Sweet and sour pork is a classic choice when ordering Chinese food — tangy, sweet, and irresistible alongside a big bowl of steamed rice. This version keeps the flavors you love while using an air fryer to achieve a crunchy exterior without deep-frying, making it a slightly lighter option that still delivers on texture. The combination of pineapple, bell peppers and a sticky, tangy sauce creates the iconic balance of flavors. The recipe is straightforward and can be completed in about 35–40 minutes, including prep and cook time.
Cut of meat for sweet and sour pork
For this dish, pork shoulder (also labeled pork butt) is ideal. It has enough marbling and connective tissue to stay moist and flavorful during cooking, and it tolerates higher heat without drying out as quickly as leaner cuts. This makes it a smarter choice than leaner cuts like pork loin for recipes that call for frying or air-frying. If you prefer, you can trim excess fat, but leaving some marbling will improve taste and mouthfeel.
What is HP sauce?
HP sauce is a thick, tangy brown sauce that originated in the United Kingdom. It has a savory, slightly sweet and slightly spicy profile that complements classic sweet-and-sour flavors. If HP sauce is not available, a similar steak or brown sauce can be used as a substitute, or you can adjust the sauce by adding a touch of Worcestershire and a little extra ketchup to mimic the profile.
Type of fruits and vegetables in sweet and sour pork
Red bell pepper: One red bell pepper, cut into squares, provides a sweet crunch and bright color. You can substitute or add other colors (yellow or green) for variety, but red offers a nice balance of sweetness and visual appeal.
Yellow onion: A coarsely diced yellow onion gives structure, a mild sharpness when cooked, and an aromatic base that complements the sauce and pineapple.
Fresh pineapple: Fresh pineapple is one of the key elements in traditional sweet and sour pork. Lightly cooking the pineapple releases its juices and natural sweetness, which pairs perfectly with the tang of the sauce and enhances the overall depth of flavor.
Sweet and Sour Pork
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- ¾ cup corn starch
- 1 small yellow onion (coarsely diced)
- 1 red pepper (coarsely diced)
- ½ cup diced pineapple
Marinade:
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tbsp sugar
- 1½ tbsp corn starch
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp white pepper
Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup HP sauce
- 2½ tbsp sugar
- 1½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
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Trim and cut the pork shoulder into bite-sized pieces.
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In a bowl, combine the pork with 1½ tbsp soy sauce, ½ tbsp sugar, 1½ tbsp corn starch, 1 large egg, and 1 tsp white pepper. Mix until the pork is evenly coated and let it marinate briefly.
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Dredge the marinated pork pieces in ¾ cup corn starch so they are fully coated. Arrange them on a wire rack and allow them to rest for about 10 minutes; this helps the coating hydrate and brown more evenly in the air fryer.
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Lightly spray the pork with cooking oil and air fry at 400°F (about 200°C) for approximately 13 minutes, or until the exterior is golden and crisp. Shake or turn halfway through for even cooking.
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While the pork cooks, heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the coarsely diced yellow onion and red pepper, stirring for about 1 minute until they start to soften but remain crisp.
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Add 1 cup ketchup, ½ cup HP sauce, 2½ tbsp sugar and 1½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce to the pan. Stir and cook the sauce until it just begins to bubble, about 1–2 minutes, to meld the flavors.
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Add the cooked, crispy pork to the pan and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
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Stir in ½ cup diced pineapple, then remove the pan from heat and give everything one final toss. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired and serve immediately over steamed rice.
Additional Info
If you enjoyed this recipe, try these other favorites for more ideas and flavors in your kitchen.
- Parmesan crusted smashed potatoes
- Siu mai (steamed pork and shrimp dumplings)