This Air Fryer Gammon Joint is juicy and tender, with a deliciously sticky cranberry and mustard glaze. It's an easy way to cook a whole gammon joint without boiling it first, and it's perfect for Christmas when oven space is limited. Our 1.3kg gammon takes just 70 minutes to cook, plus resting time.
We always like to have two different meats at Christmas, but finding room for everything in the oven can be a challenge. Cooking the gammon in the air fryer leaves more space for the roast potatoes and all the trimmings.
The cranberry glaze gives it a lovely festive flavour, and any leftovers are perfect for Boxing Day sandwiches.
Recipe update: This recipe was originally published on 7 December 2023 and was fully retested in October 2026 to check the cooking time and ingredient quantities. The original recipe still worked well, but I've expanded the instructions, tips and FAQs.
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Jump to:
- Why You'll Love It
- Recipe Overview
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- How Long to Cook a Gammon Joint in the Air Fryer
- How to Cook Gammon in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Gammon Variations
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage and Leftovers
- What to do with Leftover Gammon
- Dannii's Top Tips
- Troubleshooting Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Air Fryer Meat Recipes
- Recipe
- Feedback
Why You'll Love It
- Perfect for Christmas - A delicious alternative or addition to turkey, without taking up valuable oven space.
- Easy to make - No boiling required. Just cook the gammon in foil, add the glaze and finish in the air fryer.
- Delicious cranberry glaze - Sweet, sticky and slightly tangy, with wholegrain mustard to balance the sweetness.
- Great for leftovers - Enjoy it hot with a roast dinner or cold in sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes.
- High in protein - Around 44g of protein per serving.
Recipe Overview
- Just 4 ingredients - A juicy gammon joint with a sticky cranberry and mustard glaze.
- Serves 8 - Uses a 1.3kg uncooked smoked gammon joint.
- No boiling needed - Cooked in foil to help keep the meat tender and moist.
- Cooking time - 70 minutes in the air fryer, plus 10 minutes resting.
- Perfect for Christmas - Saves valuable oven space and makes delicious Boxing Day leftovers.
- Equipment - A large air fryer and a meat thermometer.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Gammon - We used a 1.3kg smoked gammon joint, which serves approximately 8 people. Choose an uncooked, preferably boneless joint that will fit comfortably in your air fryer. Unsmoked gammon works too and has a milder flavour. If you're concerned about saltiness, choose a lower-salt joint or follow the packet's soaking instructions.
- Cranberry sauce - Gives the gammon its sweet, sticky Christmas glaze. You can use homemade or shop-bought cranberry sauce.
- Cranberry juice - Loosens the glaze and gives it extra cranberry flavour. Orange juice is a lovely alternative and works particularly well at Christmas.
- Wholegrain mustard - Balances the sweetness and adds a little tang. Dijon mustard works well too.
How Long to Cook a Gammon Joint in the Air Fryer
For our 1.3kg gammon joint, we cook it wrapped in foil at 170°C for 60 minutes, followed by 10 minutes at 200°C with the cranberry glaze.
That's 70 minutes of cooking time, plus 10 minutes to rest before carving.
The exact time will depend on the weight and thickness of the joint, as well as your air fryer model.
We cooked this air fryer gammon joint in our Ninja Foodi MAX Dual 9.5L air fryer.
Air fryer gammon cooking times by weight
These are approximate guides for when to begin checking the joint at 170°C, before the final glazing stage.
| Gammon joint weight | When to start checking |
|---|---|
| 500g / 1lb 2oz | After 30-40 minutes |
| 750g / 1lb 10oz | After 40-50 minutes |
| 1kg / 2lb 3oz | After 50-60 minutes |
| 1.3kg / 2lb 14oz | After 60 minutes (our tested recipe) |
| 1.5kg / 3lb 5oz | After 70-85 minutes |
Allow approximately another 10 minutes at 200°C to finish the glaze, adjusting the cooking time as needed.
