Tiffany Haney
Spiral ham is a delicious dish that can be made in an air fryer with minimal prep and in under an hour. The ham is usually pre-cooked, so all you need to do is add flavour and heat it so that it retains its juices and gets a crisp, caramelized outside. The air fryer locks in the juices, making the ham moist and delicious. Spiral ham in an air fryer is best served with roasted vegetables, casseroles, or mashed potatoes.
Characteristics and Values Table for Spiral Ham in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ham | Spiral ham, boneless or bone-in |
| Ham weight | 2-3 pounds, or less than 3 pounds |
| Ham size | Ensure it fits in the air fryer basket, trim if necessary |
| Glaze | Honey, brown sugar, Pineapple, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, maple syrup, bourbon |
| Glaze consistency | Smooth |
| Glazing the ham | Brush two-thirds of the glaze generously over the ham and in between the slices |
| Air fryer temperature | 320-350°F |
| Air fryer time | 10-15 minutes per pound of ham, 20 minutes covered, 5-8 minutes uncovered, 45-55 minutes in total |
| Internal temperature | 140-145°F |
| Serving suggestions | Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, glazed carrots, green beans, rolls, cranberry sauce, classic holiday turkey, sweet and savory cornbread |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right size ham
Most air fryers can accommodate a fully cooked ham that weighs around 2 to 3 pounds. This size is ideal for most air fryers and ensures the ham doesn't touch the top heating element, which can cause burning. If your ham is larger than 3 pounds, you may need to trim it to fit properly in the air fryer. Trimming the ham is especially important if your air fryer basket has a circular shape, as a larger ham will likely need to be trimmed to allow for proper air circulation.
If you're cooking for a smaller gathering, consider purchasing a ham that weighs between 2 and 3 pounds. This size is perfect for an intimate group and will ensure that your ham fits comfortably in the air fryer. It's also important to note that spiral hams are typically pre-cooked, so you'll mainly be heating it up and caramelizing the glaze.
For a 2-pound boneless ham, you can expect to serve 6 people comfortably, while a 3-pound ham can serve up to 8-9 people. This is an important consideration when planning your meal, as you want to ensure you have enough food for your guests.
Additionally, it's recommended to remove the ham from the fridge about 2 hours before cooking. This allows the ham to come to room temperature, resulting in a juicy and flavorful final product. By taking the ham out of the fridge early, you can avoid having a cold center even with a smaller ham.
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Preparing the glaze
If you want to add a fruity element to your glaze, you can add pineapple, peach preserves, or orange juice. A splash of bourbon will also add a unique, sweet flavour to your glaze. Alternatively, for a more savoury glaze, you can add apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, and salt.
To make the glaze, simply combine your chosen ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. You can also make the glaze in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat the mixture until it comes to a simmer, then remove from the heat and set aside.
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Glazing the ham
There are several glaze options you can choose from, depending on your taste preferences. A popular choice is a blend of honey, brown sugar, and pineapple for a sweet and sticky glaze. Alternatively, you can opt for a honey glaze, a brown sugar and honey glaze, or a maple glaze. For a unique flavour profile, consider a peach, mustard glaze, or a bourbon glaze.
To make the glaze, simply combine your desired ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl or a small saucepan. If using a saucepan, heat the mixture over medium heat until it comes to a simmer, then remove it from the heat and set it aside. You can also add melted butter to your glaze for a richer consistency.
Once your glaze is ready, it's time to apply it to the ham. Place the spiral ham on a cutting board and brush the glaze generously over the ham, making sure to get in between the slices. You can also pull back some of the slices to allow the glaze to seep in. It is recommended to use about two-thirds of your glaze at this stage.
After glazing, place the ham in the air fryer basket, cover it with foil, and cook according to your recipe's instructions. During the cooking process, baste the ham with the remaining glaze to keep it moist and flavourful. For a crispy, caramelised texture, finish cooking the ham uncovered for the last 5 minutes.
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Air frying the ham
To begin, remove the ham from its packaging and juices, then lightly rinse and pat it dry. Next, create a deep foil pouch inside your air fryer basket by crisscrossing two pieces of foil. Place the ham inside the foil pouch, then add your chosen glaze. For a sweet glaze, try a combination of honey, brown sugar, and pineapple. Alternatively, for a more savory option, opt for a glaze made with butter, honey, and brown sugar.
Once the ham is glazed, cover it with foil and cook in the air fryer at a temperature between 320-325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. After this initial cooking period, open the foil pouch and baste the ham with the juices from the foil pan. Re-cover the ham and cook for another 20 minutes. Finally, open the foil pouch and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit to brown the top of the ham.
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Reheating and serving
If you are reheating a fully cooked ham, wrap the ham in foil, ensuring it is tight and not too close to the heating element. Preheat your air fryer to 275°F. Place the ham in the air fryer and cook for 15-20 minutes per pound of ham. Halfway through the cooking time, glaze the ham again. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, leave the ham uncovered to achieve a crispy, caramel texture.
If you are reheating a frozen ham, first thaw the ham in the refrigerator. Then, follow the same process as for a fully cooked ham.
You can serve spiral ham with a variety of sides, including potatoes, roasted vegetables, casseroles, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, green beans, and rolls. For an extra special touch, you can combine the juices from the air fryer and the remaining glaze in a saucepan, simmering for 5 minutes before brushing onto the ham or serving alongside.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times vary depending on the size of the ham and the temperature used. A good estimate is 15-20 minutes per pound of fully cooked ham. A 2-3 pound boneless spiral ham will take about 45-50 minutes to cook in the air fryer.
It is recommended to cook spiral ham at a lower temperature initially to prevent the ham from drying out. You can then finish it off at a higher temperature to caramelize the glaze. Some recipes suggest cooking at 325 degrees Fahrenheit, while others suggest 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
The glaze can be made by combining brown sugar, honey, butter, and other optional ingredients such as Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves, and pepper. Whisk the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth glaze consistency.
The ham is done cooking when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. Additionally, the ham should be juicy and have a crispy, caramelized texture on the outside.
