5 from 7 votes

Air Fryer Gammon Joint (with Glaze!)

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This budget-friendly gammon joint in air fryer is glazed to perfection and ready in under an hour, ideal for roast dinners and sandwiches.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
£0.71
Makes: 6
mains
British
Freezable

Roasting a gammon usually feels like a Sunday meal due to the boiling, glazing, and roasting required. It’s a labor of love. However, making a gammon joint in air fryer couldn’t be easier – this is going to be your new fave recipe. My air fryer gammon joint is so fast, easy, and ideal for a weeknight meal but also makes for the best protein meal prep to enjoy over multiple days. If you prefer a “set it and forget it” method, you might also like my Slow Cooker Gammon.

A large piece of gammon with golden browned, scored and glazed skin laying on a wooden chopping board.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

  • Recipe Name: Air Fryer Gammon Joint
  • 🕦 Ready in: 55 minutes
  • 🤝 Serves: 6
  • 🍴 Calories: 289kcal
  • 🧑‍🍳 Main ingredients: gammon joint, honey, dijon mustard, salt & pepper
  • Summary: This budget-friendly gammon joint in air fryer is glazed to perfection and ready in under an hour, ideal for roast dinners and sandwiches.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Here is why this gammon joint in air fryer will become a regular in your rotation:

  • Fast: This recipe strips back the cook time, minimises the fuss and makes gammon in air fryer the simplest task compared to oven roasting. It’s perfect with my Cowboy Butter!
  • Versatile: We often only think of ham as a Sunday treat or reserve it for a holiday dinner. With this gammon air fryer method being so easy, you can justify making it for any occasion, serving it alongside this Jennifer Aniston Salad or sliced into pasta.
  • Budget Friendly: Ham is one of the cheaper joints to purchase. And seeing as how long to cook gammon joint in air fryer is much shorter than a traditional oven roast, you save on electricity too! Try serving leftovers with Crispy Garlic Fries for a fun budget meal.

If you love using the air fryer, try other high protein meat recipes like Air Fryer Ribeye Steak, Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly and Healthy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers.

Ingredients

Ingredients to make the air fryer gammmon steak recipe laid out on a pale blue background and labelled.

This gammon joint in air fryer requires just three main components to achieve that sticky, sweet finish.

  • Gammon Joint: My fave size is a 1kg or 750g joint. This ensures that it still fits in the basket whilst being large enough to spread across multiple recipes. If you are wondering how long do I cook a gammon joint in air fryer, sticking to these sizes makes the timing foolproof. Use any leftovers in these Easy Cottage Cheese Egg Bites.
  • Honey: To air fry gammon joint to perfection, you need a sticky element. I use a blend of regular honey (or agave if you prefer) to get that caramelized finish.
  • Dijon Mustard: It’s a classic for a reason! I have to pair my gammon with Dijon mustard to cut through the sweetness, like I do with my Creamy Mustard Chicken. You can use English or wholegrain if you prefer.

Variations/Adaptations

You can easily adapt this gammon joint in air fryer to suit whatever ingredients you have in your cupboard.

  • Maple Glaze: If you are cooking gammon joint in air fryer for a festive occasion, swap the honey for maple syrup. It adds a deeper, woodsy sweetness that works perfectly with the salty meat, and pairs perfectly with something like Easy Skillet Roasted Corn.
  • Spiced Twist: When learning how to cook a gammon joint in the air fryer, don’t be afraid to add spices. A pinch of ground cloves or cinnamon in the glaze adds a lovely kick.
  • Plain Roast: Sometimes simple is best. You can skip the glaze entirely if you just want plain roasted meat for sandwiches or salads, and try my Cast Iron Chicken for another lovely option.

How to make Air Fryer Gammon

Preheat your airfryer to 340°F  (170°C) for 5 minutes.

  1. Remove any packaging including any string and wrap the gammon in foil and place in the airfryer tray in the preheated air fryer tray at 340°F (170°C) for 35 minutes (Image 1).
  2. Meanwhile, combine the honey, Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl (Image 2).
2 step by step photos, the first with an air fryer basket with a piece of meat covered in foil and the second with with some sauce/dressing made in a small brown bowl with a wooden brush and hand.

3. After 30 minutes remove the gammon from the foil and using a sharp knife, carefully remove the rind/outer layer, from the gammon (Image 3).

4. Once the outer layer is removed there will be a remaining thin layer of fat covering the gammon (Image 4).

2 step by step photos, the first with a piece of gammon on some foil on a wooden board with the outer rind being cut off and the second with the rind now cut off.

5. Now score the fat cap with a knife in a cross-hatch pattern and cover with the dressing ensuring all the crevices are filled (Image 5).

6. Leaving the foil peeled back, pop the gammon back into the airfryer and cook for 15 – 20 minutes at 360°F (180°C), or until golden and lightly crispy on the outside. Check the gammon to ensure the topping isn’t burning. If any parts are browned already, cover these with the foil (Image 6).

2 step by step photos, the first with a piece of gammon on some foil on a wooden board with the skin scored and some glaze added and the second with the gammon now added to the airfryer tray on some foil.

7. After this time, remove the foil and check the internal temperature which should be 145°C (62°) (Image 7).

8. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing (Image 8).

2 step by step photos, the first with a piece of gammon on some foil in an airfryer basket with a thermometre and the second with the golden browned gammon in the airfryer tray on some foil next to some scissors.

If you have leftover ham consider making one of these yummy recipes and add some chopped ham: High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta, Roasted Brussels Sprout Pasta or Crispy Smashed Broccoli.

