Ella Walter
Spiral ham is a delicious dish that can be made in an air fryer with minimal prep and in under an hour. The cooking time will depend on the size of the ham and the air fryer model. A 3-pound spiral ham will take about 30 minutes to cook in a 5.8-quart Cosori Air Fryer, while a larger ham may take longer and might not fit in a basket air fryer. The key to cooking spiral ham in an air fryer is to use a glaze and cook it at a lower temperature initially to prevent drying. The ham is done when the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
How long to cook spiral ham in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 300-350°F |
| Cooking time | 10-20 minutes per pound |
| Total cooking time | 30-55 minutes |
| Glazing | Brush glaze between slices |
| Foil | Cover with foil |
| Basting | Baste ham with juices |
| Reheating | 250°F for 3-5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking times for spiral ham in an air fryer
Spiral ham is a great dish to cook in an air fryer, as it's fast, easy, and convenient. It's also a good way to speed up the cooking process without drying out the meat. The cooking time will depend on the size of the ham and the model of the air fryer.
Firstly, it's important to ensure the ham fits in the air fryer basket with some space around it for the air to circulate, which is necessary for even cooking. If your air fryer basket is round, you may need to trim the ham slightly to ensure it fits.
When cooking the ham, it's recommended to wrap it in foil to help retain moisture and catch the juices. The cooking time will depend on the weight of the ham. As a general rule, it's recommended to cook the ham for about 10 minutes per pound, or 15-20 minutes per pound for a fully cooked ham. For example, a 3-pound ham will likely take around 30-60 minutes to cook. It's important to note that larger hams will take longer to cook and may not fit in a basket air fryer.
During the cooking process, it's essential to baste the ham with the juices to keep it moist and juicy. Some recipes suggest cooking the ham at a lower temperature first and then finishing it off at a higher temperature to caramelize the glaze. For example, you can cook the ham wrapped in foil at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, then brush on the glaze, cover, and cook for another 15 minutes. Finally, remove the foil and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to char the edges.
It's important to keep an eye on the ham to ensure it doesn't dry out. The ham is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure the ham is cooked properly.
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Preparing the ham for the air fryer
Preparing a spiral ham in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to cook a delicious meal. Spiral hams are often precooked, but always check the label to be sure. Preparing the ham for the air fryer is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure it cooks evenly and stays moist.
Firstly, remove the ham from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature. Most recipes suggest doing this for about 2 hours before cooking, but some sources recommend not letting the ham sit out for longer than 20 minutes. This step is important because putting ham directly from the refrigerator into the air fryer will result in a longer cooking time.
Next, remove the netting from the ham. If your ham is not pre-sliced, score it with shallow, 1/2-inch criss-cross cuts. This will help the ham cook evenly and allow the glaze to penetrate the meat.
Now, you need to ensure your ham fits in your air fryer basket with a little room around it for air to circulate. If your ham is too big, trim it slightly to ensure a good fit. If you have a basket-style air fryer, line the basket with two pieces of long, overlapping foil sheets. This will catch the juices and make cleanup easier. Place the ham on top of the foil and brush on the glaze. Close the foil over the ham and wrap it tightly. For oven-style air fryers, place the ham in a baking pan that fits in your air fryer, and trim the ham if needed to fit the pan.
Finally, prepare the glaze by combining brown sugar, honey, orange juice, mustard, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Heat and whisk the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved and the glaze is well combined. You can also add ingredients like apple cider vinegar, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt, or Dijon mustard to taste. Set the glaze aside until the ham is cooked, then brush or baste it onto the ham.
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Making the glaze for spiral ham
To make the glaze, simply combine the ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Whisk the ingredients together and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, remove it from the heat immediately. If you want a thicker glaze, you can add a mixture of cornstarch and water to the glaze, stirring until it reaches the desired consistency.
It is best to make the glaze just before you plan to use it, as it will harden if made too far in advance. However, if you are short on time, you can make the glaze ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days. When you are ready to use it, simply reheat it over low heat until it reaches a simmer.
