Air-Frying Country Ham: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Country ham is a beloved staple in Southern cuisine, known for its salty and savory flavor. While traditional methods involve frying or baking, the advent of air fryers has revolutionized how people cook this delicacy. Air fryers offer a convenient, quick, and easy alternative to traditional cooking methods, making them a popular choice for preparing country ham. With their ability to circulate hot air efficiently, air fryers produce juicy and crispy ham slices, all while reducing the need for excessive oven space during holiday meals or special occasions. This modern appliance is a versatile addition to any kitchen, allowing home cooks to experiment with various recipes, from classic brown sugar glazes to innovative pineapple sauce toppings. Whether it's a weeknight dinner or a festive gathering, air fryers provide a hassle-free way to enjoy the mouthwatering goodness of country ham without the lengthy preparation and cleanup.

Air fryer ham steaks

Air fryers are a great way to cook ham steaks, offering speed, convenience, and crispy edges with a moist, tender interior. This method is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a holiday feast, and you can serve your ham steaks with a variety of sides.

Ingredients

To make ham steaks in an air fryer, you will need:

• Boneless ham steaks (pre-cooked)
• Butter (preferably unsalted)
• Brown sugar (light brown sugar works well)
• Thyme (dried or fresh)
• Parchment paper
• Cooking spray

Method

First, preheat your air fryer to 375-380°F. Then, mix your butter and brown sugar together in a bowl, and brush the mixture onto both sides of the ham steak. Place the ham in the air fryer, and cook for 7-12 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through.

If you prefer your ham steak well done, you can cook it for up to 20 minutes, flipping and basting the steak with the butter and sugar mixture halfway through. You can also add a glaze of honey or mustard to the steak before serving.

Sides

Ham steaks are versatile and can be served with a range of side dishes, including:

• Green beans
• Rice
• Rolls
• Potatoes
• Asparagus-wrapped in bacon
• French fries or sweet potato fries
• Potato wedges
• Garlic zucchini
• Cauliflower

Air fryer country ham slices

Country ham slices can be cooked in an air fryer in a few simple steps. Firstly, you will need to preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are using a different model, such as a Cosori Air Fryer, preheat to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on your preference.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the glaze for the ham slices. In a small saucepan, melt some butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon over medium heat until simmering. Set this glaze aside. If you prefer a simpler glaze, you can combine melted butter and brown sugar, or even just brush the ham slices with maple syrup.

Next, place two large sheets of foil in the basket of the air fryer, with a pan underneath for easy cleanup. Add the ham slices to the center of the basket and brush the glaze over the top and sides of the ham. Once the ham has been glazed, cover it with foil and place it into the preheated air fryer.

For the cooking time and temperature, there are a few methods you can follow. One suggestion is to cook the ham at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, then add more glaze, seal the top of the foil onto the ham, and cook for another 20 minutes. Another method is to cook the ham at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the foil, and brush on more glaze. Set the timer for 5 minutes, glaze again, and cook for a final 5 minutes.

If you are cooking ham steaks, the process is quicker. Cook the steaks for 5-6 minutes, flip them over, and cook for another 5-6 minutes. If you are using maple syrup, brush the steaks with syrup after the first 5 minutes of cooking, then add an additional 3 minutes of cook time.

Your country ham slices are now ready to be served!

Air fryer ham with a butter and brown sugar glaze

Ingredients:

• Small boneless ham
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Brown sugar
• Mustard
• Vinegar
• Basting brush
• Foil

Method:

• Allow the ham to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cooking.
• 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 centre of the basket.
• Brush the butter and brown sugar glaze over the top and sides of the ham.
• Cover the glazed ham with foil and place it 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.
• Pull the foil halfway down the ham and brush with the glaze one more time.
• Remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• You can use a sharp knife to score the surface of the ham with 1/4-inch-deep cuts in a diamond pattern before adding the glaze. This will help the glaze penetrate the meat and create a more flavourful dish.
• If you prefer your ham with a bit of a tang, you can add vinegar and ground cloves to the glaze mixture.
• Make sure to use a boneless, pre-cooked ham that doesn't already have a glaze.
• You can also use coconut sugar or maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a unique flavour profile.

Air fryer ham cooking times and temperatures

Air fryers are a great way to cook ham, especially for holiday meals. They speed up the cooking process without drying out the meat and require minimal prep time.

The cooking time and temperature for air-fried ham depend on the type of ham and the desired level of doneness. Most recipes call for pre-cooked ham, which simply needs to be heated and glazed in the air fryer. However, if you are using fresh ham, it is important to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid undercooking.

For a 3-pound boneless ham, the air fryer basket should be preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the ham with foil and cook for 20 minutes. Then, baste the ham with a glaze, recover it with foil, and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Finally, remove the foil, increase the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the ham reaches your desired level of browning.

If you are using a larger air fryer or a different model, you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature to ensure even cooking. Additionally, it is recommended to let the ham sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cooking, but it should not be left out for longer than 20 minutes.

Air fryer ham with pineapple sauce or gravy

Air fryers are a great way to cook ham, and you can make a delicious pineapple sauce or gravy to go with it. Here is a detailed recipe for air fryer ham with pineapple sauce and suggestions for making gravy.

Air Fryer Ham with Pineapple Sauce

Ingredients:

• Ham (boneless or bone-in)
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Pineapple juice
• Maraschino cherries
• Pineapple slices (fresh or canned)
• Aluminium foil
• Instant-read thermometer (optional)

Steps:

• First, make the pineapple glaze by combining butter, brown sugar, honey, and pineapple juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a simmer, then set it aside.
• Prepare your ham by laying two large sheets of aluminium foil in the air fryer basket and placing the ham in the middle. Fold up the sides of the foil slightly.
• Brush the ham with one-third of the glaze.
• Cover the ham with foil and air fry at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
• Uncover the ham and brush with another one-third of the glaze.
• Skewer the maraschino cherries and push them through pineapple slices. Hold a pineapple slice on top of the ham and push the toothpick into the ham.
• Cover with foil again and air fry for another 20 minutes.
• Uncover the ham and brush with the remaining glaze. Increase the temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry for 5-8 minutes, until the ham is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Let the ham rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can use a whole pineapple, cutting it into rings, instead of canned pineapple slices.
• If your ham is too large to fit in the air fryer, you can cut it into slices or smaller pieces.
• If you want to add spices, cinnamon and ground cardamom complement the sweet and savoury flavours of the dish.

Gravy Ideas:

While the above recipe does not include a gravy, there are a few ways you could make one to accompany the ham and pineapple:

• Use the juices and drippings from the ham to make a gravy base. Mix with cornstarch and add herbs and spices to taste.
• Make a raisin sauce by simmering raisins with the ham drippings and adding spices like cinnamon and cloves.
• Try making a honey mustard gravy by combining honey, Dijon mustard, and the ham dripings.

Frequently asked questions