Air-Fried Brisket: A Tasty, Quick Treat?

Brisket is a notoriously tricky dish to perfect, but an air fryer can make the process easier and more reliable. The air fryer's rapid air circulation cooks brisket quickly and evenly, resulting in a juicy, tender, and flavoursome dish with a crispy bark.

The key to success is choosing the right cut of meat. Opt for a smaller, more manageable cut, such as a brisket flat, which will ensure even cooking within the confines of the air fryer's basket.

When it comes to seasoning, a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and other spices not only adds flavour but also helps create a mouthwatering bark.

With its convenience, speed, and ability to produce tender, tasty results, the air fryer is a brilliant alternative to traditional BBQ methods.

Choosing the right cut of brisket

• Opt for a Smaller Cut: Go for a smaller cut, such as a brisket flat, which is more manageable in size and thickness. This ensures even cooking within the limited space of your air fryer's basket. The flat cut has a uniform thickness compared to the full packer brisket, promoting uniform cooking and doneness.
• Look for Good Marbling: Choose a brisket with good marbling throughout the flat. This means a nice distribution of fat within the muscle, which helps keep the meat moist and juicy during the cooking process.
• Flexible Texture: Select a brisket with a flexible texture, not a stiff one. This indicates that the meat will be more tender and easier to chew.
• Trim Excess Fat: Before cooking, trim any excess hard fat from the brisket. While some fat is desirable for flavour and juiciness, too much can hinder the formation of a delicious bark and affect the seasoning. Aim for about 1/4 inch of fat.
• Weight Considerations: For air fryer capacity, choose a brisket that weighs around 3-4 lbs. This ensures it fits comfortably in your air fryer, allowing for proper air circulation.
• Allow for Servings: When planning servings, allow for about 1/3 lb of brisket per person.

By following these guidelines, you'll be on your way to selecting the perfect cut of brisket for your air fryer, ensuring delicious and tender results.

Seasoning and preparing the brisket

Trimming the Brisket:

Start by trimming any excess fat from the brisket. Aim to leave about a quarter of an inch of fat, as this helps with flavour and juiciness while also ensuring the seasoning penetrates the meat effectively.

Choosing the Right Cut:

For air frying, opt for a smaller, more manageable cut like a brisket flat. This ensures even cooking within the air fryer's limited space. A uniform thickness promotes consistent cooking and doneness, and shorter cooking times.

Basic Seasoning:

Begin with the classic combination of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. This simple blend forms the foundation of your brisket seasoning, enhancing its natural flavours.

Customise Your Seasoning:

You can customise your seasoning blend with ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, oregano, cayenne pepper, chili powder, or smoked paprika. These ingredients add depth and complexity to the flavour profile. You can also add a touch of sweetness with brown sugar or honey.

Prepare a Dry Rub or Marinade:

Create a dry rub by mixing your chosen combination of spices and herbs. You can also prepare a marinade by mixing your seasoning blend with liquids like olive oil or mustard.

Seasoning the Brisket:

Coat the brisket with a little olive oil, and then apply your chosen dry rub or marinade generously, making sure to cover all sides of the meat. Massage the seasoning into the meat to ensure it adheres well. You can use your hands or blot the brisket with paper towels before seasoning.

Marinating (Optional):

For an extra boost of flavour, you can marinate your seasoned brisket in the refrigerator for a few hours or even overnight. This allows the flavours to penetrate deeper into the meat.

Resting at Room Temperature:

Before cooking, let your seasoned brisket rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps the meat cook more evenly.

Preheating the Air Fryer:

While your brisket is resting, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. For low and slow cooking, a temperature of around 275°F (135°C) is ideal.

