Best Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites

Having a dull day? Maybe a sticky and irresistibly delicious Asian-style Honey Garlic Pork Belly bites made in the Air Fryer is what you need to light up your day. Each bite is coated in a rich glaze made from real honey, fresh garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, salt, ground black pepper, and five-spice powder.

The result is tender pork belly with crispy, slightly charred edges, balanced by sweet and savory flavors that will instantly turn ordinary days into something special.

Find out how to make Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites!

Best Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites

Recipe by Heizo
5.0 from 4 votes
Course: MainCuisine: AsianDifficulty: Medium
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

25

minutes
Calories

958

kcal

Crispy, sweet, and savory pork belly bites coated in a sticky honey garlic glaze. Marinate pork belly cubes in a mixture of honey, fresh garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Air fry until golden and caramelized, then toss with the remaining sauce for a glossy, flavorful finish.

Ingredients

  • 500 grams 500 Pork belly

  • 3 tablespoons 3 Honey

  • 4 cloves 4 fresh garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoon 2 Soy sauce

  • 1 1/2 tablespoon 1 1/2 Oyster Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon 1 Vinegar

  • 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 Five spice powder

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon 1 1/2 ground black pepper

  • 1 piece 1 Medium green onions, chopped

  • 1 tablespoon 1 sesame seed, toasted

Directions

  • Wash the pork belly and trim off the skin. Lay it flat on a surface, then use a fork or meat tenderizer to poke holes on both sides. This helps the marinade penetrate deeper into the meat.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut the pork belly into 1 to 1.5-inch cubes.
  • Prepare the marinade sauce. In a bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of Honey, 4 cloves of minced fresh garlic, 2 tablespoons of Soy Sauce, 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of Oyster Sauce, 1 tablespoon of Vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly until the honey is fully dissolved and the garlic, sauces, and seasonings are well combined into a smooth marinade.
  • Set aside about 20% of the marinade, then coat the pork belly with the remaining mixture. Mix thoroughly using a spatula or gloved hands. Let it marinate for at least an hour, or overnight if possible, to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 380°F or 200°C for three to five minutes, or according to instructions.
  • Transfer the marinated pork belly bites into the air fryer basket. Spraying oil is optional, as the pork fat will render enough to cook the meat.
  • Set the timer for 25 minutes and give them a flip halfway so they crisp up nicely and evenly. Brush on the remaining marinade every few minutes to coat the meat in a shiny glaze.
  • If there’s leftover marinade, you can boil it down for a few minutes until it thickens into a sauce. Pour it over the bites for extra flavor.
  • Serve it hot, topped with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

  • Adjust time and temp: Note that air fryer models vary, and some may require or lower or higher cooking times and temperatures. If your bites aren’t browning well, add a couple of minutes.
  • Do not overcrowd: If cooking multiple pork belly bites, arrange them in a single layer with enough space in between to allow even airflow.
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What makes these Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites irresistible?

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites have quickly become one of my go-to dishes, especially on days when I’m craving tender, juicy chunks of pork perfectly coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze, with just the right hint of Asian-style spices that make every bite irresistibly flavorful. Here’s what else to love about them.

  • Juicy and packed with flavors: This recipe combines a flavorful mix of Asian-style spices and sauces that cling to the outside of the meat while seeping into every crevice, making sure that each bite is tender and juicy.
  • Little to no mess: Pans and grills are considered my babies, but I just sometimes can’t ignore the mess, grease, and odor they leave, something an air fryer doesn’t give. With an air fryer, all I have to do is pop the pork belly in, and it cooks by itself without splattering oil around the kitchen. How convenient!
  • Quick and convenient: The air fryer reduces cooking time compared to oven roasting or pan-frying, making it perfect for busy days.

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites: Ingredients and Substitutions

Find all the ingredients and possible substitutions for making Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites!

  • Pork Belly: Of course, you can’t make pork belly bites without the pork belly. When picking pork belly, try to search for a fresh slab of belly with almost even layers of fat and meat.
  • Honey: The secret to sweetness and sticky, caramelized glaze on the pork. Try to purchase 100% real honey, or ones you can purchase from local farms. You may use brown sugar, or maple syrup as a substitute.
  • Garlic: Ideally, use freshly chopped or minced garlic. You can also use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder as a substitute.
  • Soy sauce and oyster sauce: For the umami, savory flavor, and saltiness. This also helps the glaze stick to the meat.
  • Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, and Five-spice powder to elevate the flavor!
  • Vinegar: It helps balance the sweetness and lightly tenderizes the meat.
  • Toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions: For garnish.

