Quick Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of cooking, it’s that pork belly is hard to mess up. The rich, fatty meat practically cooks itself into something good. But when I discovered how to make pork belly bites in the air fryer? Game changer. These little morsels of goodness come out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, without having to babysit a pan of hot oil.

I started making these on busy weeknights when I wanted something that felt special but didn’t require much effort. Just cut, season, and let the air fryer do its magic. My family now requests these regularly, and I’m not complaining – they’re that simple to make. Plus, cleanup is a breeze compared to traditional frying.

Whether you’re new to cooking pork belly or you’re looking for an easier way to prepare it, this recipe is a keeper. And trust me, you’ll want to make extra because these bites have a way of disappearing faster than you’d expect.

What Kind of Pork Belly Should I Use?

For the best pork belly bites, look for a piece that has a good balance of meat and fat layers – you want those distinctive stripes when you look at the cross-section. Fresh pork belly is typically sold either skin-on or skin-off at the meat counter, and for this air fryer recipe, you’ll want to choose skin-off (or remove the skin yourself) to allow the seasonings to penetrate the meat better. While you might spot cured pork belly (which is basically uncured bacon) at the store, stick with fresh pork belly for this recipe. When selecting your cut, check that the meat is pink and fresh-looking with white fat, and avoid any pieces that have dark spots or seem overly wet.

Options for Substitutions

While this recipe is pretty straightforward, here are some helpful substitutions you can try:

• Pork belly: Pork belly is really the star here and can’t be perfectly substituted, but if you’re in a pinch, thick-cut bacon (cut into chunks) can work – though cooking time will need to be reduced by about half.
• Canola oil: Any neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point works great here. Try avocado oil, vegetable oil, or even melted coconut oil. Olive oil isn’t recommended due to its lower smoke point.
• Brown sugar: Regular white sugar mixed with a tiny drop of molasses works well. You can also use coconut sugar or maple sugar for a different flavor profile.
• Garlic powder: Out of garlic powder? Try granulated garlic, or use 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder plus 1/2 teaspoon of dried minced garlic instead.
• Coarse salt: Regular table salt works fine – just use about 3/4 teaspoon since it’s more concentrated than coarse salt. Sea salt is also a good option.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Air Frying

The biggest mistake when cooking pork belly bites is overcrowding your air fryer basket, which prevents the pieces from getting that irresistibly crispy exterior – make sure to arrange them in a single layer with space between each piece. Another common error is not patting the pork belly completely dry before seasoning, as excess moisture will create steam and interfere with the crackling process. To achieve the perfect texture, avoid the temptation to constantly open the air fryer to check on them; instead, wait until at least 15 minutes have passed before the first flip, allowing the fat to properly render and the meat to become tender. For best results, let the pork belly bites rest for 5 minutes after cooking, which helps the juices redistribute and the exterior become even crispier.

What to Serve With Pork Belly Bites?

These crispy, rich pork belly bites are perfect party food, but they also make a great main dish when paired with the right sides! A simple Asian-style slaw with rice vinegar dressing helps cut through the richness, while steamed white rice or noodles make excellent bases to soak up all the tasty bits. For a complete meal, I like to serve these with some quick-cooked green vegetables like bok choy or broccoli – the freshness really balances out the meat’s richness. You could also set these out as appetizers with some sweet chili sauce or hoisin for dipping.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Place your leftover pork belly bites in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. They’ll stay good for up to 3 days, though they’re usually so tasty they rarely last that long in my house! The flavors actually get even better after a day as they continue to marinate.

Freeze: These little bites freeze surprisingly well! Let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. I like to portion them out before freezing so I can grab just what I need.

Warm Up: To get your pork belly bites crispy again, pop them back in the air fryer at 380°F for 2-3 minutes. You can also warm them in a regular oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. They won’t be quite as crispy as fresh, but they’ll still be mighty tasty!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	18-30 minutes
Total Time	30-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2500
• Protein: 130-150 g
• Fat: 180-200 g
• Carbohydrates: 10-15 g

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds pork belly, (dry, cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F.

This ensures that the pork belly will cook evenly and achieve a crispy texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Oil Mixture

In a large bowl, combine your choice of oil with brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are well combined, creating a flavorful coating for the pork belly.

Step 3: Coat the Pork Belly

Add the pork belly pieces to the bowl with the oil mixture.

Make sure each piece is evenly covered with the mixture, which will help to caramelize and flavor the pork as it cooks.

Step 4: Air Fry the Pork Belly

Arrange the coated pork belly pieces in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer.

Ensure there’s enough space between them for air circulation.

If your air fryer basket is on the smaller side, you might need to cook the pork in two or three batches.

Air fry the pork belly cubes for 18-20 minutes, shaking and flipping them a couple of times throughout the cooking time to ensure even crisping.

Keep an eye on them; cooking times may vary based on the size of your pieces and the model of your air fryer.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the pork belly pieces are cooked to a crispy perfection, carefully remove them from the air fryer.

Serve them warm, and savor the crispy, flavorful bites of pork belly.