Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (2024)

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Mar 30, 2021 Nov 13, 2023

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A mouthwatering Maple Glazed Ham doesn’t just have to be for holiday meals. Make it easy in your air fryer! Yes, it will save space in the oven on Christmas or Easter, but it’s also fast enough to enjoy on a busy weeknight. And that thick and tangy glaze is irresistible when paired with the salty, smoky flavor of the boneless ham.

Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (3)

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love this Air Fryer GHam
  • What is boneless ham?
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Air Fryer Ham
  • Storing leftovers
  • Make it a Meal
  • Get the Recipe

Why You’ll Love this Air Fryer GHam

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.

Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (4)

What is boneless ham?

Most of us know ham as the cut of pork leg that is cured and sometimes smoked. Boneless ham is from that 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.

Choosing a Gluten Free Ham

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 to ensure you are getting a gluten free ham. Some brands you can usually count on are:

  • Cook’s
  • Dietz & Watson (certified gluten free)
  • Smithfield
  • Jones Dairy Farm (certified gluten free)

How do you cook a precooked boneless ham?

Because it is already fully cooked and lacks the bones and layer of fat that help retain moisture, you’ll just need to warm your boneless ham. You will want to make sure it reaches 140°F in the middle.

The most common method is to bake it in the oven, placing it in a baking dish with some water and covering it so it gets nice and hot, but stays moist. Some people also like to make it even more delicious by coating it with a glaze and popping it back in the oven for a few more minutes.

In this recipe, though, you’ll cover it in the maple glaze right away and then cook it in the air fryer at a lower temperature to keep it from drying out.

Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (5)

Ingredients

Yes, you only need 4 ingredients! Here is a quick overview, but 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.
  • 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.
Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (6)

How to Make Air Fryer Ham

Just gather your ham and the three ingredients for the glaze, plug in the air fryer, and get ready. Because you need just minutes to prep it, then while it cooks you can make the rest of your meal.

Make the glaze: In a saucepan, stir together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar, bring it to a bubble 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.

Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (7)
Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (8)

Cook and serve: Air fry at 300°F for 35-40 minutes. Remove ham from the air fryer and spoon the remaining glaze over the top or serve on the side.

Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (9)

Storing leftovers

If you have any leftover ham, be sure to wrap it tightly, and you can keep it in the refrigerator for about a week. You can also wrap it and place it in a plastic freezer storage bag and freeze it for up to two months.

What to make with leftover ham

  • Split Pea Soup with Ham
  • Cheesy Asparagus Ham Egg Muffins
  • Chef Salad Lettuce Wraps
  • Gluten Free Hawaiian Pizza
Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (10)

Make it a Meal

Whether you prepare it for a holiday or a weeknight meal, here are some menu ideas for what to serve with maple glazed ham.

Christmas Dinner

Your Christmas ham dinner will be complete with some of these sides. It’s also great for Thanksgiving!

  • Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Apples
  • Green Beans and Mushrooms
  • Cheesy Bacon Mashed Potatoes
  • Cinnamon Orange Cranberry Sauce

Easter Brunch

Ham is a classic Easter meal. Try it with some of these favorite brunch dishes that would also complete a wonderful Mother’s Day celebration.

  • Gluten Free Banana Waffles
  • Gluten Free Breakfast Casserole with Veggies
  • Sunrise Tropical Fruit Salad
  • Baked Cauliflower Hash Browns Casserole

Weeknight Meal

When ham is this easy to make, while it cooks you can easily whip up some some simple sides any night of the week.

  • Buttered Carrots and Peas
  • Baked Potatoes
  • Healthy Broccoli Salad with Apples
  • Cheesy Quinoa
Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (11)

More air fryer recipes

  • Juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers
  • Gluten Free Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
  • Parmesan-Crusted Air Fryer Asparagus
  • Caprese Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters

    Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (12)

    4.7 from 7 votes

    Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham

    A mouthwatering Maple Glazed Ham doesn't just have to be for holiday meals. Make it easy in your air fryer! Yes, it will save space in the oven on Christmas or Easter, but it's also fast enough to enjoy on a busy weeknight. And that thick and tangy glaze is irresistible when paired with the salty, smoky flavor of the boneless ham.

    Prep: 5 minutes mins

    Cook: 45 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup maple syrup
    • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
    • 1 fully cooked boneless half ham (3 to 5 pounds)

    Instructions

    • In a saucepan, combine the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and light brown sugar. While stirring, bring to a bubble 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 the basket in 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.

    Nutrition Facts

    Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham

    Amount Per Serving (4 oz., cooked)

    Calories 419Calories from Fat 171

    % Daily Value*

    Fat 19g29%

    Saturated Fat 7g35%

    Cholesterol 70mg23%

    Sodium 1368mg57%

    Potassium 411mg12%

    Carbohydrates 36g12%

    Fiber 1g4%

    Sugar 34g38%

    Protein 25g50%

    Vitamin A 1IU0%

    Vitamin C 1mg1%

    Calcium 53mg5%

    Iron 1mg6%

    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

    Course: Main

    Cuisine: American

    Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (13)

    Did you make this?

