Say hello to the easiest, juiciest ham you'll ever meet—cooked to golden perfection right in your air fryer! With a sweet, sticky glaze that caramelizes like magic, this ham is your shortcut to holiday-worthy flavor without turning your kitchen into a sauna.
Air fryer ham makes a juicy, flavorful holiday ham with zero oven fuss. Hot air crisps the outside while keeping the ham tender and moist - perfect for any special occasion or weeknight dinner.
The sticky glaze brings big flavor with honey, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. It caramelizes right on top of the ham for that sweet-savory finish everyone loves.
Make dinnertime a breeze with these air fryer faves: Air Fryer Chicken Breasts, Chicken Crescent Roll Ups, Chicken Fajitas, Meatloaf, and BBQ Chicken!
Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Ham
- Ham. A pre-cooked spiral sliced ham around 3 pounds works best for this air fryer recipe. Choose a ham that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket - flatter, wider hams are ideal. Bone-in, boneless, or even a small ham steak can all work, just adjust the cooking time.
- Honey. Adds natural sweetness to the glaze and helps it caramelize on the surface of the ham. Maple syrup is a great substitute if you're out of honey.
- Dijon Mustard. Gives the glaze a zippy, tangy depth that cuts through the sweetness. You can swap it with yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard, depending on your taste.
- Worcestershire Sauce. Brings a savory, umami richness that balances the glaze. If needed, soy sauce or even balsamic vinegar can step in here.
- Garlic. Fresh minced garlic adds bold flavor to the glaze. You can also use garlic powder in a pinch - about ¼ teaspoon per clove.
How to Make Air Fryer Ham
- Start by making your glaze. In a small bowl, stir together honey, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic until smooth and combined. Set it aside - you’ll be brushing it on in layers for a sticky finish that’s next-level good.
- Unwrap your pre-cooked spiral ham and check the size. It should fit snugly inside your air fryer basket, so trim a bit if needed.
- Wrap the ham in aluminum foil, placing the seam at the top to make basting easy later.
- Preheat your air fryer to 320°F. Place the foil-wrapped ham into the basket of the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes. This first round helps heat the ham through before adding the glaze, locking in moisture and making sure it cooks evenly.
- After 20 minutes, carefully open the foil and brush the glaze all over the top of the ham. Be sure to brush between slices where you can - it helps every bite soak up that delicious brown sugar flavor. Close the foil back up and return the ham to the air fryer for another 15-20 minutes.
- Unwrap the ham completely and give it one final glaze. Air fry for 10 more minutes uncovered to allow the outside to caramelize and reach the ideal internal temperature of 140°F.
- Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing, basting with any leftover glaze as it sits.
FAQs
It depends on the shape. A larger ham may fit if it's more flat than tall - just make sure there’s room for the hot air to circulate.
Use aluminum foil only, and be sure it’s wrapped tightly around the ham so it doesn't touch the heating element.
Yes! A ham steak is a great option for smaller meals and cooks even faster - just adjust the cooking time.
Use an instant read thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 140°F for pre-cooked ham.
Absolutely. If your foil catches any glaze and juices, transfer them to a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk with a bit of melted butter and flour for a quick ham gravy.
Storage & Freezing
Storage: Once cooled, leftover ham should be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It's perfect for tossing into soups, sandwiches, or a quick ham and eggs breakfast the next morning.
Freezing: Ham freezes beautifully. Slice it or leave it whole, then wrap it well in foil and place in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. It’ll keep its flavor and texture for up to 3 months. Label it with the date so you don’t forget it’s in there!
Reheating: To reheat, pop a few slices into your air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. You can also warm it in the microwave, on the stovetop with a splash of water for moisture, or in the oven wrapped in foil at medium heat.
Make Ahead: Want to get ahead of the game? You can prep the glaze in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The ham itself can be wrapped and ready to go, then just glaze and air fry when you're ready to serve. Perfect for stress-free holiday meals or easy weeknight dinners.
