Air Fryer Pork Belly Burnt Ends
These air fryer pork belly burnt ends are crispy on the outside, juicy and tender in the middle, and coated in a sticky hot honey glaze that tastes like BBQ candy. You get big sweet, smoky, and spicy flavor without a smoker or an all-day cook.
Watch the Pork Belly Burnt Ends Video
Sweet, smoky, crispy pork belly burnt ends made entirely in the air fryer
Why the Air Fryer Method Works
The first 30-minute cook at 360°F gives the pork belly fat time to render without scorching the spices. Raising the heat to 400°F crisps the edges, and one final five-minute cook caramelizes the hot honey glaze until it becomes sticky and glossy.
Save a spoonful of the rendered pork fat. Mixing it into the glaze adds richness and connects the sweet hot honey to the smoky pork seasoning.
Air Fryer Pork Belly Burnt Ends Recipe
Crispy, sticky, sweet, and spicy pork belly burnt ends made without a smoker and finished with a caramelized hot honey glaze.
Ingredients
Pork Belly
- 1 1/2 pounds pork belly, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Hot Honey Glaze
- 1/2 cup hot honey
- About 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- About 1 tablespoon rendered pork fat from the air fryer basket
Instructions
- Cut the pork belly: Cut it into approximately 1-inch cubes. Avoid making the pieces too small or they may dry out before the fat renders.
- Season and rest: Add the brown sugar, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle chili powder, and cayenne. Toss until evenly coated, then rest for 15 minutes.
- Add the oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the seasoned pork belly and toss again.
- Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F/182°C.
- Render the pork belly: Arrange the cubes in a single layer. Air fry for 30 minutes, shaking the basket thoroughly 2-3 times.
- Crisp the edges: Increase the temperature to 400°F/204°C and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the edges are deeply browned and crisp.
- Make the glaze: Combine the hot honey, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and about 1 tablespoon of the rendered pork fat.
- Glaze: Toss the cooked pork belly in the hot honey mixture until every piece is coated.
- Caramelize: Return the pork belly to the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 5 more minutes, until sticky and caramelized.
- Cool briefly: Let the burnt ends sit for a couple of minutes before serving. The glaze will thicken as it rests.
About the Hot Honey
I used Murder Hornet Hot Honey from Milton Honey Farm for this recipe. Milton Honey Farm is a family-run honey farm in Milton, Georgia, specializing in raw, small-batch local honey and handmade products. Their honey is minimally processed, never mixed with artificial sweeteners, and comes straight from their own hives.
Tips for the Best Pork Belly Burnt Ends
- Keep the cubes around 1 inch. Smaller pieces can dry out before the fat has time to render.
- Do not skip the seasoning rest. The 15 minutes helps the rub cling to the pork and draw a little moisture to the surface.
- Shake the basket thoroughly. Moving the cubes 2-3 times helps them render and brown more evenly.
- Save a little pork fat. Adding the drippings to the glaze gives it a richer BBQ flavor.
- Watch the final cook closely. Hot honey and brown sugar caramelize quickly at 400°F.
- Let the finished pork rest briefly. The glaze becomes thicker and stickier after it leaves the air fryer.
- Adjust for your pork belly. Cube size, fat content, and air fryer model can all affect the cooking time.
What to Serve with Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Serve them as an appetizer with toothpicks, pile them onto sliders, or build a BBQ-style meal with coleslaw, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, potato salad, or air fryer vegetables.
For more easy air fryer dinners, try my hot honey glazed meatloaf with crispy bacon, air fryer frozen wings, or browse the Meats & Fish recipes.
Gear Used for This Recipe
Gourmia Air Fryer
The roomy air fryer I use to render, crisp, and caramelize the pork belly in three stages.
View on Amazon →
Meat Thermometer
A quick way to check the centers while keeping the cooking time under control.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make pork belly burnt ends without a smoker?
Yes. The air fryer renders the fat, crisps the outside, and caramelizes the glaze, giving you BBQ-style pork belly burnt ends without a smoker.
Why are my pork belly burnt ends tough?
They may need more time for the fat and connective tissue to soften. Cube size and the amount of fat in the pork belly can change the cooking time, so cook until the centers are tender.
Can I use regular honey instead of hot honey?
Yes. Regular honey creates a sweet, sticky glaze without as much heat. Add a small amount of cayenne or hot sauce if you still want a spicy finish.
How do I keep the glaze from burning?
Add it only for the final five minutes and watch the pork closely. Honey and brown sugar caramelize quickly at 400°F.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F until hot and the glaze becomes sticky again.
How Spicy Would You Make These?
Leave a comment below and tell me whether you would make your pork belly burnt ends sweet, extra spicy, or somewhere right in the middle.
Watch More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
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