Making Ham In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to cook ham, whether it's a joint or steaks. They free up oven space and can produce a ham with a crispy, caramelized outside and a juicy inside. A glaze can be added to the ham to give it a sweet or spicy kick.

Air fryer ham recipes with different glazes

Yes, you can make ham in an air fryer! Here are some mouth-watering air fryer ham recipes with different glazes:

Air Fryer Ham with Honey Glaze

This recipe is perfect for a small gathering, as it uses a 3-3.5 pound fully cooked boneless ham. The glaze is made with butter, brown sugar, and garlic powder. The ham is cooked in the air fryer for a total of 50 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit. While the ham is cooking, melt butter in a saucepan and add the rest of the ingredients to make the glaze. Brush the glaze onto the ham and let it cook uncovered for 10 minutes until it is caramelized.

Air Fryer Baked Ham with Brown Sugar-Mustard Glaze

This recipe is perfect for the holidays when you need some extra oven space. It uses a 3-pound pre-cooked, boneless ham coated in a buttery brown sugar glaze flavored with mustard, ground cloves, and soy sauce. First, line a pan with foil and pour in some rum. Then, place the ham in the pan and cover it with parchment paper. Heat it in the air fryer for about 30 minutes. Afterward, remove the parchment paper, spoon more glaze onto the ham, and increase the temperature to caramelize the glaze.

Air Fryer Ham with Butter Brown Sugar Glaze

This recipe is perfect for a holiday meal and uses a small boneless ham. First, melt butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Then, place the ham in the air fryer basket and brush the glaze over it. Cover the ham with foil and place it in the preheated air fryer at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Afterward, remove the ham, add more glaze, and cook for another 20 minutes. Finally, increase the heat to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for another 3 minutes.

Air Fryer Ham Steaks with Brown Sugar Glaze

This recipe is perfect for those who want individual ham steaks instead of a whole ham. It uses melted butter, brown sugar, and honey to create a delicious glaze. First, preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, place the ham steak in the air fryer and baste it with half of the glaze. Cook for 5-6 minutes, flip it over, and baste the remaining glaze on top. Continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes.

Try out these tasty recipes to impress your friends and family at your next holiday gathering!

How to cook ham in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 3-pound ham, fully cooked
• Butter, melted
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Ground cinnamon (optional)
• Ground cloves (optional)
• Soy sauce (optional)
• Country mustard or Dijon mustard (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 320–380°F.
• Line a piece of heavy-duty foil in the basket of the air fryer.
• Place the ham in the center of the foil, then fold the edges of the foil around it.
• In a small saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar, and honey. You can also add cinnamon, cloves, and mustard to taste. Heat until the mixture comes to a simmer, then remove from heat and set aside.
• Brush the glaze over the top and sides of the ham. Save some glaze to baste throughout the cooking process.
• Cover the ham with foil and cook in the air fryer for 20 minutes.
• Baste with additional glaze, recover with foil, and cook for another 15–20 minutes.
• Remove the foil and glaze the ham once more.
• Increase the temperature to 350–380°F and cook for a further 2–5 minutes, or until the ham is golden brown.
• Remove the ham from the air fryer, slice, and serve.

Tips

• This recipe is for a 3-pound boneless, pre-cooked ham. If your ham is larger, you may need to adjust the cooking time or cut it into two pieces.
• Wrapping the ham in foil makes for easy cleanup and helps keep it moist.
• This recipe is only suitable for pre-cooked ham.
• The ham is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 140–145°F.
• If your ham is frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge before cooking.
• Leftover ham can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How to reheat ham in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook ham in an air fryer, and it's a great way to speed up the cooking process without drying out the meat. It's also a good option for reheating leftover ham. Here's a detailed guide on how to reheat ham in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer:

Start by preheating your air fryer to a suitable temperature. For reheating ham, it's best to set the temperature lower than the original cooking temperature to avoid overcooking or burning the meat. Aim for around 320 to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Prepare the Ham:

Place your leftover ham slices or whole ham in the air fryer basket. If you're reheating a whole ham, place it cut-side down. For ham slices, spread them out in a single layer to ensure even heating.

Step 3: Add Some Moisture:

To prevent the ham from drying out, it's essential to add a small amount of liquid to the air fryer. You can use water, broth, or even a glaze to keep the ham moist. This step is especially important if you're reheating slices, as they are more prone to drying out.

Step 4: Reheat the Ham:

Now, it's time to reheat your ham. For ham slices, cook them for 2-4 minutes, flipping halfway through. For a whole ham, cook for about 10 minutes on each side or until heated through. Keep an eye on the ham to ensure it doesn't dry out or burn.

