Last Updated on 19 December 2024 by cooksimply
This Cantonese bbq pork is probably one of my parents’ favourite dishes – and also one of the most popular dishes ordered in my dad’s Chinese restaurant. In Hong Kong, you’d be hard-pressed not to see this being eaten in all the restaurants – this popular meat dish usually served with white rice, is a staple in Cantonese cuisine. And while traditional recipes see this done in an oven, this quicker air fryer char siu pork version really is worth a go.
If you’re a fan of char siu pork or Chinese bbq pork, you’ll love this air fryer recipe that delivers all the flavour and texture you crave, without the fuss. With just a few simple ingredients and some help from your trusty air fryer, you can whip up a delicious and quick version of this classic Chinese dish in no time. And honestly, the results are fantastic. This is Chinese cuisine done in a simple way…
Don’t have an air fryer? Try my roasted char siu pork recipe and use a conventional oven instead
What is char siu pork?
Char siu literally translates as ‘fork roasted’ which refers to the traditional Cantonese method of roasting meat with long forks over a fire or in the oven. Char siu pork is popular in Cantonese cooking, and the flavours of sweet, sticky roasted pork with rice or noodles mean it’s a really versatile and tasty Chinese dish. And you can make char siu air fryer pork really easily at home. Chinese air fryer recipes don’t get easier than this.
Gather your ingredients for this easy char siu recipe
What kind of pork to use? To make this ultimate air fryer char siu recipe, you’ll need some lean boneless pork shoulder – try and choose fattier cuts as this will ensure the meat is tender. The thickness of your pork is also important. Aim for a thick piece for the best result. You want to use a sharp knife, cut the shoulder into 3-4 fairly even pieces.
To make the marinade you’ll need light soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, Chinese five-spice powder, crushed garlic salt, pepper, and red food colouring gel (optional). Then, mix those ingredients together in a large bowl, or container. Add the pork to the bowl and toss to coat evenly in the marinade ingredients. Cover the bowl in clingfilm/plastic wrap and let the pork marinate in the fridge for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours for maximum flavour. If you can turn the pork over in the homemade sauce at least once, even better. Marinating the pork for longer, allows the flavours to fully penetrate the meat and create a delicious char siu pork dish. So, plan ahead and give yourself enough time to let the pork marinate in the char siu marinade before cooking it in the air fryer. You can get all these ingredients from Asian grocery stores or supermarkets.
How long to cook char siu in air fryer?
Once your pork has finished marinating, it’s time to cook it in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at around 205°c. Place the pork in the air fryer basket. It should only take around 20 minutes to cook the char siu in total, but you may find that not all the pieces will fit in your basket. If that’s the case, you may have to do two batches as you will want the air circulation to cook the pork evenly. Keep the air-fried char siu pork warm by wrapping it in tin foil, if you have to cook another 2 pieces.
How to cook char siu pork in an air fryer
Every 5 minutes, flip the pork and baste the meat with the remaining sweet sauce marinade. I like to be quite liberal with the marinade. This will add extra flavour and moisture to the pork. Use a brush or spoon to evenly coat the pork with it. Then, return the pork to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, before basting and flipping again. This will be done 4 times during the 20 minutes, and the pork will have a nice caramelised sticky glaze on the outside. Be sure to keep an eye on the pork during this final cooking stage to prevent burning.
Let the pork rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving
After cooking the char siu pork in the air fryer, it’s important to let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender dish. Resist the temptation to cut into the cooked char siu pork right away, as this can cause the juices to escape and leave the meat dry. Instead, cover the pork with foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This will ensure that your char siu pork is juicy, tender, and delicious.
What should you serve with an air fryer char siu pork?
Char siu is extremely versatile and can go with so many dishes. My most popular options are to serve it with plain boiled rice and green vegetables like pak choi. You could also serve it with egg-fried rice or with spring onion noodles. Or even slice it up and place it in soup noodles. If you have leftovers, chop up the char siu pork into small pieces and add it to fried rice alongside other vegetables and meat – or even prawns and chicken. Or even in fried noodles like this Singapore version.
Can you keep leftover char siu pork?
Yes, once you’ve air fried the pork, let it cool and then wrap and put it in a suitable container. You can eat in the next day or up to three days or freeze it for up to three months. Make sure to fully defrost before reheating. If you’re using it for fried rice or noodles add it straight to the wok as you’re stir-frying. If you’d like to slice and serve with rice, then reheat in the air fryer again for around 5-8 minutes and brush a little honey on top beforehand.
Easy air fryer Chinese char siu pork recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5-2 kg boneless pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp five spice
- 2 tbsp honey extra for brushing while cooking
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 tsp red food colouring gel optional
- 2 tsps vegetable oil for brushing the air fryer basket
Instructions
- You'll need to cut the pork shoulder into fairly even strips - you might be able to get 3-4 strips in total.
- Mix the marinade ingredients together - so using a large container or dish, combine the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, brown sugar, five spice, pepper, salt, honey, and red food colouring [if you're using], together.
- Add the pork pieces, and make sure all the meat is covered in the marinade. Cover with clingfilm then put in the fridge and marinate for at least 12 hours - the longer the better, I like leaving it for 24 hours. If you get a chance, turn the meat over in the sauce at least once during the marinating time.
- Once you're ready to air fry the char siu pork, brush the air fryer basket with oil or spray (to prevent the pork from sticking), preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 205°c.
- Reserve the marinade and set it to one side.
- Transfer the pork strips to the air fryer basket, making sure there is space between the strips. You may need to do a couple of batches if your basket isn't big enough.
- Set the air fryer to 200°c for 20 minutes. And brush extra marinade on top of the pork.
- Every 5 minutes, turn the pork and brush more marinade on the top each time you turn the pork over.
- After 20 minutes the pork should have a lovely shiny glaze and be thoroughly cooked. If you feel it needs a little longer, you can air fry for a further 5 minutes.
- Slice into pieces and serve over rice or noodles with green vegetables.
Nutrition
Did you make this char siu pork air fryer?
Please let me know how this char siu pork turned out for you. Leave a comment below and tag @cooksimplyathome on Instagram. For other simple and delicious meals take a look at my other recipes.
made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious