Crispy Keto Pork Belly Bites
Why This Is Strictly Keto
Pork belly is pure fat and protein — one of the most ketogenic foods in existence. This recipe uses only a spice rub of salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika; no sugar, no glaze containing sweeteners, no flour of any kind. At under 1g net carbs per serving, these bites are about as keto as food gets.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (900g) pork belly, skin-on, cut into 1½-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- Optional: a drizzle of coconut aminos or sugar-free BBQ sauce to serve
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Set a wire rack inside a foil-lined baking sheet.
Dry the pork belly: Pat all pork belly cubes completely dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of crispy skin.
Season: In a large bowl, toss the pork belly cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and thyme. Make sure every piece is evenly coated.
Roast: Place pork belly skin-side up on the wire rack in a single layer. Roast for 45 minutes until the meat is tender and the fat has rendered.
Blast with heat: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and roast for a further 10 minutes until the skin is deeply golden and truly crispy. Watch closely in this final stage.
Rest briefly: Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. The crackling continues to crisp as it cools.
Serve: Serve hot as an appetizer or main course. Pair with cauliflower rice or a simple green salad.
Nutritional Info (per serving, approximate)
| Calories | Fat | Protein | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~600 kcal | 58g | 17g | 0.5g |
Tips
- The wire rack is important — it lifts the pork away from the rendered fat, allowing all sides to crisp.
- Air fryer option: cook at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway — this produces excellent results in half the time.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; re-crisp in the air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes rather than microwaving.
