Description
This Air Fried Char Siu is a delicious Chinese BBQ pork recipe featuring marinated pork shoulder cooked to perfection in an air fryer. The pork is tender, juicy, and slightly charred, infused with classic flavors from hoisin sauce, five-spice powder, and a honey glaze. Ideal for a quick yet authentic meal, it’s perfect served with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Pork and Marinade
- 1 ½ pounds pork shoulder or pork butt, cut into long strips about 2 inches thick
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red food coloring (optional for traditional color)
Basting Sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey mixed with 1 tablespoon warm water
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, Chinese five-spice powder, sesame oil, minced garlic, and red food coloring (if using) until well combined.
- Marinate the Pork: Add the pork strips to the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow flavors to penetrate the meat deeply.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Air Fry the Pork: Remove the pork from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and place the strips in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes.
- Flip and Baset: Flip the pork strips over and baste them with the honey-water mixture to add glaze and sweetness. Continue air frying for an additional 8 to 10 minutes until pork is cooked through and edges are slightly charred. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Rest and Serve: Let the cooked char siu rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice and serve hot alongside rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Pork shoulder is preferred for its marbling, which keeps the meat juicy and tender.
- If you desire more charred edges, you can broil the pork for a few minutes at the end of cooking.
- Leftover char siu makes a fantastic filling for bao buns or a flavorful addition to fried rice dishes.
