Crispy Garlic Pork Bites: Better Than Takeout

Crispy Garlic Pork Bites are the perfect quick dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to crispy, juicy bites every time. The golden, crispy exterior gives way to tender, flavorful pork. Serve them with my One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta and Summer Corn and Zucchini Chowder.

What You'll Need for Crispy Garlic Pork Bites: Better Than Takeout

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1 lb boneless pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Sriracha (optional)
• Optional: Green onions, chopped
• Optional: Sesame seeds

How to Make Crispy Garlic Pork Bites: Better Than Takeout

1. Prepare the pork: Cut pork into 1-inch cubes. Pound with a meat mallet until 1/2-inch thick. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Coat the pork: Mix flour, paprika, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Coat pork cubes in flour mixture, shaking off excess.
3. Cook the pork: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork, cook until crispy and browned, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook another 3-5 minutes.
4. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, mix minced garlic, olive oil, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and Sriracha (if using).
5. Glaze the pork: Pour sauce over pork in the skillet. Cook until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Storing & Reheating Crispy Garlic Pork Bites: Better Than Takeout

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Pork can be coated in flour and refrigerated for up to 1 day before cooking.

Freezing Crispy Garlic Pork Bites: Better Than Takeout

Freeze cooked pork bites for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. May lose crispiness.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add Sriracha to the sauce.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken breast for pork shoulder.
• Make-ahead: Cook pork, refrigerate. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes.
• Scaling: Double ingredients for 2 lbs of pork.
• Troubleshooting: If pork is not crispy, increase heat and cook in batches.

Crispy Garlic Pork Bites: Better Than Takeout

⏱

Prep

15 minutes

🍳

Cook

15 minutes

⏳

Total

30 minutes

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Seasonings

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Sriracha (optional)

Optional Toppings

• Green onions, chopped
• Sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Prepare the pork: Cut pork into 1-inch cubes. Pound with a meat mallet until 1/2-inch thick. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Coat the pork: Mix flour, paprika, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Coat pork cubes in flour mixture, shaking off excess.
3. Cook the pork: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork, cook until crispy and browned, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook another 3-5 minutes.
4. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, mix minced garlic, olive oil, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and Sriracha (if using).
5. Glaze the pork: Pour sauce over pork in the skillet. Cook until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add Sriracha to the sauce.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken breast for pork shoulder.
• Make-ahead: Cook pork, refrigerate. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes.
• Scaling: Double ingredients for 2 lbs of pork.
• Troubleshooting: If pork is not crispy, increase heat and cook in batches.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked pork bites for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. May lose crispiness.
• Make ahead: Pork can be coated in flour and refrigerated for up to 1 day before cooking.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 18g
• Carbs: 12g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sat. Fat: 3g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Crispy Garlic Pork Bites: Better Than Takeout FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Garlic Pork Bites: Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!