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Air Fried Char Siu pork dish with vibrant colors and garnishes.

Air Fried Char Siu

A delicious and easy recipe for classic Cantonese char siu, made convenient in an air fryer for tender, caramelized pork with minimal effort.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Pork
  • 1.5 lbs pork shoulder or tenderloin
Marinade
  • 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp five-spice powder
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 0.5 tsp white pepper
  • red food coloring (optional, a few drops)
Basting Glaze
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp reserved marinade

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Tongs
  • Basting Brush

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a bowl, combine hoisin, honey, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, brown sugar, five-spice powder, minced garlic, white pepper, and red food coloring (if using). Whisk until well combined to create the marinade.
  2. Cut the pork into long strips, about 1.5-2 inches thick, then place them in the bowl with the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight, turning occasionally; reserve about 1 tablespoon of the marinade for basting.
Cooking
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
  2. Place the marinated pork strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd, and cook for 10-12 minutes before flipping.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the reserved marinade with 1 tablespoon of honey, then brush this glaze onto the pork and continue to air fry for another 8-10 minutes, flipping once and basting again until caramelized and cooked through.
Serving
  1. Remove the char siu from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing, then serve warm with rice or noodles.

Notes

For best results, marinate the pork overnight. Adjust cooking time based on the thickness of your pork and your air fryer model.