Air Fryer Corned Beef
Air Fryer Corned Beef is a game-changer. It delivers a tender, juicy interior with a perfectly caramelized crust, all in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. There’s no need to babysit a slow cooker or boil it for hours, just wrap it in foil, air fry, and enjoy a flavorful meal with minimal effort.
Air Fryer Corned Beef
This recipe uses a simple yet delicious glaze made with brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. The air fryer locks in moisture while crisping up the outside, creating the perfect balance of texture and taste. Whether you’re making it for St. Patrick’s Day or just craving a hearty dinner, this method makes corned beef easier than ever.
Serve it with cabbage and potatoes for a classic meal, or slice it up for sandwiches and hash. Leftovers are just as delicious, making this a great recipe to meal prep ahead of time. With just a few ingredients and your air fryer, you’ll have a dish that’s sure to impress!
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
✔ Quick & Easy – No need for a slow cooker or hours of simmering—this is ready in just about 2 hours!
✔ Perfectly Glazed & Crispy – The air fryer caramelizes the glaze beautifully, giving you amazing flavor and texture.
✔ Great for Any Occasion – Whether it’s St. Paddy’s Day or just a weeknight dinner, this recipe is a winner.
✔ Less Mess, More Flavor – No boiling water or extra pots—just wrap, air fry, and enjoy!
✔ Leftovers Are Amazing – Use the extra corned beef for sandwiches, hash, or even tacos the next day!
How to Make Corned Beef in your Air Fryer
- Mix brown sugar, Dijon mustard, & apple cider vinegar together.
- Baste corned beef with glaze and tightly wrap it in aluminum foil.
- Air Fry at 360 degrees for 1 hour.
- Unwrap aluminum foil, baste again, and loosely wrap with aluminum foil.
- Air Fry at 360 degrees for 40 minutes.
- Remove foil, baste one last time. Air Fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
How To Slice Corned Beef
Once your corned beef is done cooking it is great to allow your meat to rest for at least 10 minutes. This will allow the meat to hold the moisture for moist and tasty meat.
Then you will want to slice against the grain for tender meat. If you slice with the grain it can make your corned beef tough.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Air Fryer Corned Beef
✅ Wrap It Well – Tightly wrapping the corned beef in foil helps lock in moisture while cooking.
✅ Don’t Skip the Glaze – The brown sugar-Dijon mix adds the perfect balance of sweetness and tang.
✅ Use a Meat Thermometer – Corned beef should reach at least 190°F for that fall-apart tenderness.
✅ Rest Before Slicing – Let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting against the grain for the most tender bites.
✅ Crisp It at the End – The final 10 minutes at 400°F creates a beautifully caramelized crust.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or warm in a skillet with a splash of broth.
What should I serve with air fryer corned beef?
Classic sides like roasted potatoes, cabbage, carrots, or rye bread pair perfectly. You can also use leftovers for a Reuben sandwich or corned beef hash!
Can I use a smaller or larger corned beef?
Yes! Adjust the cooking time slightly based on size. A smaller piece (2 lbs.) may cook in about 90 minutes, while a larger one (4-5 lbs.) may need up to 2.5 hours.
New to the air fryer? Try these recipes
- Air Fryer Baked Potato | Here is a great way to learn how to make a restaurant-style potato. This is a fantastic side dish.
- Ribeye Steak | Here is a new way to cook a steak! Trust me, it is a winning recipe with an incredible marinade.
- Easy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Drumsticks | These drumsticks are crazy simple and loaded with flavor and a nice crunchy outside. A great dinner idea.
Air Fryer Corned Beef
Air Fryer Corned Beef is an incredible way to cook up your corned beef. This is a brown sugar and mustard basted corned beef.
Ingredients
- Corned Beef, 3-4 pounds
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Dijon Mustard
- 1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- Mix brown sugar, Dijon mustard, & apple cider vinegar together.
- Baste corned beef with glaze and tightly wrap it in aluminum foil.
- Air Fry at 360 degrees for 1 hour.
- Unwrap aluminum foil, baste again, and loosely wrap with aluminum foil.
- Air Fry at 360 degrees for 40 minutes.
- Remove foil, baste one last time. Leave foil mostly open. Air Fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 171Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 688mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 0gSugar: 15gProtein: 8g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
Awesome recipe!! Can I make the same recipe with chicken?