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    Categories:

    • Air Fryer
    • Christmas
    • Dinner
    • Easter
    • Family Friendly
    • Gluten Free
    • Mains
    • Method
    • Recipes
    • Thanksgiving
    Maple Glazed Air Fryer Ham - easy boneless ham recipe! (2024)

    FAQs

    Do you cook the ham before you glaze it? ›

    The idea is to wait until the ham is almost fully heated, then add the glaze as one of the last steps. You don't want to add it too early or the sugars in the glaze could cause it to burn, and you don't want to add it too late or you won't get that caramelized coating.

    Do you cook a boneless ham covered or uncovered? ›

    Cover with foil. Bake 2 to 2½ hours or until browned and heated through (140°F). For the last 45 minutes of cooking, uncover and spoon glaze over ham (if you're using a glaze). Transfer to a platter using two large, wide spatulas.

    How long do you cook a pre glazed ham? ›

    Cooking it at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes per pound should do the trick, depending on the type of ham (whole or half, bone-in or no bone ― these specifics are outlined here). You just want to make sure the internal temperature has reached 145 degrees.

    What is the best way to cook a ham without drying it out? ›

    Any meat that is roasted in the oven needs moisture so it won't burn at the bottom of the pan or dry out. The trick is to make sure you add some kind of liquid to your pan. So here's the hack: Add half a cup of wine or stock to the bottom of your pan before popping that ham in the oven.

    Should a glazed ham be covered when baking? ›

    If you don't cover your ham while cooking it will quickly dry out. Instead: Put some aluminum foil over your ham while it's cooking. It is recommended that the ham is covered for at least half of the cooking process and only removed during the last half when you glaze it.

    When should I put my glaze on my ham? ›

    The glaze should not be applied until the final hour to 30 minutes, in order to avoid burning the sugars. What you're going to do with the glaze ingredients is just combine most of them into a paste, and then apply it to the ham. After that, the heat in your oven will take care of everything.

    How long does it take to cook a boneless ham? ›

    In the oven:

    Preheat your oven to 325°F and bake for 30 minutes per pound or until heated through. Remove ham from oven. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

    What happens if you don't cover ham with foil? ›

    Ham is best reheated low and slow, and heating it uncovered means that the moisture in the ham evaporates, leaving it dry and unappetizing. → Follow this tip: Place the ham cut-side down in a baking pan. Cover the ham with foil or use a baking bag to heat up the ham until it's time to glaze.

    Which side of ham goes down? ›

    Place ham, cut/flat side down, on rack in shallow roasting pan; cover tightly with aluminum foil. Heat approximately 18 to 23 minutes per pound until heated through. Remove ham from oven. Glaze as directed below or let stand, covered, 10 minutes before serving.

    Do you cook a ham at 325 or 350? ›

    Cooking Temperature and Time

    If the ham is a half ham weighing five to seven pounds, it should heat at 325°F for 22-25 minutes per pound. If it is a whole ham weighing between 10 to 14 pounds, heat the ham at 325°F for 18-20 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should be 140°F.

    How to cook pre glazed ham? ›

    The best way to do this is to place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Add water to the bottom of the pan and cover the whole thing tightly with foil. Bake at 325F for 16-20 minutes per pound, until a meat thermometer registers 135F.

    Can you overcook a glazed ham? ›

    Can you overcook a glazed ham? Yes, you can. Overcooked ham can become dry. Cook the ham for 1 hour at 200ºC or until warmed through, basting it every 15 minutes.

    What keeps ham moist? ›

    Wrap the ham tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil: This will help to keep the ham moist by preventing air from getting to it. Store the ham in the refrigerator: Keeping the ham in the refrigerator will slow down the drying process by reducing the amount of evaporation that occurs.

    How do you use the glaze packet that comes with the ham? ›

    Glazing: Empty contents of the glaze packet into a small saucepan. Add 22 mL (1 1/2 tbsp) warm water. Heat glaze mixture on high, stirring constantly, until glaze begins to boil. Remove immediately from heat.

    What can I put on ham to moisten it? ›

    Mix the applesauce, brown sugar and mustard in a bowl and then use your hands to cover the ham all the way around. Cover ham with foil. Put it into a 350 degree oven at 350 degrees for 14 minutes per pound.

    Do I need to cook ham before baking? ›

    Most hams are already smoked or baked, are "ready-to-eat" and labeled that way and don't necessarily need to be cooked, at least not for food safety reasons. I buy Kentucky Legend ham, glaze it and bake it, but I'll buy the same exact ham and have them slice it for lunch meat and it doesn't get cooked again that way.

    How do you heat and glaze a precooked ham? ›

    1. If you're starting with a fully cooked city ham, bake it in a 350 degree F oven for about 10 minutes per pound. ...
    2. To help keep your ham moist and juicy, place the ham cut-side down in a baking pan and tent it with foil.
    3. Every 20 minutes or so, brush the ham with glaze and baste it with the pan juices.
    Oct 16, 2021

    Can you glaze a cold cooked ham? ›

    If glazing a pre-cooked ham it will need to be served cold, but still makes a great ham for carving. Using a small knife, remove the skin from the ham, leaving about 1cm of fat. Score the fat in a diamond pattern and it's ready to glaze.

    Should ham be at room temp before glazing? ›

    Prep The Ham

    Let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Brush 1/2 cup of the glaze over the ham with a heatproof spatula or pastry brush.

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