Marianne Martinez
Cooking a ham roast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal. With a variety of glazes and seasonings, you can make a mouth-watering ham that's moist and tender, with a crisp, caramelized outside. Air fryer hams are perfect for smaller gatherings and can be paired with holiday sides like mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, roasted vegetables, or salads. They also make for great leftovers, which can be enjoyed cold or reheated in sandwiches, soups, or stews.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right ham
Bone-in or Boneless:
The first decision you need to make is whether to choose a bone-in or boneless ham. Bone-in hams offer better flavour and texture, and the leftover bone can be used for soups or stews. However, boneless hams are more convenient if you're not comfortable with carving around bones. When serving a bone-in ham, plan for 3/4 to 1 pound per person, whereas boneless hams typically require 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person.
Cut of Ham:
If you opt for a bone-in ham, consider the cut. The shank end, or leg portion, has a classic ham profile and is leaner, making it a good choice for presentation. It also has a single long bone, which simplifies carving. On the other hand, the butt end (the top half) has richer, more tender meat but includes a T-shaped bone that can be tricky to work around.
Ham Weight and Size:
The weight and size of the ham will depend on the number of people you're serving and the capacity of your air fryer. A whole ham can weigh between 13 and 20 pounds and serve up to 30 people, but unless you're feeding a large crowd or enjoy leftovers, a smaller ham may be more suitable. For example, a 3-pound ham is a good size for a small gathering and fits well in a 6-quart air fryer.
Pre-cooked or Uncooked:
Most recipes for air fryer ham call for a fully cooked or pre-cooked ham, which simplifies the process and reduces cooking time. However, if you're using an uncooked ham, ensure it's properly prepared and cooked to the appropriate internal temperature.
Glaze and Seasoning:
The glaze and seasoning you choose will significantly impact the flavour of your ham. A simple glaze can be made with brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or a combination of these ingredients. You can also experiment with ingredients like mustard, butter, cloves, garlic powder, soy sauce, or orange juice to create a unique flavour profile.
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Preparing the glaze
First, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Then, add the brown sugar and honey, stirring until the mixture simmers. Remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside. You can also add cinnamon to the saucepan at this point, melting and simmering it with the other ingredients.
If you want to add pineapple juice, nutmeg, and salt to your glaze, whisk them into the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and immediately remove it from the heat.
Now your glaze is ready to be brushed onto your ham!
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Wrapping the ham
Prepare the ham: Start by allowing the ham to sit at room temperature for a few minutes. If your ham is too large to fit into the air fryer, slice it into portions before wrapping. It is recommended to use a fully cooked, boneless ham for air frying. A 3-pound ham is ideal for most air fryers, but larger hams may need adjustments.
Line the air fryer: Place a large sheet of aluminium foil in the basket of the air fryer, allowing for overhang on the sides. You can also add a layer of parchment paper on top of the foil to prevent direct contact with the meat.
Wrap the ham: Place the ham in the centre of the foil. If your ham has a flat surface and a rounded top, position it cut-side down. Score the ham with shallow cuts about 1/4 inch apart in a crisscross pattern.
Seal the foil: Bring the edges of the foil up and around the ham, sealing the top securely. Ensure the seam is at the top for easy opening later. This will create a pouch for the ham to cook in.
Preheat the air fryer: While the ham is wrapped and ready, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 300 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now that your ham is wrapped and your air fryer is preheated, you are ready to move on to the cooking and glazing steps!
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Cooking the ham
First, make sure you have a ham that fits in your air fryer. A 3-pound ham is a good size for a 6-quart air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cut the ham in half or buy a smaller ham. You can also slice the ham before wrapping it in foil if it is too tall to fit in the air fryer.
Next, preheat your air fryer. Different recipes recommend preheating temperatures ranging from 320 degrees Fahrenheit to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now, it's time to prepare the ham. Remove the ham from its packaging and wrap it in foil, making sure the seam is at the top. If you prefer, you can add a layer of parchment paper between the foil and the meat. You can also score the ham with shallow, narrow cuts about 1/4 inch apart before wrapping it in foil.
Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-25 minutes. While the ham is cooking, you can make the glaze by melting butter, brown sugar, and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. You can also add other ingredients to the glaze, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, pineapple juice, or soy sauce.
After the initial cooking time, carefully open the foil and brush the glaze onto the ham. You can also spoon the glaze over the ham if you don't have a basting brush. Cover the ham with foil again and continue cooking for another 15-20 minutes.
For the final step, carefully pull the foil down halfway and brush the ham with more glaze. Increase the temperature to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 3-10 minutes, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove the ham from the air fryer, slice it, and serve!
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Serving suggestions
When it comes to serving your roast ham, there are several options to consider. Firstly, let the ham rest on a cutting board or platter for approximately 15-20 minutes after removing it from the air fryer. This step is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring a moist and tender roast.
Once the ham has rested, use a sharp carving knife or an electric knife to cut thin, even slices against the grain. This technique will result in tender, melt-in-your-mouth ham with every bite. If you prefer more substantial slices, you can also cut the ham into cubes, which can be added to sandwiches or tossed into salads.
To enhance the visual appeal of your roast ham, consider garnishing it with fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme. You can also drizzle the slices with a sauce or glaze of your choice. For a classic combination, you can serve the ham with pineapple raisin sauce or simply with the juices from the pan.
Additionally, you can pair your roast ham with a variety of side dishes. Some options include:
- Green beans and roasted carrots
- Creamy grape salad
- Mac & cheese
- Instant pot mashed potatoes
- Asparagus salad
- Grilled zucchini
- Broccoli salad
- Potato salad
- Macaroni salad
- Sweet potato casserole
- Scalloped potatoes
- Peas and carrots
- Broccoli with cheese
- Roasted vegetables
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Frequently asked questions
A 3-pound ham is the best size for an air fryer. A larger ham may not fit in the air fryer and may need to be cut into two equal pieces.
The temperature settings vary from 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the majority of the recipes recommend cooking at 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
It takes between 45 minutes to 1 hour to cook a ham roast in an air fryer.
The glaze can be made by mixing brown sugar, butter, honey, cinnamon, pineapple juice, nutmeg, cloves, soy sauce, and salt.
