Air fryer pork belly is a delicious treat for those who follow a low-carb diet but need the energy! Cut into bite-sized cubes, they are actually little fat bombs without a lot of unnatural ingredients!
This crispy air fryer pork belly recipe is an easy one to make. After cutting the pieces of pork belly, you wind up with delicious air fryer pork belly bites that are perfect for snacking or setting out as appetizers.
I highly recommend reading this entire post before you begin preparing the recipe. However, if all you want is the list of ingredients with full directions, please either click on the jump-to-recipe button above or scroll to the bottom of this post.
Pork Belly Air Fryer Recipe
In the past, I typically fried pieces of pork belly in a large cast iron skillet. Or sometimes I put them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and baked them in the oven. Both of those methods delivered good results. However, once I got my air fryer, I’ve completely converted to only air frying them.
Deep frying them also brings good results, but it’s super messy. So I only did that one time and switched to the oven until I got my air fryer.
This recipe delivers crispy air fryer pork belly bites that you won’t be able to resist. It’s so good that I catch myself reaching for a piece whenever I walk past the fridge where I store them. If you’re unsure of whether or not you’ll like them, please keep in mind that this is the cut of meat that bacon comes from. I’ll share more about that later.
Ingredients
You don’t need many ingredients to make this delicious air fryer pork belly recipe. In fact, you only need 2 items. Other seasonings are good, but I always recommend trying it this way the first time you make it.
Here is what you’ll need:
- 1/2 pound pork belly strips
- Salt
For exact measurements of each ingredient and full directions, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card by using the “print” button.
Note: I prefer coarse salt, but I don’t always have it. So I use the best quality salt I have. This time, it was finely ground Redmond’s Real Salt.
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Other Seasonings to Try
After you get the hang of cooking pork belly to crispy perfection, you can try adding other ingredients. Here are some we enjoy:
- Chili powder
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- BBQ sauce
- Homemade meat seasoning
- Maple syrup
- Brown sugar
- Black pepper
Although it’s not necessary to use oil, you can put the pork belly pieces in a small bowl and drizzle them in olive oil before adding your favorite seasoning. Doing this gives them an extra crispy skin (or outer layer). I’ve done this, but I prefer letting them crisp up in their own fat without adding anything extra.
Note: The size of your air fryer determines how many pieces of pork belly you can cook at one time. I can actually get a whole pound of it in my large air fryer. But I typically only cook 1/2 pound. The key is to put them in a single layer, not touching each other, so the hot air from the air fryer can circulate freely around them.
Please keep in mind that cooking time may vary. Some air fryers cook hotter than others. So if you’re unsure, it’s best to check on them early and return them to the air fryer if they’re not as crisp as you want them.
Prepare to Cook Pork Belly in the Air Fryer
This is one of the easiest recipes you can make. All you need are an air fryer, slab or slabs of pork belly, and salt. All other seasonings are optional. I recommend making it with just salt the first time you cook it. After that, you’ll have a better idea of what you want to add.
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. This step isn’t necessary, and I don’t always do it. However, the first time you cook pork belly, you will have a better idea of the time it takes to cook it for the best results.
How to Air Fry Pork Belly Pieces
While the air fryer is preheating, cut the pork belly into pieces using a sharp knife.
I like bite-size pieces because the outside of the meat gets crispy as you cook it.
Next, place the pieces on the tray in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You don’t have to grease the basket because there’s plenty of fat in the pork belly.
Add salt. I like to liberally sprinkle salt over all of the pork belly bites.
Now cook the pork belly for 5 minutes. Remove the basket and flip all of the pork belly bites. You can shake it instead, but I like to make sure all of them are cooked evenly on both sides.
Return the basket and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Check them at 3 minutes to make sure you don’t burn them. I consider them done when they’re a medium golden brown. However, you may prefer them a little bit darker.
Once they’re done, transfer pork to a plate lined with a paper towel.
Allow them to cool for a few minutes before eating them.
Dipping Sauce for Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
I love these pork belly bites without sauce. However, if you want a little extra flavor, try one of these delicious sauces:
Taco Truck Green Sauce – Spice up your pork belly bites with this yummy sauce.