⚠️ Important: These are starting points, not guaranteed finishing times. The 1.3kg method is the one used for this recipe. Other weights are estimates and should be checked with a meat thermometer.
The centre of the gammon should reach 75°C for 30 seconds, or an equivalent safe cooking temperature and time. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. If necessary, return it to the air fryer for another 5-10 minutes and check again.
For larger joints, always check that there is enough space for the air to circulate and that the foil cannot touch the heating element.
How to Cook Gammon in the Air Fryer
- Prep: Remove the outer packaging from the gammon and check the label for any cooking or soaking instructions. Preheat your air fryer to 170°C if recommended for your model.
- Wrap the gammon: Place the gammon joint on a large sheet of foil and loosely wrap it into a parcel. Keep the foil securely tucked around the meat so it cannot blow towards the heating element.
- Cook the gammon: Place the wrapped gammon in the air fryer basket and cook on the Air Fry setting at 170°C for 60 minutes.
- Make the glaze: Meanwhile, put the cranberry sauce, cranberry juice and wholegrain mustard into a bowl (a). Mix until well combined (b).
- Unwrap the gammon: Carefully remove the gammon from the air fryer and open the foil. Remove any cooking-safe netting or string, if present. If the joint has a thick rind, carefully remove it, leaving a thin layer of fat.
Check the internal temperature at this stage. If the gammon needs significantly longer to cook, wrap it back up and continue cooking at 170°C before adding the glaze.
- Score the fat: Using a sharp knife, lightly score the layer of fat in a diamond pattern. Don't cut deeply into the meat.
- Add the glaze: Spoon the cranberry glaze over the top of the gammon, making sure it covers the scored surface.
- Put the gammon back: Return the gammon to the air fryer with the foil open and tucked securely around the base of the joint.
- Air fry again: Increase the temperature to 200°C and cook for approximately 10 minutes, until the glaze is sticky and caramelised. Check the internal temperature to ensure the gammon is fully cooked.
- Rest: Let the gammon rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Air Fryer Gammon Variations
We love the cranberry glaze at Christmas, but you can easily change the flavours depending on what you are serving.
- Honey and mustard - Swap the cranberry sauce for honey and mix with wholegrain or Dijon mustard.
- Orange and cranberry - Replace the cranberry juice with orange juice for an extra festive flavour.
- BBQ gammon - Brush with our homemade BBQ sauce for a smoky, sweet glaze.
- Teriyaki gammon - Try our healthy teriyaki sauce for something different.
- Clove-studded gammon - Add a few whole cloves to the scored fat before glazing for a traditional Christmas presentation.
- Plain gammon - You can leave off the glaze altogether. Continue cooking until the joint reaches a safe internal temperature.
If you'd prefer a hands-off method that cooks the gammon slowly until tender, try our slow cooker gammon.
Serving Suggestions
This cranberry glazed air fryer gammon is perfect as part of a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, or served cold on a Boxing Day buffet.
If you're cooking more than one meat, serve it alongside our slow cooker turkey crown. It's another great way to save oven space at Christmas.
For a traditional roast dinner, we love it with duck fat roast potatoes, honey roasted parsnips, slow cooker red cabbage and our easy cauliflower cheese.
If you have space in another air fryer drawer, our air fryer stuffing balls and air fryer pigs in blankets are delicious additions. Our carrot and swede mash is another easy way to add some extra vegetables.
Gammon isn't just for Christmas, though. For a classic British dinner, serve thick slices with our oven egg and chips.
Storage and Leftovers
One of the best things about cooking a whole gammon joint is having leftover ham for quick meals over the following days.
Make ahead: You can cook the gammon in advance for Christmas, cool and store it safely, then serve cold on a festive buffet. If making it further ahead, freeze it rather than keeping it in the fridge for several days.
Store: Allow the cooked gammon to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container in the fridge within 2 hours. Eat leftovers within 48 hours or freeze them.
