Air Fryer Recipe
Crispy Honey-Glazed Duck Bites
Duck bites are a treat when the skin is perfectly crisped and the meat remains juicy. An air fryer is ideal for this dish as it crisps the skin while rendering the fat, and the late glaze application ensures the honey becomes sticky without burning.
Ingredients
- 2 skin-on duck breasts, about 380–450g total
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp ground white pepper, or black pepper
- ½ tsp baking powder, preferably aluminium-free
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 1 tsp neutral oil, only if your duck breasts are very lean
- 3 tbsp runny honey
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce [or tamari for gluten-free]
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar [or white wine vinegar]
- 1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger [or ½ tsp ginger paste]
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- ¼ tsp Chinese five-spice [or a pinch each of cinnamon and ground star anise, if you have them]
- ½ tsp chilli flakes, optional
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, optional but good for aroma
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 finely sliced spring onion
Method
- Pat the duck breasts very dry with kitchen paper, then trim away any ragged flaps of skin or hard sinew. Cut into 3cm bites, keeping a piece of skin attached to most chunks.
- Put the duck in a bowl with the salt, pepper and baking powder. Toss thoroughly, then leave uncovered in the fridge for 20–30 minutes or on the worktop for 10 minutes.
- Combine the honey, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, garlic, five-spice and chilli flakes in a small pan. Bubble gently for 60–90 seconds until glossy and slightly syrupy, then stir in the sesame oil if using.
- Preheat the air fryer to 160°C for 3 minutes.
- Sprinkle the cornflour over the duck and toss until no wet patches remain; add the 1 tsp oil only if the pieces look powdery.
- Arrange the duck in the basket in a single layer, skin side up where possible, leaving small gaps between pieces. Cook at 160°C for 7 minutes.
- Shake the basket or turn the bites with tongs, then increase to 200°C and cook for 4–6 minutes, until the edges are crisp and deep golden.
- Tip the hot duck into a clean bowl, add two-thirds of the glaze and toss quickly. Return the bites to the basket and air fry at 190°C for 1–2 minutes until sticky and lacquered.
- Brush or drizzle with the remaining glaze, scatter over sesame seeds and spring onion, and rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 250
