General Tso’s Pork (Crispy Air Fryer Recipe)

This General Tso’s pork is crispy, sticky, sweet, and just a little spicy, and it’s made in the air fryer instead of a pot of oil. Bite-size pieces of pork tenderloin get a light cornstarch coating, air fry until golden, and then get tossed in a homemade General Tso’s sauce with green beans and carrots. It tastes like your favorite takeout, and it’s on the table in about 40 minutes.

If you’ve already made my Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken, this is its pork twin. Pork tenderloin is lean, tender, and budget-friendly, and it soaks up that glossy sauce beautifully.

I first made this Air Fryer General Tso’s Pork when I wanted the bold flavor of Chinese takeout without the cost or greasy cleanup. The crispy pork coated in sticky, sweet-and-spicy sauce disappeared quickly, and my family immediately asked me to make it again.

Why This General Tso Pork Recipe Works

• It’s actually crispy. A dry coat of cornstarch plus a quick spray of oil gives the pork a light, crackly crust in the air fryer. The sauce goes on at the very end, so the coating stays crisp.
• The sauce is homemade, but easy. Soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes simmer for two minutes into that sweet-tangy-spicy glaze you know from the restaurant. No hunting for specialty ingredients.
• It’s a complete meal. Green beans and shredded carrots cook right in the sauce, stir-fry style, so all you need is a pot of rice.
• You control the heat. Use a pinch of red pepper flakes for a mild version or add dried red chiles for real kick.

General Tso’s Pork vs. General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s chicken is the Chinese-American restaurant classic: crispy fried chicken in a sweet, savory, slightly spicy sauce. General Tso’s pork uses the exact same sauce and technique with pork instead. Pork tenderloin cooks just as fast as chicken breast, stays juicy, and brings a slightly richer flavor. If you love that sauce on wings, try my Air Fryer General Tso Wings for game day.

Ingredients for General Tso’s Pork

You’ll find exact amounts in the printable recipe card below.

How To Make General Tso’s Pork In Air Fryer

Here are the step-by-step directions for making General Tsos Pork In Air Fryer.

For the crispy pork

• Pork tenderloin: The most tender choice. Trim off the shiny silver skin, then cut the meat into 1-inch pieces so they cook evenly.
• Soy sauce and white pepper: A quick 10-minute seasoning so the pork is flavorful all the way through, not just on the outside.
• Cornstarch: This is what makes the pork crispy. Don’t skip it.
• Cooking spray or oil spray: A light coat on the pork helps the cornstarch turn golden instead of dusty.

For the General Tso’s sauce

• Low-sodium soy sauce: The salty, savory base.
• Hoisin sauce: Adds sweetness and body.
• Rice vinegar: The tang that makes General Tso’s sauce taste like General Tso’s.
• Brown sugar: For that sticky, caramel-like sweetness.
• Cornstarch and water: Thickens the sauce into a glossy glaze that clings to the pork.
• Garlic, fresh ginger, and red pepper flakes: The aromatics and the heat.
• Toasted sesame oil: Stirred in at the end for a nutty finish.

For the vegetables and serving

• Frozen French green beans and shredded carrots: They heat through in the sauce and turn this into a one-bowl dinner.
• Green onions and sesame seeds: For garnish.
• Cooked white rice: For serving.

How to Make General Tso’s Pork in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Season the pork. Pat the pork pieces dry with paper towels. Toss them with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and the white pepper, and let them sit for 10 minutes while you make the sauce.

Step 2: Mix the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, brown sugar, water, and cornstarch until smooth. Set it aside.

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer. Set it to 400°F (200°C) and let it heat for 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 4: Coat the pork. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the pork and toss until every piece is coated. Let it sit for 5 minutes; the coating will look slightly damp, which means it will crisp up instead of staying powdery. Shake off any extra.

Step 5: Air fry. Lightly spray the basket. Arrange the pork in a single layer with a little space between pieces, working in batches if needed. Spray the tops of the pork well. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping halfway, until the pork is golden and crisp and reaches 145°F inside.

