Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites — Quick Savory Recipe

Recipe highlights:

• Great flavor: The marinated pork belly strips are tender inside with crisp skin outside — classic pork belly done right.
• Fast and simple: Ready in under 30 minutes and only about 20 minutes of active cooking time.
• No pre-boiling required, which keeps the method straightforward.
• This recipe can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar free, and paleo-friendly with simple swaps.

Ingredient notes:

See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

• Pork belly: Look for a boneless slab at your grocery store or butcher.
• Soy sauce or coconut aminos: Use coconut aminos for a gluten-free or paleo version; both add savory umami and help tenderize.
• Balsamic vinegar: Adds mild acidity and gentle sweetness to the marinade.
• Coconut sugar or brown sugar: Adds caramelized sweetness to balance the savory elements.
• Seasoning: Sea salt and ground black pepper are all you need, though additional spices can be added to taste.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Gluten-free: Substitute coconut aminos for soy sauce.
• Paleo: Use coconut aminos and coconut sugar instead of soy sauce and brown sugar.
• Extra flavor: Add garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes, or five-spice for a different profile.

How to make air fryer pork belly:

1. Step 1: Rinse and pat the pork belly dry. If any hairs remain, scrape them away. Cut the slab into roughly 1-inch strips for even cooking.

2. Step 2: Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth.

3. Step 3: Add the pork belly strips to the marinade and toss to coat evenly, making sure all sides are covered.

4. Step 4: Arrange the strips on the air fryer rack with some space between pieces for air circulation. Cook at 390°F (199°C) for 18 minutes, then flip and increase to 400°F (204°C) for 3–5 minutes to further crisp the skin. Exact times vary by air fryer and piece size.

Top Tips:

• Cut strips to uniform size so they cook evenly.
• This method doesn’t require preheating the air fryer; if you do preheat yours, reduce cooking time slightly.
• If your air fryer is small, cook in batches rather than crowding the basket.
• Leave space between pieces so hot air can circulate and crisp each strip.
• Place pork belly on the top rack if your air fryer has multiple levels; lower racks may need extra cooking time.

Pork belly is a boneless, fatty cut from the underside of a pig. It’s the uncured, unsmoked cut that becomes bacon after curing and smoking, but on its own it’s sold as pork belly.

It depends on the product. Many commercial bacons contain nitrates, higher salt, and sugar. Plain pork belly without those additives can be a simpler, less-processed choice, though both are similar in natural fat content.

Store leftover pork belly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to preserve crispiness.

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