Yes, you can cook a ham in the air fryer, as long as it fits, reaches a safe internal temperature, and you protect it from drying out.
Air fryers handle ham far better than many cooks expect. The hot, steady air gives you crisp edges, glossy glaze, and tender slices without heating the whole kitchen. You just need the right size ham, a sensible temperature range, and a thermometer you trust.
Why Air Fryer Ham Works So Well
Most air fryer ham recipes use a fully cooked, smoked ham. In that case, your goal is gentle reheating and browning, not cooking from raw. The air fryer is great at that job, as long as you keep the temperature in a moderate range and check the center for doneness.
| Ham Style | Weight Range | Approx Air Fryer Time* |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless half ham | 2 to 3 lb | 35 to 45 minutes at 300°F |
| Small bone-in ham | 3 to 4 lb | 45 to 55 minutes at 300–320°F |
| Spiral sliced half ham | 2.5 to 4 lb | 35 to 50 minutes at 300–320°F |
| Ham roast (round, boneless) | 1.5 to 2.5 lb | 25 to 35 minutes at 300°F |
| Thick ham steak | 0.75 to 1 lb | 8 to 12 minutes at 370°F |
| Fresh ham roast** | 2 to 4 lb | 50 to 70 minutes at 300°F |
| Leftover sliced ham | 8 to 12 oz | 3 to 6 minutes at 320°F |
*Times are estimates for a preheated basket and may vary by air fryer model. Always cook to the target internal temperature, not just the clock.
These ranges give you a starting point. A compact 3 pound boneless half ham will finish far sooner than a tall, bone-in shank, even if the weights match. That is why a meat thermometer is your most helpful tool here.
Can You Cook A Ham In The Air Fryer? Step-By-Step Method
If you ask yourself, “Can You Cook A Ham In The Air Fryer?” the answer is yes, as long as the ham fits inside the basket with room for air to move. You will also need foil, a small pan or rack that fits in your air fryer if it has an open mesh bottom, and a thermometer.
Check That Your Ham Fits Safely
Place the ham in the cold basket before any seasoning. Close the drawer fully and check that nothing touches the heating element at the top. If the ham is a bit too tall, you can trim a thin slice from the bottom so it sits lower or cut off a small wedge from one side.
For a spiral sliced ham, bind it with kitchen twine so that the slices do not fan out in the air stream. This simple step keeps the meat juicy and prevents the cut edges from burning early.
Foil Sling And Basket Setup
Tear a long sheet of heavy foil and lay it under the ham in a cross shape so you can lift the meat out after cooking. Fold the edges upward to form a shallow tray that catches glaze and fat. This setup keeps sugar away from the bottom of your air fryer and makes cleanup far easier.
Step-By-Step Cooking Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 300°F. A warm basket helps the glaze stick and keeps the surface from drying during the first minutes.
- Score the fat cap in a shallow crosshatch pattern. Do not cut down into the meat. This gives the glaze tiny pockets to cling to.
- Pat the surface dry with paper towels. Season with a light pinch of salt and pepper, then brush with a thin layer of neutral oil.
- Wrap the top and sides of the ham with foil, leaving a small opening at the top so steam can escape. Keep the opening away from the heating element.
- Cook for 20 minutes, then pull out the basket and brush the ham with half of your glaze. Re-wrap loosely with foil.
- Return to the air fryer for another 15 to 25 minutes, checking the internal temperature in the thickest part away from the bone.
- When the center reaches about 10 degrees below the target temperature, open the foil, add more glaze, and increase the heat to 320–330°F.
- Air fry for 3 to 8 minutes with the top exposed until the glaze bubbles and darkens in spots.
- Transfer the ham to a board, tent with clean foil, and rest for at least 10 minutes so the juices settle before carving.
During that rest time you can reduce any glaze left in the foil into a syrupy sauce. Pour it over the slices just before serving.
Cooking A Ham In The Air Fryer: Time And Temperature Guide
Cooking a ham in the air fryer works best with a gentle base temperature. For most fully cooked hams, a range between 290°F and 320°F warms the center without turning the outside tough. Smaller ham steaks can handle a hotter setting, since they cook so quickly.
For a fully cooked ham from a USDA inspected plant, food safety guidance says you only need to reheat it to 140°F in the center as measured with a thermometer, while leftover or repackaged ham should reach 165°F. Those values match the USDA safe temperature chart.
A fresh ham is still raw pork. It needs to cook to at least 145°F with a short rest before slicing. In an air fryer, that means a slightly lower temperature and more time so the outside does not burn while the center reaches that level.
A simple rule that works with many units is to start with 10 to 12 minutes per pound at 300°F for a small half ham and then adjust. Begin checking the center early and rely on the thermometer more than the clock.
Choosing The Right Ham For Air Frying
Bone-In Versus Boneless Ham
Both bone-in and boneless hams work in the air fryer. Bone-in ham brings more flavor and a nice presentation, though the bone takes up basket space. Boneless ham fits more easily and yields tidy slices for sandwiches or meal prep.
If your air fryer is small, a compact, boneless half ham between 2 and 3 pounds is often the best match. In a larger drawer style fryer, a short bone-in shank or butt half can work well.
Spiral-Cut, Whole, Or Half
Spiral-cut ham is ready for the table, with slices started at the factory. In an air fryer, those slices can dry at the tips, so wrapping in foil and basting with glaze matters even more. Whole and unsliced halves hold moisture better, though they need more carving time.
