Air Fryer Ham Recipe | The Recipe Critic

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This air fryer ham is moist and flavorful with the most delicious caramelized honey glaze! It’s super easy to make and tastes so incredible, you’ll never want to cook ham any other way! Your friends and family will all be asking for the recipe!

Ham is such a great main dish for many different meals, especially for the holidays! Some of my other favorite ham recipes that you might want to try are this apricot glazed ham, this honey glazed ham or this very popular garlic honey mustard glazed ham! You can even make ham in an instant pot!

Sliced ham in an air fryer.

Ham in the Air Fryer

Cooking your ham in the air fryer starts with a large, sliced ham that is already cooked. With this recipe, we are simply adding great flavor and heating it so it retains all of its juices, and gets a crisp, caramelized outside edge that will keep you wanting bite after bite! There are a variety of ways to heat up a cooked ham, and after trying it in the air fryer, it’s become my go-to way to cook ham.

Air fryer ham has such amazing flavor, juiciness and texture, yet it is so quick and easy to make! The simple glaze can be made in a matter of minutes, then baste the ham and let the air fryer work its magic. We line the air fryer with foil, so clean-up is a breeze too! Make this ham entree into a complete meal by adding some tasty sides like mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, some green beans and don’t forget fluffy rolls! Whether you’re cooking for Easter, Mother’s Day or Christmas, you’ll have the perfect holiday spread!

Ingredients Needed

You will be shocked at how wonderful this air fryer ham recipe turns out with just 4 ingredients including the ham! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

  • Ham: We’re using a 3 pound sliced, boneless spiral ham that is fully cooked.
  • Butter: Melted butter gives the glaze the perfect consistency and richness.
  • Brown Sugar: An essential ingredient, so the outside of the ham gets deliciously caramelized!
  • Honey: Adds extra sweetness and an irresistible honey flavor that you will love!

How to Cook Ham in the Air Fryer

Get ready for the best ham you’ve ever tasted with just 10 minutes of prep! This insanely delicious main course will be on your table in no time. Here’s how to make the glaze and cook the ham:

  1. Make the Brown Sugar Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, brown sugar, and honey. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Add Ham to Air Fryer: Line a piece of heavy duty foil in the basket of the air fryer. Place the ham in the center of the foil then fold up the edges of the foil around the ham.
  3. Brush on Glaze: Brush some of the butter glaze over the top and around the sides of the ham. Save the rest of the glaze to baste throughout the cooking process.
  4. Cook: Cover the top of the ham with foil and cook in the air fryer at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
  5. Add More Glaze: Baste with additional glaze, recover with foil, then cook an additional 15 minutes. The ham should reach 145 degress Fahrenheit.
  6. Baste Once More: Remove the top piece of aluminum foil and glaze the ham one more time.
  7. Finish Cooking: Increase the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and brown the top of the ham for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown to your preference.
  8. Serve: Remove the ham from the air fryer basket and slice and serve.
The honey glaze being whisked together.
Adding the sliced ham to an aluminum foil-lined air fryer basket.
Brushing the air fryer ham with the brown sugar honey glaze.
Covering the ham with aluminum foil so it's ready to be cooked.

Tips for the Perfect Ham

Here are my top tips for juicy, perfectly cooked ham that the whole family will happily devour!

  • Larger Ham: This recipe calls for a 3-pound boneless ham, if you have a larger ham, cut it into two equal pieces and cook together (as long as both fit in the air fryer).
  • Wrapping in Foil: Not only does it make for easy clean-up, but it’s important to wrap the ham in foil to keep it super moist as it cooks.
  • Fully Cooked: This recipe is only for a pre-cooked ham. Be sure the packaging on your ham says fully cooked.
  • Internal Temperature: You definitely don’t want the ham to be overcooked and dry, it is ready to remove from the air fryer when the internal temperature is 145 degrees F. 
  • Thaw it: If you have a frozen ham, then make sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge. Make sure not to start cooking it until it’s fully thawed!

Storing Leftovers

Ham makes fantastic leftovers! Use it for sandwiches or reheat it for dinner the next night. Here’s how you can store it safely.

  • In the Refrigerator: If you have leftover ham, then place it in an airtight container (or wrap it in plastic wrap and then foil) and put it in your fridge. It can last up to about 4 days! 
  • Reheating: Place the ham on a baking sheet and cover it with foil. Cook at 325 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the ham is heated through! You can also rewarm individual slices in the microwave.

Closeup of a cut ham after being cooked in the air fryer. It is surrounded by sliced carrots.

More Ham Recipes

If your family loves ham as much as mine does, you will want to try all of our favorite recipes using ham. You can’t go wrong with any of these dishes! They are all so delicious and easy to make!

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  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, brown sugar, and honey. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.

  • Line a piece of heavy duty foil in the basket of the air fryer. Place the ham in the center of the foil then fold up the edges of the foil around the ham.

  • Brush some of the butter glaze over the top and around the sides of the ham. Save the rest of the glaze to baste throughout the cooking process.

  • Cover the top of the ham with foil and cook in the air fryer at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.

  • Baste with additional glaze, recover with foil, then cook an additional 15 minutes. The ham should reach 145 degress Fahrenheit.

  • Remove the top piece of aluminum foil and glaze the ham one more time.

  • Increase the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and brown the top of the ham for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown to your preference.

  • Remove the ham from the air fryer basket and slice and serve.

Serving: 1servingCalories: 743kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 49gFat: 53gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 181mgSodium: 2817mgPotassium: 669mgFiber: 0.01gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 473IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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