Air Fryer Maple Glazed Pork Belly Bites

These air fryer maple glazed pork belly bites are one of my favorite things to make when I want something a little indulgent but still super easy. Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, with a sweet and savory glaze that ties everything together.

The air fryer does all the heavy lifting here. It renders the fat perfectly and gets the edges nice and crispy without deep frying or babysitting a hot pan.

The glaze is a simple mix of maple syrup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar and red pepper flakes. It gives you that perfect balance of sweet, salty and just a tiny bit of heat.

You only need about 10 ingredients to pull this off, and most of them are probably already in your kitchen. It’s the kind of recipe that looks and tastes way more impressive than the effort it actually takes.

Whether you’re serving these as an appetizer, a snack or part of a bigger meal, they disappear fast. Trust me on that one.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crispy Outside, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Inside – The air fryer gives these pork belly bites a perfectly crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. That contrast in texture is what makes every single bite so addictive.

The Maple Glaze Is Unreal – The combination of maple syrup, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar creates a sticky, sweet, and savory glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the pork belly. It hits every flavor note you could want in one bite.

Way Less Greasy Than Deep Frying – Pork belly is naturally rich and fatty, but the air fryer renders out a lot of that excess fat while still keeping things juicy. You get all the flavor without feeling like you just ate something deep fried.

Only a Handful of Ingredients – You need about 10 simple ingredients to pull this off, and most of them are pantry staples like soy sauce, garlic powder, and maple syrup. No hunting down obscure items at a specialty store.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb Pork Belly, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds
• 2 Green Onions, sliced

How to Make

Step 1

Pat pork belly cubes dry and season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Step 2

Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Arrange pork belly cubes in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 15-18 minutes, shaking basket every 5 minutes, until crispy and golden.

Step 3

While pork cooks, whisk together maple syrup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 4

Transfer cooked pork belly bites to a large bowl. Pour maple glaze over and toss until all pieces are coated.

Step 5

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Tips

Pat the Pork Belly Really Dry

This is the single most important step if you want crispy pork belly bites. Use paper towels and press down firmly on every side of each cube to remove as much moisture as possible.

If the surface is still wet when it hits the air fryer, the pork will steam instead of crisping up. You’ll end up with chewy, rubbery pieces instead of that golden crunch you’re going for.

Don’t rush this part. Use two or three paper towels if you need to. The drier the surface, the better the result.

Cut Your Cubes the Same Size

When you’re cutting the pork belly into 1-inch cubes, try to keep them as uniform as possible. If some pieces are tiny and others are big, the small ones will burn while the large ones are still undercooked in the middle.

A sharp knife helps a lot here because pork belly can be slippery. If you’re having a hard time cutting it, pop it in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes first. It firms up just enough to make slicing way easier without actually freezing the meat.

Don’t Crowd the Basket

Lay the pork belly cubes in a single layer with a little bit of space between each piece. If they’re touching or stacked on top of each other, the hot air can’t circulate around them and they won’t crisp up evenly.

If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you might need to cook these in two batches. It takes a little longer, but every piece will come out crispy and golden instead of half the batch being soft and pale.

Also, don’t line the basket with parchment or foil for this one. You want the fat to drip down and the air to hit the pork from all sides.

Related Recipes

• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
• Air Fryer Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Bites
• Air Fryer Korean BBQ Beef Bowls
• Air Fryer Steak Bites with Garlic Butter
• Air Fryer Sweet Chili Glazed Meatballs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to remove the skin from the pork belly before air frying?

You can leave the skin on if you want extra crunch – the air fryer does a great job crisping it up. Just know that skin-on pieces may need an extra 2-3 minutes of cook time to get properly crispy.

If you prefer a more tender, melt-in-your-mouth bite without that tough chew, go ahead and remove the skin before cutting. Both ways taste amazing with the maple glaze.

What temperature and how long do I air fry these pork belly bites?

Cook them at 400 degrees F for about 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the pieces halfway through. The exact time depends on your air fryer model and how crispy you like them.

You’ll know they’re done when the edges are golden brown and the fat has rendered down nicely. If they’re not as crispy as you’d like after 15 minutes, just add another 2-3 minutes and keep an eye on them.