Step 6: Cook the sauce and vegetables. While the pork cooks, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes and stir for 30 seconds. Add the green beans and carrots and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the beans are hot. Give the sauce a quick stir (the cornstarch settles), pour it in, and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until thick and glossy. Turn off the heat and stir in the sesame oil.

Step 7: Toss and serve. Add the crispy pork to the skillet and toss just until coated. Serve right away over rice, topped with green onions and sesame seeds.

Tips for the Crispiest General Tso’s Pork

• Dry pork = crispy pork. Moisture is the enemy of a crisp coating, so really pat those pieces dry.
• Don’t crowd the basket. Pieces that touch will steam instead of crisp. Two batches are better than one soggy one.
• Spray the coating. Any white, dusty spots after cooking just need a little more oil. Spray them and air fry 1 to 2 more minutes.
• Sauce last. Toss the pork in the sauce right before serving. If you’re feeding people at different times, keep the pork and sauce separate and toss each portion as you serve it.
• Use a thermometer. Pork tenderloin is lean and dries out if overcooked. Pull it at 145°F.

Easy Shortcut: Store-Bought Sauce

Short on time? Skip the homemade sauce and use ½ cup of a bottled General Tso’s stir fry sauce (the original version of this recipe used one from Trader Joe’s). Heat it in the skillet with the green beans and carrots, then toss in the crispy pork. It’s a quick General Tso pork stir fry for nights when you need dinner in 25 minutes.

Variations

• Make it spicier: Add 4 to 6 whole dried red chiles to the skillet with the garlic, or stir a teaspoon of sriracha into the sauce.
• Swap the vegetables: Broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers, or snap peas all work. Cook them in the skillet until crisp-tender before adding the sauce.
• Try another protein: Use the same method with boneless chicken breast or thighs, or check out my Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken and Air Fryer Sesame Chicken for two more takeout favorites.
• Make it gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and choose a hoisin sauce labeled gluten-free.

What to Serve With General Tso’s Pork

Steamed white or jasmine rice is the classic, but you can make it a full takeout-style night at home. Swap plain rice for Panda Express-style fried rice or veggie-packed Subgum Fried Rice, and add a batch of homemade air fryer egg rolls on the side. If you want a second main, Air Fryer Beef and Broccoli cooks in the same appliance and rounds out the table.

Storing and Reheating

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. The coating will soften once it sits in the sauce.

Reheat: The air fryer brings back the most crunch. Reheat at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, shaking once, until hot. The same method works for takeout, too; see my guide to reheating General Tso’s chicken in the air fryer.

Freezer: For the best texture, freeze the air-fried pork and the sauce separately for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, re-crisp the pork in the air fryer, warm the sauce on the stove, and toss.

General Tso’s Pork FAQs

What is General Tso’s pork? General Tso’s pork is a Chinese-American dish of crispy pork pieces tossed in a sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, ginger, and chiles. It’s usually served over rice.

What cut of pork is best for General Tso’s pork? Pork tenderloin is the most tender and cooks quickly. Boneless pork loin chops also work well; trim the fat and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Avoid pork shoulder here, since it needs long cooking to get tender.

How do I keep General Tso’s pork crispy? Pat the pork dry, coat it in cornstarch, spray it with oil, cook it in a single layer, and toss it in the sauce right before serving.

Can I make General Tso’s pork without an air fryer? Yes. Shallow-fry the coated pork in about ½ inch of neutral oil over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per batch, until golden and cooked through, then toss with the sauce.

Is General Tso’s pork spicy? It’s mildly spicy as written. Adjust the red pepper flakes or add dried chiles to make it as hot as you like.

Can I make it lower carb? Serve it over cauliflower rice or skip the rice and double the green beans. For another lighter takeout-style dinner, try my Air Fryer Egg Roll in a Bowl.

More Pork Dinners to Try

If this General Tso’s pork is a hit, make my Instant Pot Pork Fried Rice next, a one-pot dinner with tender pork and vegetables.

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