Air Fryer Char Siu (Chinese Barbecue Pork)
Air Fryer Char Siu (Chinese Barbecue Pork)
Ingredients
For the Char Siu
- 2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch thick strips
For the Marinade and Sauce
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1/2 cup char siu sauce, (store-bought, e.g., Lee Kum Kee)
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the pork shoulder by stabbing it all over with a fork. This helps the marinade penetrate the meat.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the pork shoulder, granulated sugar, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and char siu sauce. Massage the pork for a couple of minutes to ensure it is thoroughly coated with the marinade.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pork to marinate overnight, or for at least 8 hours, to allow the flavors to develop fully.
⏱️ 480 min
- 4
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Place the marinated char siu on the rack inside the air fryer, ensuring not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 380
- 5
Cook the char siu in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 380°F (195°C).
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 380
- 6
After the first 10 minutes, open the air fryer. Brush more of the char siu sauce onto the pork. Flip the pork over and brush more sauce on the other side.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Return the pork to the air fryer and cook for another 10 minutes at 380°F (195°C).
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 380
- 8
While the char siu is cooking, pour the remaining marinade from the bowl into a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally, until it thickens into a sauce. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
After the second 10-minute cooking cycle, open the air fryer. Brush the char siu with honey.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Use the air fryer's broil function (or highest temperature setting if no broil) and cook for a final 3 minutes to caramelize the honey and create a beautiful glaze.
⏱️ 3 min
- 11
Once cooked, carefully remove the char siu from the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board for 2 minutes.
⏱️ 2 min
- 12
Slice the char siu into thick pieces and arrange them on a serving plate. Drizzle generously with the thickened extra sauce prepared earlier. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Air Fryer Char Siu (Chinese Barbecue Pork)
For the Char Siu
- 2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch thick strips
For the Marinade and Sauce
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1/2 cup char siu sauce, (store-bought, e.g., Lee Kum Kee)
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the pork shoulder by stabbing it all over with a fork. This helps the marinade penetrate the meat.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
In a large bowl, combine the pork shoulder, granulated sugar, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and char siu sauce. Massage the pork for a couple of minutes to ensure it is thoroughly coated with the marinade.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pork to marinate overnight, or for at least 8 hours, to allow the flavors to develop fully.
⏱️ 480 min - 4
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Place the marinated char siu on the rack inside the air fryer, ensuring not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 380 - 5
Cook the char siu in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 380°F (195°C).
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 380 - 6
After the first 10 minutes, open the air fryer. Brush more of the char siu sauce onto the pork. Flip the pork over and brush more sauce on the other side.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Return the pork to the air fryer and cook for another 10 minutes at 380°F (195°C).
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 380 - 8
While the char siu is cooking, pour the remaining marinade from the bowl into a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally, until it thickens into a sauce. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
After the second 10-minute cooking cycle, open the air fryer. Brush the char siu with honey.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Use the air fryer's broil function (or highest temperature setting if no broil) and cook for a final 3 minutes to caramelize the honey and create a beautiful glaze.
⏱️ 3 min - 11
Once cooked, carefully remove the char siu from the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board for 2 minutes.
⏱️ 2 min - 12
Slice the char siu into thick pieces and arrange them on a serving plate. Drizzle generously with the thickened extra sauce prepared earlier. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min