Air Fryer Maple Glazed Ham
This Air Fryer Ham is an easy way to make a juicy boneless ham with a thick maple glaze that turns sweet, sticky, and caramelized. The simple glaze of maple syrup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard pairs perfectly with the salty, smoky ham. It’s perfect for holidays like Christmas or Easter, but this glazed ham is easy enough to make any night of the week.
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: Air fryer
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free
- Skill Level: Easy
While holiday meals for Easter or Christmas might mean it’s time to make a big baked ham with pineapple and all the trimmings. But maybe you are having a smaller gathering, or you are looking for something simple to add to that roast turkey or prime rib. Or you just don’t want to wait for a special occasion to enjoy a ham dinner!
That’s when you need to pick up a pre-cooked boneless ham from the grocery store and put your air fryer into action. Not only is it super simple to prep and quick to cook and serve, but you’ll also save space in your oven.
This Air Fryer Ham Makes Glazed Ham Easier!
Here’s why you are going to love this recipe…
- Few ingredients. Yes, you just need to get a boneless ham and three simple pantry ingredients to make that sticky glaze.
- Minimal effort. You need just minutes to prep the glaze, then while it cooks in the air fryer, you can make the rest of your meal.
- Incredibly versatile. Prepare it for a smaller Christmas gathering, serve it alongside all the other dishes at Easter brunch, supplement your Thanksgiving turkey, or just make it for Sunday dinner or even on a busy weeknight.
Recipe Ingredients
Yes, you only need 4 ingredients! Here is a quick overview, with some notes and tips. Be sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full amounts and detailed directions.
- Fully cooked boneless half ham: you’ll need one that is about 3 to 5 pounds. See below for additional information.
- Maple syrup: you’ve got to use the real stuff here to give it the best flavor. No pancake syrup!
- Dijon mustard: gives the glaze that perfect tangy goodness. Dijon adds that nice kick, but you can use yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard if that’s what you have.
- Light brown sugar: helps make the sweet glaze nice and thick, and that hint of molasses adds a smoky element.
Choosing a Boneless Ham
Most of us know ham as the cut of pork leg that is cured and sometimes smoked. Boneless ham is from the same cut, but with the bones removed. It is then typically molded or shaped into an oval and sealed. So it still looks and tastes like ham, though perhaps with not quite as much flavor. But it is affordable, quick to cook, and easy to slice and serve. In fact, you can often find them pre-sliced.
While ham itself is naturally gluten free, many brands add spices and glazes that contain gluten, or are processed in an area where there is a cross-contamination risk. So always check the label or brand website for the most updated information to ensure you are getting a gluten free ham. Some brands you can usually count on at the time of writing this post are:
- Cook’s
- Dietz & Watson (certified gluten free)
- Smithfield
- Jones Dairy Farm (certified gluten free)
How to Make Air Fryer Ham
Plug in and preheat your air fryer, and let’s get started.
- Make the glaze: In a saucepan, stir together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Prepare the ham: Place the ham in the air fryer basket. Spoon half of the glaze over the ham, and save the rest for later.
- Cook and serve: Air fry at 300°F for 35-40 minutes. Remove the ham from the air fryer and spoon the remaining glaze over the top or serve on the side.
Tips for Success
- Line the air fryer. The glaze will caramelize and get sticky, making it hard to clean off the air fryer. So I recommend lining the bottom of the air fryer with parchment paper or foil.
- Sliced or unsliced. I like to use a presliced ham so the glaze can soak in between the slices. If you can’t find one, you can use an unsliced ham or slice it yourself before cooking.
- Don’t dry it out. Since the boneless ham is fully cooked, it just needs to warm through thoroughly. You will want to make sure it reaches 140°F in the middle. Keep the temperature of the air fryer low and check it periodically.
- Bake in the oven. If you want to skip the air fryer, place it in a baking dish with some water. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F until it is hot. Then coat it with the glaze and pop it back in the oven for a few more minutes.
Storing Leftovers
- Fridge – If you have any leftover ham, be sure to wrap it tightly, and you can keep it in the refrigerator for about a week.
- Freezer – You can also wrap it and place it in a plastic freezer storage bag and freeze it for up to two months.
- Reheat – Leftover ham can be enjoyed cold or cut up to use in recipes like the ones below. But you can calso put it in a pan with a little water and cover before reheating in the oven.
What Can I Make with Leftover Ham?
Make it a Meal
Air fryer ham makes the classic holiday main so easy, which means it’s also fast enough to prepare on busy weeknights or for Sunday dinner. Just pair it with the right sides! Here are some of my favorite serving suggestions to go with maple glazed ham.
- Christmas Dinner. Create a true holiday feast that also works for Thanksgiving with ham served with Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Apples or Cheesy Bacon Mashed Potatoes, along with Green Beans and Mushrooms and Orange Cranberry Sauce.
- Easter Brunch. Create a spread for any spring occasion, even Mother’s Day, with Gluten Free Banana Waffles and Gluten Free Breakfast Casserole with Veggies or Baked Cauliflower Hash Browns Casserole, lightened up with a side of Sunrise Tropical Fruit Salad.
- Any Day of the Week. While it cooks, you can easily whip up some simple sides like Baked Potatoes or Cheesy Quinoa with simple Buttered Carrots and Peas or Apple Broccoli Salad as a veggie side.
Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham
Ingredients
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 fully cooked boneless half ham (3 to 5 pounds)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine 1 cup maple syrup, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, and 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard. While stirring, bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- For easier cleanup, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil and place 1 fully cooked boneless half ham in the basket of the air fryer. Spoon half of the glaze over the ham, and set the rest aside.
- Set the air fryer temperature to 300°F and cook for 35-40 minutes.
- Remove the ham from your air fryer and spoon the remaining glaze over the top or serve on the side for dipping or drizzling.
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