Are you looking for a new way to cook your country ham? Look no further than your air fryer!
This versatile kitchen appliance can help you achieve a perfectly cooked ham with a crispy exterior and juicy interior. Plus, it’s a quick and easy way to cook up a delicious meal for your family or guests.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of cooking country ham in an air fryer, including tips for glazing and serving.
So, let’s get started!
How To Cook Country Ham In Air Fryer?
Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
Before you start cooking your country ham, preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. This will ensure that your ham cooks evenly and thoroughly.
Step 2: Prepare Your Ham
Remove your country ham from the fridge and allow it to come up to room temperature for about 2 hours before cooking. This will help it cook more evenly.
If your ham is not pre-sliced, score the ham with shallow 3/4-inch criss-cross cuts. This will help the glaze penetrate the meat and add flavor.
Step 3: Make The Glaze
To make a delicious glaze for your country ham, combine brown sugar, honey, and ground cloves in a saucepan on medium heat. Stir until combined.
Step 4: Glaze Your Ham
Brush the glaze over your ham, making sure to coat it evenly. If you’re using an air fryer basket, line it with two pieces of long, criss-crossed foil sheets. Lay the ham on top of the foil and then brush with some of the glaze to coat the ham. Close the foil over the ham and wrap tightly.
If you’re using an oven-style air fryer, place the ham in an 8”x8” baking pan which fits in your air fryer (you may need to trim the edges of the ham to fit your pan and air fryer size). Brush with some of the glaze and close foil over the ham, wrapping tightly.
Step 5: Air Fry Your Ham
Air fry your country ham at 340°F/170°C for 25 minutes. Open the foil and brush the ham with more glaze (make sure to reserve some glaze for finishing & serving). Close the foil tightly, and air fry again at 340°F/170°C for another 25 minutes.
After air frying for a total of 50 minutes, open up the foil again and push it down around the edges of the ham if using the basket-style air fryer method. Create a boat with the foil that holds the juices and keeps the ham from drying out. If using the oven-style air fryer method, just remove the foil from the 8″x8″ pan.
Add slices of pineapple on top of the ham, spread more glaze over everything, and increase heat to air fry at 360°F/180°C for about 5 minutes or until caramelized to your liking.
Step 6: Let Your Ham Rest
Let your country ham rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This will allow all of the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and make it even more flavorful.
Step 7: Serve Your Ham
Slice your country ham into thin pieces and serve with pineapple slices and any other sides you like. You can also brush some of the leftover glaze onto each slice for added flavor.
Preparing The Country Ham For Air Frying
To prepare your country ham for air frying, the first step is to preheat your air fryer. Then, take your ham out of the fridge and let it come up to room temperature for about 2 hours before cooking.
If your ham is not pre-sliced, score it with shallow 3/4-inch criss-cross cuts. This will help the glaze penetrate the meat and add flavor.
Next, make a delicious glaze by combining brown sugar, honey, and ground cloves in a saucepan on medium heat. Stir until combined.
Brush the glaze over your ham, making sure to coat it evenly. If you’re using an air fryer basket, line it with two pieces of long, criss-crossed foil sheets. Lay the ham on top of the foil and then brush with some of the glaze to coat the ham. Close the foil over the ham and wrap tightly.
If you’re using an oven-style air fryer, place the ham in an 8”x8” baking pan which fits in your air fryer (you may need to trim the edges of the ham to fit your pan and air fryer size). Brush with some of the glaze and close foil over the ham, wrapping tightly.
Air fry your country ham at 340°F/170°C for 25 minutes. Open the foil and brush the ham with more glaze (make sure to reserve some glaze for finishing & serving). Close the foil tightly, and air fry again at 340°F/170°C for another 25 minutes.
After air frying for a total of 50 minutes, open up the foil again and push it down around the edges of the ham if using the basket-style air fryer method. Create a boat with the foil that holds the juices and keeps the ham from drying out. If using the oven-style air fryer method, just remove the foil from the 8″x8″ pan.
Add slices of pineapple on top of the ham, spread more glaze over everything, and increase heat to air fry at 360°F/180°C for about 5 minutes or until caramelized to your liking.
Finally, let your country ham rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This will allow all of the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and make it even more flavorful. Slice your country ham into thin pieces and serve with pineapple slices and any other sides you like. You can also brush some of the leftover glaze onto each slice for added flavor.
Seasoning And Glazing The Ham
One of the most important steps in cooking a country ham in an air fryer is seasoning and glazing it properly. This will help to enhance the flavors of the ham and create a delicious crust on the outside.
To start, you can create a simple glaze by combining brown sugar, honey, and ground cloves in a saucepan on medium heat. Stir until combined and remove from heat.
Next, brush the glaze over your ham, making sure to coat it evenly. If your ham is not pre-sliced, score the ham with shallow 3/4-inch criss-cross cuts. This will help the glaze penetrate the meat and add flavor.
If you’re using an air fryer basket, line it with two pieces of long, criss-crossed foil sheets. Lay the ham on top of the foil and then brush with some of the glaze to coat the ham. Close the foil over the ham and wrap tightly. If you’re using an oven-style air fryer, place the ham in an 8”x8” baking pan which fits in your air fryer (you may need to trim the edges of the ham to fit your pan and air fryer size). Brush with some of the glaze and close foil over the ham, wrapping tightly.
