Spicy Pork Belly Bites

Sopes – masa cups – provide the flavorful base for these Spicy Pork Belly Bites. Crispy-spicy air fryer pork belly cubes, jalapeño jam, and sharp cheddar cheese make a dynamic filling for this Mexican-inspired appetizer that’s perfect for a cocktail party, a Christmas party, or game day!

3 mini paella pans with 3 spicy pork belly bites, sliced jalapeno peppers, and tajín.

👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks – Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites Inspiration

Several years ago, I did this fig and prosciutto flatbread. Bleu cheese spread, fig jam, and salty, crispy prosciutto are the perfect combination of sweet and savory. I was looking for a similar combination with a third flavor note – a bit of spicy heat. The jalapeño jam, and extra sharp cheddar play oh-so-well with tajín dusted and air fried pork belly cubes.

I have used my air fryer for air fryer pork belly and pork belly tacos. The air fryer is a great way to cook pork belly and reduce the cooking time. The air fryer renders the fat and crisps up the skin, making it a perfect choice for pork belly, which has a high-fat content. Air frying results in a golden, crispy skin with a moist interior!

What is pork belly?

Pork belly is a boneless, fatty cut of meat taken from the underside (or belly) of a pig. It is a versatile and flavorful cut that consists of layers of meat and fat, making it particularly tender and rich when cooked properly. It is neither cured nor smoked…

NOTE: If the air fryer option doesn’t work for you, I will provide oven instructions in the Notes section in the recipe card.

📋 Ingredients Notes

Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

Ingredients for spicy pork belly bites including pork belly, pepper jam, and cheddar cheese.

Sopes

  • masa flour – There is no substitute for masa flour when making sopes. Masa flour is gluten free.
  • baking powder
  • salt
  • egg
  • oil – Choose a neutral oil like vegetable, canola, or pure olive oil.

Filling

  • pork belly – Pork belly is not salted, smoked or cured. While unsliced bacon can be used as a substitute, it may alter the dish’s flavor and texture slightly. Consider using pancetta or any fresh, uncured bacon if possible.
  • spice blend – I typically use my homemade tajín recipe, but this homemade taco seasoning works too. Both recipes are low sodium. You can substitute your favorite taco seasoning, but keep in mind the sodium or lack thereof. If your spice blend does not have any sodium, you may wish to add 1/2 teaspoon salt +/-…
  • spicy jam – There are many national brands of hot pepper jelly or jam. I love this Peruvian pepper jam (available at Sprouts stores), this raspberry jalapeño jam, and this jalapeño pepper jelly.
  • cheese – I always choose an extra sharp cheddar as its bold flavor cuts through the other flavors. Choose a favorite melty cheese.

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This helps to offset the costs of maintaining my blog and creating awesome content! 😊

🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375℉/191℃. Preheat air fryer to 400℉/204℃.
Step 1 - Mix the masa, baking powder, and salt with the oil to fine crumbs.
  • Step 1 – Add the masa flour, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl. Thoroughly combine. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in the oil until fine crumbs are formed.
Step 2 - Add warm water to the masa mixture to form a stiff masa dough.
  • Step 2 – Form a masa dough ball. Add warm water a little at a time until a smooth, stiff but pliable dough ball is formed. Set aside to rest while you prep the pork belly cubes. NOTE: The best way to accomplish this task is with your hands!😊 If dough sticks to your hands, then you have added too much water, and you should work in a little more masa.
Step 3 - Mix Mexican spice blend with pork belly cubes and oil.
  • Step 3 – Add the pork cubes to a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with spice blend, then mix well to disperse the spices throughout. NOTE: Aim for 3/4″ to 1″ maximum for cubes. If your pieces are too big, your pork belly bites will be difficult to eat, and may not fit in the muffin tin.
Step 6 - Tajín dusted pork belly cubes in an air fryer basket.
  • Step 4 – Add the pork belly cubes to the air fryer basket. Cook 18 minutes */- until the cubes crisp up and show some browning. Set aside. They will get reheated with the sopes. While the pork belly cubes cook, prepare the mini sopes cups and bake them.
Step 4 - Press the masa dough into the depressions in a mini muffin pan.
  • Step 5 – Form dough balls about the size of walnuts. Add one dough ball to each muffin cup. Using your thumb, a spoon, or a muddler, press from the center and up the side. Bring the dough up to the horizontal surface as shown in the photo to the left. Bake until the bottom of the cups is dry, and the top is showing a little browning.
Step 5 - Spoon jalapeño or other pepper jam into the masa base.
  • Step 6 – Add a small spoonful of jam to each sope. I used my melon ball scoop for this also.
  • Step 7 – Add a crispy pork belly cube to each sope on top of the pepper jam. Finally, top with a small slice of sharp cheddar. NOTE: You can use grated cheese if you prefer.
Step 6 - An air fryer pork belly cube is placed in each sope.
  • Step 8 – Place in preheated oven, and bake until cheese is melted. About 5 to 7 minutes will heat everything through. Rest a couple of minutes before consuming.
A baking sheet with 24 spicy pork belly bites.
  • Serve with chopped cilantro, thin-sliced jalapeño, and tajín as desired. Enjoy!
A close up of 1 plate of spicy pork belly bites with sliced jalapeño and tajín.

