1. Prepare the pork: Cut 2 pounds of pork shoulder into 1-inch thick strips.

2. Make the marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine, 1 tablespoon five-spice powder, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon minced ginger, 1 teaspoon red food coloring (optional), and 1 teaspoon sesame oil.

3. Marinate the pork: Place the pork strips in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the pork marinade over the pork, ensuring all pieces are well coated.

4. Refrigerate: Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap. Let the pork marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight for the best flavor. Marinating Char Siu overnight allows the flavors to penetrate deeply, creating a rich and authentic taste.

5. Reserve marinade: After marinating, reserve the marinade in a small saucepan.

6. Make the glaze: Add an extra tablespoon of honey to the reserved marinade. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens into a sticky glaze. If it’s too thick, add a little water until you reach the desired consistency.

7. Alternative ingredients: If you prefer, you can use maple syrup instead of honey for the Char Siu glaze.

8. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for 5 minutes.

9. Arrange the pork: Place the marinated pork strips in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.

10. First cook: Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes.

11. Flip and glaze: Flip the pork strips over using tongs and brush with the honey glaze.

12. Second cook: Cook for another 10 minutes. Check for an internal temperature of 145°F to ensure even cooking.

13. Final glaze: For extra stickiness, brush with more glaze after cooking.