Juicy & Easy Air Fryer Ham: Your Perfect Gluten-Free Brown Sugar Glazed Centerpiece
If your air fryer, like mine, has earned a permanent spot on your kitchen counter, you already know its incredible power. It’s the ultimate kitchen hero for busy weeknights and a lifesaver during holiday preparations. Today, we’re diving into a total game-changer for this versatile appliance: Air Fryer Ham!
Yes, you read that correctly. Cooking ham in the air fryer is surprisingly simple and yields deliciously tender, juicy results. Whether you’re planning a small holiday gathering, a cozy dinner for two, or simply craving those savory slices any night of the week, the air fryer makes it incredibly quick and effortless. This specific air-fried ham recipe focuses on a boneless ham for maximum convenience, but we’ll also cover how you can adapt it for bone-in varieties.
Why Air Fryer Ham is a Game-Changer for Busy Cooks
- Unbeatably Quick & Easy: Forget heating up a large oven and waiting hours. Air frying a small ham significantly reduces cooking time, making it ideal for last-minute meals or when you need oven space for other dishes.
- Perfectly Glazed Perfection: The circulating hot air in the air fryer works wonders, creating that irresistible, slightly caramelized brown sugar glaze that everyone loves. Every bite is packed with sweet and savory flavor.
- Ideal for Smaller Portions: This method is fantastic for a small-scale holiday meal, a special dinner for two, or even just preparing enough for delicious leftovers without the commitment of a huge roast.
- Naturally Gluten-Free: With minimal ingredients, this recipe is inherently gluten-free, catering to various dietary needs without compromising on taste.
- Consistently Juicy Results: The air fryer’s cooking method helps retain moisture, ensuring your ham comes out perfectly juicy and tender every time.
Essential Ingredients for Your Air Fryer Ham Recipe
Crafting a delectable air fryer ham requires just a few simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have on hand. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the ability to customize it to your taste.
- Cooked Ham (Boneless or Bone-In): A pre-cooked ham is key here, as the air fryer’s main job is to warm it through and create that beautiful crust. Boneless hams are often easier to slice and fit into the air fryer basket.
- Brown Sugar: The star of our glaze! Brown sugar provides that classic sweet and slightly molasses-like flavor that perfectly complements the savory ham. You can use light or dark brown sugar depending on your preference for depth of flavor.
- Grapeseed Oil Spray: A high smoke point oil spray helps prevent sticking and promotes an even, golden-brown finish without adding excess fat. Other neutral oils like avocado oil spray can also work.
- Glaze (Optional, but Highly Recommended!): A good glaze takes your air fryer ham from great to unforgettable.
The glaze is truly optional, but we highly recommend it for that signature holiday flavor. You can opt for the glaze packet that often comes with the ham, which is typically a delicious brown sugar-based concoction. Alternatively, feel free to get creative and make your own homemade glaze. A pineapple glaze or a Dijon mustard and brown sugar glaze are popular choices. When using a glaze, ensure you follow the instructions on the package or your chosen recipe, coating all sides of the ham evenly. Any leftover glaze can be warmed and used to garnish the ham slices before serving, adding an extra layer of deliciousness.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Ham
Cooking ham in the air fryer boasts an incredibly short prep time—usually under 10 minutes—and a quick cook time of about 30 minutes for smaller hams. This efficiency makes it the perfect choice for a compact holiday dinner or a romantic meal for two, freeing up your oven for side dishes or desserts.
To ensure a mess-free cooking experience and to make clean-up a breeze, especially if you’re using a sticky glaze, it’s wise to line your air fryer basket. Place aluminum foil or parchment paper strategically under the ham. When doing so, be sure there is still enough room on the sides and bottom for the hot air to circulate freely throughout the air fryer or Ninja Foodi. Proper air circulation is vital for even cooking and crisping.
It’s very important to make sure that your chosen lining (aluminum foil or parchment paper) is securely placed and weighted down by the ham before you turn on the machine. This prevents the lightweight paper or foil from blowing around inside the air fryer and potentially coming into contact with the heating element, which could pose a fire hazard. Using oven-safe parchment paper designed for air fryers is often a good idea, as it comes with perforations that allow air to flow through.
By using aluminum foil or parchment paper, you’ll not only protect your air fryer basket from getting overly dirty or sticky from the glaze but also simplify the transfer of the cooked ham. There are many types of parchment paper options available on Amazon, including pre-cut liners in various shapes to perfectly fit different air fryer models.
If you’re planning to create a beautiful glazed ham, lining your air fryer basket with aluminum foil is almost essential. This allows you to pour the glaze generously over the top of the ham, letting any excess sticky glaze collect in the foil rather than baking directly onto your air fryer basket, saving you a significant amount of scrubbing later.
- Choose the Right Size Ham: The most crucial tip is to select a ham that comfortably fits inside your air fryer basket. For our Ninja Air Fryer, a 3-pound ham was perfect. Generally, sticking to hams around 2-4 pounds is ideal for most standard air fryer models.
- Monitor Cooking Time and Temperature: Remember that all air fryers, even from the same manufacturer, can heat slightly differently. It’s always best practice to keep a close eye on your food while it cooks. For pre-cooked ham, you’re primarily warming it through to a safe and delicious serving temperature. Use a reliable meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 140-145 degrees F for pre-cooked ham, or 165 degrees F if you’re warming raw ham.
