Air Fryer Pork Belly Skewers -

Air fryer Pork Belly Skewers make a great meal with seasoned chunks of tender pork belly and vegetables on skewers, cooked quickly in the air fryer.

» You might also like Perfect Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin.

Pork belly is one of my favorite things to cook in the air fryer (see this pork belly recipe and these pork belly bites). It turns out better than it ever has in the oven, for sure. When you cut it into chunks for skewers, it can get even crispier – trust me, it’s really good.

These pork belly skewers are definitely a go-to for lunch for me, especially because they are low carb and quick to pop in the air fryer.

Ingredients You Need

Pork Belly – You can use pork belly strips or a whole pork belly slab for this recipe. Just cut the pork belly into 2″ cubes. Remove any skin and excess fat from the chunks.
Zucchini (Courgette) – I like to use green zucchini for these skewers, but you can use any type of zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms, etc.
Onion – I actually like sweet onions best, if you can find them. They get a little sweet when cooked and are delicious. Any color of onion can be used, like yellow, white or red onions.
Oil sprayer – Use this to moisten the skewers before cooking. You might also spray the basket.
For the basting sauce – I mix up my own sauce that I baste the skewers with as they cook. It adds tons of flavor to the skewers. For this, I use olive oil, fish sauce, soy sauce, Thai sweet chili sauce, chili oil, and honey.
Salt & Ground Black Pepper – Give the pork a boost of flavor with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Equipment Information

Air fryer: I use this 4-quart basket-style air fryer. It’s large enough to fit 2 Chicken Kiev pieces. Give each piece of chicken Kiev enough space in the air fryer basket, so they cook evenly.
Basting brush: You’ll mix together the olive oil and spices, you’ll then use a basting brush to coat the pork skewers as they cook, so make sure the flavor gets into all the little crevices.
Kebab skewers: I use these 6″ wooden skewers that fit perfectly in the basket of my air fryer.
Kitchen tongs: It’s very easy to remove food from your air fryer with kitchen tongs. I use these kitchen tongs that are silicon coated so they don’t scratch the interior.
Meat thermometer: The only way to tell if meat is fully cooked to the right temperature is to use a meat thermometer. I use this Instant Read thermometer. It’s so quick to open the basket and check the temp.

How to Make Air Fryer Pork Belly Skewers

Cut the pork belly into bite sized chunks, about 1.5″. You can make them larger or smaller, depending on your preference. You’ll want to cut the vegetables to be about the same size as the pork, so they all cook at about the same rate.

Thread the pork, zucchini, and onions onto the 6” wooden skewers. There’s no need to soak the skewers beforehand, like you would for the grill, because they won’t get burned. Season the skewers with salt and pepper.

Raw pork belly skewers made up and ready to cook.

In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, fish sauce, soy sauce, Thai sweet chili sauce, chili oil, and honey. This is your basting sauce. I brush it onto the skewers two-three times during cooking, to make sure they get maximum flavor coverage.

I spray the basket with cooking spray before placing the pork skewers inside, so they don’t stick. Place the pork skewers in the air fryer basket and spray them as well with cooking spray. Try not to overlap them. If you have to stack them, put them crosswise on the second row, so more of the surface of the skewers is exposed to air.

Raw pork belly skewers in the air fryer basket

Cook on 380˚F for 6 minutes. Open the basket and baste the skewers with the sauce. Turn them over and baste the other side. Continue cooking for 6 minutes. Baste the skewers and turn them again. Continue cooking as necessary to reach an internal temperature of 200° F.

Be sure to check the internal temperature of the pork with a meat thermometer before you remove it from the air fryer. It should reach 200° F. If it’s not up to that temperature yet, continue cooking for a few minutes. In most cases 15-18 minutes is enough, but it really depends on the size of your pork belly.

When it’s done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. The interior fat of the pork belly should be well rendered and very hot.

Substitutions & Variations

Bacon: Add a bit of bacon to the skewers for some fat and smokiness.
Spices: Instead of a sauce try different spices. Italian seasoning works well, as does a sprinkle of garlic powder or paprika on top for another layer of flavor. Experiment with other seasonings to see what blend you like best.
Vegetables: Not a fan of zucchini? No worries. There are so many yummy vegetables that pair well with pork skewers. Try these skewers with mushrooms, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes for a different flavor combination.

Questions About the Recipe

Are wooden skewers safe to use?

Since the skewers will only be in the air fryer for a short time, they will be safe to use. But, if you are worried, then you can soak the skewers in water for about 30 minutes.

Can I cook the pork belly skewers in the oven?

Yes! Follow the same preparation steps, then bake them in the oven at 400°F for about 20 minutes, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. If you are baking the skewers in the oven, make sure to soak the wooden skewers first to avoid them burning.

Can I use chicken instead?

Yes, you can use chicken instead of pork. The cook time will differ though, so keep an eye on the chicken while it cooks. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Storing & Reheating Tips

Fridge: Once the pork belly skewers have cooled completely, you can store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them by placing them in the air fryer at 340°F for about 3-5 minutes. If you want to make them ahead, thread the skewers and wrap them well with plastic wrap, then store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before proceeding with the air frying instructions.

Freezer: I like to make the pork belly skewers, then freeze them before cooking so I can pull them out of the freezer whenever I need them for a meal. This is a very fast and efficient way to make air fryer pork belly skewers any time you want.

As leftovers, place the pork belly skewers in an airtight container, then store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight first. Then reheat them in the air fryer at 340°F for about 5-8 minutes.

[title style=”center” text=”YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE”][blog_posts style=”default” type=”row” col_spacing=”xsmall” columns__sm=”2″ columns_md=”1″ ids=”12644, 11623, 12729, 12987″ showdate=”false” excerpt=”false” comments=”false” image_height=”80%” text_size=”small”]