Air Fryer Ham: The Ultimate Guide To Perfection

Yes, you can cook a ham in an air fryer! It's a great option if you're short on oven space or only cooking for a few people. The air fryer is also a quick and easy way to cook ham, with most recipes taking less than an hour.

There are a variety of glazes and flavours you can use to cook your ham in an air fryer, including honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, orange juice, pineapple juice, and dijon mustard.

How to cook a ham in an air fryer

Ingredients

Depending on the glaze you want to use, you will need:

• A ham (either boneless or bone-in)
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Cinnamon
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Soy sauce
• Dijon mustard
• Orange or pineapple juice
• Dry mustard powder

Method

• Take your ham out of its packaging and give it a quick rinse under cold water, patting it dry with a paper towel.
• Season your ham with your chosen ingredients. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or even brown sugar for a sweet glaze. Be sure to apply the seasonings generously, rubbing them all over the ham to ensure that it's evenly coated.
• Preheat your air fryer to 300-380°F.
• Place your seasoned ham in the basket and set the timer for around 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, open the foil and brush the ham with glaze.
• Close the foil and cook the ham for another 20 minutes.
• Uncover the ham and cook for a further 5-10 minutes to brown.
• Remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your ham, so it's important to keep an eye on it and adjust the time as needed.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure your ham has reached a safe internal temperature of 140°F.
• If you are cooking a frozen ham, make sure to thaw it first for even cooking.
• For the best results, choose a boneless, pre-cooked, and sliced ham.
• You can add glaze to your ham in the air fryer, but make sure to brush it on during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent burning.
• To prevent your ham from drying out, baste it with a mixture of honey and mustard every 10 minutes, and cover it with foil for the last 10 minutes of cooking.

How to glaze a ham in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 3-3.5 lbs fully cooked boneless ham
• 2 tbsp butter or cooking oil
• 3 tbsp brown sugar or coconut sugar
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 c water, broth or pineapple juice
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1.5 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp honey or orange juice
• 1 tsp dry mustard powder

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 300-320°F.
• Wrap the ham in foil, ensuring the seam is at the top so it can be easily opened.
• Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer and cook for 20-25 minutes.
• While the ham is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and garlic powder, stirring until the mixture starts to bubble. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Open the foil and brush the glaze over the ham.
• Close the foil and cook the ham for another 20 minutes.
• Fold the foil down and brush on the remaining glaze. Cook in the air fryer uncovered for 3-10 minutes until the ham is browned and caramelized.
• Rest for 10 minutes, then serve.

Tips:

• If you prefer the foil not to touch the meat, you can add a layer of parchment paper between the foil and the ham.
• The ham is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check.
• To reheat leftover ham, place the slices in a preheated air fryer at 320°F for 2-3 minutes.

How to cook a small ham in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 3-3.5 lbs fully cooked boneless ham
• 2 tbsp butter or cooking oil
• 3 tbsp brown sugar or coconut sugar
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp orange or pineapple juice
• 1 tsp dry mustard powder

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 300-320°F.
• Wrap the ham in foil, ensuring the seam is at the top so it can be easily opened.
• Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer and cook for 20-25 minutes.
• While the ham is cooking, melt the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, honey, orange or pineapple juice, and mustard powder in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering. Set aside.
• After 20-25 minutes, unwrap the ham and brush the glaze over the top and sides.
• Re-cover the ham with foil and cook for an additional 20 minutes.
• Pull the foil down halfway and brush the ham with the remaining glaze.
• Cook the ham, uncovered, for a final 10 minutes, or until the glaze is browned and the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
• Rest for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.

Tips

• If your ham is too tall to fit into your air fryer, slice it before wrapping in foil. You may need to reduce the cooking time.
• A thinner, flatter ham will need less time than a rounder, football-shaped ham.
• Different air fryers have different wattages, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How to cook a frozen ham in an air fryer

Preparing Your Frozen Ham:

First, remove all the packaging from your frozen ham. Then, rinse the ham under cold water to remove any ice crystals and pat it dry with paper towels to ensure even cooking. You can then season the ham with salt and pepper or your favorite blend of herbs and spices.

Cooking Your Frozen Ham:

Place the seasoned ham in the air fryer basket, ensuring it sits in a single layer. Set the air fryer temperature to between 300°F and 380°F, depending on your air fryer model. As a general guideline, cook the ham for approximately 25-30 minutes per pound, flipping it halfway through.

Use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached 140°F-145°F. Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• Different air fryer models may vary in cooking time and temperature, so always consult your air fryer's manual for specific instructions.
• To ensure even cooking, it is recommended to turn the ham halfway through the cooking process.
• You can glaze the ham during the cooking process, but wait until the last 10-15 minutes to avoid burning the glaze.
• Reheating leftover ham can be tricky, as you don't want it to dry out. Add a tablespoon of water to the air fryer basket and reheat at a lower temperature.

How to reheat ham in an air fryer

Reheating leftover ham in an air fryer can be tricky as you don't want it to dry out. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve juicy and tasty ham.

Step 1:

Preheat your air fryer to 320°F. It is important to keep the heat much lower than the original cooking temperature to avoid the ham from burning on the outside before it is warmed through.

Step 2:

Place the ham slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded and have some space around them. If you need to reheat a large quantity of ham, you may need to do this in batches.

Step 3:

Reheat the ham for 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't dry out. The ham is ready when it is heated thoroughly.

Step 4:

Remove the ham from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy your juicy and delicious ham!

Tips:

• You can also reheat the ham in the microwave or oven if you prefer.
• If you are reheating a large ham joint, you may need to increase the reheating time.
• For an extra juicy ham, add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before reheating.

Storing Leftover Ham:

Leftover ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Ham Glaze Ideas:

If you want to add some extra flavour to your ham, here are some glaze ideas:

• Honey mustard
• Garlic powder and paprika
• Brown sugar and soy sauce
• Butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon

Simply brush the glaze of your choice onto the ham during the last few minutes of reheating, being careful not to let it burn.

Frequently asked questions