Ella Walter
Cooking a gammon joint in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare ham, which can be used for a variety of dishes. It is a versatile method that can be used for a weeknight meal or a Sunday roast, and even for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners. Air fryers are smaller than ovens, so you use less energy and free up oven space. They also cook food faster, making them ideal for busy families. When cooking a gammon joint in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the joint fits easily in the basket and that it is not touching the sides. The gammon joint should also be brought to room temperature before cooking and wrapped in foil to prevent burning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 160°C-190°C (340°F-375°F) |
| Cooking Time | 20 minutes to 1 hour |
| Glaze | Mustard, honey, syrup, redcurrant jelly, orange juice, marmalade, brown sugar |
| Gammon Weight | 750g-1.1kg |
| Gammon Preparation | Remove from fridge 45 minutes before cooking, wrap in foil |
| Air Fryer Preparation | Preheat for 5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right gammon joint
Firstly, the size of the gammon joint matters. The joint should fit comfortably in your air fryer, allowing some space around it for air to circulate and ensure even cooking. Check the size of your air fryer and select a joint that will fit with some room to spare. 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. Remember that cooking times will vary depending on the size of the joint, so adjust accordingly.
Secondly, consider the fat content of the gammon joint. A good layer of fat can help protect the meat during cooking and adds flavour. Some gammon joints have a small patch of fat or none at all, so choosing one with a decent amount of fat can enhance the taste and texture of the final dish. However, if you prefer less fat on your meat, you can trim it down after cooking.
Thirdly, decide between a smoked or unsmoked gammon joint. This comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy the flavour of smoked bacon, you'll likely prefer a smoked gammon joint. On the other hand, if you typically choose unsmoked bacon, an unsmoked gammon joint might be more to your taste.
Lastly, ensure that your gammon joint is uncooked. Some recipes and pre-cooked gammon joints may have been designed for other cooking methods, which could lead to issues when using an air fryer. Always check that the gammon joint you select is intended for air frying and has not been pre-cooked or pre-soaked.
By considering these factors, you'll be able to choose the right gammon joint for your air fryer and create a delicious meal with excellent results.
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Preparing the gammon joint
Next, remove the gammon from the fridge 45 minutes before you want to start cooking and let it come to room temperature. Cut two large pieces of foil and place them in a cross shape on your work surface. Remove any packaging and string from the gammon, then place it in the middle of the foil and wrap it until it is completely covered. If you wish to add cloves for a festive presentation, stick them into the rind before wrapping.
If you are making a glaze, which is optional, prepare it now and brush it all over the gammon, reserving any leftover glaze for later. You can make a glaze by combining honey or syrup with mustard, or try redcurrant jelly, orange juice, and wholegrain mustard.
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Cooking the gammon joint
First, select your gammon joint. Choose a smoked or unsmoked joint, depending on your preference. If you like smoked bacon, you'll probably prefer a smoked gammon joint. The size of your joint will depend on the capacity of your air fryer. It's important to ensure that the joint fits easily in the air fryer basket with some space around the outside to allow air to flow and cook the gammon evenly.
Next, prepare the gammon joint. If your gammon joint is frozen, allow it to defrost first. Remove the gammon from the fridge 45 minutes before you want to start cooking and bring it to room temperature. Remove any packaging and string. You may want to trim the fat, leaving a thin layer, but this is optional—fat can help protect the meat as it cooks and adds flavour.
Now, prepare your glaze. You can use a combination of honey or syrup with mustard, or try redcurrant jelly, orange juice, or brown sugar. Mix your chosen ingredients and season with salt and pepper, if desired. You can also add cloves to the rind for a festive presentation.
Then, wrap the gammon joint in foil. Ensure the gammon is completely covered and that the seal is at the top to prevent leakage. Place the foil-wrapped gammon in the air fryer basket. If your air fryer requires preheating, do so now for around 5 minutes at 170°C (340°F).
Cook the gammon joint for around 35-45 minutes at 170-190°C (340-375°F). The cooking time will depend on the weight of your joint, so adjust accordingly. For a 750g joint, 20 minutes on each side at 180°C is recommended. For a 1.1kg joint, try 25 minutes on each side at the same temperature.
After cooking, remove the gammon from the air fryer and leave it to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. You can then add more glaze if desired and return the gammon to the air fryer for 5-20 minutes at a higher temperature (180°C/360°F) to create a golden, crispy exterior. The gammon is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 62-70°C (145-160°F).
Finally, serve your gammon joint. Enjoy it as part of a roast, in a sandwich, sliced up in a pasta dish, or chopped in a salad.
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Glazing the gammon joint
Firstly, bring the gammon joint to room temperature before cooking. This ensures even cooking throughout the joint. You can then choose to wrap the gammon in foil, which helps to retain moisture and prevent the meat from drying out. Some recipes recommend removing the rind halfway through the cooking process, leaving a thin layer of fat, which can be scored in a cross-hatch pattern to allow the glaze to penetrate the meat.
For a simple glaze, you can combine honey or syrup with mustard and season with salt and pepper. Brush this mixture over the gammon, reserving any leftover glaze for serving. Other glaze options include redcurrant jelly and orange juice, marmalade, or a mixture of brown sugar, sea salt, and mustard.
When applying the glaze, it is important to time it right. Some recipes suggest glazing the gammon halfway through the cooking process, while others recommend glazing towards the end, for the last 5-20 minutes, to achieve a golden and crispy exterior.
It is also important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the size of your gammon joint and the specific air fryer model you are using. Always ensure that your gammon joint is cooked thoroughly before serving.
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Serving suggestions
Gammon cooked in an air fryer is versatile and can be served hot or cold. It can be sliced and served as part of a roast, in a pasta dish, a sandwich, or chopped in a salad.
If you're serving gammon as a roast, it goes well with gravy. You can also serve it with sides like garlic bread, diced potatoes, crispy smashed broccoli, egg, grilled pineapple, bubble and squeak, or fried foods like chips or fish fingers.
Gammon is also great in a sandwich with mustard, honey, maple syrup, and pineapple salsa. You can also add lettuce and tartare sauce if you're using fish fingers. For a bagel sandwich, serve with ham, cheese, egg, and chilli jam or red onion chutney.
For a festive feast, serve gammon with a turkey crown, duck-fat roast potatoes, air fryer stuffing, and honey-mustard roasted parsnips.
If you have any leftovers, you can use them in a chicken and ham hock filo pie, leek and potato soup, turkey pasta bake, turkey pie, or carbonara.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking a gammon joint in an air fryer is simple and easy. First, take the gammon out of the fridge 45 minutes to an hour before you want to start cooking and let it come to room temperature. Then, wrap the gammon in foil and place it in the air fryer basket. Preheat your air fryer to 170°C (340°F) for 5 minutes and cook for 35 to 45 minutes. The gammon is cooked when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 62°C (145°F).
The size of the gammon joint you buy depends on the size of your air fryer. The joint should not touch the basket or sides of your air fryer and you need some space around the outside of the joint for the air to flow and cook the gammon evenly.
No, you do not need to pre-soak or pre-cook the gammon joint. However, it is important to note that this recipe is for a gammon joint that has not been pre-cooked.
The temperature depends on the size of your gammon joint and the type of air fryer you have. Most recipes recommend cooking at 170°C (340°F) for 35 to 45 minutes, but for a 1kg joint, you can cook at 190°C (375°F) for 45 minutes.
Yes, you can add a glaze to your gammon joint. You can make a glaze by combining honey or syrup with mustard and seasoning with salt and pepper. You can also use redcurrant jelly, orange juice, or marmalade. Add the glaze during the last 5 to 20 minutes of cooking.
