Before you even get started, you should know that you can absolutely substitute chicken for the pork in this recipe if you prefer. Everything else will stay the same, including the cooking time (as long as your chicken chunks are roughly the same size as the pork in 1-inch cubes). Before you start, there’s another thing you should know… this dish is so quick and easy to prepare that it would be smart to start cooking your rice before you start following the recipe. Rice generally takes about 20 minutes to cook and will rest nicely with a towel over it and the lid on top for a few minutes if your pork (or chicken) is not quite finished in time.
The sauce for the sweet and sour pork is what we call a “dump and stir” recipe. Dump all the ingredients in a pot and stir them together. Simmer for a few minutes and then add the air-fried peppers and chunks of pineapple. I like to use fresh pineapple for this dish, but you can certainly opt for the canned chunks – just make sure they are large chunks.
Toss everything together at the end and you’ll be amazed at how quickly it all comes together. Faster than even the best Chinese food delivery!
The sweet and sour pork is delicious. I posted a picture in the community. The dredging pans made things so much easier and less messy. Thank you for everything you do for us.
What cut of pork for the sweet and sour pork
It’s easiest to cut up pork tenderloin or loin for the recipe.
This recipe is amazing!! Very simple and easy too! The sauce was very on point to restaurant quality as well!! The only problem I has was that the peppers were not as crispy as I hoped they would be, but i may have added too much oil I’m not sure. Definitely gonna make this again! Also used chicken thighs instead of pork and worked out well.
I made this last night and honestly was skeptical the whole way that I could produce something that tasted as good as my local Chinese takeout place. Oh my goodness…this was amazing. To the point where I’m sad I didn’t take any pork out of the freezer this morning to make it again tonight. Maybe tomorrow.
Hi if I make a lot can I freeze this great dish in feed saver port
Sure you can freeze any leftovers, but the pork coating will not be as crispy when you re-heat it in the sauce.
Winner of a recipe! Definitely will make it again. Better than takeout.
Thanks for posting the recipe. It’s on my shopping list. Also, for the Target advertisement that appeared on your website for Quest chips. I have diabetes. Can’t wait to try the chips.
Loved the sweet and sour pork. Great instructions and now I have something to make in my air fryer other than pot stickers LOL
Love your recipes -have tried a few sweet treats and they were excellent!! Now I would like to try the sweet and sour pork but what can I substitute for the Chinese 5 spice powder. My grocery store doesn’t have it and I don’t keep star anise. Would a substitution still provide a great dish? Thanks for providing a comment in advance.
Hi Marsha. You can make your own five spice powder: 2 teaspoons toasted Szechuan peppercorns, 3 teaspoons toasted fennel seed, 6 star anise, 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cloves and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Combine all ingredients in a blender or spice grinder and grind to a powder. Store in an airtight container. If you don’t have one or more of these spices, just leave it out or add something similar. No star anise? Try anise seed or a little extra fennel seed. No Szechuan peppercorns, use some black peppercorns.
Loved it! Got my husband and I out of our comfort zone. And it was easy to do!
Hi, can I use rice vinegar, like mirin, instead of rice wine vinegar? Thanks.
You will want to use rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar to give it that sour taste. Mirin is more sweet which is not needed because the dish also calls for brown sugar. You could also use apple cider vinegar.
I made this tonight using chicken thighs (not pork) and it was a crowd pleaser for this family of five. I also made chowmein and I don’t think I’ll ever order take out again, it was so delish 5/5.
I just ordered 5 spices on Amazon