Fresh Ham Versus Fully Cooked Ham
Labels on ham can be confusing. A “fully cooked” ham only needs reheating to taste its best, while a “fresh” ham is raw pork that must be cooked through. Many shoppers reach for fully cooked ham for air frying because it gives a wide safety margin and shorter time in the basket.
Fresh ham can still work in an air fryer, yet it calls for careful temperature checks and a slightly lower setting to keep the outside from turning dry. Treat it more like a pork roast and follow the same 145°F target with a rest that you would use in an oven.
How To Prep A Ham For The Air Fryer Basket
Trimming, Scoring, And Patting Dry
Start by removing any thick plastic disk from the bone end and trimming loose bits of fat or skin that might burn. Leave a thin fat cap on top; it bastes the meat as it cooks. Score that fat cap in a shallow crisscross so glaze can reach more surface area.
Pat the entire ham dry with paper towels. Extra moisture on the outside will steam instead of brown. Dry surface, hot air, and a thin film of oil lead to better color in an air fryer.
Simple Seasoning Base
A ham already holds salt from curing, so you only need a light hand with extra seasoning. A little black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a touch of smoked paprika form an easy base. Dust the ham all over before you add any glaze.
Air Fryer Ham Glaze Ideas
Sweet And Sticky Classic Glaze
A classic glaze for air fryer ham uses brown sugar, honey or maple syrup, and a mild mustard. Warm the mixture just until the sugar melts, then brush it on during the last half of cooking. Let a thin layer set on the ham before you air fry at the higher finishing temperature.
Spices that pair nicely with ham include ground cloves, cinnamon, and a pinch of ginger. Use small amounts so the flavors add depth without overpowering the meat. Citrus juice or zest can brighten the glaze and cut through the richness of the fat.
Savory Or Lower Sugar Options
If you prefer less sweetness, trade some of the sugar for stock or orange juice and rely on herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage. Brush a thin layer on the ham before wrapping it in foil, then add one last light coat in the final minutes.
You can also skip glaze and rub the ham with oil, herbs, and spices only. In that case, watch the surface during the final browning step, since there is no sugar shield. Pull the ham as soon as the crust turns golden so it does not dry out.
Food Safety Tips For Air Fryer Ham
Good air fryer ham starts with safe handling. Keep the meat refrigerated until you are ready to cook. Thaw frozen ham in the fridge, not on the counter, so the center does not spend long in the temperature range where bacteria grow quickly.
| Ham Type | Safe Internal Temp | Notes For Air Fryer Cooking |
|---|---|---|
| Fully cooked ham, whole or half | 140°F | Packed in a USDA inspected plant; heat through only. |
| Leftover or repackaged cooked ham | 165°F | Includes slices from the deli or ham stored in home packages. |
| Fresh ham (raw pork) | 145°F + rest | Let rest at least 3 minutes before slicing. |
| Ham steak | Same as base ham | Thin pieces reach temp fast; check early. |
| Leftover cooked ham slices | 165°F | Reheat quickly in a single layer. |
These temperature targets come from national food safety guidance. Both USDA and FDA list ham alongside other pork cuts on their charts and recommend a thermometer rather than color or texture as a guide. You can see those numbers in the USDA chart above and in the FDA page on safe food handling.
In the air fryer, insert your thermometer probe from the side of the ham into the deepest center. Avoid touching bone, which heats faster and can give a false reading. If the ham is spiral sliced, angle the probe between layers rather than straight down.
Once the ham reaches the target level, move it to a clean board or tray. Do not place it back on a plate that held raw or cold meat. Carve only what you plan to serve right away and cool the rest promptly.
Leftovers And Reheating Ham In The Air Fryer
Cooling And Storage Steps
After the meal, slice any large pieces into smaller chunks so they chill faster. Spread the pieces in shallow containers or wrap them tightly in plastic and foil. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking to keep the meat safe.
Most cooked ham keeps three to four days in the fridge. For longer storage, freeze slices in small, flat packages. Thin blocks thaw quicker and fit well in the air fryer basket later.
Reheating Slices In The Air Fryer
To reheat, set your air fryer around 320°F and lay the slices in a single layer on a piece of foil or in a small pan. Add a spoonful of stock, water, or leftover glaze and top with a loose sheet of foil.
Heat for 3 to 6 minutes, checking once in the middle. The goal is warm, juicy ham, not extended time in the basket. Any sauce or juices left in the foil can go over the slices on the plate.
Common Air Fryer Ham Mistakes To Avoid
Overcrowding Or Oversized Ham
The most common air fryer ham problem starts before cooking: a ham that is too large for the basket. If air cannot move freely around the meat, the outside overcooks while the center lags behind. Choose a smaller ham or trim it into two pieces and cook them one after the other.
Skipping The Thermometer
Clear juices and color alone do not tell you if ham is hot enough to eat. A simple digital thermometer is the only reliable way to confirm the center has reached the safe mark. Leave it nearby so you remember to check before you pull the ham for good.
Running The Heat Too High
Cranking the air fryer up to the highest setting might sound like a way to brown the glaze fast, yet it tends to scorch sugar and dry the surface. Stick with moderate heat for most of the cook, then raise the temperature only near the end.
Forgetting Rest Time
If you slice air fryer ham the moment it comes out of the basket, juices pour out onto the board instead of staying in the meat. A short rest under loose foil lets the fibers relax and hold more moisture. The slices taste softer and stay that way even as they cool.
If you follow these steps, Can You Cook A Ham In The Air Fryer? turns from a question into a simple weeknight or holiday method. Start with a ham that fits, cook by internal temperature, and lean on your air fryer for golden glaze and tender slices.