Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites

Looking for an easy and delicious weeknight meal that is a little bit different but has tons of flavor? Then you have to try these crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites! With just a few simple steps, you'll have mouthwatering bites of pork belly with a crispy crackling exterior and tender and juicy meat. That's right, in just 20 minutes, you will have a plateful of perfectly cooked, crispy pork belly that your whole family will love!

PIN the recipe to try it later!

this …

Have you ever tried making crispy pork belly in the air fryer? If not, you're missing out!

But why make it in the air fryer, you ask? Well, for starters, it's much healthier than frying in oil. And it's an easy recipe!

Air frying uses hot air to cook food, so you can get that crispy texture. Plus, it's super easy and quick to prepare.

Just season your pork belly and pop it in the air fryer for 20 minutes on high temperature. Flip halfway through, and voila! You have perfectly crispy and juicy pork belly ready to serve.

This air fryer pork belly recipe is perfect for a variety of occasions. It's great for weeknight dinners when you want something flavorful and satisfying but don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

And it's also a great option for game day snacks or appetizers when you want to impress your guests with something a little different. Serve tasty pork belly with your favorite dipping sauces!

And if you have a pellet grill, make Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends on Pellet Grill!

And if you're looking for more easy and delicious air fryer recipes, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon, and my Air Fryer Pork Chops!

Jump to:

• 🐖 What Is Pork Belly?
• ❤️  Why You Will Love This Recipe
• 🐖 Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
• ♨️ How To Make Air Fryer Pork Belly
• 📖 Variations
• 🍽 Equipment
• 🌡️ Storage
• 💭 Expert Tips
• ❓Recipe FAQs
• 🥗 What Side Dishes to Serve With Air Fryer Pork Belly?
• 👪 More Easy Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
• 📋 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

🐖 What Is Pork Belly?

Pork belly is a fatty cut of meat that comes from the underside of a pig's belly. It's extremely flavorful and is often used in Asian cuisine, where it's a popular ingredient in dishes like Sticky Chinese Pork Belly and Korean-style Pork Belly.

Pork belly has a high-fat content, which gives it a rich and succulent texture when cooked correctly.

❤️  Why You Will Love This Recipe

• These crispy pork belly bites are super easy and quick to prepare. You just need to season the pork belly with your favorite spices and herbs, then let the air fryer do all the work.
• The air fryer makes it much healthier than deep frying in oil. You can still get that crispy texture without all the extra fat and calories.
• It's versatile and goes with a variety of sides. You can pair it with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or even a fresh salad.
• The pork belly is juicy and flavorful. The air fryer seals in all the delicious flavors, so you get perfectly seasoned and tender pork belly every time.
• It's perfect as a main course for weeknight dinners or as game day snacks or appetizers.

🐖 Ingredient Notes + Substitutions

All of these ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery stores.

• Pork belly. I bought skinless pork belly slices at Costco which I then diced into 1-inch sections. You can buy a slab of pork belly and dice it into 1-inch squares as well. Just make sure to remove the skin first if it still has the pork skin on.
• Olive oil. Oil gives the seasoning something to stick to, and it also helps make it super crispy. You can also use avocado oil or canola oil.
• Pork belly rub. You can use your favorite homemade dry rub or make your own. My Homemade Chicken Rub and Pork Rub are great options as well. But I wanted something a little different, so I made my own pork belly rub that consists of kosher salt, brown sugar, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. You could also add in some cayenne pepper for a bit of heat if you like.

See the printable recipe card for exact measurements and a full list of ingredients.

♨️ How To Make Air Fryer Pork Belly

Start by patting the pork belly dry with a paper towel. This will help remove any excess water and give it a crispy exterior.

Cut the pork belly into bite-sized cubes, approximately 1 inch in size. This will ensure they cook evenly.

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and chili powder. Mix well.

Place the pork belly in a large bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the pork belly cubes and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture over the pork and toss to coat. Sprinkle on the rest of the seasoning mixture and toss until each cube is well-coated with the dry rub.

Place the seasoned pork belly cubes in a large Ziploc bag or a covered container. Let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours. This will allow the flavor of the rub to penetrate the meat.

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature of 400°F (or 200°C). Place the pieces of pork belly in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Ensure you do not overcrowd them to ensure even cooking. If needed, cook in batches. I was able to fit all of the cubes in my air fryer at once.

Pro Tip: If the cubes are touching, it's okay. The meat will shrink as it cooks, which will result in more space between the meat as they cook.

Air fry pork belly at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes, or until the cubes are golden brown and crispy. Toss or shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

Pro Tip: Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your air fryer and the thickness of the pork belly. It's best to check for doneness by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach at least 145°F (63°C).

Once cooked to your desired level of crispiness, carefully remove the pork belly from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender meat.

Serve the crispy air fryer pork belly bites while they are still hot and crispy. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as sweet chili sauce, hoisin sauce, or your favorite bbq sauce.

They are great served with your favorite side dishes or even as an appetizer. They can be used in dishes like salads, tacos, rice bowls, or even as a topping for noodles.

Enjoy!

📖 Variations

Here are some fun variations you can try for this pork belly air fryer recipe:

• Asian-Inspired: Marinate the pork belly bites in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of honey or brown sugar for a flavorful Asian twist.
• Spicy Kick: Add some heat by seasoning the pork belly bites with some cayenne pepper or your favorite spicy seasoning blend.
• Teriyaki Style: Toss the pork belly bites in a homemade teriyaki sauce or your favorite store-bought version for a delicious, sticky glaze.
• Korean-Inspired: Make a Korean-inspired version by marinating the pork belly bites in a mixture of gochujang (Korean red chili paste), soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
• Maple-Glazed: Drizzle the pork belly bites with maple syrup for a sweet flavor.

🍽 Equipment

In order to prepare this recipe, you'll require an air fryer. It's important to note that there are many different brands and models of air fryers available, and they each have their own unique cooking settings. Certain air fryers are designed to cook at a higher temperature and may need less cooking time compared to others.

For instance, I cooked this recipe using an Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer, which has a higher temperature and cooked the pork belly quite quickly.

However, I also have a Ninja Foodi Air Fryer with dual drawers, which has a slightly lower temperature and cooks at a slower pace, so it requires a longer cooking time to achieve the same results.

I also recommend a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. My absolute favorite one, which I use all the time, is the ThermaPen ONE by ThermoWorks.

🌡️ Storage

If you have any leftover pork belly, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to three days. To reheat, place the pork belly back in the preheated air fryer for a few minutes to regain its crispy texture.

💭 Expert Tips

• Before cooking, make sure to pat the pork belly dry with paper towels. This will help remove excess moisture and ensure that it crisps up properly in the air fryer.
• Cook the pork belly in a single layer in the air fryer. Crowding the air fryer basket can lead to uneven cooking.
• Flip the pork belly halfway through cooking to ensure it crisps up evenly on all sides.
• If you like your pork belly extra crispy, you can increase the cooking time slightly. Just be sure to keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork for doneness. I recommend the ThermaPen ONE by ThermoWorks.
• Let the pork belly rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

❓Recipe FAQs

🥗 What Side Dishes to Serve With Air Fryer Pork Belly?

One of my favorite ways to serve crispy pork belly is with a side of White Rice and Smoked Corn on the Cob.

It also goes great with Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes and Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus.

And for an amazing meal, serve it with a side of Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes and Baked Beans or Smoked Baked Beans.

And if you want something simple yet delicious, serve these crispy bites on top of a mixed green salad

👪 More Easy Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love

If you like this post on crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites, please take a moment to rate the recipe 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and leave a comment below with your thoughts!

📋 Recipe