Air Frying Ham: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryers are a great way to cook ham without drying it out, and you can have a delicious meal on the table in under an hour. The cooking time will depend on the size of your ham, but generally, you'll want a fully cooked boneless ham that's 2-3 lbs or less, and you'll be cooking it for around 15-20 minutes per pound.

How to cook a large ham in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 3-pound (or larger) fully cooked ham
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Orange juice or pineapple juice
• Dry mustard powder
• Cinnamon (optional)
• Clove (optional)
• Black pepper, to taste

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 320°F.
• Wrap the ham in foil, ensuring the seam is at the top so it can be easily opened.
• Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer and cook for 25 minutes.
• While the ham is cooking, make your glaze by combining brown sugar, honey, orange or pineapple juice, dry mustard powder, and cinnamon and clove (if desired) in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture simmers, then set aside.
• After 25 minutes, unwrap the ham and drizzle the glaze over it.
• Place the ham back in the air fryer, close the seam, and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 135-140°F.
• Fold the foil down and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the glaze is browned and the ham reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
• Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• If your ham is too tall to fit in your air fryer, slice it before wrapping it in foil. You may need to reduce the cooking time.
• If you have a larger ham, cut it into two equal pieces as long as they fit in the air fryer.
• It is important to wrap the ham in foil to ensure it stays moist during cooking.
• Make sure to use a fully cooked ham for this recipe.
• Ham is fully cooked at an internal temperature of 140°F, so be careful not to overcook it, as this will dry out the meat.

How to reheat ham in an air fryer

Reheating ham in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure your leftover ham is heated through without drying out.

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 320°F. It is important to keep the temperature relatively low to avoid the ham burning on the outside before it is warmed through.

Step 2: Prepare the Ham

Place the ham slices in the air fryer basket. You can layer the ham slightly if needed, but be sure not to overcrowd the basket.

Step 3: Reheat the Ham

Cook the ham for 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't dry out.

Step 4: Serve

Once the ham is heated through, remove it from the air fryer and enjoy!

Tips:

• If your ham has a fatty rind, you may notice some smoke during the reheating process. This is normal, but if it becomes an issue, you can add a piece of bread under the basket or a tiny bit of water to the drawer.
• This method works for plain, honey, or brown sugar ham.
• For best results, reheat leftover ham that has been stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than four days.
• If you are short on time, you can also reheat individual slices in the microwave.

How to cook a frozen ham in an air fryer

Preparing your frozen ham:

Firstly, remove all the packaging from your frozen ham. Then, rinse your ham under cold water to remove any ice crystals. Pat the ham dry with paper towels to ensure even cooking. Season your ham with salt and pepper or your favourite blend of herbs and spices. Massage the seasonings gently onto the ham for maximum flavour.

Cooking your frozen ham:

Place your seasoned ham in the air fryer basket, ensuring it sits in a single layer. Set the air fryer temperature to around 300°F (150°C).

Cooking time will depend on the size of your ham. As a general rule, cook your ham for approximately 20 minutes per pound. For example, a 4-pound ham will take about 80 minutes. Flip the ham halfway through the cooking process for even cooking.

As the cooking time nears completion, use a meat thermometer to check if your ham has reached an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Once your ham reaches this temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving suggestions:

Slice your ham and serve it in sandwiches, or pair it with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables for a hearty meal. For a festive touch, garnish your ham with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries.

Tips:

• Different air fryer models may vary in cooking time and temperature, so consult your air fryer's manual for specific instructions.
• To avoid the glaze burning, it is recommended to wait until the last 10-15 minutes of cooking time before glazing your ham.
• To ensure even cooking, turn the ham halfway through the cooking process.
• Ham is fully cooked at 140°F, so be careful not to overcook it, as this can result in dry meat.

How to cook a boneless ham in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Boneless ham (2-3 pounds)
• Brown sugar (1/2 cup)
• Honey (1/4 cup)
• Orange juice (1/4 cup)
• Mustard (2 tablespoons)
• Cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon)
• Clove (1/4 teaspoon)
• Black pepper, to taste
• Butter (1/2 cup)

Method:

• Remove the ham from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature for about 2 hours before cooking.
• Make the glaze by combining the brown sugar, honey, orange juice, mustard, cinnamon, clove, and black pepper in a saucepan. Heat and whisk until the brown sugar is dissolved and the glaze is well combined. Set aside.
• Remove the netting from the ham. If the ham is not pre-sliced, score the ham with shallow 1/2-inch criss-cross cuts.
• Line the air fryer basket with two pieces of long, overlapping foil sheets. Place the ham on top of the foil and brush about 1/3 of the glaze over it. Close the foil over the ham and wrap tightly.
• Preheat the air fryer to 340°F. Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer and cook for 25 minutes.
• After 25 minutes, open the foil and brush the ham with more glaze. Close the foil tightly and cook for another 25 minutes.
• Open the foil again and push it down around the edges of the ham. Brush with a little more glaze and increase the heat to 360°F. Air fry for 5 minutes or until caramelized to your liking.
• Let the ham rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• Don't let the foil touch the heating elements of the air fryer. If it does, trim down the bottom of the ham so it isn't too tall.
• Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your ham and the type of air fryer you have. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
• For a crispy, caramelized texture, finish the ham uncovered for the last 5 minutes of cooking.

How to cook a 3-pound ham in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 3-pound fully cooked ham
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon orange juice or pineapple juice
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 320°F.
• Wrap the ham in foil, ensuring the seam is at the top so it can be easily opened.
• Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer and cook for 25 minutes.
• While the ham is cooking, make the glaze by combining the brown sugar, honey, orange or pineapple juice, and dry mustard powder. Whisk until the brown sugar is dissolved and the glaze is well combined.
• After 25 minutes, remove the ham from the air fryer and drizzle the glaze over it.
• Place the ham back in the air fryer, close the seam of the foil, and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 135-140°F.
• Fold the foil down and cook the ham for another 5-10 minutes, or until the glaze is browned and the ham reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
• Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• If your ham is too tall to fit into your air fryer, slice it into two equal pieces before wrapping in foil. You may need to reduce the cooking time if you do this.
• The shape of your ham matters! A thinner, flatter ham will need less time to cook than a rounder, football-shaped ham.
• To prevent the ham from drying out, it's important to wrap it tightly in foil.
• If you want an extra crispy top on your ham, score the ham with shallow, criss-cross cuts before cooking.

Frequently asked questions