Once you have prepared the glaze, you can brush it onto the ham before cooking or during the cooking process, depending on the recipe you are following. Some recipes call for the ham to be glazed and then cooked uncovered for the final 20-30 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize.
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Glazing the ham
There are several glaze options for spiral ham cooked in an air fryer. A popular choice is a glaze made from a combination of honey, brown sugar, and pineapple. To make this glaze, pour honey over the ham, sprinkle brown sugar on it, and then pour on pineapple tidbits and juice. Another glaze option is a mixture of honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and black pepper. To make this glaze, whisk the ingredients together in a medium-sized mixing bowl until the glaze is smooth. You can also make a maple bourbon glaze by adding brown sugar, bourbon, maple syrup, cinnamon, Dijon mustard, and salt to a small saucepan and heating it over medium-high heat until the mixture is well combined and thickened.
After preparing the glaze, brush about two-thirds of it generously over the ham, making sure to get in between the slices. Then, place the glazed ham in the air fryer basket and cook at a lower temperature to ensure the ham heats through without burning. Halfway through the cooking time, glaze the ham again. When the ham is almost done, check to make sure it's not too dry. Decide how much longer to cook the ham, keeping in mind that leaving the ham uncovered for the last few minutes of cooking will give it a crispy, caramelized texture. After removing the ham from the air fryer, you can brush the remaining glaze on top or serve it on the side. For an extra touch, combine the juices from the air fryer basket with the remaining glaze in a saucepan, simmer for about 5 minutes, and then brush the glaze onto the ham before serving.
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Reheating spiral ham in an air fryer
Spiral ham is a delicious dish that can be cooked in an air fryer in a relatively short time. However, reheating spiral ham in an air fryer requires some care to ensure that the ham doesn't dry out. Here are the steps to successfully reheat spiral ham in an air fryer:
Preparing the Ham
Firstly, ensure that your leftover ham fits in the air fryer basket with some space around it for the air to circulate, which is necessary for even cooking. If your ham is too big, you can trim it a little to fit the basket. It is recommended to use a smaller, fully cooked ham of 2-3 lbs or less for the best results in an air fryer.
Reheating the Ham
Add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent drying. Reheat the ham at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes or until heated through. The ham is fully cooked at an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, so cooking it to a higher temperature can dry out the meat.
Glazing the Ham
While the ham is reheating, you can prepare a glaze by combining brown sugar, honey, orange juice, mustard, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. Heat and whisk the ingredients until the brown sugar dissolves and you get a smooth glaze. You can also use other glaze recipes, such as a maple bourbon glaze or a pineapple glaze.
Basting the Ham
Once the ham is reheated, remove it from the air fryer and brush the glaze onto it. You can also pour the glaze over the ham and baste it while it is cooking to keep it moist and juicy.
Adjusting Cook Time
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer. Larger hams will take longer to reheat and cook, and you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Always keep an eye on the ham to ensure it doesn't dry out.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the size of the ham and the air fryer. A good rule of thumb is to cook the ham for 10 minutes per pound, so a 3-pound ham will take about 30 minutes. However, some recipes suggest cooking for 15-20 minutes per pound.
First, remove the ham from its package and juices, then lightly rinse and pat dry. Make a deep foil pouch in the air fryer basket and place the ham inside. Pour honey over the ham, then sprinkle brown sugar on top. Finally, pour on pineapple tidbits and juice. Cover the ham with the foil and air fry at 320°F for 20 minutes. Open the foil pouch and baste the ham with the juices, then re-cover and air fry for another 20 minutes. Open the foil pouch and baste again, then air fry for a final 5-7 minutes at 350°F to brown the top of the ham.
You can use a variety of glazes for spiral ham in an air fryer, such as honey, brown sugar, pineapple, dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt, maple syrup, bourbon, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper.
To reheat leftover spiral ham in an air fryer, add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket and heat at 250°F for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through.
