Air Fryer Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
Air Fryer Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
Ingredients
For the Char Siu
- 1 1/2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch thick strips
For the Marinade and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup Char Siu sauce, store-bought (e.g., Lee Kum Kee brand)
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- 1
Using a fork, generously stab the pork shoulder strips all over. This helps the marinade penetrate the meat.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic powder, and Char Siu sauce. Mix well.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Add the pork shoulder strips to the marinade. Massage the pork for 2-3 minutes, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the marinated pork overnight (at least 8 hours) to allow the flavors to fully develop.
⏱️ 480 min
- 5
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Place the marinated char siu on the air fryer rack in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Cook for 10 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 380
- 6
While the pork is cooking, pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a drizzling consistency. This will be your finishing sauce.
⏱️ 8 min
- 7
After the first 10 minutes, carefully open the air fryer. Brush more of the reserved marinade (not the thickened sauce) onto the cooked side of the pork. Flip the pork strips over and brush the other side with marinade.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Return the pork to the air fryer and cook for another 10 minutes at 380°F (195°C).
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 380
- 9
Once the second cooking cycle is complete, brush the pork with honey. If your air fryer has a broil function, broil for 3 minutes until slightly caramelized and sticky. If not, continue air frying for 2-3 minutes at 400°F (200°C), watching closely to prevent burning.
⏱️ 3 min
- 10
Remove the char siu from the air fryer and let it rest for 2 minutes before slicing.
⏱️ 2 min
- 11
Slice the char siu into thick pieces and arrange on a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the thickened marinade sauce prepared earlier.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Air Fryer Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
For the Char Siu
- 1 1/2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch thick strips
For the Marinade and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup Char Siu sauce, store-bought (e.g., Lee Kum Kee brand)
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- 1
Using a fork, generously stab the pork shoulder strips all over. This helps the marinade penetrate the meat.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic powder, and Char Siu sauce. Mix well.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Add the pork shoulder strips to the marinade. Massage the pork for 2-3 minutes, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the marinated pork overnight (at least 8 hours) to allow the flavors to fully develop.
⏱️ 480 min - 5
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Place the marinated char siu on the air fryer rack in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Cook for 10 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 380 - 6
While the pork is cooking, pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a drizzling consistency. This will be your finishing sauce.
⏱️ 8 min - 7
After the first 10 minutes, carefully open the air fryer. Brush more of the reserved marinade (not the thickened sauce) onto the cooked side of the pork. Flip the pork strips over and brush the other side with marinade.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Return the pork to the air fryer and cook for another 10 minutes at 380°F (195°C).
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 380 - 9
Once the second cooking cycle is complete, brush the pork with honey. If your air fryer has a broil function, broil for 3 minutes until slightly caramelized and sticky. If not, continue air frying for 2-3 minutes at 400°F (200°C), watching closely to prevent burning.
⏱️ 3 min - 10
Remove the char siu from the air fryer and let it rest for 2 minutes before slicing.
⏱️ 2 min - 11
Slice the char siu into thick pieces and arrange on a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the thickened marinade sauce prepared earlier.
⏱️ 2 min