Why These Pork Belly Bites Are a Must-Try

1. Unbeatable Flavor and Texture: The air fryer creates a crispy, irresistible texture. The sweet and savory glaze, combined with a robust BBQ seasoning, delivers an explosion of flavor in every bite.
2. Effortless to Make: With only four ingredients and a quick 10-minute prep time, these pork belly bites are a breeze to prepare.
3. Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a summer barbecue, a football Sunday, or a simple weekend indulgence, these crispy pork belly bites are always a hit.

The Key Ingredients for Perfect Pork Belly Bites

Let’s break down the ingredients that make these air fryer pork belly bites so delicious. We’ll also explore some substitution options to customize the recipe to your liking. For precise measurements, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Pork Belly: You’ll need about 2 pounds of pork belly for this recipe. A whole pork belly, often available at butcher shops or stores like Costco, typically weighs between 8-10 pounds. You can divide it into 2-pound portions and freeze the rest for later use. Some grocery stores sell pork belly in 4-pound pieces, which would be perfect for doubling this recipe! If your pork belly has the skin still attached, be sure to remove it before cutting the pork belly into bite-sized pieces. The skin will not crisp in the air fryer and will be very chewy.
• BBQ Seasoning: A good BBQ seasoning is crucial for that smoky, savory flavor. Consider making a homemade dry rub using black pepper, salt, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and brown sugar. It only takes about 5 minutes to mix up a batch! Feel free to use your favorite store-bought BBQ rub or seasoning if you already have one on hand.
• Pepper Jelly and BBQ Sauce: This combination creates a sticky-sweet glaze that perfectly complements the rich pork belly. Jalapeno jam works wonderfully. If you don’t have pepper jelly, simply use BBQ sauce for the glaze. Alternatively, you can use the syrup from candied jalapenos for an extra kick of flavor. For a different flavor profile, try using Korean BBQ sauce instead of traditional BBQ sauce for an Asian-inspired twist!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Fryer Pork Belly Perfection

Follow these simple step-by-step instructions and images to create perfect pork belly bites in your air fryer. For the complete, detailed recipe, scroll down to the recipe card.

1. Cube the Pork Belly: Using a sharp knife, cut the pork belly into ½ inch cubes. Precision is key here! Ensure all the pieces are roughly the same size and no larger than ½ inch. Larger cubes may result in a chewy, rather than crispy, texture. Uniformity ensures even cooking and maximum crispiness.
2. Season and Air Fry: Toss the pork belly cubes generously with your BBQ seasoning. Arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in two batches to avoid overcrowding. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 16 minutes, flipping or tossing the cubes halfway through the cooking time. Be cautious when tossing, as there will be rendered fat in the bottom of the air fryer basket.
3. Glaze and Caramelize: After 16 minutes, carefully remove the air fryer basket. Use tongs to transfer the cooked pork belly cubes to a bowl. If you cooked in batches, combine all the cooked pork belly in the bowl. Add the BBQ sauce and pepper jelly (or your chosen glaze ingredients) and toss to coat evenly. Return the glazed pork belly bites to the air fryer basket. Overlapping is fine at this stage. Cook for an additional 2 minutes at 400°F (200°C) to allow the sauce to caramelize, creating a beautiful, sticky coating. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Creative Ways to Serve Your Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites

These pork belly bites are incredibly versatile! While they make a fantastic appetizer served with toothpicks, there are many other exciting ways to enjoy them. Get creative and try these ideas!

• Pork Belly Tacos: Toss the air fryer pork belly bites in a tortilla with some fresh pineapple salsa for a sweet and savory dinner. The contrast of flavors is incredible!
• Pork Belly Sandwiches: Add the pork belly bites to a toasted roll with a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce and some crunchy coleslaw. This makes for a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying meal.
• Pork Belly Mac and Cheese: Transform your mac and cheese into a gourmet experience by topping it with these crispy pork belly bites. The rich, savory pork belly complements the creamy mac and cheese perfectly.

More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes to Explore

Unlock the full potential of your air fryer with these other easy and delicious recipes!

Air Fryer BBQ Pork Belly Bites Recipe

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Air Fryer BBQ Pork Belly Bites

These Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites are crispy outside, tender inside, and packed with sweet, smoky flavor. Made with just 4 ingredients, they’re easy to make for an appetizer or game day snack!

Servings: 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 18 mins

Total Time: 28 mins

Author: Whitney Bond

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork belly, diced into ½ inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons bbq seasoning, click link for my homemade recipe
• ¼ cup bbq sauce
• 1 tablespoon pepper jelly

Instructions

1. Slice the pork belly into ½ inch cubes, then toss them with the bbq seasoning until they’re fully coated. Place the seasoned cubes of pork belly in a single layer in an air fryer basket. (You’ll probably have to do this in two batches.)
2. Air fry at 400°F for 16 minutes, tossing halfway through the cooking time.
3. Open the air fryer basket, use kitchen tongs to move the cubes of pork belly from the air fryer to a bowl.

   Note: if you’re cooking the pork belly in two batches, wait until both batches are cooked and in the bowl together before proceeding with the next step.

4. Toss the pork belly with the bbq sauce and pepper jelly until they’re fully coated. Place all of the pork belly bites back in the air fryer. It’s okay if they’re overlapping at this point. Cook for an additional 2 minutes at 400°F to caramelize the sauce on the outside.

Notes

• Store leftover pork belly bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I recommend reheating them in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes.
• This recipe makes approximately 64 cubes of pork belly. I put the serving amount at 8, which means each person would get 8 bites. You can adjust this depending if you’re serving them as a meal, or as an appetizer at a party with several other snacks.
• This recipe is naturally gluten free when made with my homemade BBQ seasoning (or a packet of gluten-free bbq seasoning).

Nutrition Facts

Calories 626kcal (31%)
Carbohydrates 9g (3%)
Protein 11g (22%)
Fat 61g (94%)
Saturated Fat 22g (110%)
Polyunsaturated Fat 7g
Monounsaturated Fat 28g
Cholesterol 82mg (27%)
Sodium 131mg (5%)
Potassium 268mg (8%)
Fiber 1g (4%)
Sugar 5g (6%)
Vitamin A 194mg (4%)
Vitamin C 1mg (1%)
Calcium 64mg (6%)
Iron 3mg (17%)

Did you make this recipe?Tag @WhitneyBond on Instagram and hashtag it #WBRecipes!