Air Fryer Pork Chop Bites are bite-size morsels of tender and juicy meat coated in a seasoning mix with onion, garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, and brown sugar.
Then, they are tossed in honey and butter at the end for a rich, sweet coating that sticks to each bite.
With this delicious recipe, you can have a tasty meal on the dinner table for the whole family in minutes.
Also, these sweet and spicy pork chop bites pair so well with these crispy fried potatoes.
Why I Love This Air Fryer Pork Chop Bites
Here are a few reasons why I love these air fryer pork chop bites:
Healthier Alternative: They still turn out deliciously crispy but with significantly fewer calories than deep-fried alternatives.
Quick and Convenient: Cooking pork chop bites in the air fryer is easy!
It’s a time-efficient method that allows you to have a tasty meal on the table in no time. It’s perfect for busy days.
Versatile and Customizable: These pork chop bites are incredibly versatile.
Season them with your favorite spices or herbs.
They can be enjoyed as a snack, an appetizer, or even as the star ingredient in sandwiches, wraps, or salads.
Minimal Cleanup: Cleaning up after cooking can be a hassle, but with an air fryer, it’s a breeze.
Family-Friendly: These pork chop bites are loved by both kids and adults.
They make for a great family meal or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for parties.
Ingredients needed
Read this section before changing anything in this air fryer pork bites recipe. Then, scroll down to the printable recipe card for details.
Boneless pork chops: Thick pork chops cut into one-inch cubes (bite-sized pieces).
Melted butter: Salted or unsalted.
Honey: For sticky sweetness.
Packed light brown sugar: For a little extra sweetness.
Smoked paprika: For a smokey flavor.
Chili powder: Gives your air fryer pork chop bites a kick.
Onion powder: For all-over onion flavor.
Garlic powder: Perfect for that richly spicy tang.
Olive oil: To help the seasoning mix, stick to the pork chops.
Chopped parsley: For garnish. Optional.
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER PORK CHOP BITES
Step 1
With a sharp knife, cut the pork chop into all uniform pieces.
Step 2
Add olive oil and seasoning mixture to a large bowl and toss the pork pieces until well coated.
Then, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for five minutes and spray the basket with olive oil.
Step 3
Place pork chop bites in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket.
Air fry for five to seven minutes. Shake the basket halfway through. The internal temperature should be 145 degrees F.
Step 4
Last, mix honey and butter in a large bowl and toss the cooked pork bites until coated.
Sprinkle with parsley, salt, and black pepper before serving.
Recipe tips
- When fully cooked, the internal temperature of pork chops should be 145 degrees F on a meat thermometer.
- If you use garlic salt, do not add more salt when serving.
- This delicious recipe is naturally low-carb and gluten-free. No need to change anything.
- For shorter prep time, heat the air fryer before you start.
- The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your meat and the type of air fryer you have.
- If you cook in batches, keep your air fryer pork chop bites warm in the oven while you finish cooking the rest.
- The nutritional information at the bottom of the page is estimated.
- You can get more great ideas on how to cook all sorts of delicious recipes on my food blog and Facebook group.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRIED PORK CHOP BITES
When serving delicious air-fried pork chop bites, plenty of side dish options will complement the flavors perfectly.
Here are some fantastic choices to consider:
Rice and Air-Fried Corn on the Cob: A classic combination. Serve the crispy pork chop bites over a bed of fluffy rice and pair it with some air-fried corn on the cob.
Roasted Vegetables: Consider serving your air-fried pork chop bites with roasted vegetables or air fry vegetables like this air fryer zucchini chips for a healthier option.
You can roast colorful veggies like carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli.
Coleslaw: The tangy and creamy coleslaw is a great addition and balances the richness of the pork chop bites.
Sweet potatoes: Swap traditional fries for some delicious air-fried sweet potato wedges or air fryer sweet potato cubes.
Serve with your favorite sauce for the perfect finger food.
Recipe variations
Different oil: You can use whatever oil you like to cook with.
Other boneless meats: You could use boneless chicken or beef instead of pork chops.
Other sauce: Feel free to use your favorite sauce, like BBQ sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce, honey mustard sauce, or whatever you like.
Other seasonings: Add or remove herbs and spices to your taste.
Spicy bites: You could also make your bite-sized pieces spicy with some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for an extra kick of flavor.
No honey: Instead of honey, you could use pure maple syrup.
Breaded pork bite: Dip first in beaten eggs and then in panko breadcrumbs; spray with oil before cooking them. Super crunchy pork bites.
How to store leftovers:
Store: Put your leftover pork chop bites in an airtight or resealable bag. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for four days.
Freeze: To freeze your air fryer pork chop bites, wrap them in plastic and foil before putting them in a freezer bag for several months.
Thaw: For the best-tasting leftovers, thaw them in the fridge overnight.
Reheat: To reheat, toss air fryer pork chop bites in the air fryer basket and air fry for one to two minutes.
FAQS
Why are air fryers healthier?
Cooking with an air fryer instead of deep frying gives you less saturated fat and trans-fat because it cooks with hot air instead of oil.
With this recipe, you also get polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, the healthy fats you need.
Why are my boneless pork chops dry?
When you use boneless pork chops, they do not benefit from the fat around the bones to keep them juicy.
To prevent this, searing them before cooking will keep them in the juices.
Cooking time may need to be adjusted too. If your pork bites are smaller, you may need to air fry them for a shorter time.
Should I marinate these air fryer pork chop bites?
Feel free to marinate your air fryer pork chop bites before air frying them.
You could use apple cider or white wine vinegar mixed with a seasoning mixture of your favorite herbs and spices.
Try some of the same ones in the recipe, like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or something totally different, such as rosemary, thyme, and sage.
How do I make this without an air fryer?
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can still enjoy delicious pork chop bites using an oven.
When converting from air fryer to oven, increase the cooking time by about 20-30% and use the same temperature.
juicy pork chop bites
CONNECT WITH THE BELLA VITA!
Be sure to follow me on social media so you never miss a post!
Facebook Group | Pinterest | Flipboard
Air Fryer Pork Chop Bites Recipe
Try these Air Fryer Pork Chop Bites coated in a rich, sweet, spicy seasoning mix for a quick, delicious weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound Boneless thick-cut pork chops, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 Teaspoon onion powder
- 1 Teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1 Teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ Teaspoon chili powder
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- Chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the cubed meat with olive oil and the seasoning, except butter and honey. Make sure the pieces are well coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Spray the basket of the air fryer with olive oil spray. Add the pork chop bites in an even layer, with out overlapping. If needed, cook in batches.
- Air fry for 5-7 minutes until the meat's internal temperature reaches at least 145°F and the bites look golden brown. Shake the basket halfway through cooking time.
- Mix the melted butter and honey in a bowl and toss the cooked bites with the mixture.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