- Bone-In Ham Options: A bone-in ham can certainly be used in the air fryer. The key is to ensure it fits and to monitor the internal temperature carefully with a meat thermometer. Bone-in hams might take slightly longer and could cook a little less evenly around the bone, so be diligent with your temperature checks.
- Allow the Ham to Rest: Once cooked, transfer the ham to a cutting board and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful ham.
- Scoring the Ham (Optional): If your ham isn’t spiral-cut, consider scoring the surface in a diamond pattern about 1/4 inch deep before applying the glaze. This not only makes for a beautiful presentation but also helps the glaze penetrate deeper into the ham.
This effortless air fryer ham recipe is a fantastic addition to your collection of Ninja Foodi Recipes or any air fryer recipe repertoire!
More Delicious Air Fryer Holiday & Side Dish Recipes
Over the years, our air fryer and Ninja Foodi have become indispensable for creating full, delicious meals for our entire family. These easy recipes are perfect to pair with your Air Fryer Ham, completing a holiday feast or a simple weeknight dinner.
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders (Perfect for using leftovers!)
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Air Fryer Green Beans & Potatoes
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
Storing and Reheating Leftover Air Fryer Ham
One of the best parts of cooking ham is the delicious leftovers! Proper storage ensures you can enjoy them for days to come.
Refrigeration:
Store any leftover air fryer ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. This keeps the ham fresh and prevents it from drying out.
Freezing:
For longer storage, ham freezes beautifully. To prevent freezer burn, first wrap individual portions or slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them into a freezer-safe storage bag or an airtight container. Properly sealed, it will last up to two months in the freezer. When you’re ready to use it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating Instructions:
There are several easy ways to reheat your air fryer ham leftovers, ensuring they remain tender and flavorful:
- Microwave: For a quick reheat, place slices on a microwave-safe plate and warm for 3-4 minutes, or until heated through. You might want to add a tablespoon of water or broth to keep it moist.
- Air Fryer: To regain some of that delicious crispness, reheat ham slices in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes, or until warmed through. This is our preferred method for the best texture!
- Oven: If reheating a larger portion, place it in an oven-safe dish with a splash of water or broth, cover with foil, and warm in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 15-20 minutes.
Leftovers are incredibly versatile! They are perfect for whipping up more of those Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders. Beyond that, ham can easily be incorporated into hearty soups, flavorful sandwiches, vibrant salads, breakfast omelets, comforting casseroles, or even as a topping for homemade pizzas. The possibilities are endless!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Ham
Q: Can I cook a frozen ham in the air fryer?
A: It’s generally not recommended to cook a frozen ham directly in the air fryer, as it will cook unevenly and take a very long time. For best results, thaw your ham completely in the refrigerator before air frying.
Q: How long does it take to cook ham in an air fryer?
A: For a pre-cooked boneless ham around 2-3 pounds, it typically takes about 30 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 140-145°F (60-63°C).
Q: Do I need to preheat my air fryer for ham?
A: While not strictly necessary for all air fryer recipes, preheating for 5 minutes at the cooking temperature can help the ham cook more evenly and develop a better crust and glaze. It’s a quick step that can improve results.
Q: Can I use different glazes on my air fryer ham?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite ham glazes. Honey mustard, maple, apricot, or cherry glazes all work wonderfully. Just ensure your glaze doesn’t contain ingredients that burn easily at high temperatures and apply it during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.
Q: How do I prevent the glaze from burning?
A: The key is to apply the glaze during the final stages of cooking, typically the last 5-10 minutes. This allows the glaze to caramelize without burning. Also, lining your air fryer basket with foil helps catch any drips and prevents them from baking onto the basket.
This is truly one of those recipes that brilliantly showcases just how versatile and indispensable the air fryer can be. Whether you’re looking to delight picky eaters with a classic comfort food or simply need a break from complicated, time-consuming dinners, this air fryer ham delivers pure satisfaction with minimal effort. It’s a surefire way to impress without the stress!
It’s time to elevate your holiday feast or make any dinner feel special with this unbelievably easy air fryer ham recipe. This is truly the perfect method for hosting a small-scale holiday dinner or simply enjoying a magnificent ham any day of the week!
Easy Air Fryer Ham
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Ingredients
- 3 lb Boneless Pre-Cooked Ham
- 3 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- Grapeseed Oil Spray
- Fresh Parsley for garnish, optional
- Ham Glaze Optional, either store-bought or homemade
Instructions
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Lightly coat the air fryer basket with grapeseed oil cooking spray to prevent sticking.
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Carefully place a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper in the air fryer basket, ensuring it covers the bottom without obstructing air flow. Place your boneless ham on top of the lining.
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Evenly coat the ham with brown sugar, pressing it gently onto the surface. If desired, sprinkle with fresh parsley and lightly spray with grapeseed oil cooking spray.
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Cook the ham using the air fryer function at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140-145°F (60-63°C).
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If you are using an optional glaze, prepare it while the ham is cooking. During the last 5-10 minutes of cook time, carefully open the air fryer, coat the ham with the glaze, and then finish cooking until the glaze is beautifully caramelized and sticky.
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Once cooked, remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.
Notes
Remember, for pre-cooked ham, the internal temperature should reach at least 140-145°F (60-63°C) before serving for optimal warmth and safety. If you are cooking raw ham, it must reach 165°F (74°C).
Nutrition