After air frying for a total of 50 minutes, open up the foil again and push it down around the edges of the ham if using the basket-style air fryer method. Create a boat with the foil that holds the juices and keeps the ham from drying out. If using the oven-style air fryer method, just remove the foil from the 8″x8″ pan.
Add slices of pineapple on top of the ham, spread more glaze over everything, and increase heat to air fry at 360°F/180°C for about 5 minutes or until caramelized to your liking.
By following these steps for seasoning and glazing your country ham in an air fryer, you’ll be able to create a deliciously crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist and flavorful.
Cooking The Ham In The Air Fryer
Cooking country ham in the air fryer is a great way to get a crispy and flavorful outside while keeping the inside moist and tender. Here’s how to do it:
First, preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. While it’s heating up, remove your country ham from the fridge and let it come up to room temperature for about 2 hours.
If your ham is not pre-sliced, score it with shallow 3/4-inch criss-cross cuts. This will help the glaze penetrate the meat and add flavor.
To make the glaze, combine brown sugar, honey, and ground cloves in a saucepan on medium heat. Stir until combined.
Brush the glaze over your ham, making sure to coat it evenly. If you’re using an air fryer basket, line it with two pieces of long, criss-crossed foil sheets. Lay the ham on top of the foil and then brush with some of the glaze to coat the ham. Close the foil over the ham and wrap tightly. If you’re using an oven-style air fryer, place the ham in an 8”x8” baking pan which fits in your air fryer (you may need to trim the edges of the ham to fit your pan and air fryer size). Brush with some of the glaze and close foil over the ham, wrapping tightly.
Air fry your country ham at 340°F/170°C for 25 minutes. Open the foil and brush the ham with more glaze (make sure to reserve some glaze for finishing & serving). Close the foil tightly, and air fry again at 340°F/170°C for another 25 minutes.
After air frying for a total of 50 minutes, open up the foil again and push it down around the edges of the ham if using the basket-style air fryer method. Create a boat with the foil that holds the juices and keeps the ham from drying out. If using the oven-style air fryer method, just remove the foil from the 8″x8″ pan.
Add slices of pineapple on top of the ham, spread more glaze over everything, and increase heat to air fry at 360°F/180°C for about 5 minutes or until caramelized to your liking.
Let your country ham rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This will allow all of the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and make it even more flavorful.
Slice your country ham into thin pieces and serve with pineapple slices and any other sides you like. You can also brush some of the leftover glaze onto each slice for added flavor. With these simple steps, you can enjoy a delicious country ham cooked perfectly in your air fryer!
Checking The Internal Temperature Of The Ham
It’s essential to check the internal temperature of your country ham to ensure that it’s safe to eat. The USDA recommends cooking ham to an internal temperature of 145°F.
To check the internal temperature, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, making sure not to touch bone. If your ham is boneless, insert the thermometer from the side. If you’re using an air fryer basket, make sure to open the foil and check the temperature without piercing through the foil.
Once your ham reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and make it even more flavorful.
If your ham hasn’t reached the recommended internal temperature of 145°F after cooking, continue air frying until it does. Make sure to monitor the temperature closely, as overcooked ham can become dry and tough.
By following these steps and checking the internal temperature of your country ham, you can ensure that your meal is both delicious and safe to eat.
Resting And Serving The Ham
After cooking your country ham in the air fryer, it’s important to let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it even more tender and flavorful.
To serve, slice the ham into thin pieces and arrange them on a platter with slices of pineapple and any other sides you like, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes. You can also brush some of the leftover glaze onto each slice for added flavor.
If you have any leftover ham, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, simply place the ham slices in the air fryer and cook at 320°F/160°C for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Cooking country ham in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this classic dish. With a delicious brown sugar glaze and juicy pineapple slices, this ham is sure to be a hit at your next family gathering or holiday meal.
Tips And Tricks For Perfectly Air Fried Country Ham.
If you want to achieve the perfect air-fried country ham, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:
1. Choose the Right Cut: When selecting your country ham, make sure to choose a thinly sliced cut, less than 1/4 inch thick if possible. This will allow for even cooking and crispy texture.
2. Preheat Your Air Fryer: Always preheat your air fryer before cooking your ham. This ensures that the ham cooks evenly and thoroughly.
3. Use Foil: If using an air fryer basket, line it with criss-crossed foil sheets to prevent the glaze from dripping and sticking to the basket. If using an oven-style air fryer, use a baking dish that fits in your air fryer and wrap it with foil.
4. Score Your Ham: Scoring your ham with shallow criss-cross cuts allows the glaze to penetrate the meat and adds flavor.
5. Glaze Your Ham: Brush the glaze over your ham, making sure to coat it evenly. Reserve some glaze for finishing and serving.
6. Air Fry Your Ham: Air fry your country ham at 340°F/170°C for 25 minutes, then open the foil, brush with more glaze, and air fry again for another 25 minutes at the same temperature. Add pineapple slices on top of the ham and increase heat to 360°F/180°C for about 5 minutes or until caramelized.
7. Let Your Ham Rest: Allow your country ham to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows all of the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it even more flavorful.
By following these tips and tricks, you can achieve a perfectly cooked and delicious air-fried country ham that will impress your family and guests.