Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Bites with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly cubes crisped to perfection in the air fryer, served with a vibrant and spicy gochujang dipping sauce. This korean-inspired game day ready in about 30 minutes pairs kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Toss 1 lb pork belly cubes with 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Arrange the pork belly pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the pork is golden and crispy on the outside.
  3. Step 3: While the pork cooks, whisk together 3 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1 tbsp water in a small bowl until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Transfer the crispy pork belly bites to a serving dish and drizzle with the spicy gochujang sauce.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced scallions before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Bites with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Bites with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep kosher salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Bites with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Bites with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Air Fryer Crispy Pork Belly Bites with Spicy Korean Gochujang Sauce?

Korean game day like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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