Air Fryer Ham: Can You Cook It?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance for cooking a variety of dishes, and they can be used to cook ham. The NuWave Brio 15.5 QT Digital Air Fryer is a popular model that users have inquired about cooking a full meal in, including meat, starch, and vegetables. While there is limited information available on cooking a complete meal in the Brio simultaneously, it is possible to cook ham in an air fryer.

Cooking times and temperatures for ham in the Brio Air Fryer

Cooking ham in the Brio Air Fryer is a great way to speed up the cooking process without drying out the meat. It is important to note that cooking times and temperatures may vary depending on the size and type of ham, as well as the specific model of the Brio Air Fryer.

For a fully cooked ham that is 2-3 pounds, the cooking time is estimated to be about 15-20 minutes per pound. It is recommended to bring the ham to room temperature before cooking, which can be done by taking it out of the fridge about 2 hours beforehand. This helps ensure that the ham will be hot and juicy in the centre after air frying.

When preparing the ham for cooking, it is crucial to wrap it tightly in foil to prevent the ham from drying out. The foil should not be too close to the heating element, and if the ham is too tall, it can be sliced before wrapping. For a bone-in ham, it may be necessary to trim the bottom to ensure it fits in the air fryer.

During the cooking process, the ham should be glazed at least once. After wrapping the ham in foil and glazing it, set the Brio Air Fryer to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 20 minutes. Then, carefully remove the ham, add additional glaze, and cook for another 20 minutes. Increase the temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, uncover the ham, and cook for a final 3-5 minutes, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is important to keep an eye on the ham during the cooking process to prevent overcooking or drying out. Using a meat thermometer can help ensure the ham is cooked to the desired temperature without overdoing it.

Glazing the ham

The glaze is what gives your ham that extra juicy, mouth-watering quality. A brown sugar glaze is a popular choice, but you can also use honey or even melted jelly. You can also try Raisin Sauce or ham gravy for something different.

If you're going for the classic brown sugar glaze, you'll need to melt some butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat until it's simmering. Set this aside.

Now, place two large sheets of foil in the basket of the air fryer. Add the ham to the centre. Brush the butter and brown sugar glaze over the top and around the sides of the ham.

Once the ham has been glazed, cover it with foil and place it into the preheated air fryer at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the ham and add more glaze. Seal the top of the foil and cook for another 20 minutes.

Now, pull the foil halfway down the ham and brush with glaze one more time. Place the basket back into the air fryer and increase the heat to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Air fry the ham for another 3 minutes.

Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the internal temperature has reached 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't have a thermometer, the recipe suggests cooking the ham until the glaze is browned and the ham reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finally, remove the ham from the air fryer basket and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Trimming the ham to fit in the Brio Air Fryer

Firstly, measure the interior dimensions of your Brio Air Fryer to determine the maximum size of ham it can accommodate. Most home air fryers, including the Brio, are designed for smaller cuts of meat rather than full, large hams. Therefore, you may need to trim a large ham to fit it inside the fryer comfortably.

When trimming the ham, focus on reducing its height and width to ensure it fits within the fryer's dimensions. You can trim the bottom side of the ham if it's too tall, and you can also cut the ham into two equal pieces, as long as both pieces fit in the fryer. Additionally, if you're using a basket-style air fryer, you may need to trim the ham's edges to fit the pan's size and shape.

It's important to remember that bone-in hams are often too thick for air fryers, so boneless hams are usually a better option. If you're using a bone-in ham, pay extra attention to ensure it fits without touching the heating element.

By carefully measuring your Brio Air Fryer and trimming the ham accordingly, you can ensure it fits comfortably inside the fryer for even cooking and a crispy exterior.

What to cook with ham in the Brio Air Fryer

Yes, you can cook ham in the Brio Air Fryer! It's a great way to speed up the cooking process without drying out the ham. You can also use the Brio Air Fryer to cook a full meal, including meat, starch, and vegetables.

Tips for Cooking Ham in the Brio Air Fryer:

• Bring the ham to room temperature before cooking to ensure it's hot and juicy in the centre.
• Wrap the ham in foil to prevent it from drying out and to catch any drips of glaze.
• Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your ham and the model of your Brio Air Fryer, so adjust accordingly.

Recipes to Cook with Ham in the Brio Air Fryer:

Ham with Glaze

Ingredients:

• Ham (fully cooked, 2-3 pounds)
• Brown sugar
• Butter (optional)
• Honey or melted jelly (optional)
• Cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

• If desired, make a glaze by melting butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Wrap the ham in foil and place it in the air fryer.
• Brush the glaze over the ham, or simply drizzle honey or melted jelly on top.
• Cook the ham for 20-25 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Unwrap the ham and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
• Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• White bread
• American cheese
• Ham (thinly sliced)
• Butter

Instructions:

• Press "Pre-Heat" on the Brio Air Fryer and set the temperature to 360°F and the cooking time to 4-5 minutes.
• Brush each slice of bread with butter on one side.
• Layer ham and cheese between two slices of bread, with the buttered sides facing out.
• Place the sandwiches in the air fryer and cook until golden brown.

Ham with Green Beans

Ingredients:

• Ham steaks
• Green beans
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Brown sugar (optional)
• Honey (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat the Brio Air Fryer to 380°F.
• Place the ham steaks and green beans in the air fryer, either separately or together using the layering rack accessory.
• Cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping the ham steaks halfway through.
• Remove from the air fryer and season the green beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

How to prevent ham drying out in the Brio Air Fryer

Yes, you can cook ham in the Brio Air Fryer. To prevent ham from drying out in the Brio Air Fryer, there are several measures you can take.

Firstly, it is important to wrap the ham in foil before placing it in the air fryer. This allows the ham to heat through without drying out or getting too browned. You can then unwrap the ham and apply a glaze before placing it back in the air fryer to finish cooking.

Secondly, using the correct cooking temperature and time is crucial. Higher temperatures and longer cooking times can cause the ham to dry out. It is recommended to start with lower temperatures and shorter cooking times, adjusting as needed based on your specific air fryer model and the size of the ham.

Thirdly, adding moisture through the use of oils, marinades, sauces, or water can help prevent the ham from drying out. A light coating of oil or marinade on the ham can create a barrier that locks in moisture. You can also spritz the ham with a cooking spray or brush it with oil before cooking. Additionally, you can use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the ham to prevent overcooking, which can lead to dryness.

Furthermore, overcrowding the air fryer basket should be avoided as it hinders proper air circulation, leading to uneven cooking and increased moisture loss. If cooking a large ham, consider slicing it into smaller pieces before wrapping in foil and placing it in the air fryer.

Finally, you can use accessories such as silicone mats or parchment paper to create a barrier between the ham and the air fryer basket, reducing direct exposure to hot air and preventing excessive moisture loss.

By following these steps, you can help prevent your ham from drying out when using the Brio Air Fryer and ensure it remains moist, tender, and juicy.

Frequently asked questions