Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook a ham, and they free up your oven for other dishes. You can cook a small ham in an air fryer in a fraction of the time it would take in an oven, and you can glaze it with delicious butter and brown sugar, honey, or sriracha. It's important to make sure your ham fits in the air fryer, and that it doesn't touch the heating element. You can always trim the ham or cut it in half if it doesn't fit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Boneless ham, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, oil, salt, pepper |
| Equipment | Air fryer, saucepan, basting brush, meat thermometer, aluminum foil, parchment paper |
| Temperature | 300-380°F |
| Cook time | 20-50 minutes |
| Reheat time | 2-5 minutes |
| Storage | 4-7 days in the fridge, 2 months in the freezer |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for heating a fully cooked ham in an air fryer depend on the weight of the ham, the power of the air fryer, and the desired level of doneness. Here is a step-by-step guide for cooking time and temperature:
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Different recipes suggest different temperatures for preheating, ranging from 300°F to 350°F. It is important to note that the specific temperature setting may vary depending on your air fryer model.
Step 2: Prepare the Ham
While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your ham by wrapping it in aluminum foil. Ensure that the foil does not touch the heating element of the air fryer, as this could be a safety hazard. If your ham is too large to fit with the foil, you may need to trim the ham or use a larger air fryer. You can also add a layer of parchment paper between the foil and the meat if desired.
Step 3: Initial Cooking
Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes at the preheated temperature. During this time, you can prepare the glaze by melting butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat until simmering.
Step 4: Glazing
After 20 minutes, carefully remove the ham from the air fryer and open the foil. Brush the ham with the glaze, reserving some for later. Close the foil back up and return the ham to the air fryer for another 20 minutes.
Step 5: Final Cooking and Glazing
For the final stage, increase the temperature to 380°F and cook the ham uncovered for 3-to-10 minutes until browned and caramelized. The total cooking time at this stage will depend on your desired level of doneness. Brush the ham with the remaining glaze during this final cooking stage.
Step 6: Resting
Once the ham has reached the desired internal temperature and appearance, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 2-5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and juicy ham.
Step 7: Serving
After resting, use a sharp knife to slice the ham into thin slices, and serve. Enjoy your delicious air fryer ham!
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the weight of your ham. As a rule of thumb, you can estimate that it will take about 10 minutes per pound of ham to heat it up. For example, a 3-pound ham will likely take around 30 minutes to cook, while a larger 5-pound ham may take up to 50 minutes.
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Glazing techniques
Butter Brown Sugar Glaze:
- Melt butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering. You can also use coconut sugar here if you prefer. Set this glaze mixture aside.
- Place two large sheets of foil in the basket of your air fryer, with the ham in the centre.
- Brush the butter and brown sugar glaze over the top and sides of the ham.
- Cover the glazed ham with foil and place it in your preheated air fryer at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, carefully remove the ham, add additional glaze, and seal the foil back on.
- Cook for another 20 minutes, then pull the foil halfway down and brush with glaze one more time.
- Increase the heat to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry for a final 3 minutes.
Honey Glaze:
- Preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wrap your ham in aluminium foil, ensuring the seam is at the top. You can add a layer of parchment paper between the foil and meat if you prefer.
- Place the ham in the air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes.
- While the ham cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the rest of your ingredients (such as honey or brown sugar) and stir until bubbling.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and open the foil. Brush the ham with about 3/4 of the glaze.
- Re-cover the ham with foil and cook for another 20 minutes.
- Fold the foil down and brush on the rest of the glaze.
- Cook in the air fryer, uncovered, for 10 more minutes, until the ham is browned and caramelized, and has reached an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rest the ham for 10 minutes before serving.
Sriracha Honey Glaze:
- Score your ham before cooking. Scoring allows the glaze to sink into the meat, resulting in a juicier ham.
- Wrap the ham in foil and cook for half of the total cook time (about 20 minutes).
- Remove the ham and unwrap it. Brush more glaze onto the ham.
