Air fryer pork belly bites are one of the most succulent, crispy, and irresistible dishes you’ll ever make in your air fryer! This melt-in-your-mouth delicacy is the ultimate indulgence, with its juicy meat and a crackling, golden-brown crust’ll have you coming back for more.
The air fryer’s high heat and circulating air create a crisp, crackling exterior that’s reminiscent of traditional oven-roasted pork belly. At the same time, the inside remains juicy, tender, and bursting with porky goodness.
Now, I know pork belly isn’t exactly a healthy food. While it is an indulgence, this air fryer version is a healthier alternative since it uses no extra oil. The air fryer allows the pork belly’s natural fats to render and crisp the skin.
Plus, with the intense flavor of the pork belly, a little goes a long way, making it a perfect appetizer for a special occasion or a well-deserved snack. The meat is melt-in-your-mouth soft, with a rich, savory flavor enhanced by the caramelized, crispy crust, and the five-spice seasoning adds warm flavor.
I’ll walk you through the simple process of prepping and air frying your pork belly. I’ll also share some tips for serving and customizing this incredible dish. In no time, you’ll be making restaurant-quality pork belly in your own kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Are you looking for more air fryer appetizers? Try air fryer Scotch eggs, air fryer beet chips, and air fryer fried okra!
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🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Pork belly: Look for a piece with an excellent meat-to-fat ratio and a nice, even layer of skin. This will ensure that your pork belly bites are juicy, tender, and packed with flavor.
- Five-spice powder: Five-spice powder is a staple in Chinese cuisine. It’s a blend of cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns. It adds a warm, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavor to pork belly that’s absolutely irresistible.
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Pork Belly
- First, let’s prep that pork belly. Take your slab of pork belly and dice it into bite-sized cubes. I like to aim for cubes about 1 inch in size. Try to keep them relatively uniform in size so that they cook evenly.
- Use a paper towel to pat the meat dry. The drier it is, the crispier it will get.
- Mix the five spice powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined. Add the diced pork belly to the bowl and stir, making sure that each piece is evenly coated in the spice mixture.
- Place the seasoned pork belly bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Leave a little space between each piece so the hot air can circulate and crisp up the skin on all sides.
- Let the pork belly bites cook in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Shake the basket once or twice as they cook to redistribute them. They’re done when the skin is crispy and golden brown, and the meat is tender and juicy.
🍴Serving Ideas
One of my favorite ways to enjoy these crispy air fryer pork belly bites is as a simple appetizer or snack served alongside a cold drink. They’re the perfect finger food for a party or game day gathering, and your guests will be fighting over the last piece!
Pair them with a simple dipping sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a little bit of sugar. For a fun fusion of flavors, you could try a spicy sriracha mayo, a sweet and tangy hoisin sauce, or even a classic barbecue sauce.
These pork belly bites also work as a main course if you want a more substantial meal. Serve them over a bed of steamed rice or noodles with stir-fried veggies for a complete and satisfying dinner.
Another fun idea is to use these pork belly bites as a salad or grain bowl topping. Add a handful of these crispy, flavorful pork belly bites to a bed of crisp lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers. It’s like a deconstructed BLT but with an Asian twist.
💭How to Store
Pork belly bites will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat them, pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up the skin and warm them through.
The texture of the pork belly bites may change slightly after being stored in the fridge or freezer. The skin will be less crispy than when freshly cooked.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Make sure your pork belly is as dry as possible before seasoning and cooking. If there’s too much moisture on the surface of the meat, it can prevent the skin from crisping up properly in the air fryer. To avoid this, try patting the pork belly cubes with a paper towel before seasoning them or letting them sit uncovered in the fridge for an hour or so to dry out.
- Experiment with different seasonings and flavors! While the five-spice powder and garlic in this recipe are a classic combination, you could also try using other spice blends, like Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or even a simple mix of salt, pepper, and paprika.
- If you like a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix, or serve them with a spicy dipping sauce like sriracha mayo or chili oil.
- To make these in the oven, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and place the seasoned pork belly cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping the cubes halfway through until they’re crispy and cooked through.
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Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork belly
- 2 teaspoons five spice powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Dice the pork belly into cubes about 1 inch in size.1 pound pork belly
- Pat the pork belly dry with a paper towel. The drier it is the crispier it will get. You can also spread them out on a plate and let them sit uncovered in the fridge for an hour to dry out.
- In a bowl, mix the five-spice powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the pork belly and stir to combine.2 teaspoons five spice powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Put the pork belly in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Shake the basket once or twice during the cooking process.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- You can try different seasonings, like Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or even a simple mix of salt, pepper, and paprika.
- If you like a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix, or serve them with a spicy dipping sauce like sriracha mayo or chili oil.
- To make these in the oven, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and place the seasoned pork belly cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping the cubes halfway through until they’re crispy and cooked through.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
