Pork Bites

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds pork belly, skin on, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Place a sturdy glass baking dish on the middle rack while the oven heats so the dish gets good and hot.
  2. Pat the pork belly very dry with paper towels. Cut into one-inch cubes.
  3. Place the pork cubes in a large bowl. Sprinkle evenly with the kosher salt and black pepper. Toss well with your hands until every piece is lightly and evenly seasoned.
  4. Carefully remove the hot glass baking dish from the oven and set it on a heatproof surface. Arrange the pork belly cubes in a single layer, skin side up as much as possible, leaving a little space between each piece so the hot air can circulate.
  5. Place the dish back in the oven and roast for 25–30 minutes, until the fat has started to render and the meat is turning a rich amber color.
  6. Without removing the dish, increase the oven temperature to 450°F and continue roasting for another 15–25 minutes, or until the skin is puffed, blistered, and deep golden, and the meat is sizzling and crisp around the edges.
  7. When the pork bites are crisp and the skin looks like crackling, carefully remove the dish from the oven. Let the pork rest in the hot fat for about 5–10 minutes; this helps the juices settle and the skin stay crisp.
  8. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the pork bites to a serving plate or leave them right in the glass baking dish. Spoon a little of the rendered fat over the top if you like extra richness. Serve hot while the skin is still crackling.

Notes

  • This simple recipe can be halved, doubled or to whatever amount of pork bites you need.
  • Play with your food! You can add other seasonings like paprika, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and or cayenne pepper.