• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Low Carb Africa logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Free Keto Meal Plan
  • Helpful Resources
  • Shop Digital Products
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Appetizers and Sides

    Sep 11, 2024

    Air Fryer Pork Belly

    Published on Sep 11, 2024. Updated on Oct 15, 2024. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Air fryer pork belly bites-Pinterest

    This air fryer pork belly recipe is one of the best and easiest ways to make this side dish. They are so crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!

    pork belly bites ready to eat

    You will absolutely love these pork belly bites! It cooks so quickly and conveniently in the air fryer. This pork recipe is also gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly.

    I love that this is a quick dish I can eat as a side or with some veggies for a more filling meal.

    Also try this amazing Instant Pot Pulled Pork or Shake and Bake Pork Chops recipe!

    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. This 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 a container of this dry rub in my pantry, and I use it for all my meat dishes. Of course, you can use your favorite pork dry rub.

    How To Air Fry Pork Belly

    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. If necessary, cut the pork belly into bite-sized cubes, then spray it with olive oil. Mix the spices in a medium bowl and sprinkle them liberally all over the pork belly bites. You can also use your favorite homemade dry rub here.
    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 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway to flip them over.
    4. Make sure the pork belly bites are at least 165F. 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.

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

    If frozen, first defrost the pork belly overnight in the refrigerator.  Then, 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.

    What can I eat this recipe with?

    This crispy pork belly recipe can be served with steamed and air-fried veggies. Try it 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

    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. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can air fry the pork belly bites in batches.
    • 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

    This air fryer pork belly recipe is one of the best and easiest ways to make this side dish. They are so crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin SaveSaved!
    Course: Appetizers and side dishes
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 607kcal
    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.
      1 lb pork belly
    • Spray with olive oil, sprinkle the pork seasoning and mix thoroughly.
      2 teaspoon olive oil, 2 teaspoon pork seasoning
    • Add the pork belly pieces to the air fryer on a single layer.
    • Air fry for 15mins, shaking the basket halfway. Make sure the pork belly bites are at least 165F.
    • Place the pork bites on a paper towel to catch excess grease.

    Notes

    • 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 if you use a really sharp knife.
    • Try not to crowd the air fryer basket or tray. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can air fry the pork belly bites in batches.
    • 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: 607kcal | Protein: 11g | Fat: 62g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 210mg | Vitamin A: 127IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
    Follow Me On Youtube Watch me make my recipes from scratch!
    Get My Keto Ebooks for 15% Off! Get both my ebooks with over 50 recipes for just $22.08!

    More Keto Low Carb Appetizers & Side Dishes

    • Gome Wat in a pot
      Gomen Wat (Ethiopian Collard Greens)
    • keto fish cakes
      Keto Fish Cakes
    • sauteed green beans and mushrooms
      Sautéed Green Beans and Mushrooms
    • Instant Pot Asparagus

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenny says

      February 08, 2025 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! So easy too. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. It will be a staple in our home for sure.

      Reply
      • Tayo Oredola says

        February 15, 2025 at 2:35 pm

        You're so welcome, Jenny!

        Reply
    2. 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
    5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tayo!

    tayo oredola

    Welcome to Low Carb Africa, the home of Keto & Low Carb African-inspired recipes. I specialize in creating mouthwatering recipes with rich, bold, and spicy flavors. Get ready to lose weight, look amazing and be in your best health ever!

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Soup Favorites

    • Keto Cabbage Soup
    • Keto Mushroom Soup
    • Goat Meat Pepper Soup
      Goat Meat Pepper Soup
    • Keto chicken noodle soup
      Keto Chicken Noodle Soup

    Reader Favorites

    • jamaican oxtail soup
      Oxtail Soup Recipe
    • low carb keto palmini pasta
      Palmini Pasta Shrimp Stir Fry
    • Sausage and Spinach Frittata
      Sausage and Spinach Frittata
    • spicy cabbage soup ready to eat
      Spicy Cabbage Soup

    Popular African Recipes

    • efo riro
      Efo Riro - Nigerian Spinach Stew
    • Nigerian okro soup
      Okro Soup - Nigerian Okra Soup
    • asun meat peppered goat meat ready to eat
      Asun Recipe (Peppered Goat Meat)
    • close up shot of African chicken stew
      Nigerian Chicken Stew
    • Nigerian egusi soup in a white bowl
      Egusi Soup
    • Nigerian ogbono soup ready to eat
      Ogbono Soup (Draw Soup)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Browse

    • Recipe Index
    • Shop Digital Products
    • Amazon Store

    Resources

    • Free 7-day keto meal plan
    • African Spices & Seasonings
    • How To Be Successful on Keto
    • What is Fufu?

    Information

    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    COPYRIGHT © 2025. Low Carb Africa, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

    Low Carb Africa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.