I would definitely give it a try. I would love to hear your results. 🙂
I can’t believe nobody has commented on this recipe. This air fryer corned beef is amazing! 10/10. Cream of the crop. Thank you so much for sharing!
I am so glad that you loved it.
Thank you for the recipe. The corned beef was delicious! One of the best air fryer recipes I’ve made.
1/2 what of brown sugar?
Cup, so sorry 🙂
Best corn beef recipe ever this is so good totally the bomb!!!!!!!
Monday 29 June 2020 I tried the Air Fry Corn Beef recipe tonight! My wife and I absolutely love it! It is the tastiest, juiciest corn beef ever! Most certainly will be repeating the exercise from time to time
Is the degrees in C or F ??
F
I really want to try this recipe in my Instant Omni Plus air fryer (countertop oven style). Do you think it would work on the rotisserie?
Absolutely, I am pretty sure it will work great. Just make sure you still have it wrapped in foil, a bit extra wrapped to keep all the juices in, while on the rotisserie. 🙂
How much brown sugar?
1/2 Cup. I am so sorry. 🙂
Mine is half the weight. I’m assuming I ha
F the cooking time at each of the three steps?
I would do a bit more than half on the cook time, and check with a thermometer to make sure the internal temp is 145 degrees.
Today is my first day trying this air fryer corned beef praying it comes out good !!
How much brown sugar is in the recipe? it says 1/2 – is that a cup or tablespoon?
Yes, i am so sorry. 1/2 cup brown sugar
I am cooking my corned beef on the baking setting on my foodi so do I cook it as long as I would in the oven?
If you are using your Foodi, I would use the air fry feature.. lay it in the bottom of your pot on a trivet.
Just made this and it is delicious. Usually do it in the slow cooker for about 5hrs. Will be doing it this way from now on. Thank you, .
@Pamela,
Great recipe!! I added smoked paprika. Perfection!!!
@kentuckeebubba, Hi there, how much smoked paprika did you add? Thank you
I have a 2.12 lb corned beef what are the times for this size
I would try 40 minutes on the first air fry, second, reduce to 20 minutes, check with a thermometer at this point, and see how close you are to 145 internal temp, baste for the last time, and air fry until charred and internal temp has reached 145. I would love to hear your results.
Hi there! What would you suggest for cook time for just under 3 lbs….?
Thanks!
my most recent was a 3 pound and I did the same cook time and it was perfect.
Hi. My brisket has a fat layer on it. Does it matter if it is on the top or bottom when you cook it (or do you try to remove it prior)? Thanks.
It is best to cook it with some of the fat and cut it off after you finish cooking.
@Melissa, Thanks so much for the suggestion. I’m gonna try it tonight.
@Gordon, It’s always best to cook with the fat layer still on the meat and on top. that way the juices from the fat penetrate the meat fibers while cooking. This adds both flavoring and tenderizing of the meat. For this recipe, I would turn it fat side down for the final unwrapped “crisping” cooking phase, then trim the fat before slicing to serve.
My cornbeef is only 2 pounds…..how do Inadjust the cooking time? Please and thank you
I would try 40 minutes on the first air fry, second, reduce to 20 minutes, check with a thermometer at this point, and see how close you are to 145 internal temp, baste for the last time, and air fry until charred and internal temp has reached 145. I would love to hear your results.
Would like to try this recipe, the recipe calls for Dijon mustard, but the picture with glaze is full of mustard seeds. Was this more a stone ground mustard? Thanks.
Good catch, yes I did use a coarse ground dijon mustard. Either is fine. 🙂
Do you use the spice packet that comes with the corned beef?
Not at all 🙂
What level rack are you cooking on please…looks good
I started out on a middle rack but then moved it to a lower rack for the last air fry while the foil is mostly open. Depending on how much char you would like, you can adjust accordingly.
I have a 2.5 lb corned beef, what should my cooking time be as this is one you posted is for a 4-5 lb
I just did a 3 pound this week using the same cook times, so do not reduce the time too much. I would cut off about 20 minutes total cook time and double-check with a thermometer to see if internal temp is 145
The best I have ever made, looks exactly like the picture, slices nicely and amazing taste. Only way I’m making in the future.
