Air Fryer Char Siu

1. 1

   Slice the pork into chunks or strips roughly 2 to 3 inches thick. Ensure they are as big as they can be while ensuring 2-3 pieces can easily fit inside your air fryer basket. Leave all of the fat intact.

2. 2

   Whisk together the sugar, salt, five spice powder, white pepper, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, molasses, red food coloring (if you are using it), and garlic in a bowl to create the BBQ marinade. Set aside approximately 2 tablespoons of this mixture in a separate small bowl, cover it, and keep it in the fridge. Coat the pork thoroughly with the remaining marinade inside a baking dish or large bowl. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours, or overnight.

3. 3

   Take the pork out of the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for roughly 2 hours, allowing it to come near room temperature.

4. 4

   Pour 1/4 cup of hot water into the base of the air fryer basket, then place the rack over it. Arrange the pork on top of the rack, making sure the pieces do not contact one another.

5. 5

   Slide the basket in, adjust the heat to 375°F, and start the machine. Skip any prompt from the appliance to add food, letting the cooking cycle begin immediately.

6. 6

   As the meat cooks, mix the reserved 2 tablespoons of marinade with 1 tablespoon of hot water and the maltose (or honey) to make a glaze. Cook the pork in the air fryer for 15 to 18 minutes overall (assuming 9 to 10-ounce pieces). Every 5 to 6 minutes, brush a thin layer of glaze over the pork, turn the pieces over, and coat the other side before resuming cooking at 375°F. Pour a little more hot water into the bottom of the basket if the liquid has dried up.

7. 7

   Slice and serve.

Recipe by The Woks of Life on thewoksoflife.com. See the original for their notes and tips.