Step 5: Rest and Serve:

Once your ham is heated to your desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps to retain moisture and improve texture. After resting, your ham is ready to be sliced (if it's a whole ham) and served!

Tips for Successful Ham Reheating:

• Always preheat your air fryer for even cooking.
• Use a lower temperature than the original cooking temperature to avoid overcooking.
• Add a little liquid to prevent the ham from drying out.
• Cook the ham in a single layer for even heating.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation.
• Adjust the cooking time as needed, depending on the size and thickness of your ham.

How to stop your air fryer from smoking

Yes, you can make ham in an air fryer! Here's a recipe for Air Fryer Ham Steaks:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon of honey (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the ham steak from its packaging.
• Mix the brown sugar and melted butter together in a bowl.
• Place the ham steak in the air fryer and baste half of the mixture on top of the ham slice.
• Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping and basting the ham steak again halfway through.
• Remove from the air fryer and drizzle with honey (if desired).

If your air fryer starts smoking, it's likely due to excess grease or food buildup. To prevent this from happening, here are some steps you can take:

• Use Water: Place a couple of tablespoons of water in the bottom of the air fryer. The water will turn into steam and prevent grease from causing smoke.
• Use Bread: Place a slice of bread in the bottom of the drawer (under the basket) to absorb grease and prevent it from splattering.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Ensure there is adequate space in the basket for air to circulate properly. Overcrowding can cause uneven cooking and burning, leading to smoke.
• Adjust Temperature: If your air fryer cooks at a very high temperature, consider lowering the setting and cooking for a longer time to avoid burning.
• Clean Regularly: Keep your air fryer clean and free from grease and food residue. Leftover grease can overheat and release smoke during cooking.

Air fryer ham cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for ham in an air fryer will depend on the type of ham and the glaze being used. Here are some general guidelines and recipes to help you get started.

Air Fryer Baked Ham

For this recipe, you will need a 3-pound cooked boneless ham, dark brown sugar, country mustard (or a mix of Dijon and whole-grain mustard), melted butter, ground cloves, garlic powder, and soy sauce.

First, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, score the ham with shallow narrow cuts about 1/4 inch apart in both directions.

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, mustard, melted butter, ground cloves, garlic powder, and soy sauce to form a thick paste.

Line a small pan that fits in your air fryer basket with foil, allowing for a 6-inch overhang. Press the foil into the pan and pour in some rum. Place the ham cut-side down in the pan and brush or spoon on one-quarter of the glaze.

Cover the ham with a piece of parchment paper and then another piece of foil, and fold up the sides from the bottom foil. Lower the foiled pan into the air fryer basket and slide it closed.

Lower the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 30 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the foil and parchment paper, and brush or spoon on another quarter of the glaze. Close the basket and cook for five minutes. Glaze again and cook for another five minutes. Finally, coat the ham with the remaining glaze and cook for a further five minutes.

The total cooking time for this recipe is 45 minutes.

Air Fryer Ham with Butter Brown Sugar Glaze

This recipe uses a 3-pound spiral ham, butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar.

First, 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 and add the ham to the center. Brush the butter and brown sugar glaze over the top and sides of the ham.

Once the ham has been glazed, cover with foil and place 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 aluminum foil halfway down the ham and brush with the glaze once more. Place the basket back into the air fryer and increase the heat to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Continue to air fry the ham for 3 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

The total cooking time for this recipe is approximately 43 minutes.

Air Fryer Ham Steaks

This recipe uses ham steaks, which are individual slices of ham. You can use plain, honey, or brown sugar ham steaks. For the glaze, you will need melted butter and brown sugar.

Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine the melted butter and brown sugar in a bowl and mix well.

Place the ham steak in the preheated air fryer and baste with half of the brown sugar and butter mixture. Cook for 5-6 minutes, then flip the ham over.

Baste the remaining mixture on top and add honey if desired. Continue to cook for another 5-6 minutes.

The total cooking time for this recipe is 10-12 minutes.

Air Fryer Ham with Caramelized Honey Glaze

This recipe uses a 3-pound sliced, boneless spiral ham that is fully cooked. For the glaze, you will need melted butter, brown sugar, and honey.

First, make the brown sugar glaze by combining the butter, brown sugar, and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture simmers.

Line a piece of heavy-duty foil in the basket of the air fryer and place the ham in the center. Fold up the edges of the foil around the ham. Brush some of the glaze over the top and sides of the ham, reserving the rest for basting.

Cover the top of the ham with foil and cook in the air fryer at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Baste with additional glaze, recover with foil, and cook for an additional 15 minutes. The ham's internal temperature should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove the top piece of foil and glaze the ham once more. Increase the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and brown the top of the ham for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown.

The total cooking time for this recipe is 40 minutes.

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