🍗 Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken Legs | Easy Cantonese BBQ Chicken | Juicy & Delicious

Hi everybody 👋 Today I’ll be showing you how to make Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken Legs — sweet, savory, juicy, and full of that delicious Cantonese-style BBQ flavor.
It’s super easy to make at home with just a few ingredients and your air fryer!

These chicken legs come out golden, caramelized, and packed with flavor — soft on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside.
Let’s get started!

🧂 Ingredients:
Main:
4 whole chicken legs (drumstick and thigh attached)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp white pepper
3 tsp sugar
½ tsp chicken bouillon powder
½ tsp Chinese five spice powder
1 tsp crushed garlic
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
A splash of brandy (optional)
2 heaped tsp corn starch (for thickening the marinade)
1 tbsp honey (for glaze)
2 tbsp Char Siu sauce (Hong Kong “Lea Mi” brand or similar)

🔪 Preparation Steps:
Step 1 – Prepare the Chicken Legs
Use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to cut open each chicken leg near the bone area (don’t cut through the skin).
Gently open the meat around the bone — this helps it cook evenly in the air fryer and stay juicy.

Step 2 – Season the Chicken
Sprinkle salt, white pepper, and sugar evenly over the chicken legs.
Add chicken bouillon, five spice powder, and crushed garlic.
Mix well to coat all sides.

Step 3 – Add Marinade Sauces
Drizzle oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil all around the chicken.
Add a small splash of brandy (optional, for extra flavor).
Massage everything into the chicken so the flavors soak in evenly.

Step 4 – Add Corn Starch
Add 2 heaped teaspoons of corn starch.
Rub again until the marinade thickens and coats the chicken like a sticky paste.

💡 This step helps trap the flavors and keeps the chicken moist while air frying.

Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 5 hours (the longer, the better).

🍳 Cooking Steps:

Step 5 – Air Fry the Chicken
Line the air fryer basket with foil.
Place the chicken legs skin side down.
Air fry at 180°C (356°F) for 15 minutes.
Flip the chicken, then air fry again for another 15 minutes.

Step 6 – Prepare the Char Siu Glaze
Mix together 1 tbsp of honey with 2 tbsp of Char Siu sauce.
After 30 minutes of air frying, brush a layer of this glaze on the chicken.
Air fry for 3 minutes, then flip and glaze the other side.
Air fry again for 3 minutes until shiny and caramelized.

🍽️ Serving:
Once done, remove the chicken legs and let them rest for a few minutes.
Chop into pieces and serve hot with steamed white rice or noodles.
Brush on a little extra Char Siu glaze before serving for that glossy finish!

🤤 Taste Test:
Juicy, flavorful, slightly sweet, and full of that signature Cantonese BBQ aroma — the honey and Char Siu sauce make the chicken skin sticky and flavorful, while the inside stays tender and moist.

This recipe is simple, fast, and perfect for family dinners or meal prep!

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