Freeze: Slice or dice the cooked gammon and freeze it in individual portions in airtight containers or freezer bags. It is best used within 2 months for quality.
Defrost: Defrost overnight in the fridge and use within 24 hours.
Reheat: Serve cold once properly cooked and chilled, or reheat until steaming hot throughout. Only reheat leftovers once.
What to do with Leftover Gammon
Leftover gammon is delicious in sandwiches with mustard or chutney, chopped into salads, or added to pasta dishes. Try our chicken and ham pie or leftover gammon pasta.
Try swapping some of the turkey for chopped gammon in our leftover turkey pasta bake or leftover turkey pie.
You can also use diced leftover gammon instead of bacon in our healthy carbonara.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Choose the right-sized joint. Make sure your gammon fits comfortably in the air fryer basket, with room for air to circulate. A boneless joint is generally easier to fit and carve.
- Check the packaging. Remove all plastic packaging and any netting that is not marked as suitable for cooking. Follow the label's instructions for food-safe string or netting.
- Reduce the saltiness. Smoked gammon can be quite salty. If the packaging recommends soaking, follow those instructions. A short 30-minute soak may help remove some surface salt, but heavily cured gammon can need longer.
- Take it out of the fridge briefly before cooking. We usually take the gammon out around 30 minutes beforehand. It doesn't need to reach room temperature, and you can cook it straight from the fridge if preferred.
- Preheat the air fryer. If your model recommends preheating, do this before adding the gammon for more consistent cooking.
- Wrap in foil. This helps retain moisture during the initial cooking stage and prevents the outside from becoming too dark. Only use foil if permitted by your air fryer manufacturer, and never allow loose foil to touch the heating element.
- Watch the glaze. The cranberry sauce contains sugar, which can brown quickly at 200°C. Check it after 5 minutes and reduce the finishing time if necessary.
- Use a meat thermometer. This is the most reliable way to ensure the centre of the gammon is properly cooked without overcooking it.
- Rest before slicing. Leave the gammon to rest for 10 minutes after cooking. This makes it easier to carve and helps retain the juices.
- You don't have to glaze it. If you prefer plain air fryer gammon, simply leave out the cranberry mixture and cook until the joint is safely cooked through.
Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Gammon is dry | It's been overcooked, or the joint was smaller than the recipe specifies. | Check the temperature earlier for smaller joints, and rest for 10 minutes before slicing. |
| Gammon is too salty | The gammon has a particularly strong cure. | Serve with unsalted sides. Next time, choose a lower-salt joint or follow the packet's soaking instructions before cooking. |
| Gammon isn't cooked in the centre | The joint is thicker than expected, or your air fryer cooks more slowly. | Continue cooking at 170°C in 5-10 minute intervals, protecting the glaze with foil if needed. Check the centre with a meat thermometer. |
| Cranberry glaze is burning | The sugar in the glaze is caramelising too quickly at 200°C. | Check after 5 minutes. Reduce the temperature or shorten the glazing time, ensuring the gammon is safely cooked through. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both work well. We use smoked gammon because we love the extra flavour, especially with the cranberry glaze. Unsmoked gammon has a milder taste and may be a better choice if you prefer something less salty.
No. This recipe cooks the gammon directly in the air fryer, wrapped in foil to help keep it moist. You don't need to boil it first, although some particularly salty gammon joints may benefit from soaking beforehand. Always check the packaging instructions.
Remove any plastic packaging and non-heat-safe netting before cooking. If the joint is tied with food-safe butcher's string or cooking netting, follow the packet instructions. This can help keep the joint together as it cooks and can usually be removed before glazing.
Gammon is cured meat, so it can remain pink even when fully cooked. Colour alone isn't a reliable way to check whether it is safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the joint instead.
