Tillie Doyle
Burnt ends are usually the ends or trimmings of beef brisket or pork belly that have already been cooked or smoked. They are traditionally sauced and grilled to get a caramelized, crispy texture. However, air fryers can achieve the same effect with less time and effort. The air fryer burnt ends can be served in a variety of ways, including salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, burritos, or tacos.
How to cook burnt ends in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Appetizer |
| Main ingredients | Beef brisket or pork belly |
| Other ingredients | Barbecue sauce |
| Cooking time | 10 minutes at 400°F (for beef brisket); 20 minutes at 400°F (for pork belly) |
| Additional cooking instructions | Shake the basket halfway through; add up to 5 minutes for darker colour |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
| Reheating instructions | Air fry at 350°F for 4-6 minutes, shaking the basket once |
| Serving suggestions | Nachos, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, steak salads, sandwiches, grain bowls |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your meat: beef brisket or pork belly
When it comes to choosing your meat for air fryer burnt ends, you have two main options: beef brisket or pork belly. Both have their own unique characteristics and will produce delicious results. So, which one is right for you?
Beef brisket is a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of the cow. It is a tough cut of meat that benefits from slow cooking to break down the connective tissues and fat, resulting in a tender and juicy dish. When cooked as burnt ends in an air fryer, beef brisket takes on a crispy exterior while remaining moist and tender on the inside. This creates a delightful texture contrast that makes for a tasty treat.
On the other hand, pork belly, also known as uncured and unsliced bacon, comes from the underside or belly of a pig. Pork belly has a higher fat content than beef brisket, which contributes to its rich, juicy flavour. When cooked in an air fryer, pork belly bites become crispy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The rendering of the fat in the pork belly adds depth of flavour and makes for a satisfying bite.
The choice between beef brisket and pork belly ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget. Both options will yield mouth-watering results, with the main difference being the type of meat and its unique flavour profile. Beef brisket tends to be a leaner option, while pork belly embraces the fat for a juicy, crispy experience.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the cooking time may vary slightly between the two meats. Pork belly burnt ends may require a slightly longer cooking time of around 20 minutes, while beef brisket burnt ends are typically perfect after about 10 minutes in an air fryer. However, it is always important to adjust the cooking time based on the size of your meat pieces and the specific model of your air fryer.
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Preparing the meat: coating in barbecue sauce
Preparing the meat is simple. You can use either pork belly or beef brisket burnt ends. Most grocery stores and wholesale stores will sell these, and they may come pre-sauced, so adding barbecue sauce is entirely optional. If you want to make your own sauce, combine oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the pork belly or beef brisket pieces to the bowl, coating each piece.
If you are making the burnt ends from scratch, you can use an air fryer to cook the meat. Place the pieces in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. You may need to cook the meat in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. For pork belly burnt ends, cook for 20 minutes at 350°F. For brisket burnt ends, 10 minutes at 400°F should be enough, but you can cook them for up to 15 minutes if you want them darker. Remember to pause halfway through to shake the basket.
Once the meat is cooked, you can coat it in barbecue sauce. The sauce will caramelize and burn the edges, creating a delicious bite. You can also add extra sauce when serving, especially if you are using the burnt ends in a sandwich.
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Air fryer settings: temperature and time
Air fryer settings will differ depending on the type of burnt ends you are cooking. For beef brisket burnt ends, cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 400°F (204°C). If you want them darker, you can add up to 5 extra minutes of cooking time. To reheat brisket burnt ends, air fry at 350°F (176°C) for 4-6 minutes, shaking the basket once.
If you are cooking pork belly burnt ends, increase the cooking time to 20 minutes. You can also use pork belly burnt ends to make appetizers. For this, cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces, season them, and air fry for 18-20 minutes at an unspecified temperature, shaking and flipping them a couple of times throughout the cooking time. Note that air frying times will depend on the size of your pork belly pieces and the size of your air fryer.
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Serving suggestions: salads, sandwiches, or sides
There are endless ways to serve air fryer burnt ends. You can make a salad, a sandwich, or serve them with sides.
For a salad, you could make a steak salad with blue cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, or buttermilk ranch dressing. Alternatively, you could make a grain bowl with rice.
If you're making a sandwich, you could use a round or sub roll, and add toppings like coleslaw, pickled vegetables, and barbecue sauce.
For a heartier meal, serve your burnt ends with some sides. They go well with tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, or even on their own with a couple of sides. Some side dish suggestions include air fryer frozen fried pickles, homemade loaded potato skins, creamy corn pudding, cornbread swirls, or potato salad.
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Storage: keeping your burnt ends fresh
Storing your burnt ends properly is essential to keep them fresh and tasty. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do just that:
Firstly, it is important to note that burnt ends are best stored in an airtight container. Wrapping them in aluminium foil before placing them in the container will help to keep them moist and prevent them from drying out. You can store them in the refrigerator like this for 3-5 days.
If you're looking to store your burnt ends for longer, you can freeze them. It is best to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer bag or airtight container. This will help to prevent freezer burn and keep them fresh for up to 3 months.
When it comes to reheating your burnt ends, there are a few options. You can either reheat them in the oven, on a smoker, or in a crockpot. If you're reheating from frozen, it's best to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Reheat them until they're crispy and tender—this usually takes a couple of hours in the oven or smoker at around 225-300 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you're short on time, you can reheat your burnt ends from fresh in the oven or smoker for a shorter period, around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the portion size. Just be sure to heat them through properly to ensure they're safe to eat.
Now you know how to store your burnt ends, you can enjoy them for days after your cookout!
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Frequently asked questions
Burnt ends are the ends or trimmings of meat, usually beef brisket or pork belly, that have already been smoked and fully cooked once. They are traditionally sauced and grilled again to achieve a caramelized effect.
Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you are using pork belly burnt ends, increase the cooking time to 20 minutes.
Burnt ends can be served in a variety of ways. Some suggestions include serving them on a salad, in a grain bowl, in burritos or tacos, as nachos, or even in a sandwich.
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