- Wrap the ham in foil again and place it back in the air fryer for the remaining cook time (another 20 minutes).
Remember, these recipes can be adapted to your taste preferences and the size of your ham. Enjoy experimenting with different glazes and techniques to find your favourite way to cook ham in your air fryer!
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Ham size and weight
The size and weight of the ham you plan to cook in your air fryer are important considerations. Firstly, you need to ensure that your ham fits comfortably in the air fryer basket and does not touch the heating element. If your ham is too large, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces or halves. Smaller air fryers may have limitations on the size of the ham you can cook, so always check the manufacturer's guidelines. A smaller ham or a ham steak might be a better option to ensure even cooking.
The weight of the ham will determine the cooking time. A good rule of thumb is to cook for about 10-12 minutes per pound at 320°F (160°C). For example, a 2-3 pound ham will take around 40-50 minutes to cook, while a 3-3.5 pound ham will take around 50 minutes. If you have a larger ham, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
The shape of the ham also affects the cooking time. Thinner, flatter hams will cook quicker than rounder, deeper hams. Bone-in hams are generally too large to fit in an air fryer, so boneless hams are often recommended. However, bone-in hams can provide a richer flavor and stay juicier during the cooking process.
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Storage and reheating
Storing and Reheating Fully Cooked Ham
Storing cooked ham:
If you have leftover ham, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze it. Cut the ham into slices, place them in freezer bags, remove the air, seal, and label with the freezing date. It will stay good for up to 2 months.
Reheating cooked ham in an air fryer:
The optimal temperature for reheating ham in an air fryer is 320°F to 350°F (160°C to 175°C). This temperature range allows for gentle and even heat distribution without drying out or burning the exterior. Preheat the air fryer for about 3-5 minutes. Place the ham slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between each slice for proper air circulation. For thin slices, cook for 5 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. For thicker slices or larger pieces, increase the cooking time to 8 to 12 minutes. Check the ham after the initial cooking time and continue cooking in 2-3 minute increments until it reaches your desired level of warmth.
Other reheating options:
You can also reheat ham in a microwave or a conventional oven. However, using an air fryer is a great way to quickly and efficiently reheat ham while retaining its moisture and taste. If the ham has been properly stored in the refrigerator, you may not need to reheat it at all. In that case, consider serving the ham cold or at room temperature to preserve its natural flavor and moisture.
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Foil and parchment usage
When using an air fryer, you can use foil or parchment paper to line the basket, which helps to keep your appliance clean and makes the cleanup process easier.
Foil
When using foil, it is important to ensure that it does not touch any of the heating elements of the air fryer. If it does, it is too large for your fryer, and you should use a smaller piece of foil. Foil is a good option for cooking meat, as it traps moisture, helping to retain the juiciness of the meat.
Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is safe to use in an air fryer, as long as it is food-grade and can withstand the temperature of your air fryer. Check the maximum temperature printed on the box, and do not exceed this in your air fryer. Parchment paper is a good option for foods that might stick to the basket, such as chicken wings, and it can be perforated to allow better airflow and prevent burning. You can purchase pre-cut, perforated parchment paper rounds, or make your own by cutting the paper to size and adding holes with a pair of scissors, a pencil, or a hole punch. When using parchment paper, it is important to ensure that it is weighed down by food, as the high-velocity fans can cause the paper to fly about and come into contact with the heating element.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to heat fully cooked ham in an air fryer at 320 degrees F for 20 minutes. However, the total cooking time may vary depending on the size of the ham. As a rule of thumb, it takes about 10 minutes per pound of ham to heat it up.
The ideal temperature for heating fully cooked ham in an air fryer is 320 degrees F. However, some recipes suggest cooking at 300 degrees F or 350 degrees F for 4-5 minutes.
Yes, you can use various glazes for heating fully cooked ham in an air fryer. Popular options include brown sugar glaze, honey glaze, and sriracha honey glaze. You can also make your own glaze or use the one that comes with the ham.
