Can You Cook Gammon Steaks In An Air Fryer

Okay, so let's talk about gammon steaks. Those lovely, salty, porky discs that are a weekend warrior's best friend. You usually pan-fry them, right? Or maybe grill them if you're feeling fancy. But lately, a little whisper has been going around my kitchen. A tiny, rebellious thought. What if... just what if... we took our gammon steaks on a little adventure? An adventure into the magical land of the Air Fryer?

Now, I know what some of you are thinking. "An air fryer? For gammon? Blasphemy!" And you're not entirely wrong. It feels a bit like asking a Michelin-star chef to make instant noodles. But hear me out, because sometimes, the most unexpected pairings are the most delightful. And honestly, who has time for splashing oil all over the hob when the air fryer can do the job with a mere whisper of fat?

My initial foray into the world of air-fried gammon was met with skepticism. Even my cat, a connoisseur of dropped scraps, looked at me with narrowed eyes. He’s a traditionalist, you see. He believes gammon belongs in a sizzling pan, its aroma wafting seductively. But I pressed on, armed with a couple of decent-sized gammon steaks and a healthy dose of curiosity.

The process itself felt ridiculously simple. Almost too simple. A quick pat down with kitchen roll, a light brush of oil – and I mean light, we’re not deep-frying here, people! Then, into the basket they went. They looked a little lonely in there, like they were about to perform a solo on a stage meant for a full orchestra. I set the temperature, a respectable 180°C (or 350°F for my American friends who might be reading this with bemused expressions). And the time? Well, that was the big question mark, wasn't it?

I opted for a conservative 8 minutes. Then I decided to be brave and gave them another 4 minutes. I figured a good flip in between was crucial. Like a polite little dance within the basket. The machine whirred to life, a gentle hum that promised deliciousness. It didn't roar or spit like a traditional frying pan. It just... cooked. Subtly. Like a ninja in a culinary stealth mission.

And then, the moment of truth. I pulled out the basket. The gammon steaks were no longer pale and uninspired. They had a beautiful, golden-brown hue. A slightly crisped edge that looked oh-so-promising. They weren't dripping with grease. They weren't threatening to set off the smoke alarm. They just looked… cooked. Properly cooked.

Honestly, the smell was surprisingly good. Not as aggressive as pan-fried, but a cleaner, more focused pork aroma.

I took a bite. And then another. And then I might have done a little happy shimmy. The gammon was tender. It was juicy. The edges had that perfect little chew that you want. It wasn't tough. It wasn't dry. It was, dare I say it, delicious. And the best part? The cleanup. Oh, the glorious, effortless cleanup. No scrubbing away at stubborn grease. Just a quick wipe of the basket and I was done. My sanity was intact. My kitchen wasn't a war zone.

Now, I'm not saying this is the only way to cook gammon steaks. The pan-fried method has its charms, its theatrical flair. But for those days when you want a quick, easy, and surprisingly good result, the air fryer gammon steak is a revelation. It’s the underdog of the cooking world, the quiet achiever.

Think about it. You can have perfectly cooked gammon steaks on your plate in under 15 minutes, with minimal fuss and maximum flavour. You can serve them with a fried egg, some pineapple, or even just on their own. They are versatile. They are forgiving. They are, in my humble, perhaps slightly heretical opinion, a triumph.

So, the next time you’re staring at a packet of gammon steaks and contemplating the washing up, give the air fryer a try. You might be surprised. You might even find yourself doing a little happy shimmy, just like I did. It's a small change, a simple tweak to your routine, but it can make a big difference. It’s about embracing the new, even when it feels a little bit wrong. It’s about delicious, easy food. And who can argue with that?

My cat still prefers the pan-fried version, but even he eyed up the air-fried steak with a new respect. Perhaps the whispers will reach him too. Perhaps one day, even the most traditional of felines will acknowledge the glory of the air fryer gammon steak. Until then, I’ll be over here, enjoying my perfectly cooked, stress-free steaks. And the pristine state of my kitchen.