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce – You don’t have to stick to chicken with this dipping sauce. It’s absolutely wonderful on any kind of pork!
Baja Sauce – Here’s another copycat sauce, this one from Taco Bell, that is delicious on almost everything!
Common Questions About Pork Belly
Sometimes when I mention the fact that I eat pork belly, people make a face. And most of the time, those people have never tasted it. Here are some questions and answers about pork belly:
What is Pork Belly?
Pork belly is the entire section of meat cut from the underside of a pig. Although pork belly isn’t necessarily bacon, most American bacon is cut from pork belly.
What Does Pork Belly Taste Like?
The flavor of pork belly is rich and delicious. It typically has a nice blend of fat and tender meat that is satisfying and filling.
Where Can You Buy Pork Belly?
I typically buy pork belly at my local grocery store. It’s in the pork section of the meat department and often off to the side. You can also request pork belly from your butcher.
What is Another Name for Pork Belly?
I grew up hearing it called “side pork.” However, I think that the term “pork belly” is more common.
What Should You Do with Leftover Pork Belly?
I put mine in a bowl and cover it with either plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then I put it in the refrigerator. It should be good for up to a week, but it never lasts that long at our house.
How Should You Reheat Pork Belly?
Reheating pork belly is super easy. You can put it on a plate, cover it with a paper towel, and reheat it in the microwave. Or you can place it in a single layer in your air fryer. Heat it at 350˚ F for 1 to 2 minutes, and it should be good. In fact, this is my favorite way to reheat it to bring back its crispy perfection. That said, I sometimes eat it cold. Although most people prefer it hot, I don’t mind having a cold snack once in a while.
More Great Recipes from the Air Fryer
I’ve been creating a lot of air fryer recipes because it’s now my favorite way to cook. One thing that I discovered early on is that anything you can bake, broil, or fry can be cooked in your air fryer. Also, quite a few foods that you can boil are just as good, if not better, when cooked in your air fryer. Here are some of our favorites:
“Boiled” Eggs – The reason I put the word boiled in quotation marks is that they’re not technically boiled. But they look and taste like they are.
Crispy Ranch Chickpeas – Here is a snack that is actually good for you. And it’s also super easy to make in your air fryer!
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders – Serve these delicious bacon wrapped chicken tenders as an appetizer or main course of a meal. They are absolutely wonderful!
Southern Air Fried Yellow Squash – This easy air fryer recipe from Julia’s Simply Southern is the perfect side dish for any meal. It’s delicious, and it’s so easy to make!
Boneless Chicken Breast – When chicken breasts go on sale, stock up. Then you’ll always have something to cook in your air fryer. Slice them up and add to salads. Cut them into tiny pieces for soup. Or shred them for barbecue. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of ways to serve them!
Air Fried Radishes – Have you ever had cooked radishes? If not, it’s time to change that. This little vegetable is so easy to cook, and it comes out tasting absolutely wonderful!
Pork Tenderloin – Air frying is my current favorite way to cook pork tenderloin. It’s quick, easy, and it always comes out delicious and juicy!
Delicious Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
If you’ve never had pork belly, other than bacon, I think you should give it a try. It’s a delicious treat that is inexpensive and easy to make!
Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly
These crispy air fryer pork belly bites are easy to make and absolutely delicious!
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound pork belly strips
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F.
- While the air fryer is preheating, cut the pork belly into bite-size pieces with a sharp knife.
- Place the pork belly pieces on the tray in your air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Sprinkle the salt over the meat.
- Cook the pork belly for 5 minutes. Remove the basket and flip all of the pieces.
- Return the basket to the air fryer and cook them for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how crispy you want them.
- After they reach a medium golden brown, they are ready for you to enjoy.
- Transfer them to a paper towel lined plate and allow them to cook for a few minutes. They’ll be super hot, so it’s wise to let them rest before you put them in your mouth.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 166Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 48mgSodium 318mgCarbohydrates 0gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 13g
The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.