More Air Fryer Meat Recipes
If you've tried this air fryer gammon recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy and use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Air Fryer Gammon Joint
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1.3 kg (3 lb) of Smoked gammon joint
- 125 g (½ cup) of Cranberry sauce
- 50 ml (¼ cup) of Cranberry juice
- 1 tablespoon of Wholegrain mustard
Instructions
- Prep: Remove the outer packaging from 1.3 kg of Smoked gammon joint and check the label for any cooking or soaking instructions. Preheat your air fryer to 170°C if recommended for your model.
- Wrap the gammon: Place the gammon joint on a large sheet of foil and loosely wrap it into a parcel. Keep the foil securely tucked around the meat so it cannot blow towards the heating element.
- Cook the gammon: Place the wrapped gammon in the air fryer basket and cook on the Air Fry setting at 170°C for 60 minutes.
- Make the glaze: Meanwhile, put 125 g of Cranberry sauce, 50 ml of Cranberry juice and 1 tablespoon of Wholegrain mustard into a bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Unwrap the gammon: Carefully remove the gammon from the air fryer and open the foil. Remove any cooking-safe netting or string, if present. If the joint has a thick rind, carefully remove it, leaving a thin layer of fat.
- Score the fat: Using a sharp knife, lightly score the layer of fat in a diamond pattern. Don't cut deeply into the meat.
- Add the glaze: Spoon the cranberry glaze over the top of the gammon, making sure it covers the scored surface.
- Put the gammon back: Return the gammon to the air fryer with the foil open and tucked securely around the base of the joint.
- Air fry again: Increase the temperature to 200°C and cook for approximately 10 minutes, until the glaze is sticky and caramelised. Check the internal temperature to ensure the gammon is fully cooked.
- Rest: Let the gammon rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Recipe Notes
- Choose the right-sized joint. Make sure your gammon fits comfortably in the air fryer basket, with room for air to circulate. A boneless joint is generally easier to fit and carve.
- Check the packaging. Remove all plastic packaging and any netting that is not marked as suitable for cooking. Follow the label's instructions for food-safe string or netting.
- Wrap in foil. This helps retain moisture during the initial cooking stage and prevents the outside from becoming too dark. Only use foil if permitted by your air fryer manufacturer, and never allow loose foil to touch the heating element.
- Watch the glaze. The cranberry sauce contains sugar, which can brown quickly at 200°C. Check it after 5 minutes and reduce the finishing time if necessary.
- Use a meat thermometer. This is the most reliable way to ensure the centre of the gammon is properly cooked without overcooking it.
- Rest before slicing. Leave the gammon to rest for 10 minutes after cooking. This makes it easier to carve and helps retain the juices.
Nutritional Information
Where nutritional information is provided, it is approximate and calculated using online tools. Values can vary depending on the ingredients and brands used, but we endeavour to be as accurate as possible.
All timings are a guide and may vary depending on the ingredients, equipment and, where relevant, the appliance used. Changing the serving size may also affect the time needed.
Tony says
how much do I reduce cooking time or 750g?
Tara says
Oh yum! I love that this can be made in the air fryer to save oven space during the holidays. That texture looks perfect.
Holley says
This was perfect for my holiday gathering! Easy in the air fryer and the glaze was delicious!
Holly says
Cooking it in the air fryer was a huge help. It freed up oven space and it came out moist and juicy. The glaze was delicious!
Michelle says
Gave this a go at the weekend for a family gathering. It was so easy to make and everyone loved it! Great that it can be done in the air fryer too.
Gianne says
It cooks the meat to perfection, giving it a crispy and delicious outer layer while keeping it tender and juicy inside. It's a game-changer in the kitchen!
Erik says
I definitely didn’t know yuh could make a whole ham like this. Th e flavor is amazing!
chahinez says
Looks amazing!
justine says
Came out so good and moist. Lots of flavor, added a pineapple glaze on top at the end.
Elisa says
Wow, love this Air Fryer Gammon recipe, looks so delicious and juicy, I will bookmark it for future reference. I will have to do this soon. Thanks for sharing :)