Tender, lacquered pork with a sticky-sweet sheen, irresistible from the first bite—Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) brings the magic of classic Cantonese barbecue to your home kitchen, minus the grill. With an air fryer, it’s so much simpler (and healthier) to recreate that signature savory-sweet flavor, aromatic with five-spice and just the right touch of char. This recipe is my all-time favorite when craving delicious comfort food—juicy, restaurant-style pork that’s perfect over rice, in bao, or straight off the cutting board!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The secret to an unforgettable Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) is starting with simple, fresh ingredients that each play a crucial role: deep umami from hoisin and soy, sweetness from honey and brown sugar, aromatic garlic, and the vibrant gloss of a traditional glaze. Here’s what you’ll need—and why each one matters!
- Pork shoulder or pork belly (1.5 lbs): Fatty pork shoulder or belly ensures moist, tender meat with beautiful marbling and that signature char siu texture.
- Hoisin sauce (3 tablespoons): Brings deep, earthy-sweet flavor and a velvety texture to the marinade.
- Honey (2 tablespoons, plus more for glazing): Adds natural sweetness and a gorgeous caramelized finish when brushed on at the end.
- Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): Delivers savory saltiness and enhances umami for true depth of flavor.
- Oyster sauce (1 tablespoon): Balances sweetness with oceanic richness that makes char siu so complex.
- Chinese Shaoxing wine or dry sherry (1 tablespoon): Lends a delicate aroma and rounds out the marinade—use Shaoxing for classic flavor, or dry sherry as a great sub.
- Brown sugar (1 tablespoon): Infuses warmth and a hint of molasses to help the pork caramelize in the air fryer.
- Five-spice powder (1 teaspoon): The iconic blend that makes char siu unforgettable—star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Fresh garlic adds a punch of flavor and stays mellow after cooking.
- Red food coloring (1/2 teaspoon, optional): For the characteristic ruby-red color—completely optional and cosmetic, but fun for tradition!
How to Make Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
Step 1: Mix the Marinade
Start by whisking together the hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry), brown sugar, five-spice powder, minced garlic, and a dash of red food coloring if you love that traditional color. This mixture is fragrant and sticky—a preview of the incredible flavor your pork will soak up!
Step 2: Marinate the Pork
Place your pork strips in a resealable bag or shallow dish, then pour the marinade over, making sure every piece is coated. Gently massage to distribute the flavors, seal or cover, and tuck those strips into the fridge. Let them marinate for at least 8 hours (overnight is best!), so every bite is bursting with sweet-savory goodness.
Step 3: Prep and Air Fry
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lift the marinated pork out of the bag, letting as much excess marinade drip off as possible. Arrange the strips in a single layer in your air fryer basket—don’t crowd them, so the air can circulate and caramelize each piece! Air fry for 15 minutes, flipping halfway, so both sides get that beautiful color and crust.
Step 4: Glaze for Perfection
After 15 minutes, brush the pork with a bit of extra honey for a sticky, glossy finish. Return the pork to the air fryer for another 3–5 minutes. Watch as the edges start to bubble and caramelize—this is when your Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) becomes irresistible! Double-check that the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
Step 5: Rest and Slice
Let the char siu rest for 5 minutes before slicing into it. This keeps all those lovely juices locked in the meat. Slice into thin pieces—admire that blush-pink, sticky-crisp edge—and get ready for your kitchen to smell like your favorite Chinese BBQ shop!
How to Serve Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
Garnishes
Sprinkle your sliced Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) with a few sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds for freshness and a little crunch. If you love a pop of color, add a few sprigs of fresh cilantro or serve with pickled cucumber to cut the richness.
Side Dishes
This char siu is absolutely heavenly over a steamy bowl of jasmine rice or nestled on top of noodles with a drizzle of the extra marinade. Try it with stir-fried gai lan (Chinese broccoli) or a crisp Asian slaw for brightness. You can even tuck it into soft steamed buns for a stunning hand-held meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice your Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) into thin strips and serve as a dazzling centerpiece on a platter, or fan out on a bamboo cutting board for family-style dinners. For gatherings, thread sliced char siu onto small skewers for fun BBQ-style bites. It also makes an incredible topping for fried rice, noodles, or even homemade baozi.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) should cool to room temperature, then be packed into an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to four days—ready for quick lunches, late-night munchies, or a supercharged fried rice.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze slices or strips of char siu in a freezer bag with as much air pressed out as possible. They’ll keep their flavor for up to two months. Be sure to separate layers with parchment paper if you want to grab just a little at a time for snacking or meal prep.
Reheating
To bring your Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) back to life, either give it a quick zap in the microwave with a splash of water (to keep it moist) or heat gently in a skillet. If you have time, a few minutes in the air fryer at 350°F makes the glaze bubbly and the edges sticky again—just like fresh!
FAQs
Can I use pork loin instead of shoulder or belly?
Absolutely! Pork loin is leaner, making it a lighter choice, but it might end up less juicy than shoulder or belly. Keep an eye on the cook time, and don’t overcook—it’ll still soak up all that delicious marinade.
Is the red food coloring necessary?
It’s completely optional and only there for that traditional, glossy ruby look. The taste won’t be affected if you skip it—your Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) will still be delicious and beautiful.
Can I marinate the pork for less than 8 hours?
You’ll get the best flavors from an overnight marinade, but if you’re pressed for time, even 2–3 hours will work. Try scoring the pork lightly to help the marinade work its magic a bit faster.
I don’t have an air fryer. Can I make this in the oven?
Definitely! Bake the marinated pork strips on a wire rack set over a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for about 20–25 minutes, turning and glazing halfway through, until caramelized and cooked through.
What can I do with leftover Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)?
Leftovers are gold! Slice them thinly for sandwiches, chop into fried rice, toss into noodle soups, or add to a quick veggie stir-fry. It’s incredibly versatile and always adds a punch of flavor.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever dreamed of making restaurant-style char siu at home, Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) will quickly become your go-to recipe. It’s easy, mouthwateringly good, and perfect for sharing with family and friends—give it a try, and I promise you’ll be hooked!
Print
Air Fried Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) Recipe
- Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the flavors of Chinese BBQ pork with this air-fried char siu recipe. Tender strips of pork marinated in a savory-sweet sauce, cooked to perfection in the air fryer for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Main Marinade:
- 1.5 lbs pork shoulder or pork belly (cut into long strips about 1.5 inches thick)
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey (plus more for glazing)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (optional for traditional color)
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: Whisk together hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, brown sugar, five-spice powder, garlic, and red food coloring. Marinate pork strips in the mixture for at least 8 hours.
- Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Place marinated pork in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway. Glaze with honey and air fry for an additional 3–5 minutes until caramelized.
- Rest and Serve: Let the pork rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with rice or noodles.
Notes
- You can use boneless pork loin as a leaner alternative.
- Red food coloring is optional for traditional appearance.
- Basting with honey at the end adds a glossy finish.
- Leftovers can be used in fried rice or as noodle toppings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 8 hours marinating)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
