Skip to Content

Air Fryer Ham

This air fryer ham recipe creates a deliciously juicy and flavorful ham in less than an hour. Just heat the ham in the air fryer and cover it with a delicious brown sugar glaze that your entire family will love.

cooked ham in air fryer basket with greens in the background

This post contains affiliate links. Please read our full disclosure here.

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

I have fond memories of eating a delicious brown sugar-glazed ham during the Holidays. It was always a staple for us during Christmas. My mom would buy the extra large ham with the bone and heat it in the oven until it was ready, which took hours. This air fryer method is a game changer and results in juicy ham with slightly crispy edges in half the time.

For this recipe, I use a 3-pound boneless ham, which is small enough to fit in a 5.8-quart air fryer. I also make my brown sugar glaze to glaze the ham. Not just because I’m extra, but making a homemade glaze truly does make a difference.

Pair this recipe with your favorite holiday sides, like candied sweet potatoes, cornbread, roasted carrots, or potato salad.

Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Ham

  • Boneless spiral ham – try to buy a ham that is 3 pounds or smaller. Larger hams won’t fit in most basket air fryers.
  • Glaze – brown sugar, pineapple juice, ground cinnamon, cloves, and kosher salt. I make a homemade glaze but feel free to skip the glaze or use any glaze that comes with your ham.
ingredients for air fryer ham

How to make Air Fryer Ham

Remove ham from any packaging, wrap it entirely in foil paper, and place it in the air fryer basket.

ham wrapped in air fryer basket

Air fry at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by whisking brown sugar, pineapple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil and immediately remove from heat.

glaze in pan

After 15 minutes, carefully open the foil and brush ½ of the glaze on the ham, brushing between the slices. Cover the ham with the foil and cook for an additional 15 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once the time is up, remove the foil paper and pour the remaining glaze.

glaze being brished on ham in air fryer basket

Optional step: If you want a little char on your ham edges, continue to cook ham, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 3-5 minutes.

Serve ham with your favorite sides and enjoy.

What’s the purpose of cooking precooked ham?

Cook an already-cooked ham in the to give it a crispy, golden crust, and make sure it’s heated all the way through. The glaze also adds some sweetness that pairs perfectly with the ham. Although precooked, ham needs to be heated thoroughly before serving.

What temperature should precooked ham be cooked to?

Precooked ham should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F, as measured by a food thermometer.

Suggested Modification

  • Top your ham with pineapples and cherries before wrapping it in foil and air frying it.
  • Use the glaze that comes with your ham if your ham comes with a package.
sliced ham on plate with greens and milk in the background

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a cooked ham last?

A cooked ham should last up to 4 days in the refrigerator or 6 months in the freezer. You can reheat the cooked ham slices in your air fryer at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes.

Can I use an air fryer oven rather than the basket?

Yes, if the ham is large enough to fit in your air fryer oven. You may have to adjust the cooking time slightly.

How big of a ham can you cook in the air fryer?

The answer will depend on the size of your air fryer. I have a 5.8-quart air fryer that can hold a 3-pound ham.

Make sure to use a boneless ham for this recipe, as a bone-in ham likely won’t fit in our air fryer.

What can I do with leftover ham?

Leftovers can also be enjoyed cold in salads and sandwiches or added to soups and stews. I like to fry mine in a skillet and add it to a biscuit.

cooked ham in air fryer basket with greens in the background
Print Pin
5 from 3 votes

Air Fryer Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

This air fryer ham recipe creates a deliciously juicy and flavorful ham in less than an hour. Just heat the ham in the air fryer and cover it with a delicious brown sugar glaze that your entire family will love.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 442kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 lb boneless spiral ham
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoon pineapple juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • Remove ham from any packaging, wrap it completely in foil paper, and place it in the air fryer basket.
  • Air fry at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by whisking brown sugar, pineapple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil and immediately remove from heat.
  • After 15 minutes, carefully open the foil and brush ½ of the glaze on the ham, brushing in between the slices. Cover the ham with the foil and cook for an additional 15 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Once the time is up, remove the foil paper and pour the remaining glaze on top.
  • Optional step: If you want a little char on your ham edges, continue to cook ham, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 3-5 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 442kcal
Recipe Rating