Updated 30 September 2026
A gammon steak in the air fryer is one of the fastest proper dinners there is: about 12 minutes, no spitting pan, and a lightly caramelised edge on the fat. Air fryers suit gammon well because the hot circulating air crisps the fat while the meat stays juicy. Here's how to cook gammon steak in an air fryer, with timings for our 8oz steaks, how to stop them curling, and a couple of quick glazes.
Quick answer: snip the fat every 2–3cm, brush with a little oil, and air fry an 8oz (227g, about 1.5cm thick) gammon steak at 180°C for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway. It's ready when it's steaming hot throughout and the juices run clear.
What you need
- 2 gammon steaks. Our Gammon Steak 2x 8oz (£6.99) come as a pair of 8oz steaks.
- 1 tsp oil
- Optional glaze: 1 tbsp honey and 1 tsp wholegrain or English mustard
- Optional: 2 pineapple rings or 2 eggs to serve
How to cook gammon steak in the air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C for 3 minutes (if your model needs it).
- Snip the fat. Use scissors to cut through the rim of fat every 2–3cm, just into the meat. This stops the steak curling up as the fat shrinks.
- Oil lightly. Brush both sides with a little oil. No need to salt: gammon is cured, so it's already salty.
- Air fry. Lay the steaks flat in the basket without overlapping. Cook at 180°C for 5–6 minutes.
- Turn and glaze. Turn the steaks. If glazing, brush with the honey and mustard now. Cook for another 5–6 minutes.
- Check they're cooked through, then rest for 2 minutes.
Gammon steak air fryer times
| Gammon steak | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Thin (about 1cm, 4–6oz) | 180°C | 8–10 minutes, turned halfway |
| Standard (about 1.5cm, 8oz) | 180°C | 10–12 minutes, turned halfway |
| Thick (2cm+, 10oz+) | 180°C | 13–16 minutes, turned halfway |
| From frozen | not recommended | Thaw in the fridge first |
Air fryers vary, so check at the lower time the first time you cook them. Basket models usually fit one 8oz steak flat, or two in a larger or dual-drawer model.
How to tell a gammon steak is cooked
Gammon is raw cured pork, so it must be cooked through. Follow the FSA guidance: steaming hot throughout, with clear juices and no pink raw meat. Cured gammon stays pink when cooked (it's the cure), so go by the juices and the heat rather than the colour, or use a thermometer: 70°C for 2 minutes in the centre.
Air fryer gammon glazes
- Honey and mustard: 1 tbsp honey and 1 tsp mustard, brushed on for the last 5 minutes.
- Maple and black pepper: 1 tbsp maple syrup and a good grind of pepper.
- Brown sugar and pineapple: a sprinkle of brown sugar and a splash of pineapple juice.
- Ready-made: a brush of Middletons Double Smoke Glaze 110g (£1.99) mixed with a little water gives a smoky finish.
Brush glazes on in the second half only; sugar burns quickly in an air fryer.
Gammon, egg and chips in the air fryer
For a full dinner: cook oven chips in the air fryer first (about 15–20 minutes at 200°C) and keep them warm. Then cook the gammon as above. Fry an egg in a pan while the gammon rests. Or add a pineapple ring to the basket for the last 3 minutes so it caramelises. For more ideas, see gammon steak, egg and chips and gammon steak with pineapple.
Is gammon healthy?
Gammon is a lean, high-protein cut of pork, but because it's cured it is high in salt. The NHS advises keeping cured and processed meats to moderate amounts, so enjoy gammon as part of a varied diet. Serve it with vegetables or a salad rather than extra salty sides, and skip adding salt at the table. Soaking isn't needed for gammon steaks; that's only for some whole joints.
Air fryer tips for gammon
- Don't overcrowd. Air needs to circulate. Cook one steak at a time in a small basket.
- Use a liner carefully. A perforated liner is fine; a solid one blocks airflow and stews the steak.
- Clean the basket after. Glazes caramelise onto the tray, so soak it straight away.
Why is my air fryer gammon tough or dry?
- It was cooked too long. Check at 10 minutes.
- The temperature was too high. 200°C dries the meat before the middle is done; stay at 180°C.
- It's a thin steak. Thin steaks cook in 8 minutes.
- It wasn't rested. Give it 2 minutes.
Can you cook a gammon joint in the air fryer?
Small joints can be done, but for a 1kg joint we prefer the oven or boiling then roasting for even cooking. See how to cook a gammon joint. Our Boneless Gammon Joint 1kg (£6.99) is the one for a Sunday.
More gammon guides
- How to cook gammon steaks: pan, grill, oven and BBQ
- Gammon steaks in the oven
- What is gammon? Gammon vs ham
Browse all gammon and the full pork range.
Gammon steak in air fryer FAQs
How long does a gammon steak take in the air fryer?
About 10–12 minutes at 180°C for an 8oz steak around 1.5cm thick, turning halfway.
Can I cook gammon steak in an air fryer?
Yes. It's one of the best ways: quick, less mess than frying, and the fat crisps nicely.
Do you need to put oil on gammon in the air fryer?
A light brush of oil helps it colour and stops it sticking, but it isn't essential.
How do I stop gammon steaks curling?
Snip through the rim of fat every 2–3cm with scissors before cooking.
Why is my cooked gammon still pink?
The curing process keeps gammon pink even when it's fully cooked. Check that it's steaming hot throughout with clear juices, or 70°C for 2 minutes in the centre.
