Air-Frying Ham: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to cook ham, especially for smaller groups. The process is quick, easy, and results in a juicy ham with a delicious glaze. You can use a variety of glazes, including brown sugar, honey, and pineapple, and the ham can be served with a range of side dishes.

How to bake ham in an air fryer

Ingredients

To bake ham in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• A 3-pound ham (boneless or with bone).
• Glaze ingredients: brown sugar, butter, honey, cinnamon, pineapple juice, orange juice, garlic powder, dry mustard powder, or cloves.
• Aluminum foil.
• Parchment paper (optional).
• Basting brush.

Method

• If your ham is frozen, make sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to 300-325 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Line your air fryer basket with two large sheets of aluminum foil, with the seams at the top. You can add a layer of parchment paper between the foil and the meat if you prefer.
• Place the ham in the center of the foil and bring the edges of the foil up and around the ham to create a "bowl."
• In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, and any other desired glaze ingredients. Stir until the mixture starts to bubble, then remove from the heat.
• Open the foil and brush the glaze over the ham, making sure it gets into any slices or cuts on the ham.
• Cover the ham with foil and place it in the preheated air fryer. Cook for 20-25 minutes.
• After the initial cooking time, carefully remove the ham from the air fryer and add more glaze. Seal the top of the foil onto the ham and return it to the air fryer. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes.
• For a crispy top, carefully open the foil and fold it back to expose the top of the ham. Increase the air fryer temperature to 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 3-10 minutes, or until the ham reaches your desired level of browning.
• Check the internal temperature of the ham with an instant-read thermometer. Ham is fully cooked at an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the ham from the air fryer, let it rest for about 10 minutes, then slice and serve.

Tips

• This recipe works best with a fully cooked, pre-cooked, or sliced ham.
• If your ham is too large to fit into your air fryer, you can cut it into two equal pieces or slice it before wrapping it in foil.
• To prevent the ham from drying out, wrap it tightly in foil before cooking.
• Different air fryers may cook at different wattages, so adjust the cooking time as needed for your specific air fryer model.
• Let the ham sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for 1-2 months.

What glaze to use

When it comes to glazing your air fryer ham, there are several options to choose from.

A popular choice is a brown sugar glaze. You can make this by melting butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat. You can also add honey to this mixture for a honey-brown sugar glaze. Another option is to use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar.

If you're looking for a less sweet option, you can try a glaze made from honey, orange juice, and mustard. You can also add some cinnamon and cloves to this mixture for extra flavor.

For a more savory glaze, you can combine honey, brown sugar, orange juice, mustard, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper.

You can also get creative and experiment with other ingredients like avocado oil, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, or garlic.

No matter which glaze you choose, the key is to brush it onto the ham while it's cooking in the air fryer, and then continue cooking until the glaze is browned and caramelized. This will give your ham a delicious, crispy coating that your family and friends will love!

How to store and reheat leftovers

Storing and Reheating Leftovers:

Storing your leftover ham properly is crucial to preserving its flavour and texture. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store and reheat your delicious air-fried ham:

Storing Leftovers:

• Allow the ham to cool: Before storing your leftover ham, it's essential to let it cool down. Leave it at room temperature for no longer than a couple of hours. This helps the protein in the meat relax, ensuring even cooking when you reheat it.
• Use airtight containers: To prevent spoilage and maintain freshness, always store leftover ham in airtight containers. This could be a sealed container with a lid or wrapped tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil.
• Refrigerate: Store the leftover ham in the refrigerator. It can be kept for 3-5 days, depending on the recipe and storage conditions.

Reheating Leftovers:

• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to the appropriate temperature, usually around 320-360°F (160-182°C).
• Add moisture: To prevent the ham from drying out, add a small amount of liquid to the air fryer basket, such as water, broth, or juice. You can also brush the ham with glaze or butter to keep it moist.
• Reheat time: Place the ham in the air fryer and reheat for 2-5 minutes, or until heated through. The timing will depend on the quantity and thickness of the ham slices.
• Rest and serve: After reheating, let the ham rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps distribute the heat evenly and ensures a juicy and tender texture.

You can also reheat ham in a microwave, oven, stove-top, or slow cooker. However, always ensure that the ham reaches a minimum temperature of 140°F (60°C) for safe consumption.

What to serve with air fryer ham

Air fryer ham is a great dish to serve during the holidays, especially for smaller groups. It goes well with a variety of side dishes and can be served with leftovers. Here are some ideas for what to serve with air fryer ham:

Salads

• Broccoli salad
• Potato salad
• Macaroni salad
• Creamy grape salad
• Cucumber radish salad

Starches

• Sweet potato casserole
• Scalloped potatoes
• Mashed potatoes
• Ham and potato casserole

Vegetables

• Peas and carrots
• Broccoli with cheese
• Roasted vegetables
• Green beans
• Roasted carrots
• Asparagus salad
• Grilled zucchini

Other Dishes

• Mac & cheese
• Instant Pot mashed potatoes
• Air fryer green bean casserole
• Air fryer cranberry brie bites
• Air fryer stuffing
• Air fryer turkey breast
• Air fryer sweet potato casserole
• Ham and cheese sliders
• Ham and potato soup
• Ham sandwiches

What to do with leftover ham

Yes, you can bake ham in an air fryer. Here's a recipe for air fryer ham with a butter and brown sugar glaze:

Air Fryer Ham with Butter Brown Sugar Glaze

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3-pound boneless ham

Instructions

• First, melt the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering. Set aside.
• Place two large sheets of foil in the basket of the air fryer. Add the ham to the center of the basket.
• Brush the butter and brown sugar glaze over the top and around the sides of the ham.
• Once the ham has been glazed, cover with foil and place into the preheated air fryer at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, carefully remove the ham from the air fryer and add additional glaze. Seal the top of the foil onto the ham and cook at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for an additional 20 minutes.
• Carefully pull the aluminum foil at least halfway down the ham and brush with the glaze one more time.
• Place the basket back into the air fryer and increase the heat to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Continue to air fry the ham for 3 minutes.
• Carefully remove the ham from the air fryer basket and slice and serve.

Now, what can you do with leftover ham?

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

• Salads: Chop ham finely and add to a chef's salad or a ham and pea salad.
• Soups: Ham goes well in bean/legume soups, such as split pea and ham soup, or a ham and cabbage soup.
• Sandwiches: Create a classic Cuban Midnight (Medianoche) sandwich or a ham salad sandwich.
• Casseroles: Try a ham and potato casserole, or a ham and cheese breakfast tortilla.
• Pasta: Make a walnut and roasted ham linguine, or a one-pot ham and veggie pasta.
• Pizza: Top a pizza with ham, asparagus, and ricotta.
• Eggs: Add ham to scrambled eggs, an omelette, or eggs benedict.
• Rice: Make a ham fried rice or jambalaya.
• Other dishes: Ham and pineapple dinner, ham and shrimp gravy, or ham balls.

Frequently asked questions