Crispy Pork Belly Bites

Let’s be real—pork belly bites are the ultimate party snack. Juicy, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, braised in a Chinese BBQ-inspired liquid, then fried until shatteringly crispy. Do I even need to say more?

These little flavor bombs are the kind of appetizer that make your guests stop mid-conversation and go: “Oh my gosh, what is THIS?!” They’re smoky, savory, slightly sweet, and just plain addictive.

The best part? They’re surprisingly simple to make. Just cut your pork belly into bite-sized chunks, let them simmer in a flavor-packed braising liquid, then fry until golden and crisp. Done.

Oh—and here’s the kicker—you can make them in advance! Yep. Just braise ahead of time and give them a quick fry right before serving. Talk about party-proof cooking.

👉 If you’re all about convenience, don’t miss my Air Fryer Pork Belly recipe—quick, easy, and just as delicious!

cubes of pork on a plate with toothpicks

This is a sponsored post for Serious Foodie. All opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Why This Recipe Works

Bite-sized magic – Smaller pieces mean they braise faster and get tender quicker.
Bold braising liquid – Packed with umami goodness, it infuses every bite with Chinese BBQ-inspired flavor.
The rub! – The Serious Foodie Chinese BBQ Rub takes this recipe to a whole new level. Seriously, it’s that good.

a jar of re-orange colored spice with the lid on the side

A Little About Serious Foodie

Serious Foodie started as a food + travel blog back in 2014 and grew into a small-batch spice and sauce company. Every product they make is inspired by flavors from their travels around the world. We’re talking sauces, marinades, and spice rubs that are thoughtfully crafted—even down to the type of salt they use.

When I tried their Chinese BBQ Rub, it was love at first bite. Bold, balanced, and just the right touch of sweet—it reminded me of the Char Siu I make at home, but in a super convenient seasoning blend. For globally-inspired cooking, these products are a home run.

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
What is My Take on Pork Belly Bites?
Make it a Meal
Easy Side Dishes
Ingredients
Step By Step Instructions
Expert Tips
Storing Instructions
Recipe
💬 Comments

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What is My Take on Pork Belly Bites?

These pork belly bites are the kind of dish that makes you feel like a culinary rockstar with almost no effort. They’re rich, flavorful, and perfectly crisp—yet easy enough to whip up on a weeknight. Serve them at a party, and I promise you’ll be crowned snack royalty.

Make it a Meal

Sure, they’re awesome on their own with a toothpick, but why stop there? Turn these pork belly bites into a full feast with:

Easy Side Dishes

Need more sides to balance out the richness? Try these:

Ingredients

Pork Belly - Choose the meatiest looking pork belly you can find. This will give you a good meat to fat ratio. You should be able to get it at your local grocery store or butcher. You can also buy pork belly online.

You will also need sake (Japanese rice wine) and a little soy sauce (for that delicious salty, umami flavor) for this recipe.

Mirin is a Japanese sweet rice wine. It's used to add a touch of sweet ness and helps bring out the flavor of the dish.

The Chinese BBQ spice rub used in this recipe is from Serious Foodie. This spice rub is a very close representation of the Char Siu I have on this site!

a jar of red-orange spice with a plate of food in the background

Step By Step Instructions

Step1: Combine all ingredients (oil) in a large pot or Dutch oven and bring to a simmer.

Step2: Simmer for 30 minutes.

Step3: Drain the pork belly, reserving the cooking liquid.

Step4: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet or large pot over medium heat (heat to about 325-350F degrees).

Step5: Add the pork belly (separate in two batches) and cook until browned and crisp on the outside. Remove and drain.

Step6: Serve immediately with toothpicks. *Optional-serve drizzled lightly with the cooking liquid for added flavor.

Expert Tips

Pork belly will smoke a little with frying, so make sure you have the fan on. Turn the heat down if it starts to smoke too much (or starts to burn).
Reserving the cooking liquid is optional only if you want to drizzle a bit over the pork belly bites before serving them.
These bites can also be made into a meal by serving them alongside fried rice and/or spicy green beans.
The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled (or more).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my pork belly not crispy?

If your pork belly bites are not crispy, you did not fry them long enough. Put them back in the skillet and fry them, or place them under the broiler until the outside is crisp.

How do you keep pork belly crispy?

When storing leftover pork belly, place a paper towel on top to absorb the moisture. This helps keep it crispy.

When reheating, always reheat in a skillet or under the broiler to re-crisp it.

What goes well with pork belly bites?

These pork belly bites can go with just about everything! I love them paired with this Instant Pot sushi rice, coconut jasmine rice or this Instant Pot wild rice. They are also great served with vegetable dishes like these honey roasted parsnips, air fryer frozen french fries or these Korean sweet potatoes.

How long does it take pork belly to get crispy?

These pork belly bites get tender in about 30 minutes of braising. They key to getting them tender is to cut them in small pieces (aka bites).

Storing Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in a skillet or under the broiler until crispy again. Avoid the microwave—it makes the pork belly soggy.

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