Beef Brisket in the Air Fryer
Brisket is a tough, hard-working cut that needs hours of gentle, moist heat, so it is not an obvious air fryer job. Brisket in air fryer baskets does work for a small 1 kg joint, as long as you wrap it in foil with stock and cook it low and slow. You get sliceable, tender beef with a browned top, though the oven or slow cooker is easier for anything larger.
- Temperature
- 150°C
- Total time
- 3:15hr
- Prep
- 15min
- Servings
- 6
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 280kcal
Why the air fryer works for brisket, and when it does not
Brisket is full of connective tissue that only softens after hours of moist heat. An air fryer is a small, fast oven, so it is not the natural choice. Brisket in air fryer baskets works only if the meat is wrapped in foil with stock, which turns the basket into a tiny braising pot. Cooked this way a 1 kg joint becomes tender and the top can be crisped at the end.
Be realistic about size. A 1 kg rolled joint needs a basket of at least 6 litres. A bigger joint, or a whole flat brisket for a crowd, is much easier in the oven at 150 °C or in a slow cooker. For a quicker beef joint, try roast beef, which suits the air fryer far better.
How to make beef brisket in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Check the fit Brisket needs a large basket or an air fryer of at least 6 litres. A 1 kg rolled joint should sit flat with a gap around it. If it does not fit, cut it in two or use the oven.
- Rub Mix the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, mustard powder and sugar. Rub the oil over the joint, then press the spices all over it.
- Wrap Lay the onion on a large sheet of foil, set the brisket on top and add the stock and Worcestershire sauce. Fold the foil into a tightly sealed parcel, with a second sheet over the top if it is thin.
- Cook slowly Preheat the air fryer to 150 °C. Cook the parcel for , until a skewer slides into the meat with little resistance. Tough brisket just needs longer, so give it another if needed.
- Check the temperature For safety, a rolled joint should reach 75 °C in the centre (the FSA says food is safe at 75 °C for 30 seconds). Brisket is only really tender at around 90 °C, so keep going until it is soft.
- Crisp and rest Open the foil and raise the temperature to 200 °C. Cook for to brown the top. Rest under foil for , then slice across the grain and spoon over the juices.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Beef Brisket | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rolled brisket, 1 kgWrapped, then 10 min at 200 °C | 150 °C | 2 hr 30 min |
| Brisket, 750 gCheck tenderness with a skewer | 150 °C | 2 hr |
| Sliced brisket in sauceCovered with foil | 160 °C | 45 min |
| Bbq brisketGlaze for the final 10 min | 150 °C | 2 hr 30 min |
| Reheating brisket slicesWrap with stock | 160 °C | 8–10 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Choose rolled and tied. A rolled joint keeps its shape and fits the basket more easily than a loose flat cut.
- Seal the foil well. The steam inside the parcel is what tenderises the meat. Fold the edges twice.
- Slice across the grain. Cut against the fibres after resting. This makes each slice noticeably more tender.
Serving
Serve the brisket in thick slices with roasted carrots, jacket potatoes and the juices as gravy. Shredded brisket is excellent in rolls with coleslaw. A brisket in air fryer foil parcels also makes the juices needed for a quick onion gravy.
Storing and reheating
Leftover brisket keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, ideally in its juices. To reheat, wrap slices with a spoonful of stock in foil and heat in the air fryer at 160 °C for 8–10 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre).
Variations
- Bbq brisket: Brush the opened joint with barbecue sauce and cook at 200 °C for 10 minutes.
- Mustard and onion: Spread 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard over the joint before wrapping.
- Pulled brisket: Cook for 30 minutes longer, shred the meat with two forks and toss it in the cooking juices.
Troubleshooting
- The brisket is tough
- It needs more time, not more heat. Return it to the foil at 150 °C for another 30 minutes and check again. Tender brisket reads about 90 °C.
- The brisket is dry
- The foil was not sealed, so the steam escaped. Wrap tightly, keep the stock in the parcel and rest the meat in its juices.
- The joint does not fit
- Brisket expands as it cooks. Use a joint under 1 kg, cut it in half, or cook larger pieces in the oven or slow cooker instead.
Frequently asked questions
How long does brisket take in an air fryer?
A 1 kg rolled brisket needs about 2 hr 30 min at 150 °C wrapped in foil, followed by 10 minutes at 200 °C to brown. It can take up to 3 hours until tender.
Is it better to cook brisket in the oven or slow cooker?
For anything over 1 kg, yes. The oven at 150 °C or a slow cooker on low for 8 hours is easier for larger joints and leaves your air fryer free.
Can you reheat brisket in the air fryer?
Yes, and it works well. Wrap slices with a splash of stock in foil and heat at 160 °C for 8–10 minutes until steaming hot (75 °C in the centre).
Can you make smoked or bbq brisket in an air fryer?
Not truly smoked, but smoked paprika and a little liquid smoke give a similar flavour. For bbq brisket, brush with sauce for the last 10 minutes.
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