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    Home » Main Dishes » Air Fryer Pork Belly

    Feb 2, 2022

    Air Fryer Pork Belly

    Published on Feb 2, 2022. Updated on Jan 16, 2023. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Air fryer pork belly bites-Pinterest

    Tantalize your tastebuds with these super flavorful air fryer pork belly bites. They are so crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!

    pork belly bites ready to eat
    make delicious pork belly in air fryer without boiling

    You will absolutely love these pork belly bites! They make an easy snack that is ready in 15 minutes. This recipe is also gluten-free, low carb, and keto-friendly.

    What's more, it's so convenient to cook in an air fryer. You don't have to deal with hot oil splatters or heat in the kitchen because that's all contained in the air fryer. If you love pork, this air fryer pork belly recipe is a must-try!

    If you love pork, try this amazing Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe!

    Jump to:
    • Equipment Used
    • Ingredients Used
    • How To Make This Recipe
    • Storing and Reheating
    • What can I eat this recipe with?
    • Tips and variations
    • Frequently asked questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

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    Equipment Used

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    The primary equipment you will need to make this recipe is an air fryer. Just set the timer and let it do the work. It'll fry the pork belly crisp without deep frying in lots of hot oil. 

    Also, Because the air fryer cooks sealed under pressure, the flavors are trapped, and food turns out more flavorful and delicious. Air frying is by far my favorite way to get my dishes all crispy and delicious!

    Check out this list of the best affordable air fryers to make easy crispy healthy dishes!

    Ingredients Used

    pork belly, pork seasoning and olive oil
    • Pork belly: I use a pound of pork belly meat for this recipe that has already been chopped into pieces. You can get yours at your local grocery store. Alternatively, you can buy a whole slab of pork belly from your local farmer's market or butcher's shop to ask for this particular cut of meat. 
    • Olive Oil: You can also use your favorite cooking spray.
    • Spices:  I use my homemade pork seasoning made with simple ingredients like garlic powder, black pepper and ground mustard. I always have this container of this dry rub in my pantry and I use it for all my meat dishes. You can of course use your favorite homemade dry rub.

    How To Make This Recipe

    1. First, preheat the air fryer to 400F. Next, spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. This will ensure the pork doesn't stick to it.
    2. Cut the pork belly into bite-sized cubes, if you need to. Spray some olive oil to the pork belly. Mix the spices in a medium mixing bowl, and then sprinkle them liberally all over the pork belly bites. Here, you can also use your favorite homemade dry rub.
    3. Arrange the pieces of pork belly in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Let there be a bit of space between the pork bites.  Air fry for 15mins, shaking the basket halfway to flip them over.
    4. The best way to check for doneness is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the crispy roast pork belly bites. You should get a reading of 165F for it to be safe to eat. Place the pork bites on a paper towel to catch excess grease.
    pork belly being seasoned
    how to make pork belly in the air fryer

    Storing and Reheating

    If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. They will keep fresh this way for up to four days.

    You can freeze leftover pork belly slices for a few months if you want. First, place them on a sheet and freeze for two hours, then transfer them to a freezer-safe sealable bag. After that, pop the bag into the freezer.

    To reheat, the pieces of pork belly, air fry for about seven minutes at a temp of 400F or until warmed through. Remember to place the air fry pork belly pieces in a preheated air fryer.

    If frozen, first place the bag in the fridge to thaw the deliciously moist pork bites overnight or for some hours. 

    What can I eat this recipe with?

    This delectable crispy pork belly recipe can be served with steamed and air fryer veggies. Try this pork belly air fryer recipe with some asparagus, broccoli, or cauliflower for a filling, healthy dinner.

    You can also use it to make a pork stew or stir fry. Pork belly is versatile, so you can choose to serve this recipe with whatever you decide.

    pork belly bites in an air fryer
    crispy air fryer pork belly

    Tips and variations

    • Refrigerate the pork belly to harden the meat a bit so you can cut it into smaller pieces easily. It's a bit tricky to cut into it while soft when it's at room temperature, except you use a really sharp knife.
    • Try not to crowd the air fryer basket or tray. You can air fry the pork belly bites in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
    • Drizzle the air-fried pork belly strips with your favorite low-carb syrup, dipping sauce, or bbq sauce.
    • Don't air-fry the pork too long or the meat might start to get dry.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do you cook frozen pork belly in an air fryer?

    Frozen pork belly can be air-fried, but it might not turn out as crisp as you'd like. For crispy pork bites, it would need to be dried and excess water removed as much as possible. For best results, thaw it out first if you want it to have crispy skin, or cook twice as long at a high temperature.

    Why is my pork belly not crispy?

    If your pork belly isn't crispy, you might need to cook it longer. Because pork belly has high fat, the longer it spends in the air fryer, the more it roasts. So pop it back into the air fryer and roast it till it crisps.

    What do you serve with pork belly slices?

    Serve your delicious pork belly pieces with delicious grilled or air-fried veggies for a full and tasty experience. It'll also be a hit when served on top of a salad.

    Check out these other air fryer recipes!

    Air Fryer Bacon

    Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp

    Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage

    Air Fryer Cornish Hen

    Air Fryer Lamb Chops

    Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

    air fryer pork belly bites on a white plate

    📖 Recipe

    air fryer pork belly bites

    Air Fryer Pork Belly

    Tantalize your tastebuds with these super flavorful air fryer pork belly bites. They are so crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Share on Facebook Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 3
    Calories: 808kcal
    Author: Tayo Oredola

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb pork belly
    • 2 teaspoon pork seasoning
    • 2 teaspoon olive oil

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 400F.
    • Cut pork belly into bite-sized pieces, if needed.
    • Spray with olive oil, sprinkle the seasoning and mix thoroughly.
    • Add the pork belly pieces to the air fryer on a single layer.
    • Air fry for 15mins, shaking the basket halfway.

    Notes

    This recipe serves 3 and contains 1 net carb per serving.
    • Refrigerate the pork belly to harden the meat a bit so you can cut it into smaller pieces easily. It's a bit tricky to cut into it while soft when it's at room temperature, except you use a really sharp knife.
    • Try not to crowd the air fryer basket or tray. You can air fry the pork belly bites in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
    • Drizzle the air-fried pork belly strips with your favorite low-carb syrup, dipping sauce, or bbq sauce.
    • Don't air-fry the pork too long or the meat might start to get dry.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 808kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 83g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 39g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 280mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tammy Durden says

      July 29, 2022 at 10:28 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds and looks delicious. When you said pick up some pork belly at the grocery store, is that the same thing as what we call fatback in the South? If not, could you post a photo of what it looks like when you purchase it at the store? Thank you so very much!

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        August 02, 2022 at 10:54 am

        Hi Tammy, pork belly has some meat and fat on it, and I think that's different from fatback. I can't post a picture in the comments, but if you do a google search for 'raw cut pork belly', you'll see some great examples.

        Reply

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