This easy Air Fryer Ham is sure to become a family favorite! A brown sugar and pineapple glaze is spread on boneless ham, and it is then air-fried until it is warm, golden, and just right. Great for the holidays, or anytime!.
Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking by quickly crisping up foods with little to no oil Their convection heat and airflow also make air fryers ideal for reheating leftovers and cooking pre-cooked meats like ham. But how long should you cook ham in an air fryer? Follow this guide for timing and tips to perfectly air fry bone-in and boneless ham
Benefits of Cooking Ham in an Air Fryer
Air frying ham offers several advantages over oven baking:
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Faster cooking – Air fryers use concentrated, high heat airflow to cook foods very quickly. Ham cooks in less than an hour versus 2+ hours in the oven.
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Crispy exterior – The circulating hot air crisps up the ham’s exterior with no oil needed Oven ham can have a soft exterior
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Moist interior – Ham comes out very juicy inside with an air fryer. The convection heat penetrates meat while outer airflow crisps the surface.
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Less electricity – Air fryers use less energy than heating up a full-size oven. More affordable to operate.
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Compact size – Air fryers take up minimal counterspace with their small footprint. Great for smaller households.
How Long to Cook Ham in an Air Fryer
Air fryer ham cook times depend on a few factors:
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Ham size – A small 3 lb ham fillet takes less time than a 7 lb bone-in half ham.
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Bone-in or boneless – Boneless hams cook faster than bone-in since bones take longer to heat.
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Precooked or fresh – Precooked ham just needs reheating while fresh raw ham requires full cooking.
For best results, follow these air fryer ham cooking guidelines:
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Precooked bone-in – Cook 10-14 minutes per lb at 300°F
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Precooked boneless – Cook 8-10 minutes per lb at 300°F
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Fresh bone-in – Cook 18-22 minutes per lb at 300°F
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Fresh boneless – Cook 15-18 minutes per lb at 300°F
These times are approximate. Always verify doneness with a meat thermometer, not just time. Cook precooked ham to 140°F and fresh ham to 160°F.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Frying Ham
Follow these simple steps for juicy, tender air fryer ham:
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Prep ham – Select a precooked or fresh boneless or bone-in ham. Trim off excess fat or rind. Score fat cap.
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Season (optional) – Lightly coat ham with oil or mustard and season with salt, pepper, brown sugar, etc.
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Wrap in foil – Wrap ham tightly in foil to steam and retain moisture. Use a baking dish if needed to contain juices.
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Air fry – Cook at 300°F for the recommended time per pound, based on ham type.
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Glaze (optional) – Unwrap foil, glaze ham, and air fry 5-10 mins more to caramelize glaze.
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Check temp – Verify internal temperature meets food safety standards with a meat thermometer.
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Rest and serve – Let ham rest for 10-15 minutes before thinly slicing to serve.
Tips for Air Frying Ham
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Use heavy duty foil since ham releases lots of liquid. Double wrap if concerned.
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Add broth, juice or water to foil packet to further boost moisture.
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Cut large hams in half if needed to fit in air fryer basket.
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Avoid opening air fryer frequently to prevent heat and moisture loss.
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Glaze during last 10-15 minutes only so ham doesn’t burn or dry out.
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Always let ham rest before slicing for the juiciest results.
FAQs About Cooking Ham in an Air Fryer
What size ham fits in an air fryer?
Look for a 3-4 lb boneless ham or a 5-7 lb bone-in half ham. Very large hams won’t fit.
How long does a 5 lb precooked ham take?
Cook a 5 lb precooked bone-in ham for 60-75 minutes at 300°F in a tightly foil wrapped packet.
Can you cook an uncooked ham in an air fryer?
Yes, increase cook time to 18-22 minutes per lb for safe doneness. Use a meat thermometer to confirm.
Should you flip ham during air frying?
No need to flip since air circulates all around the ham. Just rotate basket halfway through if desired.
What temperature should cooked ham reach?
Cook until precooked hams reach 140°F and fresh raw hams reach 160°F for food safety.
Get Perfectly Cooked Ham Every Time
Your air fryer allows you to enjoy juicy, flavorful ham in record time. Follow the recommended cook times per pound, use a meat thermometer, and keep foil wrapped tight.
In under an hour, you’ll have tender, mouthwatering ham ready to slice and serve. Air fry on for quick and easy ham dinners!
What are the different types of ham?
City hams and country hams are the two main types of ham that you can air fry. City hams are what you typically think of when you imagine a classic holiday ham. They’re easy to find in supermarkets, and are sold ready to eat, although most people bake them first. That’s the kind of ham I used here, and I went with a small boneless version. City hams are moist, tender, and super easy to make.
The other option is country ham. Unlike wet-cured city ham, country ham is dry-cured and aged before being sold. These are much less common to see in grocery stores. A full-size country ham is usually pretty big, and it needs to be soaked to get rid of some of the salt before it can be cooked and eaten. A whole country ham will definitely not fit in the air fryer. However, if you’re determined to have country ham, look for a small, boneless country ham. You don’t have to worry about that part because these are already soaked, rinsed, and cooked before they’re sold. Plus, they’re small enough to fit in the air fryer!
How long do I cook ham in the air fryer?
The ham in this recipe is already cooked, so all you need to do is air-fry it until it’s warm all the way through and the glaze has had a chance to flavor the meat. I like to cook ham at 300°F for 8 to 10 minutes per pound, but you can check it earlier or leave it in a little longer.
The time doesn’t have to be exact, since the ham is already cooked. And because every air fryer is a little different, you should check on the ham several times until it’s done the way you like it.
That’s it! I’m sure you’ll love how simple and tasty it is to bake a ham in an air fryer. But before you get started, let me just share a few more tips for making this recipe:
- Add Spices: To make this recipe even more holiday-y, add some ground cinnamon or whole cloves to each diamond-shaped cutout on top of the ham. Pretty and yummy!.
- Every Ham Is Different: A flatter, thinner ham will cook through faster than a thicker ham. You might have to cut the ham in half to fit it in the air fryer if it’s really big.
- As with any roasted or baked meat, I think this ham tastes best after it has been left to rest for a while. It will turn out more tender and juicy! About 10 minutes is enough time.
I like to make either a simple meal with a few simple sides or a holiday feast with all the fixings to go with ham. Here are some of my favorite recipes that can be used for either!
- Mac and Cheese: Warm, cheesy macaroni is so satisfying! Try this simple, 15-minute homemade mac and cheese recipe that you make on the stove. It has all the gooey cheese goodness of a slow-baked mac and cheese casserole!
- Green Bean Casserole: This is another comforting classic, and my version is made 100% from scratch. If you don’t have much time, steamed and buttered green beans are also a great vegetable choice.
- In this classic recipe for Cheesy Potato Casserole, potatoes and ham go well together. This sweet pineapple ham would also go well with the casserole. Everyone always wants more, no matter what you call them (in some parts of the US, they’re called “Funeral Potatoes”).