
Sweet, sticky, and deeply savory, these little bites hit every note you want from a party appetizer — and they come together with just a handful of real ingredients. The natural caramel richness of Medjool dates pairs beautifully with crispy, rendered pork belly, and the honey-thyme glaze ties everything together with an herby, slightly tangy finish from apple cider vinegar. Many glazed appetizers lean on citrus juice or zest to add brightness, but this recipe skips it entirely without sacrificing any complexity — the thyme and vinegar do all the heavy lifting. A hot oven and a wire rack are the real secrets here, letting the fat render evenly so the pork crisps up at the edges before the glaze goes on for that final caramelized hit. They come out of the oven looking genuinely impressive, which makes them perfect for entertaining even though the prep is straightforward. Scatter a little fresh parsley on top before serving and watch them disappear from the platter in minutes.
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Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
Pat the pork belly strips dry with paper towels, then season lightly on both sides with the fine sea salt.
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