# The Only Thing Better Than a Basic Dish of Rice and Char Siu is Your Own Homemade Air Fryer Char Siu
Chinese BBQ represents a distinctive culinary legacy with origins that date back to antiquity. In ancient Chinese settlements, a communal oven was frequently employed for slow-roasting meats, managed by a BBQ expert. This expert would showcase complete pork carcasses, ducks, and the highly sought-after sweet, smoky char siu in their storefront.
## The Simplest Method to Prepare Char Siu at Home
Crafting char siu at home is more straightforward than you may realize. Although numerous recipes online depend on traditional ovens and can be rather intricate, utilizing an [air fryer](https://amzn.to/3VQCdCo) transforms the process. Air fryers heat rapidly, ensure superb air circulation for enhanced charring, and cook the meat in a fraction of the time.
## What Exactly is Char Siu?
Char siu is a variety of Chinese BBQ pork that combines sweetness, smokiness, and tenderness while maintaining a firm texture. It frequently appears in fried rice recipes, but the ultimate way to savor it is in thick slices presented over plain rice paired with sautéed vegetables.
## Steps to Create Air Fryer Char Siu
1. **Cube the pork.** A larger surface area leads to enhanced char and flavor.
2. **Prepare the marinade.** This requires only five primary ingredients, with a few optional extras.
3. **Marinate overnight.** Although 30 minutes will do, extended marinating brings out a richer flavor.
4. **Air fry.** Cook at 375ºF for 8 minutes.
5. **Dig in.** Serve over fluffy white rice accompanied by fresh vegetables or use in other recipes.
## Is This Superior to Baking?
This air fryer char siu recipe enhances a traditional char siu recipe by substituting the oven for an air fryer. The outcomes are so impressive that you might never want to turn back to a conventional oven, unless preparing a larger quantity is necessary.
In this recipe, a well-marbled, thick-cut pork chop is utilized instead of the customary pork shoulder, making it more accessible and producing juicy, sweet, and scrumptious results.
## How to Use Char Siu
### Air Fryer Char Siu Recipe
**Serves:** 1
**Prep Time:** 2 minutes
**Cook Time:** 8 minutes
**Total Time:** 10 minutes
### Ingredients:
– 1 lb thick cut pork chop
– 2 tbsp honey
– 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
– 1 tbsp soy sauce
– 2 cloves garlic, crushed
– 1 inch ginger, sliced
– 2 tsp shaoxing wine (optional)
– 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice powder (optional)
– 1/4 tsp ground white pepper (optional)
### Instructions:
1. **Prepare the pork:** Cube the pork chop to maximize surface area.
2. **Make the marinade:** Mix honey, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and optional components.
3. **Marinate:** Let the pork sit in the marinade overnight for the best flavor.
4. **Air fry:** Cook the pork in the air fryer at 375ºF for 8 minutes.
5. **Serve:** Relish over rice or in your preferred dish.
**Note:** For well-done pork, extend cooking time to 10 minutes. Preserve any leftover marinade in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, or boil it for 1-2 minutes to utilize as a sauce or glaze.
This homemade air fryer char siu is a wonderful way to enjoy a classic dish with minimal effort and maximum taste.