Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites Recipe: Easy Crispy Perfection

Crispy on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth tender inside. Air fryer pork belly bites are what happens when you take one of the richest cuts of meat and let hot air work its magicno deep fryer, no mess, just golden perfection in about twenty minutes.

I started testing this back in spring 2019 after finding a gorgeous slab at our local H-E-B with the fat cap still intact. The smell that filled my kitchencaramelized, smoky, almost sweethad my neighbor knocking on the door. The trick is patting the pieces completely dry before seasoning, which lets the surface crisp up instead of steam.

Yesica Andrews

Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites Recipe: Easy Crispy Perfection

Enjoy perfectly crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites that deliver rich flavor with minimal oil and fuss. This easy recipe transforms bite-sized pork belly pieces into a savory appetizer or side dish everyone will love, made quickly in your air fryer for convenience and delicious results.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 15 pieces

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 ½ pounds pork belly, patted dry, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Method

 

1. Set your air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together canola oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper.
3. Add the pork belly cubes to the bowl, tossing them well so each piece is coated with the seasoning mixture.
4. Arrange the pork belly bites evenly in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer’s size, you might need to cook them in batches.
5. Cook the pork belly bites for 18 to 20 minutes, stopping occasionally to shake and flip them to ensure they crisp up on all sides.
6. Once cooked through and crispy, transfer the pork belly bites to a plate and serve while hot.

Notes

• For best results, make sure pork belly pieces are cut uniformly to promote even cooking. You can serve these bites with your favorite dipping sauce or as a savory snack. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the air fryer to retain crispiness.

Why You’ll Love These Crispy Little Bites

These are dangerously easy to makeand even easier to devour. The air fryer does all the heavy lifting, rendering the fat until it’s golden and crunchy while keeping the meat impossibly tender. No splattering stovetop, no vat of oil to deal with afterward.

• Minimal ingredients: Just six simple things you probably already havebrown sugar adds a subtle caramelized sweetness that balances the richness beautifully
• Hands-off cooking: Once they’re in the basket, you’re free to prep sides or set the table
• Party-ready: Perfect for game day spreads, potlucks, or as an appetizer that’ll disappear before the main course hits the table
• Restaurant texture at home: That crackling exterior rivals anything you’d pay $14 for at a gastropub

What You’ll Need (And Why Each Ingredient Matters)

The beauty here is simplicity. You’re working with pork bellythe same cut used for baconcut into chunky one-inch cubes. Patting them completely dry before seasoning is the single most important step; any surface moisture will steam instead of crisp.

Canola oil helps the dry seasonings cling and promotes even browning. Brown sugar caramelizes under high heat, creating those dark, candy-like edges. Garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper round out the flavor without overpowering the pork’s natural richness. After testing this dozens of times, I’ve learned that this ratio hits the sweet spot between savory and just slightly sweet.

How the Air Fryer Works Its Magic

Hot air circulates rapidly around each piece, rendering the fat while crisping the outsidekind of like a convection oven on turbo mode. At 400°F, the pork belly bites cook through in 18 to 20 minutes, depending on your air fryer model and how thick you cut your pieces.

Shaking and flipping them a couple of times ensures every side gets golden. If your basket is small, work in batches and keep the first round warm in a low oven while the rest finish. Crowding them will trap steam and you’ll lose that all-important crunch.

Step-by-Step: From Raw to Golden

Pro Tip: If your pieces are closer to ¾ inch, start checking at 15 minutes. Larger chunks may need an extra 2 to 3 minutes.

Tweaks, Swaps, and Flavor Variations

This base recipe is incredibly flexible. Swap brown sugar for honey or maple syrup if that’s what you havejust toss it in with the oil. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to the seasoning mix.

If you can’t find pork belly at your regular grocery store, ask the butcherthey often have it in back or can order it for you. Some stores label it as “fresh side pork.” You can also use this same method with thick-cut bacon ends, though the cook time will be a bit shorter since bacon is thinner.

Serving Ideas and Storage Tips

Serve these warm straight from the basket with toothpicks for easy grabbing. They pair beautifully with a tangy dipping saucethink spicy mayo, sriracha aioli, or even a simple soy-ginger mix. For a full meal, toss them over a crisp salad or nestle them into soft slider buns with pickled vegetables.

Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for about 5 minutes to restore that crispy exteriormicrowaving will make them chewy. You can also freeze cooked bites for up to a month; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Note: These are richest when served immediately, but they’re still delicious the next day tucked into a breakfast scramble or chopped over fried rice.

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FAQs (Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites)

Ready to Make These Irresistible Bites?

You’ll love how these air fryer pork belly bites turn out in just twenty minutescrispy golden edges, tender inside, with that caramelized sweetness that keeps everyone coming back. The smell alone will have your family wandering into the kitchen asking when dinner’s ready. They’re rich without feeling heavy, and honestly, they disappear faster than I can make them.

If you want a little heat, toss in some smoked paprika or a pinch of red pepper flakes with the brown sugar. These are perfect with a tangy dipping saucetry spicy mayo or even a quick honey-lime drizzle. Leftovers reheat beautifully in the air fryer for about five minutes, though I’ll admit they rarely make it to the next day.

I’d love to see how yours turn outsnap a photo and share it with me! Did your family have a favorite way to enjoy pork belly growing up, or is this your first time trying it? Save this recipe for your next gathering or game day spread, and watch them vanish before the main course even hits the table. Happy cooking, friend!