So you don’t use the seasoning packet that comes with the corned beef in this recipe? Also I have a 2.25 lb corned beef, should I adjust the cooking time or temperature? What about adding carrots in with it?
you do not use the seasoning packet. I would reduce the total cook time by about 20 minutes for a 2.5 pound. Check with a thermometer to see if the internal temp is 145 degrees. Carrots are a great idea. You can probably add them in with your corned beef the glaze would be very tasty on the carrots as well. If you have a fair amount of carrots you would like to cook, you can also use or create a pan… coat the carrots with some butter or oil and season how you would like. Place on your other rack while cooking the corned beef. They may finish a bit sooner than your corned beef so just keep an eye on those. they need about 20-25 to cook.
This recipe was so easy. I had trouble identify the grain direction. Can you comment on this . Thanks
to identify the direction of the grain, look for the parallel lines of muscle fiber running down the meat, and slice perpendicular to them.
This looks delicious…I plan to try it this weekend. Do you think traditional boiling with the seasoning packet first might cut down on cook time and help with tenderness?
You can definitely boil it first and then finish it off with the glaze and air frying for about 10 minutes to let the glaze carmelize a bit. I am sure it would be delicious.
Making this recipe for the 3rd time.. love it.. instead of Dijon I use a spicy German mustard.. thank you for sharing this, it’s the only way I will cook corned beef now
I tried this recipe last year. We loved it. So good I cooked it two times last year.
Not sure if you will see this today, but I am in the process of making this today and was wondering what to do with the pickling spices? Do they go in with the vinegar, mustard and brown sugar? Thanks so much!! Looking forward to trying this out!!!
Just save those for another recipe. You wont need them for this recipe. 🙂 I am so sorry it took me a while to see this 🙂
I am beyond happy with this recipe!! By far the best Corned Beef ever!! Easy with zero clean up! The house has the best smell you can imagine! Best of all my husband agrees that it is fabulous!! Will never use any other recipe! THANK-YOU!!
Someone on a air fryer group I’m in on Facebook asked about making corned beef in an air fryer. While most responses were “it’s best in a crock pot” or “Instant Pot”, it got me thinking that I’m tired of making it the same way every year. So I searched and found this recipe. Delicious! Was it the most tender corned beef I’ve ever had? No, but it was far from the least tender, too. And the flavor of the basting sauce is amazing. I also had to research a way to cook my cabbage, carrots, and potatoes without cooking them with the meat and found a great recipe for that, too.
Is it brisket you use as the cut of beef please
You want corned beef, sometimes the package will call it corned beef brisket as well. 🙂
Hi everyone,
I followed this recipe to the letter.
Unfortunately it was awful – very very tough, incredibly salty despite adding no salt and was actually inedible.
I usually cook corned beef in a slow cooker and have never had an issue and is delicious.
I use my air fryer now for virtually everything with great success. What could have gone wrong here?
PLEASE HELP!
Kindest regards
Dennis
My best guess is maybe the foil wasn’t doing it’s job trapping some of the moisture. It is a very different end product than one cooked in a slow cooker, but quite delicious as well. I’m
Sorry it turned out so bad.
It is defintely a different result then when it’s slow cooked but I suspect it may have just been the piece of meat possibly. It happens. I tend to stay away from roast beef because I can’t ever seem to get a nice tender piece.
Hi,
I’m very disappointed that you have not yet responded to my request for assistance of 8th November.
This is the first time I have consulted your website. Your customer service skills are sadly lacking and do not bode well for my using you again.
Dennis
Sorry, I am 1 person running this site, have 4 boys and fighting cancer with 2 painful procedures under my belt in the last month. You would be shocked to read how ridiculous some of the 1000’s questions and comments are left. I have to prioritize what I can accomplish and your right, responding to comments like this does get pushed down my list. Especially when most can be found immediately via google. I try my best. On the way to todays horrible procedure here I am doing the horrible job you claim I am doing. Have a great day. I am glad life has never smacked you around since you just assumed people are just sitting here waiting to jump at your request.
Omg so sorry to disappoint you but between running this entire show mostly myself, 4 boys, and getting ready for my 3rd extremely painful procedure in the last 2 months to help with some horrible side affects from fighting esophageal cancer the last 1 1/2 years, I must have fallen behind. How horrible of me!!! So once again sorry to disappoint you, maybe you should be a bit more considerate before being so impatient and voicing your ridiculous disappointment. Just a tad bit depending. I hope you had a happy holiday and reflected a bit on being more patient n kinder. Sadly your very lacking.