
Crispy Air Fryer Pork Galette (Filipino Tocino Style)
Ingredients
For the Tocino Pork
- 1 lb pork shoulder or belly, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp calamansi or lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp curing salt (optional, for color)
For the Galette Crust
- 1 sheet (about 9 oz) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
For Serving (Optional)
- Garlic fried rice
- Sliced tomatoes
- Cucumber slices
- Vinegar dipping sauce (sukang maasim)
Instructions
Marinate the Pork
- In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, calamansi juice, black pepper, and optional curing salt.
- Add the sliced pork and mix well to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
Cook the Tocino
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated pork (including the marinade) and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork is cooked through and the sauce has thickened into a glaze.
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Assemble the Galette
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet into a rough 12-inch circle.
- Spoon the cooked tocino pork onto the center of the pastry, leaving a 2-inch border around the edges.
- Gently fold the edges of the pastry over the filling, pleating as you go to create a rustic, free-form tart.
- Brush the folded edges with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds if using.
Air Fry
- Carefully transfer the assembled galette to the air fryer basket, using a parchment paper liner if needed.
- Air fry for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown and crispy.
Serve
- Let the galette cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve warm with garlic fried rice, fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and a side of vinegar dipping sauce.
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