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Sweet N Spicy Korean BBQ Pork Belly Bites in the Air Fryer

Sweet & Spicy Korean BBQ Pork Belly Bites in the Air Fryer

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine Korean
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Air fryer Essential for getting that crispy texture without deep frying. A basket-style or oven-style air fryer will work. If you’re using a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
  • Mixing bowls One for marinating and one for tossing the pork with seasonings.
  • Tongs For flipping the pork belly bites mid-cook.
  • Lined baking sheet (optional) Useful if you want to rest the pork after air frying or glaze them further under a broiler.
  • Knife and Cutting Board For portioning your pork belly.

Ingredients
  

For the pork

  • 1.5 lbs pork belly skinless and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar to help dry the surface

For the marinade

  • 3 tablespoons gochujang Korean fermented chili paste
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds optional, for garnish
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced (for garnish)

Optional glaze (for extra stickiness)

  • 1 tablespoon gochujang
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon water

Instructions
 

Prepare the pork belly

  1. Start with skinless pork belly. You want a good meat-to-fat ratio; too fatty and it’ll feel greasy, too lean and you’ll miss that signature tenderness. Cut into 1-inch cubes — this size crisps up well in the air fryer and stays juicy inside.
  2. Pat the pieces dry with paper towels. Toss them with salt, pepper, and a splash of rice vinegar. Let them sit for 5–10 minutes while you prepare the marinade. This step helps dry out the surface for better crisping — a common trick in pork belly air fryer recipe circles.

Marinate the pork

  1. In a large bowl, mix gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar. This mixture should be thick and sticky — the kind that will cling to the pork and caramelize beautifully in the heat. Add the pork to the bowl and toss until every piece is coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for deeper flavor. Even 15 minutes will make a difference.

Air fry to crispy perfection

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Spray or lightly brush the basket with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the marinated pork belly bites in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Air fry for 10 minutes, flip each piece, and cook for another 8–10 minutes until crispy, golden, and slightly charred at the edges.
  2. Optional but recommended: Toss the cooked bites in the optional glaze (quick-simmered for a minute) for a glossy finish, and air fry for 2 more minutes to caramelize the surface. It gives them that saucy, sticky-sweet finish that screams Korean pork belly.

Garnish and serve

  1. Transfer the crispy bites to a platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced scallions for contrast and freshness. Serve immediately — they're best when piping hot with that just-crisped texture.