Air Fryer Ham: Quick, Easy, Delicious?

Yes, you can cook ham in an air fryer! It's a great way to save oven space and time, and it results in a juicy ham with a delicious glaze. The key to cooking ham in an air fryer is to wrap it in foil to prevent it from drying out and to ensure even cooking. You can also add a simple glaze made with ingredients like butter, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, and mustard to give your ham a sweet and sticky finish.

How to cook a ham in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 3-pound ham, fully cooked
• ½ cup butter, unsalted
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon orange juice or pineapple juice (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 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 25 minutes.
• While the ham is cooking, make the glaze by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and honey, and heat until the mixture comes to a simmer. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• After 25 minutes, unwrap the ham and drizzle the glaze over the top.
• Place the ham back in the air fryer, close the seam, and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 135-145°F.
• Fold the foil down and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the glaze is browned.
• Remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• If your ham is too tall to fit into your air fryer, you can slice it before wrapping it in foil. However, this may reduce the cooking time.
• Different air fryers have different wattages, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• For a crispier ham, increase the temperature to 350-380°F for the last few minutes of cooking.

How to make a glaze for ham

A glaze is essential to achieving a delicious ham with a caramelized outside edge. Here is a simple guide on how to make a glaze for your ham in an air fryer.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make a glaze:

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Cinnamon (optional)
• Orange or pineapple juice (optional)
• Dry mustard powder (optional)
• Garlic powder (optional)

Steps to Make the Glaze

• First, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. You can also use any cooking oil of your choice, such as olive oil or avocado oil.
• Next, add the brown sugar to the melted butter. You can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar or any other sweetener you have on hand, such as honey or even melted jelly.
• If you want to add some extra flavour, you can include cinnamon, orange or pineapple juice, dry mustard powder, or garlic powder to the mixture.
• Stir all the ingredients together until the mixture starts to bubble and simmer.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and set the glaze aside.

Glazing the Ham

• Place the ham in the centre of the foil inside the air fryer basket.
• Brush the glaze over the top and sides of the ham generously.
• Cover the ham with foil and cook in the air fryer as per your recipe's instructions.
• After the initial cooking time, remove the ham from the air fryer and add more glaze. Re-cover the ham with foil and continue cooking.
• Finally, uncover the ham, add more glaze, and cook for a few more minutes to brown the top of the ham.

Your ham with a delicious glaze is now ready to be served!

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 ensure your ham stays moist:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 300-320°F. It's important to note that different air fryers have different wattages, so you may need to adjust the temperature and timing according to your specific model.

Step 2: Prepare the Ham

Place a sheet of aluminium foil in the basket of the air fryer, ensuring that the seam is at the top. You can also add a layer of parchment paper between the foil and the ham if you prefer.

Step 3: Add Ham to the Air Fryer

Place the ham in the centre of the foil, adding a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the basket to prevent drying out.

Step 4: Reheat the Ham

Reheat the ham at 250°F for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat to an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

Tips:

• For a crispier exterior, increase the temperature to 350-380°F for the final few minutes of cooking.
• If you're reheating a large ham, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces to ensure even heating.
• To add extra flavour, brush the ham with glaze before reheating.

What to serve with air fryer ham

There are many side dishes that can accompany air fryer ham. Here are some ideas:

Salads

• Broccoli salad
• Potato salad
• Macaroni salad

Starches

• Sweet potato casserole
• Scalloped potatoes
• Mashed potatoes

Vegetables

• Peas and carrots
• Broccoli with cheese
• Green beans
• Roasted carrots
• Roasted vegetables
• Oven-roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon
• Green bean casserole
• Air fryer cranberry brie bites

Sauces

• Pineapple raisin sauce
• Ham gravy

Other

• Rolls
• Glazed carrots
• Air fryer stuffing
• Air fryer turkey breast
• Air fryer sweet potato casserole

How to prepare ham for cooking in an air fryer

Preparing ham for cooking in an air fryer is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide to help you get started:

Choosing the Right Ham:

• Opt for a pre-cooked, boneless ham. This will save you time and ensure that your ham is cooked evenly in the air fryer. A 3-pound ham is a good size for most air fryers, but you can adjust the quantity based on your air fryer's capacity.
• If you're serving a larger group, you can use a bigger ham and cut it into two equal pieces to fit in the air fryer. Alternatively, you can slice the ham before wrapping it in foil to reduce the height and ensure it fits in the air fryer.

Preparing the Ham:

• Allow the ham to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cooking. This step helps the ham cook more evenly. However, it's recommended not to leave it out for longer than 20 minutes for food safety reasons.
• Score the ham by making shallow, narrow cuts in both directions, about 1/4 inch apart. This helps the glaze penetrate the meat and also creates a beautiful presentation.
• Wrap the ham in aluminium foil, ensuring the seam is at the top for easy opening. You can add a layer of parchment paper between the foil and the meat if you prefer to keep them separate.
• Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer basket and set the temperature and time according to your recipe.

Making the Glaze:

• While the ham is cooking, prepare the glaze by combining butter, brown sugar, and your choice of additional ingredients such as honey, cinnamon, mustard, or garlic powder.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then add the remaining ingredients and stir until the mixture starts to bubble. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Glazing and Cooking the Ham:

• Once the ham has cooked for the initial period, open the foil and brush the glaze all over the ham, using about 3/4 of the glaze.
• Close the foil and continue cooking the ham for another 15-20 minutes.
• For a crispy, caramelized exterior, fold down the foil and brush the remaining glaze on the ham. Cook the ham uncovered for an additional 2-5 minutes.
• Remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips for Success:

• Keep an eye on the ham while it's cooking, as air fryers can vary in terms of cooking time and temperature. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
• If you're making a glaze with honey, be sure to include an acidic ingredient like orange or pineapple juice to balance out the sweetness.
• For easy cleanup, line the air fryer basket with foil or parchment paper before placing the ham inside.

Frequently asked questions