❓FAQ

Are these pork belly bites good left over?

They’re not bad, but not like fresh out of the oven. The best way to reheat them is in the air fryer or in a convection oven on a rack. 6-8 minutes should be sufficient. The circulating heat freshens up the masa cups.

How many sopes does this recipe make?

I get 40 to 48 mini sopes while bringing the masa dough up to the horizontal surface of the tin(s). Your quantity will vary according to how thin or thick your dough is in the muffin tin.

💭 Tips

The pork belly bites can burn your mouth if consumed immediately out of the oven. The jalapeño jam will be VERY HOT and sticky. Allow them to cool for a couple of minutes before consuming.

I find the end of a cocktail muddler helpful in forming the masa dough. I have also used a melon scoop but it is not as efficient.

NOTE: If you don’t have a Mexican spice blend, you can try 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground red chile powder (ancho, chipotle, New Mexico red), 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt.

If you love the combination of sweet, savory, and spicy like we do, you will want to try these spicy pork belly bites in mini sopes cups. Don’t forget “pork fat rules.”😂 To be perfectly honest, we don’t eat very much pork fat (or any other kind of fat), but all things in moderation are fine with me. Happy Holidays from Andersen casa!

Signature in red and green with chiles and limes. Healthyish Latin cuisine.

A black plate with 3 spicy pork belly bites garnished with cilantro.

Spicy Pork Belly Bites Recipe

A Mexican-inspired pork belly appetizer with jalapeño jam, sharp cheddar, and glazed air fryer pork belly in a masa cup!
5 from 1 vote

Click to rate!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Baking Time 20 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Course Appetizers
Cuisine Asian/Eclectic, Mexican
Servings 24 appetizers
Calories 192 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Masa Cups

  • 3 cups masa flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg - whisked
  • cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 ½ cup warm water - more or less as needed

Toppings/Filling

  • 16 ounces pork belly, cubed - ¾ inch to 1 inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon tajín or taco seasoning
  • cup jalapeño jam - see Ingredients Notes in post
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese +/- - I like extra sharp!

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 400℉/204℃, and preheat oven to 375℉/191℃.
  • Add the masa flour, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl. Thoroughly combine. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in the oil until fine crumbs are formed.
  • Add warm water a little at a time until a smooth, stiff but pliable dough ball is formed. Set aside to rest while you prep the pork belly cubes.
  • Add the pork cubes to a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with spice blend, then mix well to disperse the spices throughout.
  • Add the pork belly cubes to the air fryer basket. Cook 18 minutes */- until the cubes crisp up and show some browning. Set aside.
  • Form dough balls about the size of walnuts. Add one dough ball to each muffin cup. Press from the center and up the side (refer to photos in post). Bake until the bottom of the cups is dry, and the top is showing a little browning.
  • Add a small spoonful of jam to each sope.
  • Add a crispy pork belly cube to each sope on top of the pepper jam. Finally, top with a small slice of sharp cheddar.
  • Bake until cheese is melted. 5 to 7 minutes should heat everything through. Serve while hot but not straight from the oven!

Notes

Oven Instructions
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Prepare the pork belly bites as instructed. Place them in a single layer onto the baking sheet.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sope | Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 12g

NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or star rating! Email us with any questions: tamara@beyondmeresustenance.com

🍴More Small Bite Recipes

A black stoneware plate of Peruvian tamales with salsa criolla.

Peruvian Tamales

A tray of chicken sopes with mango salsa, avocado, and crumbled cotija in the background.

Sopes de Pollo

A muffin pan with the prepared cheese stuffed meatballs before cooking.

Cheese Stuffed Bison Meatballs

3 Mexican chorizo stuffed mushrooms with a small bowl of cilantro ranch and copper flatware and grey napkin.

Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms

Share this post!

5 from 1 vote

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

One Comment

  1. I love pork belly anyway, but these are really fantastic. The combination of flavors is outstanding. Pretty high in calories, but still a great appetizer or party food.