Air-Fried Ham: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

how to cook sliced ham in air fryer

Cooking sliced ham in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, juicy, and tender ham with a crispy exterior. It's a convenient method that requires simple ingredients and minimal prep time, making it perfect for a holiday meal or a quick weeknight dinner. With an air fryer, you can enjoy the taste of oven-baked ham without the long cooking time. The air fryer's 360-degree air circulation ensures even cooking, and the cleanup is a breeze, too!

Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Sliced Ham in an Air Fryer

Characteristics Values
Temperature 300-380°F
Cook Time 5-20 minutes
Ingredients Ham, butter, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, thyme, rosemary, dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, pepper, bread
Calories 343-474 kcal
Leftovers Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months
Reheating Preheat air fryer to 320°F or use a pan over medium heat

cycookery

Glazing sliced ham with honey

Ingredients:

  • Honey
  • Orange juice
  • Dijon mustard
  • Brown sugar (optional)
  • Ground cloves (optional)
  • Ground mustard (optional)
  • Garlic powder (optional)
  • Parsley (optional)

Instructions:

Firstly, prepare the ham by rinsing it under cold water and patting it dry with paper towels. Place the ham on a large piece of tin foil, ensuring the sliced side is facing up. The foil should be big enough to fully wrap the ham later. Bring the foil up around the ham, creating a foil bowl, but leave the top uncovered for now.

Next, prepare the glaze by combining the honey, orange juice, and Dijon mustard in a medium bowl. For a more complex glaze, add in the optional ingredients: brown sugar, ground mustard, garlic powder, and parsley. Mix well, then microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and heat for another 30 seconds.

Now, it's time to glaze the ham. Brush about a quarter of the glaze mixture onto the top of the ham. Set the remaining glaze aside for later. Place the ham in the air fryer basket, ensuring the foil isn't touching the heating element. Air fry the ham at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

Open the air fryer and carefully remove the foil. Brush another quarter of the glaze onto the ham, then re-wrap it with the foil. Increase the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry for an additional 15 minutes.

For the final step, open the foil and brush the remaining glaze onto the ham. Air fry uncovered for 10 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize. The ham is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve the juicy, honey-glazed ham slices with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!

Tips:

  • Adjust the cook time based on the size of your ham, aiming for approximately 10 minutes per pound.
  • For a more moist ham, wrap it in foil again before the final cooking step.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the air fryer, microwave, or oven for a quick and tasty meal.

cycookery

Reheating sliced ham

First, preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to keep the temperature lower than the original cook temperature to avoid drying out or burning your ham slices.

Next, place your leftover ham slices in the air fryer. You can layer the ham slices slightly if needed, but ensure they are not overcrowded in the basket.

Cook the ham slices for 2 to 3 minutes or until heated thoroughly. Keep an eye on the ham during the cooking process to prevent overcooking.

Once the ham is heated through, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy your juicy, reheated ham slices!

Alternatively, you can reheat sliced ham in a pan on the stovetop. Simply place the ham slices in a pan over medium heat and cook until heated through. This method allows you to control the heat more easily and prevent overcooking.

Reheating ham slices in an air fryer or on the stovetop is a convenient way to enjoy delicious, juicy ham as a quick weeknight dinner or sandwich filling.

cycookery

Cooking temperature and timing

The cooking temperature and timing for sliced ham in an air fryer depend on the type of ham and the desired level of doneness. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer. Most recipes recommend preheating to 320 degrees Fahrenheit, but some suggest 375 degrees Fahrenheit or even 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheating ensures that your ham cooks evenly and helps to avoid burning.

Next, prepare your ham by removing it from any packaging and applying a glaze or seasoning of your choice. You can use a simple glaze of butter, brown sugar, and honey, or get creative with additions like thyme, cinnamon, or maple syrup.

