Cody Casey
Cooking gammon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tasty, tender ham joint. It's a versatile dish that can be served as a Sunday roast, in a sandwich, or as part of a Christmas dinner. The air fryer's compact size and energy efficiency make it a convenient alternative to a conventional oven, and it can produce gorgeously cooked ham with a sticky honey and mustard glaze.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Gammon in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of cooking | Easy |
| Energy efficiency | Energy-saving |
| Space efficiency | Space-saving |
| Time efficiency | Quick |
| Taste | Tasty |
| Cost-effectiveness | Cost-effective |
| Resting time | 10-15 minutes |
| Temperature | 160°C-180°C (340°F-356°F) |
| Cooking time | 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the weight of the gammon joint |
| Glaze | Honey, mustard, maple syrup, redcurrant jelly, orange juice, dark brown sugar |
| Foil | Wrap the gammon in foil to prevent burning |
| Food thermometer | Recommended for checking the internal temperature |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right gammon joint
Size of the Gammon Joint
The size of the gammon joint you choose will depend on the capacity of your air fryer. It is important to ensure that the joint fits comfortably in the air fryer basket with some space around it for the air to circulate and cook the gammon evenly. As a reference, a 3.7L air fryer can typically accommodate a 1.5 kg gammon joint. If you have a smaller air fryer, consider choosing a joint that is 750g to 1 kg in weight. For larger air fryers, you may opt for a bigger joint.
Smoked or Unsmoked
The decision between a smoked or unsmoked gammon joint is primarily based on personal preference. If you enjoy the flavour of smoked bacon, you will likely prefer a smoked gammon joint. On the other hand, if you typically choose unsmoked bacon, an unsmoked gammon joint may be more to your taste.
Fat Content
When selecting a gammon joint, consider the layer of fat it has. A good layer of fat can help protect the meat during cooking and provide a nice presentation. However, if you prefer less fat on your meat, look for joints with a smaller patch of fat or opt for a joint with a higher pork content.
Quality and Price
The quality and price of gammon joints can vary. Typically, the more inexpensive joints are labelled as "selected cuts of cured pork" and tend to have more added water. In contrast, the pricier options are usually a single piece of pork with less added water. Choose the quality and price point that aligns with your budget and preferences.
Pre-packaged or Fresh
Gammon joints can be purchased pre-packaged or fresh from the butcher. Pre-packaged joints often have netting, packaging, and string that need to be removed before cooking. Fresh joints from the butcher may offer more flexibility in terms of size and quality, but ensure you remove any string or wrapping before preparing the joint for the air fryer.
Frying Chicken in the Dash Air Fryer: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Preparing the glaze
Another option is to use redcurrant jelly, which will provide a similar sweetness to honey, along with some orange juice for a touch of citrus. You can also experiment with maple syrup or marmalade for a unique twist on the traditional glaze.
Once you have selected your ingredients, simply mix them together in a bowl until they are well combined. If you want to get creative, you can add cloves to the rind before applying the glaze, giving your gammon a festive presentation.
After brushing the glaze onto the gammon, wrap it in foil and place it in the air fryer. Don't forget to reserve some of the glaze so you can brush it on the gammon every 20 minutes during cooking to ensure an even coating.
Air Fryer and Generator Compatibility: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time and temperature for gammon in an air fryer depend on the weight of the joint and the power of the air fryer. It is recommended to cook the gammon for 25 minutes per 500g of raw meat, plus an extra 20 minutes. For example, a 500g gammon joint should be cooked for 35 minutes at 180°C (356°F), while a 750g joint should be cooked for 50 minutes at the same temperature. For a 1kg joint, cook for 1 hour at 180°C, and for a 1.5kg joint, cook for 1 hour and 20 minutes. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer model, so it is recommended to use a food thermometer to check the doneness of the gammon. The gammon is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 70°C (160°F).
Before cooking, it is important to remove the gammon from the fridge and bring it to room temperature. This ensures that the meat cooks evenly. Additionally, the gammon should be wrapped in foil to prevent it from burning on the outside while remaining uncooked on the inside. The foil also makes cleaning easier.
During cooking, the gammon should be brushed with glaze every 20 minutes. After cooking, the gammon should be left to rest for 10 minutes before carving, or 15 minutes if the joint is larger than 1.5kg.
Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak: A Tasty, Quick Treat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Resting and slicing
Resting the gammon joint is an important step in the cooking process. Depending on the weight of your gammon, you should leave it to rest for 10 minutes if it is under 1.5kg, and 15 minutes if it is over that weight. This will ensure that the juices are evenly distributed throughout the meat, making it tender and juicy.
While the gammon is resting, you can prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, combine equal parts honey and mustard with a dash of orange juice. You can also add some redcurrant jelly for extra flavour. Mix well and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. You can also use maple syrup instead of honey if you prefer a sweeter glaze.
Once the gammon has rested, it's time to slice it. Use a sharp knife to cut the gammon into thin, even slices. If you are making a sandwich, you can butter the bread and top it with pineapple salsa before adding the gammon slices. You can also chop the gammon into cubes to add to a salad or pasta dish.
If you have any leftover gammon, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Leftover gammon is perfect for adding to soups, pies, or pasta dishes, or simply enjoying as a cold cut with your favourite sides.
When slicing the gammon, it is important to cut against the grain to ensure the meat is tender and easy to chew. The direction of the grain will vary depending on the cut of gammon, so take a close look at the meat to identify the direction of the muscle fibres before slicing.
Air Fryer Grilling: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Serving suggestions
Gammon is a versatile dish that can be served hot or cold and can be used in a variety of meals.
If you're looking for a simple, affordable, and tasty roast dinner, gammon is a great choice. It can be served with all the traditional trimmings, such as honey-roasted parsnips and carrots, swede mash, crispy roast potatoes, instant pot broccoli, and gravy. This makes it a perfect option for a Sunday roast or even Christmas dinner.
Gammon is also a popular choice for sandwiches. You can carve a few slices of gammon, butter some bread, add 1-2 tablespoons of pineapple salsa (or chilli jam/red onion chutney), layer on the gammon, and top with another slice of bread. You can also add lettuce and other sandwich fillings of your choice.
If you're looking for something more substantial, gammon can be used in a variety of dishes such as soups, stews, pies, pasta dishes, or even chopped up and added to a salad. For a British classic, serve it with oven egg and chips.
For a festive feast, you could try a cranberry-glazed gammon joint, served with a slow cooker turkey crown, duck-fat roast potatoes, air fryer stuffing, and honey-mustard roasted parsnips.
Some other side dish suggestions to serve with gammon include garlic bread, diced air fryer potatoes, and crispy smashed broccoli.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days and can be used in dishes such as turkey pasta bake, turkey pie, or carbonara.
Air Fryer Pierogies: Cooking Time Perfection
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It takes 1 hour to cook a 750g gammon joint in an air fryer, including 10 minutes at the end to crisp up the fat. The general rule is to cook for 25 minutes per 500g (raw) meat, plus an extra 20 minutes.
The temperature depends on the weight of the gammon joint. For a 500g gammon joint, cook at 180°C for 35 minutes. For a 750g joint, cook at 180°C for 50 minutes. For a 1kg joint, cook at 180°C for 1 hour. For a 1.5kg joint, cook at 180°C for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
To glaze gammon in an air fryer, first make the glaze by mixing honey, mustard, and other desired ingredients in a bowl. Then, unwrap the gammon, add the glaze, and pop it back into the air fryer for 5-20 minutes.
