If you’ve ever stared at a slab of pork belly wondering what else you can do with it besides braising or turning it into bacon, let me tell you — air fryer pork belly bites might just become your new favorite. These little cubes come out golden, crisped at the edges, and juicy inside — without making your kitchen feel like a greasy fry shack. I make them when we want something indulgent but still low-effort. They’re perfect as an appetizer, a bar-style snack, or tucked into lettuce wraps with a spicy dipping sauce.
Why These Pork Belly Bites Are a Must-Try
I’ve been using my air fryer for all kinds of things — from tofu to chicken wings — but pork belly is one of those ingredients that really benefits from that crisping magic. You get all the rich, savory goodness without having to deep fry or baby-sit a pan. The outside crisps up beautifully while the inside stays buttery soft.
It’s also less messy — no splattering oil, no lingering smell of frying, and you won’t need to clean your stovetop afterward. I usually serve them right off the basket with a little toothpick or just throw them over rice with a drizzle of sweet chili sauce.
Let’s Talk Pork Belly for a Second
If you’re not totally sure what pork belly is — think of it like uncut, unseasoned bacon in slab form. Same part of the pig, but with more room to play flavor-wise. I usually pick mine up from the butcher counter and ask them to slice it into thick strips for me. That way, it’s easier to cube at home. If you’re grabbing a pre-packed slab from the grocery store, it helps to chill it slightly in the fridge before cutting — the fat firms up and gives you cleaner cuts.
Sometimes, I’ll buy extra and freeze the leftovers in smaller portions. It keeps well in the freezer for up to six months and thaws out overnight in the fridge when you’re ready for round two.
Oven Option If You Don’t Have an Air Fryer
No air fryer? No stress. You can still get that crispy finish in a regular oven. I’ve done this when I had other things going in the air fryer or was cooking for a crowd.
Just spread the pork belly cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for about 40–45 minutes. Make sure they’re in a single layer and not crowded, so they don’t steam. I like to give them a gentle flip around the 25-minute mark to crisp all sides evenly.
A Few Handy Tips That Make a Big Difference
- Pat them dry: Before seasoning, blot your pork belly cubes with paper towels. Less moisture = better browning.
- Don’t skip the chill: If your pork belly is too soft to slice cleanly, pop it into the fridge for 20 minutes. It’ll be so much easier to cube.
- Space matters: Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed. Crowding leads to steaming, not crisping.
- Flavor boost: I sometimes toss the cooked bites in a bit of honey-soy glaze or coat them with gochujang and sesame oil if I’m feeling fancy.
How I Usually Serve These
More often than not, I serve these bites as a weekend snack with drinks — they’re always the first thing gone when friends are over. But they’re also great in meals:
- Over steamed jasmine rice with scallions and chili oil
- Wrapped in butter lettuce with pickled veggies
- Tossed in BBQ sauce and served with mashed potatoes
- Chopped and sprinkled on top of ramen or fried rice for a crispy hit
You can even add them to a breakfast bowl with eggs and roasted potatoes for something really indulgent.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers (If There Are Any)
If you somehow have leftovers (it’s rare in my house), just store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes to get that crisp back. Microwaving will make them soft, so I skip that.
They don’t freeze well once cooked — the texture changes too much. So make only what you’ll eat in the next couple of days.
Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
Golden, crispy, and packed with flavor—these pork belly bites are a game-changer when made in the air fryer. You get all the crunch and richness you crave, without the deep-frying mess. Perfect for snacking, sharing, or even adding to a rice bowl for dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds pork belly, cut into 1-inch chunks and patted dry
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F so it’s nice and hot when the pork goes in.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until it forms a flavorful coating.
- Toss in the pork belly chunks and mix well, making sure every piece gets evenly coated with the seasoning blend.
- Arrange the pork belly pieces in a single layer inside your air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook in batches—just don’t overcrowd the basket.
- Let them cook for about 18 to 20 minutes. Give them a good shake or flip a couple of times while cooking so they crisp up on all sides. The exact timing may vary slightly depending on how thick your pieces are and your specific air fryer model.
- Once they’re beautifully golden and crispy, take them out and serve right away. These bites are best enjoyed hot and fresh!
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 401Total Fat 31gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 21gCholesterol 95mgSodium 317mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 2gProtein 26g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Common Questions You Might Have
Can I season them differently?
Absolutely. I keep it simple with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or paprika. But you can go smoky, spicy, or even sweet — think brown sugar and cayenne.
How do I know they’re done?
You’ll see the fat rendering out, and the edges will look golden and crisp. I usually go by looks and texture rather than exact time. Shake the basket a couple of times for even cooking.
Is it better to marinate first?
You can, but I usually keep it quick and simple. If you want deeper flavor, marinate for an hour or two in soy sauce, garlic, and a splash of rice vinegar.
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