Burnt ends used to be considered the scraps of the “good stuff” in barbecue. With how tasty they are, I can’t even imagine that! You’ll usually find burnt ends from beef brisket or pork belly, and they make for a tasty meal of their own. With these air fryer burnt ends, now you can skip the grill and get to eating faster!
Burnt ends are the ends or trimmings of meat that’s already been smoked and fully cooked once.
You’d traditionally sauce them and throw them back on the grill to get some beautiful caramelization, crispy meat, and rendered fat. Instead, we’re going to make air fryer burnt ends and use the air fryer to achieve the same effect with far less time and attention required!
You can serve your burnt ends any way you like! I’m serving them on a salad for an upgraded twist on the classic steak salad.
However, they’re also great in a grain bowl, in burritos or tacos, on their own with sides, or even in a sandwich. Swap out the sliced beef brisket for burnt ends in my Air Fryer Brisket Sandwich recipe!
What You’ll Need: Ingredients
1 lb burnt ends
½ cup barbecue sauce (optional)
For a Burnt Ends Steak Salad
6 ounces mixed salad greens
5 ounces cherry tomatoes
¼ cup red onion slices
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
3 Tbsp Vidalia onion dressing
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You can use either pork belly or beef brisket burnt ends (mine are beef). Depending where you get them most grocery stores and wholesale stores like Costco have them), they may already come sauced, so the barbecue sauce addition is entirely optional. If you’re looking to do the initial cooking yourself, check out my Air Fryer Brisket recipe, or for a budget-friendly alternative make “poor man’s burnt ends” from an Air Fryer Chuck Roast!
If you are making a salad like I am, blue cheese is a great sub for feta cheese. All vegetables are able to be swapped up to your liking. Other dressings that would be good are bleu cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, other vinaigrettes, or buttermilk ranch
For a sandwich variation use a round or sub roll, add coleslaw, pickled vegetables, extra barbecue sauce, or other favorite toppings
How to Make Burnt Ends in the Air Fryer
If it’s not already, cut your meat into approximately 1” cubes
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Toss the burnt ends in barbecue sauce (optional)
Place the burnt ends into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 400°F, pausing halfway through to shake the basket. If you’d like them even darker, add up to an additional 5 minutes of cooking time
Serve hot
What to Serve With Burnt Ends
Jalapeno poppers
Deviled eggs
Coleslaw
Mac and cheese
Mashed potatoes
Potato skins
Baked beans
Pasta salad
Potato salad
Macaroni salad
Broccoli salad
Corn on the cob
Collard greens
Cornbread
Corn pudding
Biscuits
Hush puppies
Dirty rice
Pickles
Watermelon
There are so many great dishes to serve with burnt ends, regardless of whether you have pork belly, brisket, or poor man’s style ends. There’s appetizers, side dishes, and even fruit for dessert, meaning there’s something for everyone!
Yes, you can cook burnt ends in the air fryer. Since burnt ends by nature are already cooked or smoked, you are simply heating and caramelizing them. The air fryer produces a perfect result in less time than the oven or grill.
What Temperature is Best For Burnt Ends in the Air Fryer?
In the air fryer, 400°F is the best temperature for burnt ends. This renders the fat and caramelizes the meat and sauce.
Are Burnt Ends and Brisket the Same Thing?
Burnt ends are the trimmings of the non-flat edges of the brisket, making them the same meat.
However, burnt ends may often be referred to as trimmings of other meats as well, such as pork belly or chuck roast, also known as poor man’s burnt ends.
Can You Overcook Brisket Burnt Ends?
Yes, you can technically overcook brisket burnt ends. If this occurs, the meat will be dry due to loss of too much moisture or fat.
If you’re worried, use a thermometer to check the temperature and pull them around 195°F.
What Are Poor Man’s Burnt Ends?
Poor Man’s burnt ends uses cuts of chuck roast, which is a cheaper meat than the usual brisket that is used.
While not quite as marbled and fatty of a meat, it is similar enough to be a budget friendly option.
Are Burnt Ends Supposed to Be Crispy?
Yes, burnt ends should be crispy and charred on the outside. The meat inside, however, should still be tender and juicy.
What is the Best Meat to Make Burnt Ends?
The best meats to make burnt ends are beef brisket, pork belly, or beef chuck roast for a cheaper option.
Largely, it depends on your personal preference between beef and pork, as well as your budget.
Recipe Pro Tips:
For pork belly burnt ends, increase the cooking time to 20 minutes instead
Mine brisket burnt ends were perfect after 10 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. Other air fryers may vary slightly
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover burnt ends in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months
To reheat brisket burnt ends, air fry at 350°F for 4-6 minutes, shaking the basket once, until heated through
These air fryer burnt ends turn your cooked beef brisket tips into something magical! Coat them in barbecue sauce, and the air fryer caramelizes and burns the edges for a delicious bite.
Burnt ends make great nachos, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, steak salads, and they’re great on their own with a couple sides as well.
This is an easy way to use up your barbecue leftovers in a delicious way, for a meal all their own. Plus, there’s no need to turn on the oven or fire up the grill, as the air fryer provides a quick and convenient way to cook burnt ends.
It even works with your pork belly or poor man’s chuck roast ends as well!
Easy Air Fryer Brisket Burnt Ends
These easy air fryer brisket burnt ends come out tender, juicy, and caramelized in only about 10 minutes! Serve as the suggested steak salad or your own favorite way.
If it’s not already, cut your meat into approximately 1” cubes
1 Pound burnt ends
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Toss the burnt ends in barbecue sauce (optional)
½ Cup barbecue sauce
Place the burnt ends into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 400°F, pausing halfway through to shake the basket. If you’d like them even darker, add up to an additional 5 minutes of cooking time
Serve hot, as part of the suggested steak salad preparation, or in your favorite way
6 Ounces mixed salad greens, 5 Ounces cherry tomatoes, ¼ Cup red onion slices, ¼ Cup crumbled feta cheese, 3 Tbsp Vidalia onion dressing
Notes
You can use either pork belly or beef brisket burnt ends (mine are beef). Depending where you get them most grocery stores and wholesale stores like Costco have them), they may already come sauced, so the barbecue sauce addition is entirely optional. If you’re looking to do the initial cooking yourself, check out my Air Fryer Brisket recipe, or for a budget-friendly alternative make “poor man’s burnt ends” from an Air Fryer Chuck Roast!
If you are making a salad like I am, blue cheese is a great sub for feta cheese. All vegetables are able to be swapped up to your liking. Other dressings that would be good are bleu cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, other vinaigrettes, or buttermilk ranch
For a sandwich variation use a round or sub roll, add coleslaw, pickled vegetables, extra barbecue sauce, or other favorite toppings
For pork belly burnt ends, increase the cooking time to 20 minutes instead
Mine brisket burnt ends were perfect after 10 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. Other air fryers may vary slightly
Store leftover burnt ends in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months
Reheat brisket burnt ends in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-6 minutes, shaking the basket once, until heated through
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
