Air Fryer Ham
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My air fryer ham with orange and brown sugar glaze is always a showstopper. It’s bursting with sweet and savory flavor, and perfect for Easter, Christmas, or a weekend lunch.
When it comes to effortless holiday cooking or when my partner is in his ‘ham sandwich for every lunch’ phase, nothing beats an air fryer ham. It turns out beautifully caramelized on the outside, juicy and tender inside, and cooks in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven.
I first started air frying ham a few years ago when I was short on oven space (and honestly, patience). I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked- the air fryer was seriously made for this. It crisps up the sweet orange glaze, locks in the moisture, and is perfect for feeding just a few mouths- aka my family.
It’s become my go-to for smaller gatherings, Christmas parties (I love being on ham duty now!), or even a special Sunday lunch. And yes, the leftovers taste just as good (if not better, according to my partner).
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this, plus a few notes from kitchen testing. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card.
- Pre-cooked ham. Sometimes labelled as spiral ham. I find a 2 3/4- to 3-pound ham works best for air frying. I tested this in all three of my air fryers (Ninja, Cosori, and Phillips), and it was the ideal size for even cooking.
- Ham glaze. My mix includes orange juice, brown sugar, butter, honey, and a few seasonings.
How to cook ham in the air fryer
Step 1- Make glaze. In a small saucepan, add the glaze ingredients and heat over medium. Bring it to a boil, reduce, then let it simmer until it thickens.
Step 2- Season. Score the ham, then brush the glaze all over it.
Step 3- Assembly and air fry. Place the ham on a piece of tin foil and transfer it to the air fryer basket. Air fry for 20 minutes.
Step 4- Re-glaze. Open the foil and brush another third of the glaze over it. Cover and air fry for another 20 minutes. Open the foil, brush on the remaining glaze, and air fry for an additional 5 minutes.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Always air fry on foil. Because we’re scoring the ham, adding it directly to the air fryer basket risks the skin breaking and the juices running out. I do get readers asking if you can add foil to the air fryer, and the answer is YES!
- Scoring the ham is essential. Not only does scoring the ham ensure even cooking, but I also found it absorbs the glaze better. Think of the cuts like little flavor channels that hold onto it instead of letting it run off.
- Keep an eye on the air frying time. It usually takes me 45 minutes all up for a perfectly sticky and tender air fryer ham. If yours isn’t ready, then keep cooking in 2-minute increments until done. Don’t forget it, though, as overcooking will cause the ham to curl (tighten).
- Toothpicks are my secret weapon. They keep the ham together and juicy if it separates during cooking.
Frequently asked questions
I’ve found that the two main reasons hams aren’t thoroughly heated through are not being brought to room temperature first and the air fryer temperature being too high. My recipe specially utilizes a consistent temperature to ensure this doesn’t happen. As tempting as it is, please do not cook it at a higher heat, or you risk this happening (and parts of the ham drying out!).
If your ham doesn’t fit entirely in the air fryer, trim just enough off the sides so it fits- I do this often when my ham is a little wider than it is tall. If it is considerably bigger, you can slice it in half and cook one half at a time. Doing it this way ensures the hot air circulates and the ham remains juicy.
✅ Nutrition reviewed
Nutrition information has been reviewed by registered dietitian Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Air Fryer Ham
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds cooked boneless ham spiral cut
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 320°F.
- Add the butter, brown sugar, honey, orange juice, pepper, and smoked paprika to a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring it to a simmer, then remove it from the heat and set it aside.
- Score the ham. Lay two sheets of aluminum foil on top of each other, set the ham in the middle, and fold the sides slightly to catch any excess glaze.
- Brush 1/3 of the glaze over the ham. Place the ham (and aluminum foil) in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 20 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer basket, fold back the foil, and brush another 1/3 of the glaze on the ham. Cover the ham and air fry for another 20 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer basket again, fold the foil back, and brush the remaining glaze onto it. Air fry for another 5 minutes, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Rest the ham for at least ten minutes before serving.
Notes
- Storage: Leftovers will keep for up to one week in the fridge, covered.
- Freezing: Place slices of ham in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
More holiday air fryer dinners
These would be great for small holiday gatherings, too.
