These seasoned pieces of pork belly are cooked to perfection in the air fryer, resulting in a deliciously crispy texture with less oil and mess compared to deep-frying. Whether you’re serving them as a snack, appetizer, or part of a meal, these pork belly bites are sure to impress!
Exploring Pork Belly
Pork belly is a cut of meat taken from the underside, or belly, of a pig. Resembling a large slab of uncured, unsliced, and unsmoked bacon, pork belly offers a rich and indulgent flavor profile. While it can weigh up to 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms), this recipe calls for 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) of pork belly, which can typically be found at most large grocery stores or butcher shops. Any extra pork belly can be frozen for future use.
If your pork belly has thawed to room temperature, it’s advisable to chill it in the refrigerator for a few minutes before cutting to ensure easier handling. Once cut into 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) pieces and patted dry, the pork belly is ready to be seasoned and air-fried to crispy perfection.
Alternative Cooking Methods
If you don’t have an air fryer, these pork belly bites can also be prepared in the oven like my Crispy Pulled Pork Egg Rolls. Simply arrange the seasoned pork belly pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 42-45 minutes until crispy.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) pork belly, patted dry, cut into 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) pieces
- 3 tablespoons (40 milliliters) canola oil
- 1 tablespoon (12 grams) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon (2-3 grams) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon (2 grams) pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the canola oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the pork belly pieces to the oil mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Arrange the pork belly pieces in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the pork belly in batches.
- Air fry the pork belly cubes for 18-20 minutes, shaking and flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crisping.
- Once golden brown and crispy, remove the pork belly bites from the air fryer and serve warm.
- Enjoy the delicious crunchiness of these air-fried pork belly bites as a snack or appetizer.