Now, you are ready to cook your ham in the air fryer. If you are cooking a thick ham steak, cook it for 7-8 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, flip it over, and then cook for another 7-8 minutes. For thinner ham slices, a shorter cooking time of 2-3 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit should suffice. If you are cooking a larger ham, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces or cook it at a lower temperature to ensure even cooking.

Finally, you can finish your ham with a final blast of heat to brown the top. Increase the temperature to 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to avoid burning.

It is important to note that air fryers can vary in size and wattage, so it is recommended to check your ham regularly during cooking to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn. An instant-read thermometer can help you determine when your ham is ready; the internal temperature should reach 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit.

cycookery

Wrapping ham in foil

  • Start by gathering your supplies: you will need a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, a sharp knife, and a cutting board.
  • Place the ham on the cutting board and use the foil to completely wrap it, ensuring that the seam is at the top of the ham. This will make it easier to seal the foil later.
  • If you prefer the foil not to touch the meat directly, you can add a layer of parchment paper between the foil and the ham. This is optional but can help prevent the ham from sticking to the foil.
  • Once the ham is wrapped in foil, you can place it in the air fryer basket. For extra moisture, you can also add a small amount of liquid, such as water or broth, to the bottom of the air fryer before cooking.
  • After a certain amount of cooking time (depending on the recipe), you will need to carefully pull the foil halfway down the ham and brush it with glaze. Then, increase the heat to finish cooking the ham and achieve a nice browning.
  • Finally, remove the ham from the air fryer basket and let it rest before slicing and serving.

By following these steps and wrapping your ham in foil, you can ensure that your ham stays moist and juicy while also making the cooking and clean-up process more convenient.

cycookery

Side dishes to serve with sliced ham

When it comes to side dishes to serve with sliced ham, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Vegetables

Roasted or grilled vegetables such as green beans, asparagus, zucchini, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts make great sides. You can also try air fryer green beans or asparagus wrapped in bacon for a unique twist. If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, try Brussels sprouts with a creamy sauce or French onion cabbage gratin. For a lighter option, a refreshing asparagus salad with a lemony vinaigrette is a great choice.

Potatoes

Potatoes are always a popular side dish, and there are many ways to prepare them. Mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, roasted fingerling potatoes, or garlic smashed potatoes are all delicious options. For something more indulgent, try potatoes au gratin or loaded potato skins. If you're looking for a lighter option, potato salad is a classic choice.

Casseroles

Casseroles are a great way to add some comfort to your meal. Try a creamy, cheesy casserole with greens or pasta, or a potato gratin casserole. For something different, try a cornbread casserole or mini grits casseroles.

Salads

If you're looking for something lighter, a salad can be a great option. Try an asparagus salad, a strawberry salad with bacon bits, or a broccoli slaw with pecans and raisins.

Breads

Breads such as biscuits, cornbread, or dinner rolls are always a welcome addition to the table. For something a little different, try cheddar biscuits or buttermilk biscuits.

Other Sides

Some other side dish options include deviled eggs, mac and cheese, or roasted carrots. If you're feeling creative, try a creamy grape salad or honey-glazed carrot coins.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the size of the ham slices and the temperature of the air fryer. For example, ham steaks take 7-8 minutes on each side at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Smaller slices take 2-3 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is recommended to cook sliced ham in an air fryer at 320-375 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some recipes suggest increasing the temperature to 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit for the last few minutes to brown the top of the ham.

If you are cooking a ham steak, brush it with butter, thyme, and brown sugar glaze. For a whole ham, wrap it in foil and cook at a lower temperature. Then, halfway through the cooking time, pull the foil halfway down the ham, brush with the glaze, and increase the temperature to crisp up the outside.

There are many side dishes that go well with sliced ham from the air fryer, including:

- Green beans

- Roasted carrots

- Creamy grape salad

- Mac & cheese

- Mashed potatoes

- Potato salad

- Fries

- Garlic zucchini

- Cauliflower

Place leftover ham slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. You can also freeze leftover ham slices for up to 3 months, but the texture may change.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment