These air fryer pork belly bites are juicy, bite-sized pieces of boneless pork seasoned and air-fried until crisp outside and tender inside. With just six simple ingredients and under 45 minutes from start to finish, they make an easy, flavorful appetizer or main course.
If you enjoy Latin pork dishes like chicharrones or pernil, you’ll love this version. Traditional chicharrones are marinated and fried on the stovetop, but the air fryer makes the process cleaner, faster, and just as delicious. The result is crunchy, golden exteriors with juicy centers. Serve with rice and beans or congri for a complete meal, or offer lime wedges and hot sauce on the side for a simple appetizer.
Air Fryer Pork Belly Ingredient Notes
Pork Belly – Use 1 lb of boneless pork belly, cut into 1- to 2-inch cubes for even cooking.
Sazon – A Latin seasoning blend found in the Hispanic section of many supermarkets. If you don’t have sazon, substitute adobo or your favorite seasoning mix.
Baking Soda – A small amount helps the exterior crisp up nicely without affecting flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the sazon, oregano, salt, cumin, and black pepper.
- Toss the pork belly cubes with the vegetable oil, the spice mixture, and the baking soda until evenly coated.
- Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray and arrange the pork belly pieces in a single layer, leaving small gaps for air circulation.
- Cook at 250°F for 20 minutes. Flip the pieces, raise the temperature to 400°F, and air-fry for an additional 5–10 minutes until the pieces are deeply browned and crispy. Serve immediately.
Top Tips
- Avoid overcooking; long exposure to high heat can dry the interior. Watch closely during the final crisping step.
- Let the pork belly sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking for more even results.
- Reserve the rendered fat — when crisped, it adds great texture and flavor.
- Pat the pork belly pieces dry with paper towels before seasoning so they crisp better in the air fryer.
- Serve with fresh lime wedges and your favorite hot sauce.
What Is Pork Belly?
Pork belly is an uncured, unsmoked, fatty cut from the underside of the pig. It becomes especially tasty when fried or air-fried, developing a crisp exterior with rich, tender meat inside.
Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 2–3 minutes to refresh the crispiness.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Honey Sriracha Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Scallops
- Air Fryer Filet Mignon
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Air Fryer Pork Belly
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork belly, cut into 1 or 2-inch cubes
- 1/2 tsp sazon
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Combine the sazon, oregano, salt, cumin, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Pour the oil over the pork belly cubes, add the spice blend and baking soda, and mix until well coated.
- Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray and place the pork belly in a single layer.
- Air-fry at 250°F for 20 minutes. Flip the pork, increase the temperature to 400°F, and cook another 5–10 minutes until crispy. Serve hot.
Notes
- Do not overcook to avoid drying the meat; watch the final crisping stage closely.
- Bring the pork to room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking for even results.
- Render and crisp the fat — it adds great flavor and texture.
- Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels before seasoning to help achieve maximum crispiness.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 1 g |
Protein: 11 g |
Fat: 60 g |
Saturated Fat: 22 g |
Cholesterol: 82 mg |
Sodium: 509 mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Author: Julie Maestre
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Latin
Servings: 4
Calories: 589
Keyword: Air Fryer Chicharrones, Air Fryer Pork Belly, Pork Belly