Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (Crispy, 24 Minutes)

This air fryer sweet and sour pork gives you everything you love about the takeout version: crispy golden pork, a glossy sweet-tangy sauce, juicy pineapple and crisp bell peppers. There’s no deep fryer and no pot of oil to deal with. The pork crisps in the air fryer while the sauce comes together in the microwave, and dinner is on the table in 24 minutes.

If your family already loves my PF Chang’s-style sweet and sour chicken or air fryer orange chicken, this pork version belongs in the same rotation.

When testing this recipe in my own kitchen, I quickly learned that timing is everything with the sauce. On my first trial run, I tossed the pork in sauce midway through cooking, and the coating turned soggy instead of giving that satisfying crunch. Now I wait and toss the pork in warm sauce right after it comes out of the air fryer, so every bite stays crispy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy without deep frying. An egg wash plus a cornstarch-and-flour coat gives you a crackly, takeout-style shell with just a light spray of oil.
• No wok, no skillet. The pork cooks in the air fryer and the sauce thickens in the microwave, so cleanup is one bowl and the basket.
• A sauce you can control. Pineapple juice, ketchup, rice vinegar and brown sugar. You decide how sweet and how salty it gets.
• Fast. 10 minutes of prep and 14 minutes of cooking.
• Kid-friendly. Sweet, sticky and mild, with no spice unless you add it.

What Is Sweet and Sour Pork?

Sweet and sour pork is a Cantonese dish, known in Cantonese as gu lou yuk (咕噜肉). Bite-sized pork is coated, fried until crisp, then tossed in a sauce that balances sugar and vinegar, usually with pineapple and peppers. The bright red takeout version most Americans know is the Chinese-American take on it. This recipe keeps the same flavors and swaps the deep fryer for an air fryer.

Ingredients for Air Fried Sweet and Sour Pork

Full measurements are in the printable recipe card below.

For the crispy pork

• Pork shoulder or pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes. More on choosing between them below.
• Soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper for a quick 10-minute marinade.
• 1 large egg to help the coating stick.
• Cornstarch and all-purpose flour. Cornstarch makes it crisp; flour gives the crust some body.
• Cooking spray so the coating browns instead of staying chalky.

For the sweet and sour sauce

• Pineapple juice, saved from the can of pineapple chunks.
• Ketchup for color and body.
• Rice vinegar for the sour side.
• Brown sugar for the sweet side.
• Soy sauce for savory depth.
• Cornstarch to thicken it into a glossy glaze.

To finish

• Pineapple chunks, red and green bell pepper, and a little onion. They go in raw and soften slightly from the heat of the pork and sauce, so they stay crisp-tender.

Pork Shoulder vs. Pork Tenderloin: Which Cut Is Best?

Pork shoulder is the best choice for sweet and sour pork. It has enough fat to stay juicy at 400°F and it is forgiving if a batch runs a minute long. Buy boneless shoulder (sometimes labeled pork butt) and trim off any thick fat caps before cubing.

Pork tenderloin also works if you want a leaner, easy option. Because it has almost no fat, start checking it at 10 minutes and pull it as soon as it reaches temperature. If you cook tenderloin often, my guide to air fryer pork tenderloin and these air fryer pork medallions are easy weeknight recipes too.

Skip pork belly (too fatty for this coating) and thin pork chops (they dry out before the coating crisps).

How to Make Sweet and Sour Pork in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Marinate the pork. Toss the cubed pork with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Let it sit for 10 minutes while you chop the vegetables.

Step 2: Coat the pork. Stir the beaten egg into the pork until every piece is coated. In a separate bowl, whisk the cornstarch and flour. Lift the pork out a few pieces at a time, let the extra egg drip off, and toss in the cornstarch mixture until fully covered. Shake off the excess.

Step 3: Air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. Spray the basket, add the pork in a single layer with space between pieces, and spray the tops until no dry flour shows. Air fry for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping and spraying again halfway, until deep golden. Work in two batches if your basket is small.

