Maple Mustard Pork Belly Bites (2024)

Maple Mustard Pork Belly Bites are seasoned cubes of pork belly cooked crispy in an air fryer and then tossed in a maple mustard sauce. They are the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy! Oven instructions are also included. Once you try these, you will also want to make my Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites, seasoned with brown sugar and garlic powder. You won’t be able to have just one!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Pork Belly: Pork belly is like a huge slab of bacon, but uncured, unsliced, and unsmoked. Both pork belly and bacon come from the flesh from the underside, or belly, of a pig. This recipe calls for 1 1/2 pounds of pork belly, which you can find at most large grocery stores. If you buy it from a butcher, you can get the amount you need. Or, you can freeze any extra pork belly for up to six months to use later.

Oil: Mix canola or vegetable oil with salt and pepper to coat the pork belly bites. This will give the pork belly a nice browning when cooked in the air fryer.

Maple Syrup: For the best results in the sauce, use pure maple syrup. It offers a genuine and distinct maple flavor.

Mustard: Dijon mustard has a distinctive flavor which is sharp, tangy, and slightly spicy. You could substitute yellow mustard, but that will change the flavor a bit with a milder taste.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is a key ingredient in the maple mustard sauce. It contributes to the flavor and texture. In addition, it also acts as a tenderizer for the pork belly, making the bites more tender.

How To Select A Good Cut Of Pork Belly

When choosing the best cut of pork belly, you could ask your local butcher for help. Or, if choosing a cut on your own, there are a couple of things to look for. The meat should be pink in color and feel firm, not mushy and slimy. And, the layer of fat should be a creamy white (not yellowish or grey) and evenly distributed. You can buy it as a whole slab or pre-sliced.

Should I Trim The Fat Off Pork Belly?

When it comes to pork belly, much of the flavor comes from the fat. However, there are some cuts that have an overwhelming amount of fat on them. So, if you notice the fat cap is overwhelmingly thick, you could trim it back a bit. However, be sure to leave some (or all) of it on for the richness and texture it brings to the pork belly bites!

Storing & Reheating Maple Mustard Pork Belly Bites

To store maple mustard pork belly bites, first, let them cool to room temperature. Next, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 3-4 days. Reheat the bites in the air fryer or in the oven to help maintain the crispy texture.