Ella Walter
Ham loaf is a delicious, vintage meatloaf recipe that is making a comeback. It is made with ground ham and ground pork, and topped with a sweet glaze. The traditional way to cook ham loaf is in the oven, but you can also cook it in an air fryer. This method is quicker and will result in a juicy and tender ham loaf. To cook ham loaf in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (182°C). Place the ham loaf in the air fryer basket and cook for 20-25 minutes. While the ham loaf is cooking, prepare the glaze. When there are about 5 minutes left, spread the glaze over the ham loaf and allow it to continue cooking. Remove the ham loaf from the air fryer and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
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What You'll Learn
Ham loaf ingredients
Ham loaf is a delicious meatloaf made with a combination of ground ham and ground pork and smothered with a sweet glaze. The glaze can be made with apricot jam, brown sugar, yellow mustard, butter, and cinnamon.
For the loaf, you will need ground ham, ground pork, bread crumbs, eggs, milk, and seasonings such as salt and pepper. You can also add vegetables such as mushrooms, carrots, onions, and garlic to your ham loaf.
If you are making your own ground ham, you can use a food processor or a meat grinder. Slice cooked, cold ham into small chunks and add them to the food processor. Use the pulse function to chop the ham in short bursts until it has a fluffy texture. If you are using a meat grinder, use the medium-texture plate to grind the ham chunks to the right texture.
To prepare the glaze, melt butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering. Set aside.
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Preparing the glaze
Ham loaf is a delicious meatloaf made with a combination of ground ham and ground pork and smothered with a sweet glaze. The glaze is what gives the ham loaf its signature sticky, caramelized top.
The glaze is simple to make and only requires a few ingredients. The key ingredient in the glaze is apricot jam, which pairs beautifully with the pork. Other good choices for the glaze include peach butter, apple jelly, or even orange marmalade. To make the glaze, simply melt butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering. You can also add a bit of yellow mustard to give it a bright, zingy flavour. Stir the ingredients together until they are well combined and set the glaze aside until the ham loaf is almost ready.
If you want to add a bit of spice to your glaze, you can include some allspice or smoked paprika. For a truly unique flavour profile, you can even try adding some soy sauce for umami or dried onion flakes for added convenience.
Once your ham loaf is almost done cooking, remove it from the air fryer and brush the glaze generously over the top and sides. You can then return the glazed ham loaf to the air fryer to finish cooking. This will allow the glaze to caramelize and form a delicious, sticky coating on the meatloaf.
The glaze is what makes the ham loaf truly special, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavours to find your perfect combination.
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Air fryer temperature and timing
Air fryers are a great way to cook your ham loaf as they speed up the cooking process without drying out the meat.
Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Place the ham loaf in the air fryer basket and cook for 20-25 minutes. The loaf is ready when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
During the cooking process, if you notice that your ham loaf is browning too quickly, lower the heat by 10-15°F and cook for a few more minutes.
Once the ham loaf is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Please note that different air fryers may cook differently, so you might need to adjust the temperature and timing according to your specific air fryer model. Additionally, the size and shape of your ham loaf may also impact the cooking time.
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Resting and serving
Once your ham loaf is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This is a crucial step as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your ham loaf stays moist and juicy.
While the ham loaf is resting, you can prepare any side dishes to serve with it. Mashed potatoes and asparagus go well with ham loaf, as do roasted vegetables or a fresh salad. You could also offer a selection of condiments and sauces to accompany the ham loaf, such as mustard, ketchup, or a tangy relish.
When you're ready to serve, use a sharp knife to slice the ham loaf into even pieces. If you've made individual ham loaf cupcakes or meatballs, you can simply place them on a serving platter. For a larger ham loaf, you may want to slice it into generous slabs or thinner slices, depending on your preference.
Leftover ham loaf can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 1 month. Reheat leftovers in the microwave until heated through. Ham loaf sandwiches or sliders are a great way to use up leftovers, and they can be served as a quick lunch or appetizer.
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Storing and reheating
When you're ready to enjoy your frozen ham loaf, simply defrost it in the refrigerator overnight. Then, you can pop it in the microwave to heat it through. For a crispier texture, you can reheat your ham loaf in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 325°F (some sources suggest 350/360°F). Wrap 6 to 8 ounces of ham loaf slices in aluminum foil and place them in the air fryer basket. Reheat for 6 to 8 minutes, or until heated through. You can also add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent drying. Reheat at 250°F for 3 to 5 minutes or until heated thoroughly.
If you have leftover ham slices, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer as well. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. If desired, mix some brown sugar and melted butter together and baste it onto your ham slices. Place the ham slices in the air fryer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes for heated slices or 10 to 12 minutes for a ham steak, flipping and basting again halfway through. You can also layer the ham slices slightly if needed.
Your leftover ham loaf and ham slices can be used in a variety of dishes. You can add them to sandwiches, casseroles, pasta dishes, soups, or even make ham and cheese sliders. With proper storage and reheating techniques, you can enjoy your ham loaf and ham slices for several meals!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need ground ham, ground pork, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, milk, eggs, salt, pepper, and a sweet glaze.
You can make the glaze by combining brown sugar, apricot jam, vinegar, and mustard powder.
Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
Cook the ham loaf for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