Substitutions & Variations
- Ham. Use any pre-cooked ham: spiral sliced, boneless, bone-in, or even ham steaks for smaller servings. Just make sure it fits in your air fryer basket, and adjust cooking time as needed for size.
- Honey. Brings sweetness and helps caramelize the glaze. You can sub in maple syrup, brown sugar, or even orange marmalade for a fun twist.
- Dijon Mustard. Adds tangy depth and cuts through the sweetness of the glaze. Yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard also work if you prefer a milder or bolder kick.
- Worcestershire Sauce. Adds savory richness to balance the sweet elements. If you're out, try soy sauce or balsamic vinegar for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Garlic. Fresh minced garlic adds punchy flavor to the glaze. Garlic powder can be used in a pinch - just reduce the quantity slightly.
Pro Tips
- Size matters - choose wisely. Make sure your ham fits comfortably in the air fryer basket. A flatter, wider ham works better than a tall, round one, especially when wrapped in foil. If it’s too snug, the hot air won’t circulate and the cooking time might be off.
- Foil placement is key. Wrap the ham in aluminum foil with the seam at the top. This lets you easily open it mid-cook to baste with that sticky glaze, then seal it back up without making a mess.
- Check that internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to make sure your ham hits 140°F in the thickest part. Don’t rely on guesswork - this ensures your ham is hot, juicy, and safe to serve.
- Make it shine with glaze. Brush the glaze deep between the slices of your spiral ham for max flavor. Save a bit to baste after cooking too - it adds gorgeous shine and extra moisture.
- What to serve with air fryer ham. Pair this delicious main with classic holiday sides like green beans, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, or pineapple slices. Or go casual with mac and cheese, air fryer carrots, or even a scoop of potato salad - it’s versatile enough for any spread!
Have you tried this Air Fryer Ham recipe?
Please leave a comment below if you have tried making this recipe. I love to hear from you and enjoy reading about what you think. Be sure to tag @devourdinner when posting to social media. I can't wait to see your photos!
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Ham in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 pound Ham - Precooked Spiral Sliced
- ½ Cup Honey
- ½ Cup Dijon Mustard
- 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 Cloves Garlic - Minced
Instructions
Glaze:
- In a small bowl, combine Honey, Dijon Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, and Garlic. Mix well and set aside.
Air Fryer Ham Directions:
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 320°F.
- Remove the Ham from its packaging and wrap it in Aluminum Foil. The Ham should be small enough to fit inside your Air Fryer basket.
- Tip: Place the seam of the Foil at the top so you can easily open it to access the Ham.
- Air Fry the wrapped Ham for 20 minutes at 320°F.
- Carefully remove the Ham and open the Foil.
- Baste the Glaze over the Ham, brushing it into the slices where possible.
- Close the Foil back up and return it to the Air Fryer for another 15–20 minutes.
- Remove the Foil from around the Ham, baste with the remaining Glaze, and place it back in the Air Fryer for 10 minutes to caramelize the outside and reach an internal temperature of 140°F.
- Allow the Ham to rest for up to 10 minutes, basting as needed.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Size Matters
Size of the ham matters! Air Fryer baskets can feel small when a ham wrapped in foil is placed inside. Choose a ham that is flatter and wider if possible. Choosing a smaller in weight ham will cook faster than a larger ham. This recipe was tested with a 3.32 lb spiral ham. And it took the full time allotted for. Adjust time as needed for smaller hams. And additional time will be needed for hams larger than 3 pounds.Storage and Reheating Air Fryer Ham
Place leftover Ham in a sealed container and keep refrigerated for 4-5 days. Ham can also be placed in ZipLoc storage bags. Freeze Ham in sealed containers for up to 3 months.Reheating Ham
To Reheat Ham place in Air Fryer, Microwave, Oven, or stove top until desired temperature is reached. Reheat in Air Fryer at 350F for 2-3 minutes per serving.Temperature
Use a Digital Thermometer to ensure ham reaches 140°F.Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
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