How to make Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and coated in a sweet-savory glaze. With just a few ingredients and an air fryer, you can whip up this flavorful dish in no time.

Preparing the Pork Belly

Begin by washing the pork belly, then pat it dry with paper towels. Whenever you cook meat in an air fryer, make sure to dry it well. Excess moisture prevents browning and stops you from getting a good sear.

Trim off the skin with a sharp knife, then lay the slab flat. Cut it into 1 to 1.5-inch cubes, then use a fork to poke holes in them. This is a step you shouldn’t skip prior to marinating, as it helps the marinade soak into the meat.

Making the Honey Garlic Marinade

Chop and mince garlic, and prepare the rest of the ingredients that you need to make the marinade.

  • 3 tablespoons Honey
  • 4 cloves of fresh garlic
  • 2 tablespoons of Soy sauce
  • 1 1⁄2 tablespoon Oyster Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Vinegar
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Combine the sauces in a bowl, and stir in the freshly minced garlic and the dry seasonings. Whisk until smooth until the honey fully dissolves! After mixing, keep a small portion aside to brush on the pork belly later for extra flavor!

Serving Suggestions

Once the Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites are cooked to perfection, the fun part is deciding how to serve them. Here are a few easy and tasty ways to enjoy this dish.

What to serve it with:

Tips for Crispy and Tender Pork Belly Bites

Wanna perfect the Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites? Here are some tips that might be useful in the kitchen.

  • After rinsing, blot the pork belly with paper towels until there’s no surface moisture left. Wet meat won’t crisp up. Don’t forget that!
  • Even-sized cuts are needed. We recommend anywhere between 1 to 1.5 inches. Fret not, as you don’t need the exact measurement, and you don’t have to use a ruler either. This way, you won’t have to adjust the cooking time for every piece that’s different.
  • Don’t forget to poke the meat. Poking the surface with a fork, knife or tenderizer will let the marinade sink in and help render fat better.
  • Don’t skip the marinade. Even a good hour of marination will do and we highly recommend not skipping this step.
  • Cook until the edges caramelize. Let the bites go until the edges are golden and slightly charred

How to store Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites

You can store any leftovers that you have in the fridge or freezer, depending on your needs.

Fridge:

  • Let the pork belly bites cool to room temperature first.
  • Transfer them into an airtight container.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Freezer:

  • Place cooled bites on a tray in a single layer and freeze until solid
  • Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
  • They’ll keep well for about 2 months.

How to reheat Air Fryer Honey Garlic Pork Belly Bites

Now for the reheating process, you can use any kitchen appliance that you have.

  • Air fryer: Preheat to 350°F or 175°C, then reheat the honey garlic pork belly bites for 4–6 minutes.
  • Microwave: Pop them in a microwave-safe dish, cover lightly, and heat for 1–2 minutes.
  • Oven: Heat at 375°F or 190°C for 8–10 minutes
  • Pan or skillet: Warm a pan over medium heat with just a little oil. Add the pork belly bites in a single layer and cook for 4-6 minutes, flipping now and then until heated through.
Can I use a different cut of pork?

Yes! Pork shoulder or belly strips work, but cooking time may vary.

Do I have to marinate the pork?

Especially for pork, it’s always recommended to marinate the pork for maximum flavor.

How do I get the pork belly extra crispy?

Pat the pork dry before air frying and avoid overcrowding the basket.

Are these bites spicy?

Not as written, but you can add chili flakes, sriracha, or fresh chili to the marinade for heat.

Estimated Nutrition

Note: The nutrition details provided are based on general calculations and may not reflect exact results. Actual values can differ depending on the ingredients used, portion sizes, and how the food is prepared. Use this as a general guide, not a medical or dietary recommendation.

Nutrition Facts

3 servings per container

Serving Size244 grams


  • Amount Per ServingCalories958
  • % Daily Value *
  • Total Fat 88.6g 136%
    • Saturated Fat 32.3g 160%
    • Trans Fat 0g
  • Cholesterol 120mg 40%
  • Sodium 1809mg 76%
  • Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
    • Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
    • Sugars 9g
  • Protein 17g 34%

  • Vitamin A 19%
  • Vitamin C 8%
  • Calcium 4%
  • Iron 8%

* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.


Thanks for giving this recipe a try! Hope it brought as much flavor to your table as it did to mine. If you enjoyed it, don’t forget to share your creation, tag me on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook so I can see your delicious version. While you’re at it, follow us on these platforms to stay updated on every new recipe we share.

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