Marianne Martinez
Cooking ham in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal, and it's perfect for a holiday feast or a weeknight dinner. With an air fryer, you can cook your ham in less than an hour, and it will be crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle. The air fryer also saves space in your oven, so you can cook multiple dishes at once. You can cook a 3-pound ham in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes to get a crispy, golden crust.
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What You'll Learn
How to get the perfect glaze
Cooking ham in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal, and the perfect glaze will take it to the next level. The glaze is what gives the ham its mouth-watering, sticky, crispy skin and a gorgeous mahogany crust.
The best glaze for a baked ham usually contains either honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup. The saltiness of the ham and the sweetness of the glaze complement each other perfectly. Honey, brown sugar, and maple syrup all give a dark, syrupy consistency that works perfectly as a glaze. You can also add butter to keep the ham nice and juicy, and crushed garlic cloves for a tangy kick.
For a simple honey glaze, score your ham with shallow, even cuts across the top in one direction, and then again in the opposite direction. Brush on about a third of your honey glaze, cover with foil, and cook. After 20 minutes, unwrap and brush on another third of the glaze, re-cover, and cook for another 20 minutes. After the final 20 minutes, remove the foil, brush the remaining glaze on top, and cook uncovered for 5 minutes to caramelize the outside.
For a brown sugar mustard glaze, mix brown sugar, mustard, melted butter, ground cloves, garlic powder, and soy sauce to form a thick paste. You can also add cinnamon or leave out the cloves if you prefer. Brush or spoon on a quarter of the glaze, cover with parchment and foil, and cook. After 30 minutes, remove the parchment and foil, brush or spoon on another quarter of the glaze, and cook uncovered for 5 minutes. Glaze again and cook for another 5 minutes. Coat with the remaining glaze and cook for a final 5 minutes.
For a sweet and spicy honey sriracha glaze, mix honey and sriracha. You can also add butter to keep the ham juicy. Brush on about a third of the glaze, cover with foil, and cook. After 20 minutes, unwrap and brush on another third of the glaze, re-cover, and cook for another 20 minutes. After the final 20 minutes, remove the foil, brush the remaining glaze on top, and cook uncovered for 5 minutes to caramelize the outside.
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Preparing the ham
First, remove the ham from its packaging and allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes. Then, wrap the ham in foil and place it in the air fryer basket. You can also place the ham in a pan that fits in the air fryer basket and line the pan with foil.
Next, prepare the glaze. A popular glaze recipe involves mixing brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and other spices like cloves, garlic powder, and nutmeg in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer or boil and then remove it from the heat.
Now, score the ham by making shallow cuts across the top in one direction and then the other, creating a crisscross pattern. Brush or spoon the glaze onto the ham, ensuring it gets between the slices. Cover the ham with foil and place it in the preheated air fryer.
For a 3-pound ham, cook at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Then, uncover the ham, brush on more glaze, and cook for another 20 minutes. Finally, increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for an additional 5 minutes to caramelize the glaze and brown the edges of the ham. The total cooking time is about 45 minutes.
Note that cooking times may vary depending on the size of your ham and your air fryer model. As a general rule, it takes about 10 minutes per pound of ham. Always ensure the ham reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving.
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Cooking time and temperature
First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 15 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your ham by scoring it with shallow, narrow cuts in both directions, creating a crisscross pattern. This will allow the glaze to penetrate the ham and cook more evenly.
Next, place the ham in the air fryer basket, either directly or on a foil-lined pan for easier cleanup. If using a glaze, brush or spoon a portion of it onto the ham before cooking. Cover the ham with parchment paper and/or foil to prevent splattering and to retain moisture.
Lower the temperature to 375°F and cook the ham for about 30 minutes. After this initial cooking time, check the ham's temperature with an instant-read thermometer. The ham should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the parchment and/or foil, and brush or spoon another layer of glaze onto the ham. Increase the temperature back to 400°F and cook, uncovered, for an additional 5 minutes. This final step will caramelize the glaze and give the ham a beautiful crust.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, as well as the wattage and heating capacity. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed. Additionally, allow the ham to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving to retain its moisture and allow the juices to redistribute.
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Reheating ham in an air fryer
Firstly, it is important to note that the USDA does not recommend using a slow cooker to reheat leftovers as it takes a while to reach the proper reheat temperature of 165°F. Therefore, an air fryer is a great alternative for reheating your ham.
Before reheating your ham, wrap 6 to 8 ounces of sliced leftover ham in aluminum foil. This helps prevent the ham from drying out. If you prefer crispy ham, you can arrange the ham slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Now, let's turn to the air fryer settings. Preheat your air fryer to 325°F to 360°F, depending on your preference for juicy or crispy ham. If you wrapped your ham in foil, place the wrapped ham in the air fryer basket and heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until heated through. If you prefer crispy ham and have arranged the ham slices in a single layer, air fry for 3 to 4 minutes, turning after 2 minutes.
Once your ham is reheated, you can enjoy it with your favourite sides, such as veggies or fried eggs. You can also use reheated ham in sandwiches, casseroles, or pasta dishes.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy juicy and delicious leftover ham that tastes just like it did fresh out of the oven!
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Choosing the right ham
Cooking ham in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal. The air fryer gives the ham a gorgeous crust and a juicy middle. It's a great way to save time and space in your oven, especially during the holidays.
Now, choosing the right ham is crucial for a successful meal. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your ham:
Bone-in or Boneless:
The first decision you need to make is whether to go for a bone-in or boneless ham. Bone-in hams offer better flavour and texture, and the bone can be used later for soups and stews. However, boneless hams are more convenient if you're not comfortable with carving. They are also usually cheaper and come in smaller sizes.
Ham Size:
Consider the size of your air fryer or cooking pan when choosing your ham. You want to make sure the ham fits comfortably in your air fryer or pan. A 3-pound ham is a common size that fits in many air fryers, but always measure your appliance to be sure. If you're cooking for a large group, you may need a bigger ham, but keep in mind that a whole ham can weigh 15 to 20 pounds and serve up to 30 people!
Type of Ham:
There are several types of ham available, including city ham, country ham, and spiral-sliced ham. City ham is typically wet-cured in a brine of salt water and spices, and it's often pre-cooked and safe to eat without baking. Country ham, on the other hand, is dry-cured, rubbed with salt and seasonings, smoked, and aged for a long time, resulting in an extra-salty ham. Spiral-sliced ham is a convenient option as it's pre-sliced, making it easier to serve. However, they usually come with a pre-packaged glaze, so if you want to use your own glaze, you may prefer a different type of ham.
Cut of Ham:
The three most common cuts of ham are the butt end, ham shank, and center slice. The butt end has more tender and fattier meat, resulting in a richer flavour, but it has a T-shaped bone that can be tricky to carve. The ham shank, or leg portion, has leaner meat and a classic ham profile. The center slice, also known as a ham steak, can be boneless or have a small circular bone in the center, and it's often sold in thin slices.
Amount of Ham:
Consider how much ham you'll need per person. For bone-in ham, plan for 1/3 to 1/2 pound of ham per person. For boneless ham, you'll need about 1/4 to 1/3 pound per person.
By considering these factors, you'll be able to choose the right ham for your air fryer meal. Enjoy your juicy and crispy ham straight from your air fryer!
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Frequently asked questions
It will take about 45 minutes in total to cook a 3-pound ham in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can make a glaze for ham by whisking brown sugar, pineapple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and immediately remove from the heat.
You can reheat ham slices in an air fryer at 320 to 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 5 minutes.