Step 4: Check the temperature. Pork is done at 145°F with a 3-minute rest, the safe minimum for whole cuts of pork on the USDA FSIS safe temperature chart. Check the thickest piece with an instant-read thermometer. Air fryers vary, so check a minute or two early the first time.

Step 5: Make the sauce while the pork cooks. Whisk pineapple juice, ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce and cornstarch in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until thick and glossy, about 90 seconds total.

Step 6: Toss and serve. Put the hot pork, pineapple, peppers and onion in a large bowl. Pour the hot sauce over and toss gently. Serve right away over rice.

Tips for the Crispiest Pork

• Don’t crowd the basket. Pieces that touch steam instead of crisp. Two batches is better than one crowded one.
• Spray until you see no white. Dry cornstarch spots stay pale and chalky.
• Sauce last, serve fast. The longer the pork sits in sauce, the softer the crust. Toss right before it hits the table.
• Cut evenly. Uniform 1-inch cubes cook at the same rate, so you won’t have dry pieces next to undercooked ones.
• Make it ahead the smart way. Coat the pork up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate it on a tray. Mix the sauce ingredients too, but add the cornstarch just before heating.

Is Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Pork Healthier Than Takeout?

It’s lighter than the restaurant version. Takeout sweet and sour pork is deep fried, and the coating absorbs oil as it cooks. Here the pork gets only a light spray of oil, and you control how much sugar and soy sauce go into the sauce. For less sodium, use low-sodium soy sauce in both the marinade and the sauce.

Easy Variations

• Sweet and sour chicken. Swap in boneless chicken thighs and cook to 165°F. My PF Chang’s-style sweet and sour chicken has a five-spice coating if you want a change.
• Spicy sweet and sour. Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a spoonful of chili garlic sauce to the sauce.
• Different sauce, same pork. Love the crispy pork but want something savory and spicy? Try my air fryer General Tso’s pork.
• Gluten-free. Use tamari instead of soy sauce and a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in the coating.

What to Serve With Sweet and Sour Pork

Steamed rice is the classic pairing because it soaks up the extra sauce. This Instant Pot coconut jasmine rice is especially good with the pineapple. For a full takeout night at home, add air fryer chicken fried rice, homemade pork and vegetable egg rolls, or air fryer crab rangoon.

How to Store and Reheat

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container. FoodSafety.gov recommends eating cooked meat leftovers within 3 to 4 days. If you can, store the pork and sauce separately.

Reheat in the air fryer: Air fry the pork at 375°F for 3 to 4 minutes until hot and crisp again. Warm the sauce in the microwave, then toss and serve.

Freezer: Freeze the cooked, unsauced pork in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Re-crisp from frozen in the air fryer and make a fresh batch of sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature should sweet and sour pork be cooked to? Cook pork to 145°F and let it rest 3 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer in the thickest piece.

Why isn’t my air fryer pork crispy? The usual causes are a crowded basket, skipping the oil spray, or saucing too early. Cook in a single layer, spray until no flour shows, and sauce right before serving.

Can I make sweet and sour pork in the air fryer without egg? Yes. Toss the marinated pork directly in the cornstarch and flour mix. The coating will be thinner but still crisp.

Can I use store-bought sweet and sour sauce? Yes. Warm about 3/4 cup of your favorite brand and toss it with the hot pork. The homemade sauce only takes 2 minutes, though, and you can adjust the sweetness.

How long does pork take in the air fryer at 400°F? One-inch cubes of pork shoulder take 12 to 14 minutes. Pork tenderloin cubes are often done in 10 to 12 minutes.

What’s the difference between sweet and sour pork and sweet and sour chicken? Only the protein. The coating, sauce and method are the same. Chicken needs to reach 165°F instead of 145°F.

More Air Fryer Chinese-Style Recipes

• Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken
• Air Fryer General Tso’s Pork
• Air Fryer Chinese Spare Ribs
• Air Fryer Orange Chicken

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