Air-Fryer Ham Steaks: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer ham steaks are a quick and easy meal that can be ready in less than 10 minutes. They are a great option for those who want the taste of baked ham without the hassle of cooking a whole one. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steaks and the power of your air fryer, but on average, it takes about 5 minutes to cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also add a glaze or seasoning to your ham steaks to enhance the flavor.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking ham steaks. It ensures that your ham steaks cook evenly and efficiently, without wasting any time while the air fryer heats up during the cooking process. Depending on the recipe you are following, you will want to preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. For example, if you are making a simple ham steak with a honey-mustard glaze, preheat your air fryer to 350°F/ 175°C. However, if you are making a ham steak with a brown sugar and butter glaze, you should preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Finally, if you are making ham steaks with a maple syrup glaze, preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your ham steaks and glaze. If you are making a glaze, simply whisk together the ingredients in a small bowl. You can also cut your ham steaks in half if you would like, and brush them with your chosen glaze.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can add your ham steaks to the basket. Be sure to place them in a single layer so that the air can circulate around them and cook them evenly. Depending on the thickness of your ham steaks, they will likely take between 5 and 10 minutes to cook.

Prepare the glaze

There are several glaze options you can choose from to prepare your ham steaks. Here are some ideas:

• Brown sugar and butter glaze: Combine melted butter and brown sugar in a bowl and mix well. You can also add honey to this mixture if you like.
• Honey-mustard glaze: Mix liquid honey or maple syrup, Dijon or wholegrain mustard, apple cider vinegar or fruit juice, brown sugar, and a little oil.
• Maple syrup glaze: Simply brush the ham steaks with maple syrup.
• Olive oil or avocado oil: A light spritz of olive oil or avocado oil will keep the ham steak from drying out.

Tips for the perfect glaze:

• If you are making a glaze, whisk or mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl before applying it to the ham.
• Brush both sides of the ham steak with the glaze.
• If you are not using a glaze, a light brush of melted butter will add flavour and keep the ham moist.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.

Glaze the ham steaks

Ham steaks can be glazed in a variety of ways to add flavour and keep them juicy. A simple glaze can be made by mixing melted butter, brown sugar, honey, orange, pineapple or apple juice, and mustard in a bowl. Brush both sides of the ham steak with the glaze before placing it in the air fryer. You can also use olive oil or avocado oil to glaze the ham, or a light brush of melted butter.

If you're looking for a quick and easy glaze, maple syrup can be brushed onto the ham steaks before and during cooking. You can also use a classic brown sugar glaze, or spice things up with dijon mustard or soy sauce for a tangy flavour.

Cook the ham steaks

The first step to cooking ham steaks in an air fryer is to preheat the appliance. Most sources recommend preheating to between 350°F and 400°F. However, one source suggests a lower temperature of 320°F when reheating ham.

Next, prepare the ham steaks. If you are cooking multiple steaks, place them in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the ham steaks in batches and keep them warm in the oven until ready to serve.

You can brush the ham steaks with glaze before cooking. Glazes typically include a combination of butter, olive oil, avocado oil, maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and fruit juice. If you don't want to use a glaze, a light spritz of olive oil or avocado oil will prevent the ham from drying out.

Now it's time to cook the ham steaks. Place them in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes. Then, flip the steaks and brush with more glaze. Add another 3-4 minutes of cooking time.

The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of the ham steaks and the power of your air fryer. The thicker the steak, the longer it will take to cook. Most sources recommend a total cooking time of around 8-10 minutes, but some suggest up to 12 minutes. An instant-read thermometer can be used to check if the ham is cooked to your liking.

Once the ham steaks are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Rest the ham steaks

Resting the ham steaks is an important step in the cooking process. Place the ham steaks on a plate and cover them with foil to keep them warm. Allow the steaks to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This gives the meat time to reabsorb its juices, ensuring the ham is juicy and succulent.

Resting the ham steaks also helps to ensure the correct internal temperature is reached. The USDA recommends that if you are cooking pre-cooked ham steaks, they should reach an internal temperature of 140°F/60°C. For uncooked ham steaks, the recommended internal temperature is 145°F/63°C.

Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of the ham steaks. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat for an accurate reading.

While the ham steaks are resting, you can prepare any side dishes or garnishes. Some suggestions include steamed vegetables and cheese sauce, grilled pineapple slices, or a simple side salad.

If you are cooking for multiple people, you can keep the cooked ham steaks warm by placing them in an oven set to its lowest temperature, usually around 170°F/77°C. Alternatively, you can also use a warming drawer or a slow cooker set to low.

Remember, the ham steaks will continue to cook slightly while resting, so it is important not to overcook them in the air fryer. This will ensure they remain juicy and tender.

Frequently asked questions