Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites made with a savory marinade of soy sauce, garlic, onion powder, and smoked paprika. These bite-sized pieces are perfectly cooked to a golden brown in the air fryer, offering a deliciously crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior. Ideal as a snack, appetizer, or addition to your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound pork belly, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Optional
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup for a sweet glaze
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork Belly: Begin by cutting the pork belly into 1-inch cubes, ensuring each piece has a good balance of meat and fat for optimal flavor and texture.
- Make the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until the marinade is smooth and evenly mixed.
- Marinate the Pork Belly: Add the pork belly cubes to the marinade bowl and toss thoroughly until all pieces are well coated. For best flavor, let the pork belly marinate for at least 30 minutes if you have the time.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat, ensuring optimal crispiness during cooking.
- Arrange in Air Fryer Basket: Place the marinated pork belly cubes in a single layer inside the air fryer basket to enable even cooking and ensure crispiness on all sides.
- Cook the Pork Belly Bites: Air fry the pork belly for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. Cook until they are golden brown and crispy to your liking.
- Add Sweet Glaze (Optional): During the last 5 minutes of cooking, drizzle honey or maple syrup over the pork belly bites if you desire a sweet, sticky glaze.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the pork belly bites from the air fryer once cooked and let them rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Marinating overnight will result in more intense flavor and tender bites.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
- You can adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding chili powder or cayenne pepper for heat.
- Let the pork belly rest a few minutes after cooking to keep it juicy.
- This recipe works well as an appetizer, served with dipping sauces such as sriracha mayo or honey mustard.