Now that your brisket is seasoned and prepared, you're ready to place it in the air fryer basket and start cooking! Remember to monitor the cooking process, flipping the brisket as needed to ensure even cooking. Enjoy your delicious air-fried brisket!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for your brisket will depend on a few factors, including the size and power of your air fryer, as well as the size, thickness, and quality of your brisket. It's important to note that air fryers circulate air rapidly, cooking brisket more quickly and evenly than traditional smoking or oven-baking methods. Here are some general guidelines and tips to help you determine the ideal cooking time and temperature for your air-fried brisket:

• For a well-cooked, tender brisket, aim for an internal temperature of 195°F (90°C). This can be measured using a meat probe or thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the brisket.
• The cooking time will depend on the weight of your brisket. A good rule of thumb is to cook the brisket for approximately 25 minutes per pound. For example, a 4-pound brisket would cook for about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
• However, keep in mind that the ideal cooking time can vary depending on your desired doneness. For a rare or medium-rare brisket, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• The size of your air fryer basket will also determine the size and thickness of the brisket you can cook. Opt for a smaller, more uniform cut like a brisket flat to ensure even cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature before adding the brisket. A temperature of 275°F is generally recommended for cooking beef brisket.
• During cooking, you may need to flip the brisket halfway through to ensure even cooking on both sides.
• For a crispier exterior, cook the brisket at a higher temperature of around 350°F to 365°F for about 30 to 35 minutes.
• To prevent overcooking, keep in mind that the internal temperature of the brisket will continue to rise by about 10 degrees while it rests after cooking.
• Always allow your brisket to rest for at least 10 to 20 minutes after cooking to let the juices redistribute, resulting in a moist and tender final product.

By following these guidelines and adjusting as needed based on your specific air fryer and brisket, you'll be able to cook a delicious and tender brisket that's perfect for any occasion.

Resting the brisket

Temperature and Timing:

• The ideal resting temperature for a brisket is around 140°F to 170°F. This temperature range ensures that the meat stays above the minimum food safety temperature of 140°F.
• The optimal resting time for a brisket is around 2 to 3 hours. This allows enough time for the juices to settle, making the brisket moist and flavourful. However, even a 1-hour rest can be beneficial if you don't have a reliable way to keep the meat warm for longer.
• If you're aiming for a longer rest, such as overnight, it's crucial to monitor the temperature closely to ensure it stays above 140°F. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature periodically.

Wrapping and Insulating:

• Wrapping the brisket after cooking is essential to retain moisture and keep it warm. Use butcher paper or aluminium foil to wrap the brisket first.
• Then, wrap the brisket tightly with plastic wrap to lock in moisture and prevent leakage.
• If you have a dedicated insulated food carrier, like a Cambro, you can use it to keep the wrapped brisket warm. Alternatively, a regular cooler with a towel can also work as an economical option.
• The towel helps insulate the brisket and slows down the reduction in temperature. However, be prepared for the towel and cooler to retain the brisket smell until washed.
• If you don't want to use a cooler, you can also use a specialised product like The Meat Swadl, which is an insulated polyester bag.
• For longer holding times, especially overnight, some people have used electric heat pads set to 140°F inside their coolers. Just remember that these pads usually have an auto-shutoff, so you'll need to turn them back on periodically.

Storing and Reheating:

• If you plan to store the brisket for a more extended period before serving, it's crucial to keep it above the minimum food safety temperature. Options like a holding oven, hot box, or electric smoker can help maintain the desired temperature.
• When reheating the brisket, aim for low and slow heating to avoid overcooking or drying out the meat.

Remember, resting the brisket is a crucial step to ensure your meat is juicy and tender. By following these instructions and monitoring temperatures closely, you can achieve delicious results with your air-fried brisket.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve your air fryer brisket. Here are some suggestions:

Sides

You can serve your brisket with a range of sides, including:

• Cornbread
• Garlic knots
• Air fryer cheese bites
• Roasted carrots
• Mashed potatoes
• French fries
• Polenta fries
• Air fryer potato wedges
• Air fryer brussels sprouts
• Fluffy biscuits
• Baked corn casserole
• Crispy sheet pan scalloped potatoes

Sandwiches

Air fryer brisket is also great for sandwiches. You can serve it with a side of air fryer frozen French fries for a pub-style meal.

Leftovers

Leftover brisket can be diced up and used in casseroles, stews, and soups. You can also reheat your leftover brisket in the air fryer or on a baking sheet in the oven, adding a little butter to prevent it from drying out.

Frequently asked questions