Name: Seasoned Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 kg pork belly; 1 1/2 tbsps. seasoning; braai (barbecue sauce optional); salt and pepper

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Air fryer recipes are quick, effortless, and tasteful and this tasty air fryer pork belly bites recipe is no different! If you love a traditional pork belly recipe, this recipe is the easiest way to enjoy juicy and tender meat.

The air-fried Crispy and succulent pork bites are addictive. Yes, they are spicy, crispy, and so porky that you will like to have them forever. And making them is super easy with this recipe.

All you need is three ingredients and an air fryer or an oven. Add everything in a large mixing bowl, mix, and transfer to an air fryer.

With minimum preparation, you are just 20 minutes away from eating these delicious bits.

Perfect for special occasions or a casual dinner, you will love this pork belly air fryer recipe!

Ingredients Breakdown For Spicy Pork Belly Bites

Pork belly: We use pork belly with 20 to 25 percent fat content. More fat means the bites won’t cook in the air fryer properly.

Moreover, the fat will not render properly, making the meat gummy. Therefore, we highly recommend the 20 percent fat ratio. Also, you can buy a whole slab of meat and cut it into strips, slices, or bites.

We are using the pork belly without skin, but if you like to use it with skin, you might need some extra time and heat for the pork skin to become crispy and crackling.

Seasoning: You can use store-bought seasoning or make your dry rub with your favourite spices. If you like your dishes spicy, feel free to use your favorite spicy dry rub. You can also try different marinade ingredients as per your liking.

Oil: Oil is an important component here. A little spray of oil will help brown the meat and cook it super crispy and tender. We are using olive oil, but you can use any vegetable oil or neutral oil you like.

Expert Tips

Freeze pork belly before cutting: Cutting fresh pork belly can be messy even with a sharp knife. Freezing the pork belly slices or slab will help clean and even pieces of pork belly. We recommend freezing the pork belly for an hour before cutting and letting it thaw at room temperature.
Dry the Pork Belly: Make sure that the pork belly is completely dry before seasoning. It will make the pork belly bite extra crispy. You can use a clean kitchen paper towel to dry any excess moisture off the pieces of pork belly.
The ideal size of pork belly bites: The ideal bite-size to cut the pork belly into is about 1 inch to 1 and a half inches.
Larger pieces may require a slightly longer cooking time. Smaller pieces may dry out during cooking as the cut of meat shrinks.
Air fryer size: The size of your air fryer can affect the cooking of pork belly slices. If you have a small air fryer, make them in batches. Layering the pork belly cubes in a single layer will ensure even cooking.
Always preheat the air fryer: Preheating the air fryer is crucial. If you put the pork belly bites in the cold air fryer basket, the chances of the pork belly becoming chewy are high. Also, the fat will not render properly on the bites, making them oily, less crispy, and crunchy.
Make Ahead: You can always make these spicy, meaty nibbles ahead of time. They can be eaten hot or cold so you can serve them up to your preference. And reheating these bites is super easy. Just heat them in a preheated air fryer for a few minutes.
Pork belly skin: If you prefer crispy pork belly slices with the skin, increase the cooking time to allow the skin to crackle into the crispiest crackling.

Substitutes and Variations

Seasoning Substitute: If you prefer to make your own seasoning rather than use store-bought ones, that's fine. Making your own seasoning mix will give you control over the spice level and taste.
You can use paprika, sea salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and mustard powder as a spice rub. This is our favourite all-purpose spice blend and goes well with this crispy pork belly recipe.
Seasoning salt: Although sea salt works well you can use seasoning salts. For example, use garlic or celery salt for more flavor.
Apple cider vinegar: Adding a dash of apple cider vinegar gives an acidic flavor to these air fry belly pork slices.
Add brown sugar or maple syrup: For BBQ-style sweetness, add a little touch of brown sugar or maple syrup. Just a small quantity will be fine; otherwise, it might be hard to manage during cooking.

Serving Ideas For Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites

As an appetizer or as a side: Serve these bites as a crispy appetizer or as a side dish with a dip like BBQ sauce or soy sauce.
As a snack: It doesn't matter if you have an evening or game-day snack. These crispy air fryer pork belly bites is a perfect treat for all meat lovers. Honestly, it goes well with dips and beers on game day.
With dips and chips: you can serve it with BBQ sauce, sour cream, dumpling sauce, chimichurri sauce, salsa, and guacamole. If you have nothing, then it will even go well with the ketchup. Indeed, it's a perfect thing!
As a main course: Add these bites to a stir-fry or an Asian-inspired dish. The tender pork belly goes great with vegetables and rice for a filling meal.

How to Store Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites?

You can store the leftover air-fried pork belly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze the cooked air fryer pork belly bites for 3 months. Just reheat them in the air fryer at the same internal temperature for about 7-8 minutes. Using the air fryer is the best way to maintain that crispy texture after storing.

For full nutrition information and a printable recipe card, scroll below.

FAQ's Seasoned Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites

How does the air fryer cook my pork belly?

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With a heating mechanism in the air fryer that uses hot air to circulate around your food and cook it.

How long does pork belly take to cook in the air fryer?

Roughly 20 to 30 minutes depending on heat, size and preference.

Do you have to boil pork belly before air frying.

No, there is no boiling pork belly required for air frying.

Is there a difference if I boil it first?

There might be a difference in the meat being a little more tender.

Can I put my pork belly in the Instant Pot before cooking?

Yes. As much as it's not my go to, you can. Not everyone remembers to thaw pork belly but everyone wants pork belly for dinner and it's frozen!

So yes, I am including this for my daughter who never remembers to take the pork belly out of the freezer! Put it into the Instant Pot with even half a cup of water (she uses a cup to use the water later) and set it to HIGH PRESSURE for 2 minutes! Then continue with this recipe for crisping it up without the drying process.

Can I Make Pork Belly Bites In The Oven?

Yes 100%. Simply set your oven temperature to 200C/400F for 45 minutes.

How to store leftover pork belly bites.

Air-tight container 2 days lose some crisp

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