Equipment
- Baking Sheet & Wire Rack: Elevating the pork bites on a wire rack allows hot air to circulate around the entire cube, ensuring even cooking and supremely crispy skin on all sides .
- Sharp Knife: A sharp knife is essential for cutting through the tough skin and meat cleanly to get uniform, bite-sized cubes .
- Paper Towels: Abundantly patting the pork belly dry is crucial for achieving the signature crackling skin .
- Small Saucepan: Useful for making a sticky, flavorful dipping jam to complement the rich, savory pork belly bites .
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (approx. 1 kg) boneless pork belly, skin on, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or other high-heat cooking oil)
- 2 teaspoons sea salt flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) . Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. This setup is key for getting crispy skin on all sides.
- Dry the Pork: Using paper towels, pat the pork belly cubes completely dry. This is the single most important step for achieving a crispy crackling skin .
- Season: In a large bowl, toss the dry pork cubes with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and pepper until they are evenly coated .
- Arrange and Roast: Place the pork cubes in a single layer on the wire rack, leaving a little space between each piece for air to circulate . Roast for 35-40 minutes.
- Increase Heat and Finish: After 40 minutes, the pork should be golden and starting to crisp. Increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and roast for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the skin is deeply golden, crispy, and crackled .
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the pork belly bites rest for 5-10 minutes before serving . This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat incredibly tender. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce .
Notes
Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days . To re-crisp, place them in a 400°F oven or air fryer for 5-7 minutes . Flavor Boosts: For an extra flavor kick, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix . Serve with a sticky tamarind jam or a simple sweet chili sauce for a great contrast . Allergy Notes: This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Always check that your seasonings are certified gluten-free if this is a concern. Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days . To re-crisp, place them in a 400°F oven or air fryer for 5-7 minutes . Flavor Boosts: For an extra flavor kick, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix . Serve with a sticky tamarind jam or a simple sweet chili sauce for a great contrast . Allergy Notes: This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Always check that your seasonings are certified gluten-free if this is a concern.
Nutrition
Calories: 1227 kcal · Protein: 23g · Fat: s: 125g Cholesterol: 163mg · Carbohydrates: 1g · Fiber: 0.2g · Sugar: 0g · Sodium: 1360mg