Tips for the best result

  • When removing the air fryer gammon from the basket, use oven mitts to prevent your hands from burning on the hot sides.
  • Slice the rind off after cooking for 35 minutes rather than before. It’s easier to remove once it’s been cooked for a little bit, which is the secret to how to cook gammon joint in air fryer perfectly.
  • Score the fat with a cross-hatch pattern on your gammon joint in air fryer for the best glaze adherence. This also helps render the fat down beautifully.

How Long to Cook Gammon (Temperature and Times)

The cook time for your gammon joint in air fryer will vary depending on the size of your joint (whether it’s a small gammon joint or a larger 2kg piece). It’s always good to have a meat thermometer to ensure the ham has reached an internal temperature of 145°F / 62°C.

Gammon Joint SizeInitial CookGlaze & FinishNotes
500g25 min at 340°F (170°C)15–20 min at 360°F (180°C)
750g30 min at 340°F (170°C)15–20 min at 360°F (180°C)Most common supermarket size
1kg35 min at 340°F (170°C)15–20 min at 360°F (180°C)Great for meal prep; my preferred size
1.5kg45 min at 340°F (170°C)15–20 min at 360°F (180°C)
2kg60 min at 340°F (170°C)15–20 min at 360°F (180°C)Check if it fits in your air fryer basket first

Resting time: A general rule of thumb for the resting time of an airfryer gammon is 10 minutes, but if you cook anything above 1.5kg, leave for 15 minutes before slicing. 

A large piece of gammon with golden browned, scored and glazed skin  and lots of slices of gammon on a wooden chopping board.

Serving Suggestions

The options are endless with this gammon joint in air fryer! It’s such a versatile gammon joint that works across seasons, whether you are serving it as a roast dinner or slicing it for sandwiches.

Try it with:

Storage and Reheat Instructions

Leftovers from this gammon joint in air fryer are perfect for meal prep.

Refrigerator: Refrigerate for up to 7 days in a sealed container.

Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Once you know how to cook gammon in bulk, you can freeze slices for easy future meals. Defrost in the fridge overnight.

Reheat: Ham is often best served cold, but if you want to reheat, place slices in the microwave for 30-second increments. Great for adding to Easy Air Fryer Frittata.

A large gammon joint with  the fat scored and browned with the cooked gammon joing on a wooden chopping board.

 FAQs

Why does my gammon joint in air fryer dry out?

This may have happened if your foil wasn’t completely covering the ham. It also happens if you cook it for too long. If you are cooking a small gammon joint, check the table above to ensure you don’t overcook it.

Can you cook a gammon joint in an air fryer?

Yes, and you don’t even need to boil it first! The foil-wrap method effectively steams the meat inside the basket, meaning you can skip the big pot of boiling water entirely.

Do I need to soak the gammon before air frying?

Some people like to do it as it reduces the saltiness of the ham, however, I don’t feel the need to do that as the salty aspect is why so many people love it!

How do I know when the gammon is fully cooked?

When learning how to cook a gammon joint, the most important rule is internal temperature. When the thermometer reaches 145°F / 62°C, the ham is safe to eat and juicy.

Try this with my Golden Chickpea Soup, Celeriac Soup and Tomato & Lentil Soup to make a delicious and filling meal.

If you tried this Gammon Joint in the Air Fryer recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x

BEST Air Fryer Gammon Joint

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5 from 7 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
£0.71
mains
British
Freezable
Servings: 6
This budget-friendly gammon joint in air fryer is glazed to perfection and ready in under an hour, ideal for roast dinners and sandwiches.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg gammon joint

Cupboard Essentials

  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt & Pepper

Method

Preheat your airfryer to 170°C for 5 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, remove the string from the gammon joint and wrap in foil, ensuring it’s completely covered.
  • Carefully place the gammon in the preheated air-fryer basket, then cook at 170°C for 35 minutes.
  • After this time, remove the gammon from the airfryer basket. Peel back the foil and carefully slice the rind off of the exterior of the gammon. Score the fat cap with a knife in a cross-hatch pattern.
  • Combine the honey, Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Use an oil brush to glaze the top and sides of the ham. Leaving the foil peeled back, pop the gammon back into the airfryer and cook for 15-20 minutes at 180°C, or until golden and lightly crispy on the outside.
  • Rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Alternatively if serving cold, allow to cool before popping in the fridge in a sealed container.

Notes

  • The cook time will vary depending on the size of your gammon joint. It’s always good to have a meat thermometer to ensure the ham has reached an internal temperature of 145°F / 62°C.
  • Use oven mitts to remove the gammon from the airfryer to avoid burns.
  • Slice the rind off after cooking for 35 minutes, as it’s easier to remove then.
  • Score the fat with a cross-hatch pattern for the best glaze.

Nutrition

Servings: 6 servings
Fat: 11g
Calories: 289kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 37g
5 from 7 votes

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Comments

  1. New favorite Sunday dinner! Delicious and no mess.5 stars

  2. Anna Jones | 1 year ago

    Yummy 😋 loving using the airfryer for this recipe.5 stars

  3. Jane Bishop | 1 year ago

    Saved so much time and washing up! This gammon was so easy to cook and then as the glaze topping half way through. Really yummy result.5 stars

  4. Great way to cook a big ham joint … I usually boil the ham then cook in the oven, so this airfryer recipe saved time and washing up!5 stars

  5. John Graham | 1 year ago

    We tried the air fryer gammon last night and surprisingly so good. 40 minutes cook time and so easy. Will definitely be making this again.5 stars

  6. Melanie | 1 year ago

    Excellent idea! We cooked a large ham in the air fryer for the first time. The foil keeps the ham nice and moist and the glaze turned out golden, crispy brown. Absolutely yummy!5 stars

  7. Tracey Marks-Davis | 1 year ago

    Wow my gammon turned out so well! Golden brown topping and so moist! Great tip about taking the rind off half way through – so much easier than when the ham is uncooked.5 stars

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