Crispy & Sticky Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites

Crispy and sticky air fryer pork belly bites served on a wooden chopping board with a side of mustard.

Crispy & Sticky Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites

Course: Appetizers, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: International

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose

Keyword: air fryer pork belly, air fryer pork belly bites, pork belly bites in air fryer, pork belly in air fryer

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Marinate Time: 20

Total Time: 50

Servings: servings

Calories: 1050kcal

Author: Timea

These air fryer pork belly bites are perfectly crispy, deeply caramelized, and coated in a sticky Demerara sugar and Chinese five-spice glaze. Ready in just 20 minutes, this foolproof recipe delivers melt-in-your-mouth tender pork belly with a fraction of the oven-roasting effort. It’s the ultimate savory snack, dinner protein, or crowd-pleasing party appetizer!

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Metrics - US Customary

Equipment

1 air fryer Cosori Air Fryer XXL
1 bowl
1 parchement paper

Ingredients

350 g pork belly cut in bites
½ teaspoon sea salt kosher
¼ teaspoon ground pepper freshly ground
1 teaspoon paprika Hungarian, mild
1 teaspoon Chinese 5 spices
1.5 teaspoon Demerara sugar brown sugar
2 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin

Instructions

Prep the pork: Cut the pork belly slices into uniform pieces, aiming for approximately 6 cm (2 inches) to keep them juicy on the inside.
Season: Combine the pork belly bites in a large bowl with the sea salt, freshly ground pepper, mild Hungarian paprika, Chinese five-spice, Demerara sugar, and olive oil.
Mix: Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly, ensuring every single pork piece is completely coated in the spice blend.
Preheat & Line: Preheat your air fryer to its maximum temperature. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and give it a very light spray of olive oil.
Arrange: Place the seasoned pork belly bites in a single, even layer in the basket, leaving a little space between them so the hot air can circulate freely.
First Cook: Air fry at 205°C (400°F) for 15 minutes to beautifully render the fat and crisp up the edges.
Flip and Glaze: Carefully turn each piece of pork belly over and brush them with any spiced marinade left at the bottom of your mixing bowl. Return to the air fryer at 205°C (400°F) for a final 5 minutes to deeply caramelize the sticky glaze.
Serve: Arrange the hot pork belly bites on a platter and serve alongside fresh lettuce leaves and your favorite dipping sauces.

Video

Notes

For the Best Flavor: Let the seasoned pork belly marinate in the bowl for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking to let the spices deeply penetrate. If you are short on time, you can cook them immediately.
Air Fryer Variance: Every air fryer heats slightly differently. If your bites aren't quite caramelized to your liking after 20 minutes, simply give them an extra 1 to 2 minutes.
Enjoy Cold: While incredible served warm, these bites are surprisingly delicious cold straight out of the fridge the next day!

Nutrition