Air-Fried Ham: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Yes, you can cook ham in an air fryer! It's a great way to cook a juicy and flavorful ham with a delicious glaze in less than an hour. Air-fried ham is a perfect main dish for holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Mother's Day. It's also a great option if you're cooking for a smaller group. The best part? It's super easy to make and the cleanup is a breeze!

Cooking Ham in an Air Fryer

Glazing the ham

There are several ways to glaze a ham cooked in an air fryer. The most common glaze is made with brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. However, you can also add honey, crushed pineapple, pineapple juice, ginger, soy sauce, nutmeg, cloves, and kosher salt to the glaze.

To make the glaze, combine the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat the mixture until it melts and comes to a simmer. Remove the glaze from the heat and set it aside.

If your ham comes with a package, you can use the glaze that comes with it. However, if you want to make your own glaze, there are a few different recipes you can try. For a simple glaze, just mix brown sugar, mustard, and vinegar until they form a thick paste. For a more complex glaze, try combining butter, brown sugar, honey, crushed pineapple, pineapple juice, ginger, soy sauce, and cinnamon.

Once you have made your glaze, it's time to brush it onto the ham. Remove the ham from the air fryer and carefully unwrap it. Brush the glaze over the top and sides of the ham, making sure to get it into the slices or scores you have made. You can also pour the glaze over the ham, especially if you want it to char the edges.

After glazing the ham, you will need to put it back in the air fryer and continue cooking. The cooking time will depend on the size and type of ham, as well as the model of your air fryer. For a 3-pound boneless ham, cook at 320°F for 20 minutes, then add the glaze and cook for an additional 20 minutes. If you want to brown the top, increase the temperature to 350°F and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Reheating ham

Reheating leftover ham can be tricky because you don't want it to dry out. Using an air fryer is a smart choice because it eliminates the unnecessary fats from oils, and you won't be left with a greasy mess. The dry, hot air circulates around the ham, yielding an even cook, and it's quicker than using a traditional oven.

To reheat leftover ham in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 325°F. If you prefer crispy ham, preheat the air fryer to 350-360°F. Wrap the ham slices in foil and place them in the air fryer basket. If you don't want the foil to touch the meat, you can add a layer of parchment paper in between. For each pound of ham, use 1/3 cup of water or broth. Add a little liquid to the bottom of the air fryer pan to keep the ham from drying out. Reheat for 6 to 8 minutes, or until heated through. If you're cooking without foil, arrange the ham slices in a single layer and air fry for 3 to 5 minutes, flipping the ham halfway through.

You can also reheat ham slices on the stove by adding a few slices at a time to a skillet over medium-high heat. Add up to 1/2 cup of chicken broth to keep the meat moist, or a couple of tablespoons of butter or oil to give the ham a nice sear.

Choosing the right ham

When it comes to choosing the right ham for your air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you need to ensure your air fryer has enough capacity to accommodate the size of the ham. If you have a smaller air fryer, opt for a smaller ham, such as a 3-pound spiral ham, which is commonly used for air fryer recipes. If your ham is too large, you may need to cut it into pieces to fit it into the air fryer, which can affect the cooking time and final result.

Secondly, consider the type of ham you want to cook. You can choose between a bone-in or boneless ham. Bone-in hams usually have more flavour due to the bone and generally cook more evenly. However, boneless hams are also a popular choice, especially if you want to avoid the hassle of working around the bone. Just ensure that if you're using a boneless ham, it is pre-cooked, as raw hams require a longer cooking time to ensure they reach a safe internal temperature.

Another important consideration is the glaze for your ham. A glaze adds flavour and colour to your ham, and you can choose from various options, including honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, or even a pineapple and brown sugar glaze. If you purchase a pre-cooked ham, ensure it doesn't already have a glaze, as this can affect the flavour of your chosen glaze.

Finally, when choosing your ham, keep in mind the cooking time and temperature requirements. Most air fryer ham recipes recommend cooking at temperatures between 300°F and 380°F. The cooking time can vary depending on the size of your ham, with a general guideline of 10-12 minutes per pound. For example, a 3-pound ham will take approximately 30-50 minutes to cook. Keep in mind that thicker hams will take longer to cook than thinner ones, and you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

By considering the size, type, glaze, and cooking requirements, you can choose the right ham for your air fryer and create a delicious meal with optimal flavour, texture, and presentation.

Wrapping the ham

Once the ham is wrapped, you can place it in the air fryer basket. If you are cooking a flatter, thinner piece of ham, keep in mind that it will cook faster than a thicker piece. For larger hams, you may need to cut the ham into two pieces to fit in the air fryer. It is recommended to use a boneless ham for this recipe, as a bone-in ham may not fit in the air fryer.

After placing the wrapped ham in the air fryer, you can set the temperature and cooking time according to your desired level of doneness. Some recipes suggest cooking the ham at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, while others recommend 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. You can also cook the ham at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, followed by an additional 15 minutes. It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and type of air fryer, so adjustments may be necessary.

Serving suggestions

Ham cooked in an air fryer is versatile and can be served with a variety of side dishes. It can be sliced and made into sandwiches or tossed into soups or salads.

For a holiday meal, you can serve it with a sweet and spicy brown sugar-mustard glaze, or a butter and brown sugar glaze. For a quick weeknight dinner, serve it with any kind of vegetables and starches like rice, rolls, or potatoes.

Some specific side dish suggestions include:

• Potato salad, macaroni salad, or broccoli salad
• Sweet potato casserole, scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, or slow cooker ham and lentil soup
• Peas and carrots, broccoli with cheese, or any roasted vegetables
• Air fryer green beans
• Bavarian potato salad with crispy bacon, fresh herbs, sautéed onion, and a vinegar-based dressing
• Coleslaw
• Roasted asparagus and Brussels sprouts
• Spicy and lemony Calabrian potatoes or fingerling potatoes with a thyme vinaigrette
• Cornbread muffins, cranberry muffins, or pecan pancakes
• Chili scrambled eggs
• Pineapple raisin sauce

Frequently asked questions