How Long to Cook Ham in an Air Fryer for Juicy, Tender Results

Cooking ham in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious, juicy ham for any occasion. With an air fryer, you can achieve crispy, browned edges and tender, moist meat without needing to turn on your oven.

Determining the right amount of time to cook your ham is important for ensuring it turns out perfectly cooked. Undercooking can lead to dry or tough ham, while overcooking results in overly dried out meat.

Follow this guide to learn exactly how long to cook ham of any size in an air fryer, as well as tips for the best results

Factors That Affect Ham Air Fryer Cooking Times

Several factors impact how long ham needs to cook in an air fryer:

• Ham weight: Heavier hams require longer cook times. A 2 lb ham cooks faster than a 5 lb one.

• Bone-in or boneless: Bone-in hams take longer since the bone partly shields meat.

• Thickness: Thicker ham cuts need more time than thinner pieces to fully cook.

• Precooked or uncooked: An uncooked fresh ham requires more time to fully cook than a precooked one.

• Fat cap: An intact fat cap insulates the meat, increasing cook time.

• Fryer wattage: Higher wattage fryers cook faster than lower wattage ones.

• Quantity cooked: Cooking more than one ham adds to the overall cooking time.

Recommended Air Fryer Temperature for Ham

• 325°F: This is the ideal temperature for cooking ham in an air fryer. Higher temps risk burning the outside before the inside cooks.

• 300°F: For hams with sugar-based glazes, use 300°F to prevent burning.

• 350°F max: Temps higher than 350°F risk overcooking the meat rapidly.

Preheat your air fryer before adding the ham so it starts cooking immediately.

Air Fryer Cook Times for Ham by Weight

This table provides general guidelines for how long to cook ham in an air fryer based on the ham’s weight:

• For uncooked fresh ham, add 5 minutes per pound to the times above.

• Increase cook times by 5-10 minutes for bone-in or thick cuts.

• Always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness instead of relying solely on cook times.

How to Cook Ham in an Air Fryer

Follow these simple steps for perfect air fried ham:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 300-325°F.

2. Score the ham’s fat cap in a diamond pattern to allow seasoning or glaze to penetrate better.

3. Season or glaze the ham as desired. Avoid sugary glazes if cooking above 300°F.

4. Place the ham in the air fryer basket. For bone-in hams, position it diagonally if needed.

5. Cook for the estimated time based on weight. Flip halfway through for even cooking.

6. Brush with glaze periodically if desired. Apply the last coating in the last 5-10 minutes.

7. Check temperature using a meat thermometer to confirm doneness. Cook longer if needed.

8. Let rest 5-10 minutes before slicing for juicier ham.

9. Carve into slices or chunks to serve. Enjoy!

How to Tell When Ham is Done

It’s crucial to accurately determine when the ham is fully cooked. Undercooked ham can harbor harmful bacteria. Signs ham is done:

• Internal temperature reaches 145°F for fresh ham, 140°F for precooked.

• Meat is fork-tender with some resistance but not tough.

• Fat has rendered and browned edges are crispy.

• Juices run clear when cut into.

• Color is light pink to red with browned outer edges.

Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the ham for an exact doneness reading. If undercooked, continue heating in 5 minute increments until reaching the proper internal temperature.

Tips for the Best Air Fried Ham

Apply these tips for the ideal air fried ham:

• Trim excess fat to reduce cook time. Leave a thin layer intact for moisture.

• Pierce the fat cap prior to cooking so seasoning and glaze can penetrate.

• Flip halfway through for even browning.

• Brush with glaze just before done to prevent burning.

• Spiral cut hams for self-basting as the meat’s juices cook down.

• Cook multiple small hams rather than one large if your fryer is small.

• Use cooking spray for easy ham removal if not using a tray.

• Check early and often to prevent overcooking.

• Let rest before slicing for better moisture retention.

Common Air Fryer Ham Problems and Fixes

Even if you follow all the right steps, you may still encounter an issue with your air fried ham. Here are some common problems and ways to troubleshoot:

• Undercooked: Return to air fryer and cook 5+ minutes more until done.

• Overcooked/dry: Slice thin or chop up to serve. Add to casseroles or soups.

• Burnt exterior: Trim off burnt parts. Next time, use lower temp and glaze at end.

• Bland flavor: Season more aggressively before cooking. Glaze adds sweetness.

• Fat not rendering: Score fat cap for better rendering. Cook longer to melt fat.

• Uneven cooking: Flip during cooking and rotate basket position. Cut into smaller pieces.

An Easy Ham Recipe for the Air Fryer

This simple maple brown sugar glazed ham is easy to make in the air fryer with spectacularly delicious results:

Ingredients:

• 3 lb boneless, fully cooked ham

• 1⁄4 cup maple syrup

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon mustard

• 1⁄4 teaspoon cloves

• 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard, cloves and cinnamon. Set aside.

2. Preheat air fryer to 325°F.

3. Score fat cap of ham in a diamond pattern. Brush ham all over with half the glaze mixture.

4. Cook ham in air fryer for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway through. Brush with remaining glaze during last 5 minutes.

5. Remove from air fryer and let rest 10 minutes before slicing to serve.

Enjoy your tender, caramelized brown sugar glazed air fried ham!

The Takeaway

Cooking ham in an air fryer results in flavorful, juicy meat with a crispy browned exterior in much less time than using an oven.

Follow the guide above to determine the right cook times based on your ham’s size and type. While air fryer ham cook times start at around 25-30 minutes for a 2 lb ham, always rely on a meat thermometer for doneness.

Monitor ham closely and glaze or season it during the last few minutes only to prevent burning. Rest ham before slicing into tender, mouthwatering air fried ham your whole family will love.