Air Fryer Honey Glazed Pork Belly Bites
Description
Crispy on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside, and coated in a sticky honey-soy-garlic glaze, these Air Fryer Honey Glazed Pork Belly Bites are ready in just 25 minutes. The air fryer renders the fat beautifully without deep frying, giving you golden, restaurant-quality pork belly with hardly any cleanup. Perfect as a party appetizer, rice bowl topping, or a flavor-packed weeknight main.
Ingredients
For the Pork Belly:
- 1.5 lbs pork belly, 700g skinless pork belly, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Honey Glaze:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, or tamari for gluten-free
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
For Garnish:
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prep the pork: Pat the pork belly cubes thoroughly dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss with avocado oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Air fry the pork belly: Arrange the cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. Air fry at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until deeply golden and crispy on all sides. Drain any rendered fat from the drawer halfway through cooking.
- Make the glaze: While the pork cooks, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened and glossy.
- Toss and serve: Transfer the crispy pork belly bites to a large bowl. Pour the warm glaze over the top and toss until every piece is coated. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper
Notes
💡 Notes & Tips
- Dry the pork belly thoroughly — surface moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
- Don't overcrowd the basket — cook in two batches if needed for the crispiest results.
- Glaze at the end — honey burns quickly in the air fryer, so always toss the bites after cooking.
- Drain rendered fat halfway through for faster, crispier browning.
- Gluten-free option: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Make it spicy: Add 1 tablespoon gochujang to the glaze for a Korean-inspired kick.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–4 minutes to restore crispness.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 1000kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 17gFat: 95gSaturated Fat: 33gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 45gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 1145mgPotassium: 391mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 276IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg