Air Fryer Ham: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can bake a ham in an air fryer! It's a great option if you're short on oven space or only need to feed a few people. The air fryer will give your ham a crispy outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender. Plus, clean-up is a breeze since you can line the air fryer with foil.

To get started, you'll need a fully cooked, boneless ham that weighs around 2-3 pounds. If your ham is frozen, be sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before cooking. You'll also want to let the ham sit at room temperature for a bit before cooking to ensure even cooking.

When it comes to the glaze, you have several options. A simple mixture of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon is a popular choice, but you can also experiment with honey, orange juice, garlic powder, or dijon mustard.

The cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your ham, but you can expect it to take around 40-50 minutes. Be sure to baste your ham with the glaze throughout the cooking process for maximum flavour.

So, if you're looking for a delicious and easy way to cook a ham, give the air fryer a try!

Glazing a ham

To make the glaze, simply melt butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat until it starts to simmer. You can also add a little honey or orange juice to taste. Stir the glaze until it starts bubbling, then remove it from the heat and set it aside.

When the ham has been cooking for around 20 minutes, open the air fryer and brush the glaze over the top and sides of the ham. Close the foil and continue cooking. You can add more glaze and repeat this process as many times as you like to build up a thick, flavoursome glaze.

For a crispier finish, in the last few minutes of cooking, increase the heat and remove the foil so that the glaze can caramelise.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking times and temperatures for baking a ham in an air fryer will depend on the size of the ham and the type of air fryer being used.

For a 3-pound ham, the cooking time will be around 40-50 minutes in total. If your ham is larger, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. It is recommended that you cook the ham for 15-20 minutes per pound of fully cooked ham.

• Preheat your air fryer to 320-340 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wrap the ham in foil, ensuring the seam is at the top. You can add a layer of parchment paper between the foil and the meat if desired.
• Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer and cook for 20-25 minutes.
• While the ham is cooking, make the glaze by melting butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon (and honey, if using) in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Open the foil and brush the glaze over the ham.
• Close the foil and cook the ham for an additional 20 minutes.
• Fold the foil down and brush on any remaining glaze.
• Cook the ham uncovered for a further 3-10 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Rest the ham for 5-10 minutes before serving.

It is important to note that different air fryers may cook at different wattages, so you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly. Additionally, hams come in different shapes and sizes, so ensure that your ham fits comfortably in your air fryer without touching the heating element.

Reheating ham

Reheating leftover ham in an air fryer can be tricky because you don't want it to dry out. However, there are some steps you can take to ensure your ham stays moist and tender.

First, let your ham sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to take the chill off. This helps the protein in the meat relax, allowing the heat to penetrate more evenly.

Next, add moisture to the air fryer to prevent the ham from drying out. You can do this by adding a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. Alternatively, you can wrap the ham in aluminium foil, which helps to seal in moisture.

When you're ready to reheat, preheat your air fryer to 325°F. If you're reheating ham slices, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and heat for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through. If you're reheating a larger piece of ham, you may need to increase the cooking time to 10 minutes per pound. Remember to flip the ham halfway through to ensure even heating.

Once the ham is heated through, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps to retain moisture and prevents the ham from drying out.

Choosing the right ham

Type of Ham

There are three main types of ham: fully cooked, fresh, and country ham.

• Fully-cooked hams, also known as city hams, are the most popular and readily available. They are often labelled just as "ham" in supermarkets and are either wet-cured or dry-cured with a salt rub. While they can be delicious as is, they benefit from additional glazing and a few hours in the oven. Avoid hams labelled "ham, water added" or "ham and water product" as these have a weaker flavour and less natural texture.
• Fresh ham, also known as "green ham" or "fresh leg of pork", is raw and uncured. You can cure it yourself or simply season and roast it. Fresh ham tastes similar to a pork roast and lacks the smokiness of other hams.
• Country ham, also called Virginia, Tennessee, or Kentucky ham, is dry-cured, smoked, and aged. This process can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, resulting in a drier and saltier ham. Country ham is an acquired taste and requires a long preparation process, including soaking and simmering before baking.

Bone-In vs Boneless

Another important consideration is whether to choose a bone-in or boneless ham.

• Bone-in ham is known for its superior flavour and juiciness, but it can be more challenging to carve. The bone adds flavour and texture to the meat, and the leftover bone can be used for soups and stews. If you opt for bone-in, you'll also need to decide between the shank end (leaner meat, easier to carve) and the butt end (fattier, more tender meat, but with a trickier T-shaped bone).
• Boneless ham, on the other hand, is incredibly convenient to cook, slice, and serve. It's a good choice if you want to save time and effort, but you'll sacrifice some flavour and juiciness.

Size of Ham

Finally, consider the size of your gathering and buy accordingly. A bone-in ham will provide about 3/4 pound per person, while a boneless ham will yield around 1/2 pound per person. For example, a 16-pound bone-in ham can feed 18 to 20 people, so it's always better to buy slightly more than you need to ensure you have enough.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air fryer ham, and it can be enjoyed as part of a holiday meal or as leftovers. Here are some serving suggestions:

Side Dishes

Air fryer ham pairs well with various side dishes, such as:

• Green beans
• Roasted carrots
• Creamy grape salad
• Mac & cheese
• Instant pot mashed potatoes
• Asparagus salad
• Grilled zucchini
• Broccoli salad
• Potato salad
• Macaroni salad
• Sweet potato casserole
• Scalloped potatoes
• Mashed potatoes
• Peas & carrots
• Broccoli with cheese
• Glazed carrots
• Green beans

Leftovers

Leftover air fryer ham can be used in a variety of dishes, including:

• Ham and pea pasta salad
• Ham and potato soup
• Sandwiches
• Ham and corn chowder
• Ham salad
• Ham balls
• Ham casseroles
• Ham and potato casseroles
• Ham and cheese sliders
• Ham steaks
• Air fryer hash browns
• Air fryer egg bites
• Ham and cheese sandwiches
• Ham and potato soup with heavy cream

Glazes

Air fryer ham is often served with a glaze, and there are several options to choose from, including:

• Honey glaze
• Brown sugar glaze
• Butter and brown sugar glaze
• Pineapple glaze
• Honey mustard glaze
• Raisin sauce
• Ham gravy

Other Dishes

Air fryer ham can also be served with other dishes such as:

• Air fryer stuffing
• Air fryer turkey breast
• Air fryer sweet potato casserole
• Air fryer green bean casserole
• Air fryer cranberry brie bites
• Air fryer Easter recipes

Frequently asked questions