Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a convenient way to cook smoked ham, especially for small-scale holiday dinners or meals for two. The key to moist air-fried ham is to wrap the ham in foil to prevent it from drying out. You can use a variety of glazes, including honey, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and even pineapple. The cooking time depends on the size of the ham, but it typically takes around 30 minutes for a 3-pound ham. It's important to use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches the recommended internal temperature of 140-165°F.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Smoked Ham in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Ham | Boneless |
| Ham Weight | 3-4 pounds |
| Glaze | Butter, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, pineapple, dijon mustard, garlic granules, Worcester sauce, soy sauce |
| Wrapping | Aluminum foil, parchment paper |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 300-380 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Cook Time | 20-50 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 135-165 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Rest Time | 2-10 minutes |
| Leftovers | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to two months |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right ham
First and foremost, ensure that the ham fits snugly into your air fryer basket. Different air fryers have different capacities, so it's essential to measure your air fryer basket before purchasing the ham. A 3-pound ham is commonly used in many air fryer recipes and fits well in several air fryer models. However, if you have a larger ham, you can always cut it into two equal pieces to ensure it fits in the air fryer.
Secondly, decide whether you prefer a boneless or bone-in ham. Boneless hams are convenient and easy to cook, perfect for small-scale dinners or feeding a couple of people. Bone-in hams offer a more traditional option, but remember to use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches the appropriate temperature.
When choosing a ham, consider the glaze you want to use. Hams are available with a variety of glazes, including brown sugar, honey, pineapple, or even a simple butter coating. If your ham doesn't come with a glaze, you can easily make your own by melting butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon or using other sweeteners like honey or jelly.
Finally, opt for a fully cooked ham to save time and ensure food safety. Pre-cooked hams are a great option, especially if you're short on time or want to avoid the hassle of cooking raw meat. Look for hams labelled as fully cooked on the package.
Remember to consider the size of your air fryer basket, your personal preferences for boneless or bone-in ham, the type of glaze you want, and the convenience of choosing a fully cooked ham. With these factors in mind, you'll be able to select the right ham for your air fryer cooking!
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Glazing the ham
To make the glaze, you can simply melt butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering. You can also get creative and experiment with other ingredients such as honey, coconut sugar, or even melted jelly for a unique flavour. For a savoury glaze, you can try dijon mustard and butter. If you're looking for a fruity option, a pineapple glaze is a great choice for a refreshing taste.
Once your glaze is ready, brush it over the ham before placing it in the air fryer, or remove the ham from the air fryer halfway through cooking, and coat it with the glaze before returning it to the fryer. This will ensure that the glaze sets and gives the ham a delicious, glossy finish.
For a well-browned and caramelized ham, some recipes suggest adding the glaze towards the end of the cooking process. After glazing the ham, increase the heat of the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-10 minutes, keeping a close eye on the ham to prevent burning.
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Cooking the ham
Before cooking, allow the ham to sit at room temperature for a few minutes. If you are using a glaze, you can prepare it while the ham is sitting. A glaze can be made by melting butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat. You can also use coconut sugar, honey, or even melted jelly.
When you are ready to cook the ham, wrap it in aluminum foil, making sure the seam is at the top. If you prefer the foil not to touch the meat, you can add a layer of parchment paper in between. Place the ham in the air fryer basket and cook for 20-25 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
After the initial cooking time, unwrap the ham and drizzle the glaze over the top. Place the ham back in the air fryer, close the seam, and cook for an additional 10-20 minutes. Then, fold the foil down and cook the ham for another 5-10 minutes, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Finally, remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
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Serving suggestions
There are several ways to serve smoked ham cooked in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:
Breakfast or Brunch
For a classic Southern breakfast or brunch, serve the ham steak with freshly baked biscuits and homemade gravy. You can also create a breakfast wrap or sandwich by pairing the ham with scrambled eggs, cheese, and veggies. For a lighter option, serve the ham with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables.
Holiday Dinners
Air fryer ham is a great option for holiday dinners, especially if you want to save oven space. It pairs well with sides like creamed corn casserole, baked mac and cheese, or roasted vegetables.
Salads
Air fryer ham can be sliced and served on a bed of greens, such as a broccoli salad, potato salad, or macaroni salad.
Starches
For a heartier option, serve the ham with starches like sweet potato casserole, scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, or slow cooker ham and lentil soup.
Leftovers
Leftover ham can be used in sandwiches, soups, or tossed on salads. To reheat leftover ham in the air fryer, add a tablespoon of water to the basket and heat at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes to prevent drying out.
Glazes and Marinades
To add extra flavour to your ham, consider using a glaze or marinade. Popular options include a butter and brown sugar glaze, honey sriracha glaze, pineapple glaze, or a simple mixture of dijon mustard and butter.
Sides
Air fryer ham is often served with green beans, either cooked with olive oil and a little salt and pepper or prepared with an Asian-inspired recipe.
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Storing leftovers
Firstly, allow the cooked ham to cool down to room temperature after it's been cooked. Place it on a clean plate or tray and avoid covering it, as trapping heat can create a favourable environment for bacteria to grow. Once the ham has reached room temperature, wrap it securely in airtight packaging, using plastic wrap or aluminium foil. Make sure to press out as much air as possible, as air promotes bacterial growth and can cause the ham to dry out.
Label and date the packaging, clearly marking when the ham was cooked and when it should be consumed by. Leftover smoked ham should be stored in the refrigerator, ideally at a temperature of 4°C or below. Place the ham in the coldest part of the fridge, which is usually the back, and avoid storing it on the door, as this area is more susceptible to temperature fluctuations.
Consume the leftover ham within 3 to 4 days of cooking. If you don't plan to eat the ham within this timeframe, it's advisable to freeze it. Cut the ham into portions before freezing to make defrosting and future use more convenient. Wrap the portions individually in airtight packaging, then place them into a freezer bag or container, ensuring they are well protected from freezer burn. Label and date the packaging, including the quantity of ham in each package.
Leftover smoked ham can be safely stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you're ready to enjoy your frozen ham, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw gradually in the refrigerator. Place the ham in a bowl or on a plate to catch any drips during the defrosting process, and avoid using a 'defrost' setting on a microwave, as this can lead to uneven thawing and promote bacterial growth. Once the ham is completely thawed, follow safe food handling practices, and consume it within 3 to 4 days.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 30 minutes to cook smoked ham in an air fryer.
A 3-pound ham is the best size for an air fryer. A larger ham can be cut into two equal pieces as long as it fits in the air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer to 320 degrees F. Then, increase the temperature to 350-380 degrees F for the last few minutes of cooking.
You can use a brown sugar glaze, a honey glaze, or a pineapple glaze.
Leftover ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-7 days. It can also be stored in the freezer for up to two months.
