Cody Casey
Country ham is dry-cured and aged before being sold, making it less common to find in grocery stores. A full-size country ham is usually quite large and must be soaked to remove some of the salt content before cooking. A whole country ham will not fit in an air fryer, but a small, boneless country ham will. Air fryer ham steaks are quick and easy to make, requiring only a few ingredients. The cook time will depend on the desired temperature and level of doneness.
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your ham cooks evenly and efficiently. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer to will depend on the type of ham you are cooking and the glaze you are using.
For a ham steak, preheat your air fryer to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is ideal for achieving a crispy exterior and a moist, tender interior. If your ham steak is on the fatty side, you may want to preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the outside from burning before the inside is cooked.
If you are cooking a fully-cooked ham with a glaze, preheat your air fryer to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This lower temperature will ensure that your ham heats through without drying out.
When preheating your air fryer, it is also important to consider the size and model of your appliance. Different air fryers cook at different wattages, so you may need to adjust the preheating temperature and cooking time accordingly. For example, if you are using a Cosori 5.8-quart air fryer, you may need to choose a smaller ham to fit in the basket.
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Cook at 380-400°F for 5-10 minutes
To cook country ham in an air fryer, you should preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, remove the ham steak from its packaging and brush it with a glaze of your choice. You can try a mixture of melted butter and brown sugar, or maple syrup, or even just brush the ham with butter.
Once the air fryer is preheated, place the ham steak in the fryer basket and cook for 5-10 minutes. If you are cooking at 400°F, 5 minutes should be enough, but if you are cooking at 380°F, you may want to cook the ham for 10 minutes. Flip the ham halfway through the cooking time, and brush with more glaze if desired.
If your ham is fatty, you may notice some smoke coming from your air fryer. This is caused by fat dripping off the meat and hitting the coils near the fan. If this happens, you should stop the air fryer and place a piece of bread under the basket to absorb the fat.
After cooking, remove the ham from the air fryer and serve with your favorite sides.
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Flip and baste with butter and brown sugar
Cooking country ham in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that can be done in a few simple steps. While the exact cooking time may vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific model of the air fryer, the key to achieving a delicious ham with a mouth-watering butter and brown sugar glaze lies in the flipping and basting technique. Here is a detailed guide to help you master this technique and create a delectable ham dish.
Preparation:
Before you begin, ensure that your ham has reached room temperature by letting it sit for a few minutes. This step is important as it helps the ham cook evenly in the air fryer. Additionally, preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for ham steaks or 300 degrees Fahrenheit for a small boneless ham. This step ensures that your ham starts cooking at the right temperature as soon as it hits the air fryer, preventing it from drying out.
Melt the Butter and Brown Sugar:
In a small saucepan, combine the butter and brown sugar, and heat them together over medium heat until they melt and form a smooth, glossy mixture. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon to enhance the flavor. Stir the mixture continuously to prevent it from burning and set it aside once it reaches a simmer.
Basting and Flipping:
Place the ham in the center of the air fryer basket, ensuring it is in a single layer for even cooking. Brush the ham generously with the butter and brown sugar glaze, making sure to cover the top and sides. This initial basting step helps the flavors permeate the ham. After basting, cover the ham with foil and place it in the preheated air fryer.
For ham steaks, cook the ham for about 5-6 minutes, and then flip it over. Baste the ham again with the butter and brown sugar mixture, adding a generous coating. Continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes. The flipping and basting technique ensures that both sides of the ham absorb the flavors evenly and creates a beautiful glaze.
For a small boneless ham, after 20 minutes of cooking, carefully remove the ham from the air fryer and add additional glaze. Seal the top of the foil onto the ham and return it to the air fryer for an additional 20 minutes of cooking.
Final Steps:
Once the ham is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender ham. If desired, you can drizzle honey on top of the ham steaks for an extra touch of sweetness. Serve the ham with your favorite sides, and enjoy the delicious combination of buttery, sugary flavors with the savory ham.
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Cook for another 5-10 minutes
Cooking country ham in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to prepare a tasty meal. It's important to note that a full-size country ham won't fit in an air fryer, so opt for a small, boneless country ham instead.
To cook country ham in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, mix melted butter and brown sugar in a bowl. Next, place the ham steak in the preheated air fryer and baste it with half of the brown sugar and butter mixture.
Now, it's time to cook the ham. Start by air-frying the ham for about 5-6 minutes, and then flip it over. At this point, you might notice some smoke if your ham is fatty. If this happens, stop the air fryer and add a piece of bread under the basket or a tiny bit of water to catch the drippings.
Once the ham is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious country ham!
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Serve with pineapple sauce or gravy
If you want to serve your country ham with pineapple sauce, you can make a simple sauce using pineapple, brown sugar, and vinegar. In a small saucepan, mix the brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in undrained crushed pineapple, lemon juice, and mustard. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Boil while stirring for 1 minute, then serve warm with ham. You can also make this sauce with fresh pineapple, but be aware that it will make the ham very mushy due to the powerful enzymes in fresh pineapple that break down the meat.
Alternatively, you can make a glaze to serve with your ham. To do this, whisk together cornstarch and pineapple juice until the cornstarch has dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes, or until thickened. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in butter and apple cider vinegar. Serve as a glaze with ham.
If you would prefer to serve your country ham with gravy, you can make a simple ham gravy using only 4 ingredients. First, drain any ham drippings from the base of the roasting pan of a fully cooked ham into a measuring cup, aiming for 1 1/2 cups of drippings. If you don't have enough drippings, you can add ham broth or water. In a small saucepan over low to medium heat, melt some butter. Stir in flour until it's smooth and slightly golden, about 2 minutes. This creates a roux for the gravy. Gradually add the drippings and/or broth while whisking constantly until it's fully mixed. Let it simmer until it thickens to your liking, then season to taste and serve in a gravy boat.
You can also add other ingredients to your gravy for more complex flavors. For a richer sauce, use dry red wine instead of broth. For a gluten-free version, thicken the gravy with cornstarch instead of flour. Stir in a splash of cream for a thicker, richer gravy. To add some sweetness, mix the butter with a tablespoon of brown sugar. Finely dice a slice of ham and add it to the gravy for some extra texture and meatiness.
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Frequently asked questions
Country hams are dry-cured and aged before being sold and are less common to find in grocery stores. You will need to soak the ham to remove some of the salt content before cooking and eating. You can cook country ham in an air fryer for 20 minutes at 300°F.
The ideal temperature to cook country ham in an air fryer is 300°F.
Place the ham, cut side up, in the middle of a long sheet of foil. Fold the sides of the foil up and around the ham to make a “bowl”. Place the whole thing in the air fryer basket. Glaze the ham and seal the foil. Air fry the ham for 20 minutes. Then take out the air fryer basket, open the foil package, and brush the remaining glaze over the ham. Reseal the foil and place it back in the air fryer for an additional 20 minutes at 300°F.
