Air Frying Ham: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to cook ham, whether it's for a holiday feast or a small meal for two. The air fryer produces a juicy, tender ham with a crispy skin and a mouth-watering glaze. The best part is that it frees up oven space and cooks the ham in under an hour.

The key to cooking ham in an air fryer is to ensure it fits comfortably without touching the heating element. You can cook a whole ham or slices, but you may need to cut the ham into pieces to fit it into the air fryer. Wrapping the ham in foil is also essential to prevent it from drying out, and you can add a variety of glazes, including honey, brown sugar, pineapple, cinnamon, and mustard.

So, if you're looking for a delicious, easy way to cook ham, the air fryer is a perfect solution!

What type of ham can you put in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook ham in an air fryer! It's a great way to free up oven space during the holidays, and it cooks in less than an hour.

The best type of ham to cook in an air fryer is a small, boneless, pre-cooked ham. It's important to ensure that the ham fits comfortably in the air fryer and does not touch the heating element. If your ham is too big, you may need to slice it before cooking. You can also wrap the ham in foil to help it retain moisture and prevent it from drying out.

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
• Let the ham sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
• If your ham has a glaze, cover it with foil while cooking to prevent it from burning.
• If you're making a glaze, you can use brown sugar, honey, or even melted jelly.
• Air fryer ham is perfect for feeding a smaller crowd during the holidays.

How do you prepare the ham for the air fryer?

Preparing ham for the air fryer is simple and can be done in a few easy steps. Here is how you can prepare ham in an air fryer:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The ingredients you will need are a fully cooked, boneless ham, aluminium foil, butter or oil, and a glaze of your choice. For a glaze, you can use honey, orange or pineapple juice, cinnamon, mustard powder, brown sugar, or a combination of these ingredients.

Secondly, preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature to cook ham is between 300-325 degrees Fahrenheit or 170 degrees Celsius.

Thirdly, wrap the ham. Use aluminium foil to wrap the ham, ensuring the overlapping foil sheets are at the top so you can open it during cooking. If you prefer the foil not to touch the meat, you can add a layer of parchment paper between the foil and the ham.

Next, place the ham in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer and the ham, you may need to slice the ham or choose a smaller piece so that it fits comfortably without touching the heating element.

Then, apply the glaze. You can brush the glaze over the ham before placing it in the air fryer, or you can cook the ham for 20 minutes, glaze it, and then cook for another 15-20 minutes.

Finally, cook the ham to an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Celsius. The total cooking time will depend on the size and shape of the ham, but for a 2-3 pound ham, it will typically take around 40-50 minutes.

Once the ham is cooked, let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving or slicing and serving.

Some additional tips for preparing ham in an air fryer include:

• Allowing the ham to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cooking.
• Scoring the ham by making criss-cross cuts on the surface so that it crisps up nicely.
• Basting the ham with butter or glaze during the cooking process to keep it moist.
• Using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ham to ensure it is fully cooked.

How do you make a glaze for ham in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook ham in an air fryer! It's a great way to free up oven space during the holidays, and it turns out tender and juicy. Here's how you can make a delicious glaze for your ham in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• Ham (boneless, pre-cooked, or fully cooked)
• Honey (make sure it's runny)
• Orange or pineapple juice
• Cinnamon (ground)
• Mustard powder or dijon mustard
• Butter or any cooking oil
• Brown sugar or coconut sugar
• Garlic powder (optional)

Steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 300-325°F (149-163°C).
• Wrap the ham in aluminum foil, ensuring the overlapping foil sheets are at the top for easy access during cooking.
• Transfer the ham to the air fryer basket. For even cooking, ensure the ham doesn't touch the heating element and there's space for air circulation.
• Air fry the ham for 20 minutes.
• While the ham is cooking, make the glaze by mixing honey, orange or pineapple juice, cinnamon, and mustard powder in a small bowl. You can also melt butter in a saucepan, add the rest of the ingredients, and simmer until bubbling.
• After 20 minutes, open the foil and brush the glaze generously over the ham.
• Close the foil and air fry for another 15-20 minutes.
• Open the foil and air fry the ham for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the glaze is golden brown.
• Remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Tips:

• Take the ham out of the refrigerator about an hour before cooking to bring it to room temperature.
• If your ham is too big, slice off bits to ensure it fits comfortably in the air fryer.
• Cooking the ham in foil initially helps retain moisture and prevents drying out.
• Thinner, flatter hams will cook quicker than rounder, deeper hams.
• Scoring the ham by making criss-cross cuts on the surface will give it a nice crispy texture.
• You can vary the glaze by using a brown sugar glaze or adding spices like cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg.

How long does it take to cook ham in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook ham in an air fryer! It's a great way to free up oven space during the holidays, and it turns out tender and juicy. Here's how long it takes to cook ham in an air fryer:

The cooking time will depend on the size and shape of your ham, as well as the model of your air fryer. For a 2-3 pound ham, you can expect a total cooking time of around 40-50 minutes. Thinner, flatter hams will cook quicker than rounder, deeper hams.

Here's a step-by-step guide to cooking ham in an air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 300-325°F (some recipes suggest 380°F for the final few minutes to brown the ham).
• Wrap your ham in foil, ensuring the seam is at the top so you can open it during cooking.
• Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer and cook for 20-25 minutes.
• While the ham is cooking, make your glaze by mixing together ingredients like butter, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, orange or pineapple juice, and mustard powder.
• After the initial cooking time, open the foil and brush the ham with the glaze.
• Re-cover the ham with foil and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes.
• Remove the foil and cook for a further 2-8 minutes, until the glaze is golden brown.
• Remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving or slicing.

Note that the ham should reach an internal temperature of 140-145°F. It's important to ensure your ham is fully cooked, but be careful not to overcook it, as this can dry out the meat.

What are some side dishes that go well with air-fried ham?

Air-fried ham is a delicious and easy way to cook ham, and there are plenty of side dishes that go well with it. Here are some ideas for side dishes that will complement your air-fried ham:

Vegetables and Salads

• Green beans are a great option and can be prepared in many ways, such as Green Beans Almondine or Air Fryer Green Beans.
• Asparagus is a great springtime option and can be roasted or made into a lemon asparagus risotto.
• Carrots can be served roasted, mashed, or glazed.
• Roasted delicata squash is a simple yet tasty option.
• Brussels sprouts can be caramelized or maple-glazed.
• Beets and sweet potatoes pair well together in a healthy side dish.
• Broccoli and cauliflower can be served together in a casserole with bacon.
• Corn pudding is a holiday staple that goes well with ham.

Casseroles

• Scalloped potatoes are a classic side dish that goes well with ham.
• Mashed potato casserole, especially with added bacon, cheese, and crispy fried onions.
• Macaroni and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser and goes well with ham.
• Sweet potato casserole is a delicious change of pace from the usual marshmallow topping.
• Broccoli cheese and cracker casserole is a comforting side dish that's perfect for picky eaters.
• Potato au gratin is a creamy and cheesy potato dish that goes with everything, including ham.

Breads

• Cornbread is a classic side dish for ham and can be made into a casserole for added ease.
• Buttermilk biscuits are a buttery and fluffy option that goes well with any meal.
• Sweet potato biscuits are a twist on the classic buttermilk biscuit and go well with ham.

These are just a few ideas, but the possibilities are endless! With these side dishes, you're sure to impress your guests and make your air-fried ham the star of the show.

Frequently asked questions