Emilie Meyer
Air fryers have become a popular small kitchen appliance, and they can be used to make a variety of dishes, including ham. Cooking ham in an air fryer is a convenient and quick way to prepare a delicious meal with minimal cleanup. The air fryer's convection technology ensures that the ham cooks evenly and efficiently, resulting in a juicy and tender dish. By using foil or parchment paper, you can easily catch any drippings or glaze, making the process even more manageable. This method is perfect for holiday gatherings or weeknight dinners and allows you to enjoy a tasty ham without spending hours in the kitchen.
Cooking a Ham in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ham | Pre-cooked, boneless ham |
| Ham weight | 2-3 pounds |
| Ham cut | Flat surface and a rounded top |
| Air fryer preheat temperature | 380-400 degrees F |
| Air fryer cooking temperature | 300-375 degrees F |
| Air fryer cooking time | 20-45 minutes |
| Glaze | Brown sugar, honey, butter, cinnamon, mustard, melted jelly, maple syrup, thyme, rosemary, dijon mustard, pineapple slices, etc. |
| Other ingredients | Rum, mustard, melted butter, ground cloves, garlic powder, soy sauce, parsley, grapeseed oil, etc. |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator or up to two months in the freezer |
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What You'll Learn
Glazing a ham
First, melt some butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat. You can also add other ingredients like honey, orange juice, mustard, cloves, black pepper, or garlic powder to this mixture for extra flavour. Once melted and combined, set the glaze aside.
Next, prepare your ham by removing it from the fridge and allowing it to come to room temperature. This ensures that the ham cooks evenly. You can then score the ham with shallow cuts, about 1/4 to 1/2-inch deep, to help the glaze penetrate the meat.
Now, it's time to assemble. Place some foil in the basket of your air fryer, with the seam at the top so it can be easily opened later. Lay the ham in the centre of the foil and brush on the glaze, covering the top and sides of the meat. Close the foil over the ham, wrapping it tightly.
Place the wrapped ham into your preheated air fryer, following recommended timing guidelines of around 15-20 minutes per pound of ham. After the initial cooking period, open the foil and brush on more glaze. Re-cover the ham and continue cooking for another 10-20 minutes. Finally, pull the foil down to expose the ham, brush with glaze one more time, and air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
Your ham is now ready to be sliced and served! The glaze should be sweet and sticky, providing a delicious contrast to the salty ham. Enjoy!
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Choosing the right ham
Type of Ham
There are three main types of ham: fully cooked, fresh, and country ham. Fully cooked hams, also known as city hams, are the most convenient option as they are already cooked and only require heating. They are either wet-cured or dry-cured and can be purchased bone-in or boneless. Fresh ham, also called "green ham," is raw and uncured. Country ham, popular in the Southern United States, is dry-cured, intensely salty, and has a strong flavor that may be an acquired taste. It requires a longer preparation and cooking process and is usually sold in thick slices or halves.
Size and Weight
Consider the size of your air fryer when choosing the size of the ham. A 3-pound ham is a common size that fits well in many air fryers. If you opt for a bone-in ham, plan for about 3/4 pound per person, while boneless ham requires about 1/2 pound per person.
Curing and Smoking
The curing and smoking process of the ham will impact its flavor and texture. Hams cured with a dry salt rub tend to have a more concentrated pork flavor. Wet-cured hams are brined in a mixture of salt water and spices and may also include sugar in the brine. Smoked hams have a distinct flavor and can be either dry-cured or wet-cured.
Bone-in vs Boneless
Bone-in hams are known to be more flavorful and juicy but can be more challenging to carve. Boneless hams, on the other hand, are incredibly easy to cook, slice, and serve. If you are comfortable with carving, the bone-in option is worth considering for its superior flavor and texture.
Glaze and Seasoning
The type of glaze or seasoning you plan to use can also influence your ham choice. Hams with less water content will have a stronger flavor and a more natural texture, which is better for absorbing the flavors of glazes or seasonings. Look for hams labeled as "'Ham" or "Ham with natural juices" to avoid added water.
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Air fryer temperature
The temperature settings for your air fryer will depend on the type of ham you are cooking, the size of your ham, and the desired doneness.
For a 3-pound ham, one source recommends preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, then lowering the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cooking for 30 minutes. Another source recommends cooking a 3-pound ham at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, then increasing the heat to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cooking for an additional 3 minutes.
If you are cooking ham steaks, one source recommends preheating your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit, while another suggests preheating to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is important to note that different air fryers cook at different wattages, so you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly. Additionally, hams come in different shapes and sizes, so the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the size and type of ham you are using.
To ensure your ham is cooked to your desired doneness, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the ham should reach at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit for a fully cooked ham, with some sources recommending a temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for your ham in an air fryer will depend on the type of ham you are cooking, the size of the joint, and the wattage of your air fryer.
For a 3-pound joint of pre-cooked, boneless ham, you should cook it for around 30 minutes. First, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Then, lower the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 30 minutes. After this, raise the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the foil and parchment paper, and cook for another 15 minutes, glazing the ham every 5 minutes. This gives a total cooking time of 45 minutes.
If you are cooking ham steaks or slices, the cooking time will be much shorter. For ham steaks, you should cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping and basting the ham halfway through. For ham slices, you should cook for 2-3 minutes, or until heated thoroughly. You can layer the ham slices if needed.
If you are cooking a larger joint of ham, you can cut it into two equal pieces, as long as they fit in your air fryer. You should then adjust the cooking time accordingly.
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Serving suggestions
Ham cooked in an air fryer is incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Starches
- Rice
- Rolls
- Sweet potato casserole
- Scalloped potatoes
- Mashed potatoes
- Air fryer fingerling potatoes with a thyme vinaigrette
- Any other potato dish, such as a warm Bavarian potato salad with crispy bacon, fresh herbs, sautéed onion, and a vinegar-based dressing
Vegetables
- Peas and carrots
- Broccoli with cheese
- Roasted vegetables, such as roasted asparagus and Brussels sprouts
- Green beans cooked in olive oil with a little salt and pepper
- Any other roasted vegetable of your choice
Salads
- Broccoli salad
- Potato salad
- Macaroni salad
Sweet Options
- Pineapple slices, for a sweeter dish
- Pineapple raisin sauce
Sauces and Glazes
- Butter and brown sugar glaze
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Dijon mustard
- Rum
- Bourbon
- Ham gravy
Other
- Cornbread muffins
- Cranberry muffins
- Pecan pancakes
- Chili scrambled eggs
Air fryer ham is also great for leftovers! You can reheat and enjoy it with any of the above sides, or use it to make sandwiches, soups, or salads.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal temperature to cook ham in an air fryer is 375 degrees Fahrenheit. However, different sources suggest temperatures between 300 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cooking a ham in an air fryer can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the ham and the recipe followed.
A 3-pound ham is commonly used in air fryer recipes. However, a larger ham can be cut into two equal pieces to fit into the air fryer if needed.
Pre-cooked, boneless ham steaks or slices are ideal for air frying. Spiral hams are also a good option as they are easy to slice and serve.
A brown sugar glaze is a popular choice for air-fried ham. You can also add other ingredients like butter, cinnamon, honey, maple syrup, or jelly to enhance the flavour.
