You’ve come to the right place whether your ham is already cooked (if you’re not sure, you probably do) or needs a little more care. For those of you whose favorite part of Easter dinner is the holiday ham, it might be time to give it a new look this year.
Most of the hams Americans buy at the store for Easter Sunday are city hams, which are already cooked. They’re wet-cured hams that are technically safe to eat as-is, without even heating them up. Some people may wonder how long it takes to heat up one of these hams. All you have to do is:
There are many tasty ways to spice up pre-cooked ham, whether it comes whole, half, or spiral-cut. The easiest ways are with a glaze or by giving it some time in the slow cooker. Below, we’ve got 11 recipes that give precooked ham new life.
Ham nuggets make for a quick easy, and delicious dinner option. These bite-sized pieces of boneless ham cook up fast and pair well with so many sides. While you can always grab a pack of pre-made ham nuggets from the store, making them at home lets you control the ingredients.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll walk through everything you need to know to make juicy flavorful ham nuggets from scratch. With just a few simple steps, you can have a tasty homemade meal on the table in no time. Let’s get cooking!
What Are Ham Nuggets?
Ham nuggets are made from small, boneless cuts of ham formed into bite-size pieces, then breaded and fried. They make an easy substitute for chicken nuggets with a tasty smoky, salty flavor.
Store-bought frozen ham nuggets simply need to be baked or air fried. But making them at home lets you:
- Choose better quality ham
- Make them perfectly crispy by frying
- Control the breading flavors
- Avoid preservatives or other additives
So let’s look at how to make these family-friendly nuggets from start to finish.
Ingredients Needed
To make about 20-25 ham nuggets you’ll need
- 1 lb boneless, fully cooked ham
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
- Spices like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper
- Oil for frying
That’s it for the basics! Now let’s get into the easy process.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Cut the ham: Slice your ham into long strips, then cut the strips into 1-2 inch cubes. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
-
Bread them: Set up a breading station with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs in separate shallow dishes. Coat nuggets in flour first, dip in egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
-
Fry the nuggets: Heat 1⁄2 inch oil in a skillet to 350°F. Fry nuggets in batches 3-5 minutes until golden brown, flipping once. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
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Flavor the breading: For more flavor, add 1 tsp each garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the flour and breadcrumbs.
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Bake option: For a lower-calorie option, place breaded nuggets on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
That’s all it takes for deliciously crispy ham nuggets the whole family will love. Now let’s talk serving suggestions.
Serving and Dipping Ideas
Ham nuggets pair well with so many flavors. Consider serving them with:
- Honey mustard or barbecue sauce for dipping
- Sweet potato fries or tater tots
- Mac and cheese or baked beans
- Coleslaw, potato salad, or fruit salad
Offer fun dipping options like:
- Honey mustard and ranch dressing
- Barbecue sauce and blue cheese dressing
- Chunky marinara sauce
- Sweet and sour sauce
Mix and match to please all tastes!
Making a Meal With Ham Nuggets
While ham nuggets make a great appetizer or side, they can also anchor a complete meal. Here are some meal ideas:
- Nuggets + oven fries + steamed broccoli
- Nuggets + rice pilaf + sautéed zucchini
- Nuggets + mac and cheese + roasted carrots
- Nuggets + loaded baked potatoes + salad
Quick sides like steamed vegetables, sautéed greens, or instant rice or potatoes round out the meal conveniently.
Cooking Nuggets in the Air Fryer
Love your air fryer? Use it to cook ham nuggets with a fraction of the oil. Here’s how:
- Bread nuggets as directed.
- Spray breaded nuggets with oil or nonstick spray.
- Air fry at 370°F for 8-10 minutes until crispy, flipping halfway.
The air fryer gives you all the crispy crunch without the need to fry in batches.
Freezing Instructions
Make a big batch of ham nuggets, then freeze extras to reheat later for a quick weeknight meal. To freeze:
- Place cooled nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze 1-2 hours until firm.
- Transfer frozen nuggets to an airtight freezer bag. Squeeze out air and seal.
- Freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheat frozen nuggets in a 375° oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping once.
Freezing is a great way to always have these ready for busy nights!
Troubleshooting Ham Nuggets
If you run into any issues making ham nuggets, here are some tips:
- If they won’t stick together, add another beaten egg to the dipping station.
- If the breading falls off, make sure to press the breadcrumbs on firmly and allow to sit 5-10 minutes before frying so they adhere.
- If they’re not getting crisp enough, fry at a higher heat of 375°F.
- If they’re browning too fast, lower the fryer temp to 325°F.
With a few minor tweaks, you’ll get perfectly cooked nuggets!
Serving Up Delicious Ham Nuggets
Homemade ham nuggets are so quick, easy, and versatile. With just 6 ingredients and a few minutes of active cooking time, you can serve up the perfect bite-sized comfort food. Dip them in your favorite condiments, pair with yummy sides, or use them to build a complete meal. And customize the breading to suit your tastes. Freezing lets you enjoy ham nuggets anytime – no defrosting required! So try this simple recipe and enjoy juicy, crispy ham nuggets your whole family will devour.
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You’ve come to the right place whether your ham is already cooked (if you’re not sure, you probably do) or needs a little more care. For those of you whose favorite part of Easter dinner is the holiday ham, it might be time to give it a new look this year.
Most of the hams Americans buy at the store for Easter Sunday are city hams, which are already cooked. They’re wet-cured hams that are technically safe to eat as-is, without even heating them up. Some people may wonder how long it takes to heat up one of these hams. All you have to do is:
- Take the ham out of the package, wrap it in foil, and heat it up until it’s ready to serve.
- It should work if you cook it at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes per pound, depending on the type of ham (whole, half, bone-in, or no bone). Here are the exact steps.
- You only need to check that the temperature inside has reached 145 degrees.
But you shouldn’t stop there.
There are many tasty ways to spice up pre-cooked ham, whether it comes whole, half, or spiral-cut. The easiest ways are with a glaze or by giving it some time in the slow cooker. Below, we’ve got 11 recipes that give precooked ham new life.
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As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. Thats why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, well bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you cant find elsewhere. As things stand in politics right now, we take our job as reporters very seriously, and we appreciate your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Cant afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. Readers like you are very important to us because they help us keep our journalism free for everyone.
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How to Cook a Small Fully Cooked Ham
How do you cook a ham Nugget in the oven?
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Add ham nugget to a rimmed baking dish or roasting pan with water (this will help steam the ham and keep it juicy). Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and heat ham nugget for about 8 minutes per pound.
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
How do you serve Ham Nuggets?
Sandwiches: Another creative way to serve ham nuggets is by turning them into sandwiches. You can place them on a toasted bun along with some cheese, lettuce, tomato, and your favorite condiments. The combination of the crispy ham nuggets and the soft bread creates a delightful contrast in texture.
How do you cook a ham nudge?
Let’s make it. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Add ham knob toward a rimmed baking dish with water (this wants help steam the jam and keep is juicy). Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and heat ham nudge since about 8 proceedings per pound.