Air fryer ham with a pineapple glaze is a flavor-packed delight, combining sweet and savory in a way that’ll leave you and your guests going back for seconds!
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Ham in the air fryer is an absolute game-changer in the kitchen. It’s not just good; it’s downright amazing. Whether you’re using bone-in ham or boneless ham, this easy recipe has got you covered!
One thing that makes ham in the air fryer so special is how incredibly easy it is. No complicated steps, no hours spent in the kitchen — just simple, straightforward cooking.
Air frying ham is perfect for casual dinners, special occasions, or holiday dinners! With minimal effort, you can create a restaurant-worthy ham your guests will love.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- 3 pound ham: Use a fully pre-cooked ham (this is how they are normally found in the US)
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Honey: I use honey, but you can substitute it for maple syrup
- Pineapple juice: gives the ham a citrusy flavor that harmonizes the glaze and pineapple pieces on top
- Pineapple slices: I use canned pineapple slices for ease
- Maraschino cherries
How to Make Air Fryer Ham
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, and pineapple juice. Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heating element and set it aside.
STEP TWO: Lay two large aluminum foil sheets in your air fryer basket, place the precooked ham in the middle, and fold up the sides slightly.
STEP THREE: Brush 1/3 of the glaze over the ham. Fold the foil to cover it, then air fry ham at 320 degrees F for 20 minutes.
STEP FOUR: Uncover and brush another ⅓ of the glaze on the ham.
STEP FIVE: Skewer maraschino cherries on toothpicks. Hold a pineapple slice on top of the ham, and push the toothpick through into the ham. Cover with foil and air fry for 20 more minutes.
STEP SIX: Uncover, brush the remaining glaze on the ham, and air fry uncovered at 380 degrees F for 5-8 minutes, until it browns and reaches 145 degrees F internally.
STEP SEVEN: Let the ham rest for at least 10 minutes before serving with the excess glaze from the foil.
Tips to Make the Best Small Ham
- Try to pick a small ham that will fit in your air fryer. If you have a larger ham, you may need to take a few slices off of the top so you can air fry the ham properly.
- Keep a close watch during the final 5-8 minutes that you air fry the ham. The goal is to create that delicious exterior browning before it starts to burn.
- Score the ham before air frying to let the glaze soak in and make it extra flavorful.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Ham
Air fryer ham is served great alongside Thanksgiving classics such as cornbread stuffing, fruit salad, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and even mac and cheese.
You can also serve it with other air fryer recipes, such as butternut squash, cornbread, carrots, asparagus, and other vegetables.
How Long to Cook Ham in the Air Fryer
Since spiral hams come pre-cooked, our goal when air frying ham is to achieve a crispy exterior while keeping the inside warm and juicy.
Air fry ham covered in aluminum foil for a cooking time of 40 minutes, followed by an additional 5-8 minutes without the foil — it works perfectly.
Though they’re rarely sold in the US, you can also air fry uncooked ham or gammon joint. If it’s 5 to 7 pounds, air fry for 22-25 minutes per pound. If you have a whole ham weighing 10 to 14 pounds, reduce the time to 18-20 minutes per pound.
You can use an Instant Read Thermometer to gauge the ham’s readiness. Once the fully cooked ham reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, it’s thoroughly heated and ready to enjoy.
Variations to Cooking Air Fryer Ham
- Try switching up the glaze for the ham to create different flavor profiles. My all-time favorite is a butter and brown sugar glaze.
- Swap the sauce in this easy recipe with this irresistible pineapple sauce for ham or ham glaze recipe!
- You can make a sweet and tangy glaze by simmering together 1 cup of maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 cup of light brown sugar.
- Create honey ham by combining orange juice, brown sugar, and honey for a glaze.
- You can skip the pineapples and cherries! You can even make your whole cooked ham without glaze — it’s up to you! If you omit the glaze, coat the ham with butter so it doesn’t get dry.
How to Use Any Ham Leftovers
One of the best parts of air frying ham is the versatility of leftover ham! Once the meat cools, wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then pop it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
For those 5 days, you can craft tasty ham and cheese sandwiches, make scrambled eggs with chopped ham, make a ham cheese wrap, toss them in a scalloped potato and ham casserole, or make ham and cheese roll ups for a quick snack — the possibilities are endless.
Here’s another trick: if your ham isn’t pre sliced, cut slices (like ham steaks) and reheat the ham slices in the air fryer!
How to Reheat Ham in the Air Fryer
Simply preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees F. Place the cooked ham in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Reheat ham slices for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through for even warming. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking, and you’ll have deliciously warm ham in no time.
More Dinner Air Fryer Recipes to Try
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Air Fryer Ham
Ingredients
- 1 3- pound fully cooked ham slightly trimmed to fit your air fryer
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon pineapple juice from can
- 3 canned pineapple slices
- 3 maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Add the butter, brown sugar, honey, and pineapple juice to a small saucepan set over medium heat. Bring it to a simmer, then remove it from the heat and set it aside.
- Lay two large sheets of aluminum foil in the air fryer basket and set the ham in the middle, folding up the sides slightly.
- Brush the ham with 1/3 of the glaze. Fold the foil over the ham to cover, then air fry at 320 degrees F for 20 minutes.
- Fold the foil back and brush another ⅓ of the glaze on the ham.
- Skewer each maraschino cherry on a toothpick. Hold a slice of pineapple on the top of the ham with one hand, and push the toothpick through the hole and into the ham. Cover the ham with the foil and air fry for another 20 minutes.
- Fold the foil back, brush the ham with the remaining glaze, and air fry uncovered for an additional 5-8 minutes at 380 degrees F, until the top is browned and the ham reaches 145 degrees F internally. Allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving with the glaze in the bottom of the foil.
