These Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites come out crispy, caramelized, and full of flavor, just the kind of snack or appetizer you can throw together in under 30 minutes. All you need are some pantry spices and your air fryer for pork belly bites that are golden and impossible to resist.
Try my creamy pork chops next!
If you're after a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer, these Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites are about to become your new go-to.
They're little cubes of pork belly tossed with pantry spices, cooked up in the air fryer until perfectly golden, caramelized, and just the right amount of crispy on the outside.
This is simply the kind of snack that disappears fast, especially when paired with your favorite dipping sauces.
What exactly is pork belly?
Pork belly is a rich, flavorful cut of meat that comes from the underside of the pig, just as the name suggests.
It's the same cut used to make bacon, so it's naturally layered with meat and fat, which means loads of flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture when cooked right.
When cut into cubes and crisped up in the air fryer, pork belly turns wonderfully golden on the outside while staying tender inside.
Why you'll love air fryer pork belly bites
- You get crispy, caramelized pork bites in under 30 minutes, with hardly any mess.
- They're perfect as a snack, appetizer, or even tucked into tacos or rice bowls.
- The air fryer keeps everything easy and hands-off, so you can just toss, cook, and enjoy.
What you'll need
Pork belly - Go for a slab with a nice layer of fat as that's where all the flavor and crispiness comes from.
Olive oil - It helps the spices stick and gets the outside perfectly golden in the air fryer.
Brown sugar - This adds a subtle sweetness and helps the pork caramelize while it cooks.
Garlic powder & onion powder - Both add loads of savory flavor without overpowering the pork.
Smoked paprika - Brings that smoky, slightly spicy kick that makes these pork bites extra tasty.
Pro tip
For extra crispy pork belly bites, let them rest for 2-3 minutes in the air fryer basket after cooking. This helps the edges stay crunchy and lets any extra fat drain off before serving.
How to make pork belly bites in air fryer
This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
Pat the pork belly dry with a paper towel and slice it into 1-inch cubes.
Toss the cubes with olive oil, then add the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure everything's well coated.
Arrange the pork belly in a single layer in your air fryer basket (work in batches if needed).
Air fry at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until the bites are golden and crispy. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Substitutions and variations
- Toss the finished pork belly bites in your favorite barbecue sauce or sweet chili sauce for a sticky, finger-licking coating.
- Add a dash of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.
- You can substitute the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup if you want your pork bites to be even stickier.
Helpful tips
- Cut the pork belly into evenly sized cubes for the best texture and even cooking.
- Don't crowd the air fryer basket; work in batches if you need to so each piece has room to crisp up.
- Flip the bites halfway through cooking for that perfect golden color on all sides.
What to serve with pork belly bites
- These bites are made for dipping! Try sweet chili sauce, hoisin, sriracha mayo, honey mustard, or classic barbecue sauce.
- Pile them over steamed rice or toss into a noodle bowl with some quick veggies for an easy meal.
- Serve them as tacos by tucking them into soft tortillas or lettuce leaves with a bit of slaw and your favorite sauce.
Leftovers and storage
- Leftover pork belly bites will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and crispy again.
- I wouldn't recommend freezing leftovers.
If you've tried this Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below! I'd love to hear how it turned out.
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Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork belly
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoons ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the pork belly dry with a paper towel and cut it into 1-inch cubes.1 pound pork belly
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Place the pork belly cubes in a mixing bowl, add the olive oil and toss well with a rubber spatula to combine.2 tablespoons olive oil
- Add the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and ground black pepper. Toss again until all pieces all covered in the spice mixture.1 tablespoon brown sugar1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon onion powder½ teaspoons smoked paprika½ teaspoons salt¼ teaspoons ground black pepper
- Lay the pork belly bites in the basket of your air fryer in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
- Air fry the pork belly bites for 18-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. When the time is up, they should be golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Video
Notes
- Cut the pork belly into evenly sized cubes for the best texture and even cooking.
- Don't crowd the air fryer basket; work in batches if you need to so each piece has room to crisp up.
- Flip the bites halfway through cooking for that perfect golden color on all sides.
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