Crispy Free Range Pork Belly Bites
Introduction
These crispy pork belly bites are golden and crunchy on the outside, tender within, and tossed in a sticky sweet and savoury glaze. Cut into cubes and air fried or oven roasted until the edges crisp, then coated in a honey, soy, and chilli glaze, they are perfect for sharing or as a bold main. Green onion and sesame finish them off.
Start with good free range pork belly. A simple dry rub and high heat do the crisping, and the glaze brings everything together.
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Ingredients
For 5 servings
- 1kgfree range pork bellycut into 2.5cm cubes
- 1 tbspolive or avocado oil
- 1 tspsea salt
- 1 tspgarlic powder
- 1 tspsmoked paprika
- 1/2 tspblack pepper
- 1/2 tsponion or five spice powderoptional
- 60mlhoney or maple syrupfor the glaze
- 2 tbspsoy sauce or tamarifor the glaze
- 1 tbsprice or apple cider vinegarfor the glaze
- 1 tspsesame oilfor the glaze
- 1-2 tspchilli crisp or srirachaoptional, for the glaze
- green onion and toasted sesame seedsto garnish
Utensils
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- Air fryer or oven with wire rack
- Mixing bowl
- Small saucepan
- Tongs
- Paper towel
Cooking Steps
Season
Pat the pork cubes dry and toss with the oil and the dry rub of salt, garlic powder, paprika, pepper, and optional spice until evenly coated.
Cook
Air fry in a single layer at 200°C for 18 to 22 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp. Or roast at 220°C on a wire rack over a tray for 25 to 30 minutes.
Make the glaze
While the pork cooks, simmer the honey, soy, vinegar, sesame oil, and optional chilli in a small pan until slightly thickened, stirring.
Glaze
Toss the cooked pork in the sticky glaze. For extra caramelisation, return it to the air fryer or oven for 2 to 3 minutes.
Garnish and serve
Scatter with green onion and toasted sesame seeds and serve immediately, with extra glaze on the side.
Nutrition
Per Serving
Recipe serves 5Nutritional values are estimates only and may vary based on specific ingredients, brands, cuts, cooking method, and portion sizes. For medical or dietary purposes, please consult a qualified nutritionist.
Tips and Pairing
People Also Ask
How do you make pork belly bites crispy? +
Pat the cubes very dry, toss them in oil and a dry rub, and cook them in a single layer in a hot air fryer or oven so the fat renders and the edges crisp. Crowding the pan steams the pork instead. Add the glaze only at the end so the sugars do not burn before the pork crisps.
Can you make pork belly bites in an air fryer? +
Yes, an air fryer is ideal for pork belly bites. Cook them at 200°C for 18 to 22 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp. The circulating heat renders the fat and crisps the edges quickly. An oven at 220°C on a wire rack over a tray works well too.
Should pork belly be cooked skin on or off for bites? +
Either works for bites. Skin on gives extra crunch but needs to be very dry and hot to crisp properly, while skin off is simpler and still crisps at the edges. Cutting the belly into even cubes is what matters most for consistent cooking.
When do you add the glaze to pork belly bites? +
Toss the bites in the glaze only after they are cooked and crisp, then optionally return them to the heat for 2 to 3 minutes to caramelise. Adding a sugary glaze too early causes it to burn before the pork crisps. Finishing with the glaze keeps the bites sticky, not scorched.
What do you serve with crispy pork belly bites? +
Serve them with steamed rice to soak up the glaze, plus pickled vegetables or stir fried greens to cut through the richness. A simple salad or a sweet chilli dipping sauce rounds them out. They also work as a shared starter straight off the platter.
