Crispy Pork Belly Bites

Name: Crispy Pork Belly Bites with Pineapple Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb pork belly; 1/2 cup pineapple juice; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp gochujang; 1/4 cup pineapple, diced; 2 tbsp brown sugar, packed; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp chili powder; Fresh pineapple, diced, for garnish; Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish; Lime wedges, for serving

Crispy Pork Belly Bites feature tender, caramelized pork belly coated in a sweet and smoky pineapple-gochujang glaze. These versatile bites work equally well as a standalone appetizer or piled into tacos.

🌍American 🏷️Pork belly 🏷️Pork belly bites 🏷️Pineapple 🏷️Sweet and savory Appetizer

🏷️

🏷️Tacos

-0:00

TikTok

Total

10 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

1 lb pork belly
1/2 cup pineapple juice
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp gochujang
1/4 cup pineapple, diced
2 tbsp brown sugar, packed
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
Fresh pineapple, diced, for garnishoptional
Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnishoptional
Lime wedges, for servingoptional

12 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels.
2
Slice the pork belly into strips, then dice into bite-sized cubes.
3
In a large bowl, combine the pork belly cubes with pineapple juice, soy sauce, gochujang, diced pineapple, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.
4
Mix thoroughly until the pork belly is evenly coated in the marinade.
5
Cover the bowl and refrigerate to marinate for at least 2 hours, or up to 5 hours for more flavor.
6
Arrange the marinated pork belly bites in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
7
Air fry until crispy and caramelized. (Note: The video does not specify a temperature or time.)
8
Serve hot, garnished with fresh diced pineapple, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges on the side.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Sear the pork belly pieces skin-side down first over medium-high heat until deeply golden and crispy before adding the marinade—this locks in texture.
Don't rush the marinade; let the pork belly sit for at least 30 minutes so the sweet-smoky glaze caramelizes properly during a final pan sear.
Cut the pineapple into small dice so it cooks down into the sauce and won't slide off the bites when serving.
If the marinade looks thin, simmer it separately for 2–3 minutes before adding the cooked pork to concentrate the glaze.

Substitutions

Pineapple juice → fresh orange juice or white vinegar (¼ cup juice + 1 tbsp vinegar for tang)
Gochujang → miso paste mixed with hot sauce (1 tbsp miso + 1 tsp sriracha)
Brown sugar → honey or maple syrup (use same amount)
Fresh pineapple garnish → diced mango or candied pineapple

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooked pork belly bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness.

Common Questions

How do you get pork belly crispy on the outside?

Pat the pork belly completely dry before cooking, then sear it skin-side down in a hot skillet until the exterior is browned and crackling. This creates the crispy texture before marinating.

Can you make pork belly bites ahead of time?

Yes. Cook and marinate the bites up to 2 days ahead, then reheat gently in a skillet or oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes before serving to restore crispness.

What can I use instead of gochujang?

Sriracha (1–2 tbsp), sambal oelek, or a mix of hot sauce and miso paste work as substitutes for similar heat and umami.

How thick should pork belly be cut?

Cut into 1 to 1.5-inch cubes or bite-sized pieces. Thinner cuts cook faster but may lose tenderness; thicker pieces stay juicy inside with crispy edges.