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    Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Pork

    December 12, 2021 by Lauren 2 Comments

    This post may contain affiliated links. If you click a link and make a purchase, assume we make a commission.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    You’re going to be obsessed with this quick, easy, and delicious Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Pork! It comes together in less than 30 minutes and it’s better than takeout!

    Close up photo of finished air fryer pork.

    **This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I'll make a commission. Thanks for supporting this site!

    Jump to:
    • What ingredients will I need?
    • What steps are involved?
    • What's the best air fryer to use?
    • Helpful kitchen tools
    • What substitutions can I make?
    • How do I end up with tender, juicy pork?
    • Recipe
    • Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Pork
    • OTHER PORK RECIPES TO TRY

    What ingredients will I need?

    • 2 pork chops
    • Garlic
    • Granulated sugar
    • Soy sauce
    • Water
    • Pineapple juice
    • Tomato paste
    • Rice vinegar
    Labeled ingredient shot.

    What steps are involved?

    For the full recipe (ingredients and instructions) please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom.  Here’s a quick idea of how this recipe will go! 

    1. Cut your pork into bite-size pieces, and dredge in cornstarch.  
    2. Grease the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray and place the dredged pork into the basket evenly spaced. Place the cooked pork onto a paper towel and set aside until all of the pork is cooked. 
       
    3. While the pork cooks, in a mason jar combine the minced garlic, sugar, soy sauce, water pineapple juice, tomato paste, and rice vinegar. Shake until combined and pour the mixture into a pan over medium heat.  Whisk until thick and bubbly.  Remove from the heat. 
    4. Toss the cooked pork into the sauce until well coated and serve over a bed of rice.  Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. 

    That’s it! Very easy!

    Process shots in a collage showing all steps.

    What's the best air fryer to use?

    This is the best air fryer out there.  It’s a Philips and it’s not fancy, but it gets the job done.  

    I also have an Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid, I like it and if you already have an Instant Pot, this is a great choice and it’s cheaper than buying a stand alone air fryer.

    Helpful kitchen tools

    Air Fryer

    Magnetic Meat Thermometer

    Close up of sweet and sour pork on a spoon in the pan.

    What substitutions can I make?

    Gluten Free: If you’d like to make this gluten free, use arrowroot powder in place of the four and cornstarch.  Here’s a great one to try. 

    Tomato Paste: If you don’t have tomato paste in your pantry, ketchup also works!

    Pineapple Juice:  You can swap the pineapple juice for apple juice, it’ll taste slightly different but still great and sweet and sour!

    Very close macro shot of the final dish with some fresh green onions and sesame seeds.

    How do I end up with tender, juicy pork?


    If you have the time (and this isn’t a necessary step), you should brine your pork (here’s a quick pork chop brine to try).  

    Also, you shouldn’t overcook your pork.  When it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s time to remove it from the heat source.

    Photo of sweet and sour pork over a bed of white rice.

    Recipe

    Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Pork

    Quick, easy, so good Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Pork is better than takeout and comes together in less than 25 minutes!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, American-Chinese, Chinese-Inspired
    Servings 2 people
    Calories 533 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pork chops roughly 1.5-2 lbs pork, cut into bite-size pieces
    • ¾ cup cornstarch
    • 3 cloves garlic peeled + minced
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup soy sauce
    • ¼ cup water
    • 3 tbsp pineapple juice
    • 3 tbsp tomato paste
    • 2 tbsp rice vinegar

    Instructions
     

    • Cut your pork into bite-size pieces, and dredge in cornstarch.
    • Grease the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray and place the dredged pork into the basket (it shouldn’t be touching and you may have to work in batches). Turn the air fryer to AIR FRY (425 degrees F) and set the timer for 8 minutes. Shake the basket and then cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from the air fryer and place aside on a paper towel.
    • While the pork cooks, in a mason jar combine the minced garlic, sugar, soy sauce, water pineapple juice, tomato paste, and rice vinegar. Shake until combined and pour the mixture into a pan over medium heat. Whisk until thick and bubbly. Remove from the heat.
    • Toss the cooked pork into the sauce until well coated and serve over a bed of rice. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

    Notes

    *Nutrition facts are automatically calculated
    **Leftovers can be saved in the fridge (covered or in an airtight container for up to three days.
    Gluten Free: If you’d like to make this gluten free, use arrowroot powder in place of the four and cornstarch (see post for recommendations).
    Tomato Paste: If you don’t have tomato paste in your pantry, ketchup also works!
    Pineapple Juice: You can swap the pineapple juice for apple juice, it’ll taste slightly different but still great and sweet and sour!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 533kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 1878mg | Potassium: 903mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 373IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    OTHER PORK RECIPES TO TRY

    Quick Pork Chop Brine

    Really Good Pork Chops

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      Lent Friday Coconut Curry Salmon

    About Lauren

    Lauren is the freelance writer, photographer, and recipe developer behind Shutter + Mint. Thanks for stopping by!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dorian

      December 17, 2023 at 5:11 pm

      I'd like to know where the cornstarch in the recipe comes in...there is no mention of it, except for a picture and in the "gluten free" suggestions...I am assuming it is included in the coating of the pork? or is it in the sauce mixture?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        December 17, 2023 at 7:11 pm

        The recipe has been fixed, sorry for the confusion!

        Reply

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