Tillie Doyle
Cooking a gammon joint in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a meal for any occasion. Air fryers are smaller than ovens, so you use less energy, and they cook food faster, which is great for busy families. You can cook a gammon joint in any air fryer, but make sure it fits comfortably in the basket. You can use a glaze to add flavour and crisp up the skin, and a meat thermometer to check when it's cooked.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking temperature | 160-170°C (340°F) |
| Cooking time | 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes |
| Resting time | 10 minutes (15 minutes for joints over 1.5kg) |
| Glaze | Honey, mustard, syrup, redcurrant jelly, orange juice, marmalade |
| Gammon weight | 0.75-1.5kg |
| Air fryer capacity | 3.7L-10.4L |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right gammon joint
First, decide on the size of the gammon joint. The main limiting factor is the size of your air fryer. Choose a joint that comfortably fits in your air fryer basket with some space around it for air to flow and cook the gammon evenly. For example, a 3.7L air fryer can typically accommodate a 1.5 kg gammon joint, while a larger 10.4L air fryer can handle a bigger joint. If you have a smaller air fryer, consider a 750g or 1 kg joint, which can still provide a generous serving for four people.
Next, consider the type of gammon joint. You can choose between a smoked or unsmoked joint, depending on your preference. Smoked joints offer a distinct flavour, while unsmoked joints are more subtle. Additionally, look for a gammon joint with a good layer of fat, as it helps protect the meat during cooking and adds flavour.
When selecting a gammon joint, also think about the glaze or flavour profile you want to achieve. Some joints come pre-glazed or with added ingredients like honey, mustard, or marmalade, enhancing the taste of the final dish. You can also purchase a plain gammon joint and create your own glaze using ingredients like honey, mustard, orange juice, or redcurrant jelly.
Lastly, consider the cooking time and convenience. Some gammon joints are designed for slow cooking, while others are ideal for quick preparation in an air fryer. If you're short on time, opt for a joint that doesn't require boiling or lengthy preparation.
Remember to check the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging to make an informed decision. By considering these factors, you can choose the right gammon joint for your air fryer, ensuring a delicious and successful cooking experience.
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Preparing the gammon for cooking
Next, remove the gammon from the fridge 30 minutes to 45 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. This step helps ensure even cooking. Then, unwrap the gammon and remove any packaging, including strings or ties.
Before placing the gammon in the air fryer, it is essential to wrap it in foil. Foil wrapping helps prevent the meat from burning and keeps it moist. Use a double layer of foil for durability, creating a parcel with an opening at the top for easy access. Some recipes suggest brushing the gammon with a glaze made from honey, mustard, syrup, or marmalade before wrapping it in foil.
Finally, place the foil-wrapped gammon in the air fryer basket, ensuring it doesn't touch the sides. If your air fryer requires preheating, do so for about 5 minutes at 170°C (340°F).
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Cooking the gammon
Next, remove the gammon from the fridge about 30 minutes to an hour before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Remove any packaging and string, and wrap the joint in foil. Some recipes suggest brushing the gammon with a glaze made from honey, mustard, or syrup, and seasoning with salt and pepper before wrapping it in foil.
When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 160-170°C (340°F) for 5 minutes. Carefully place the foil-covered gammon into the air fryer basket, ensuring it doesn't touch the sides. Set the timer for the recommended cooking time based on the weight of your joint, aiming for 25 minutes of cooking time per 500g plus 20 minutes. For example, a 1kg gammon joint will take about 1 hour and 10 minutes to cook.
Once the timer goes off, check the internal temperature of the gammon with a meat thermometer. It should read 70-75°C when it's cooked. If you don't have a thermometer, insert a sharp knife into the joint; if it slides in easily, it's ready. The meat should be dark pink and very hot all the way through. If it's not ready, continue cooking and check every 5 minutes.
When the gammon is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
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$22.75 $32.5
Glazing the gammon
To glaze your gammon, you will need to first remove it from the fridge about 30 to 45 minutes before you want to start cooking. This will bring the meat to room temperature. You can then wrap the gammon in foil and place it in the air fryer basket.
The glaze you use is up to you, but a few popular options include honey, mustard, syrup, redcurrant jelly, orange juice, or a combination of these ingredients. For example, you could mix honey and mustard, or honey and syrup, and season with salt and pepper. You could also try a blend of honey and orange juice, or marmalade and honey.
Once you have prepared your glaze, brush it all over the gammon before wrapping it in foil. Then, cook the gammon in the air fryer at 160-170°C for 30 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes, depending on the weight of the joint. For the final 10 to 20 minutes of cooking time, open the foil and brush your chosen glaze over the gammon. You can then turn up the heat to get the skin crispy.
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Serving suggestions
Once you've cooked your gammon joint in the air fryer, you can serve it hot or cold. If you're serving it hot, let it rest for 10–15 minutes before carving. If you're serving it cold, let it cool before putting it in a sealed container in the fridge.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to four or five days, depending on the source. You can also freeze gammon for up to two months.
Gammon cooked in the air fryer can be served as part of a roast dinner, with all the trimmings, or as a sandwich filling. It can also be chopped up and added to an omelette, pie, stew, pasta dish, or salad.
If you're making a sandwich, try buttering some bread and topping it with pineapple salsa, gammon slices, and another slice of bread. Or, for a bagel sandwich, serve with ham, cheese, and egg, with chilli jam or red onion chutney for added tang.
Gammon is a versatile meat that can be served with a variety of side dishes, including:
- Honey and mustard roasted parsnips
- Swede mash
- Crispy roast potatoes
- Instant pot broccoli
- Gravy
- Chips and eggs
- Garlic bread
- Diced potatoes
- Crispy smashed broccoli
- Duck fat roast potatoes
- Air fryer stuffing
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the weight of your gammon joint. Aim for 25 minutes of cooking time per 500g plus 20 minutes. For example, a 1kg gammon joint will take around 1 hour and 10 minutes to cook.
Preheat your air fryer to 170°C (340°F) and cook at this temperature for the duration of the cooking time.
The size of your air fryer basket will determine the size of the gammon joint you can cook. For example, a 3.7L air fryer can fit a 1.5kg gammon joint, whereas a 5.5L air fryer can fit a much larger joint.
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