Are you living in a small space without a full-sized oven? Or maybe you just want to try something new and cook your ham in a toaster oven?
Whatever your reason may be, cooking a ham in a toaster oven is not only possible but also surprisingly easy.
In this article, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to cook a delicious ham in a toaster oven, including tips on glazing and seasoning.
So, let’s get started and discover how to make the perfect ham in your trusty toaster oven.
How To Cook Ham In A Toaster Oven?
First, preheat your toaster oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating up, prepare your ham by slicing it into large sections, about eight slices in total. If you prefer thinner sections, you can make more slices.
Next, place your sliced ham into a small baking dish that will fit into your toaster oven. In a small mixing bowl, combine three tablespoons of Dijon mustard with two tablespoons of whole-grain mustard. To this mixture, add one cup of honey and one-third of a cup of brown sugar. To thin out the mixture, add four tablespoons of melted butter and some finely chopped fresh thyme.
Pour your homemade honey mustard glaze all over your ham, ensuring each slice has an even amount of sauce. Then, place your baking dish into the hot and ready toaster oven. Leave the ham to bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, you should find ham that is heated thoroughly and bathing in a rich, now caramelized, honey mustard sauce. The toaster oven is also fantastic for heating up leftover ham or roasting ham trimmings that would be discarded otherwise.
Preparing The Ham
Before cooking your ham in a toaster oven, there are a few important preparation steps to follow. First, remove the ham from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will help the ham cook more evenly and prevent it from becoming dry.
Next, score the outside of the ham with a sharp knife in a diamond pattern. This will allow the glaze to penetrate the meat and add flavor. If your ham has excess fat, you may want to trim it off to prevent it from becoming too greasy.
Once your ham is scored and trimmed (if necessary), it’s time to apply the glaze. You can use a store-bought glaze or make your own by combining ingredients like honey, mustard, brown sugar, and spices. Brush the glaze all over the ham, making sure to coat it evenly.
Finally, place your glazed ham into a small baking dish that will fit into your toaster oven. If you have a roasting rack that fits in the dish, use it to elevate the ham and allow air to circulate around it. This will help the ham cook more evenly and prevent it from becoming too soggy.
With these simple preparation steps, you’ll be well on your way to cooking a delicious ham in your toaster oven. Just remember to keep an eye on it as it cooks and adjust the temperature or cooking time as needed to ensure that it’s cooked through but not overdone.
Seasoning The Ham
Before you season your ham, it’s important to note that toaster ovens are smaller than regular ovens, so you’ll need to adjust the recipe accordingly. For an 8-10 pound ham, you’ll want to use a spice and sugar dry rub that is specifically designed for a 3-5 pound ham.
To make the rub, mix together turbinado sugar, yellow mustard, cinnamon, black pepper, kosher salt, allspice, and cloves in a small bowl. Once you’ve mixed the spices together, generously rub the mixture over the entire surface of the ham before covering and baking.
Alternatively, you can use a pre-made spice blend that is suitable for ham. Some popular options include Butchers Rub Spice Blend, Smoked BBQ Rub Spice Blend, and Backwoods Hickory Rub Spice Blend. These blends are versatile and can be used on a variety of meats.
If you’re looking for something sweet to complement the savory flavors of the ham, try using honey as a glaze. Unwrap the foil from your ham and coat it with honey, rubbing it all over and getting it well saturated. This will give your ham a nice caramelized crust on the outside.
No matter what seasoning method you choose, make sure to cover your ham with aluminum foil before placing it in the toaster oven. This will help to keep it moist and prevent it from drying out during cooking.
Glazing The Ham
Glazing the ham is an important step in cooking ham in a toaster oven. To create a delicious glaze, combine three tablespoons of Dijon mustard with two tablespoons of whole-grain mustard in a small mixing bowl. To this mixture, add one cup of honey and one-third of a cup of brown sugar. To thin out the mixture, add four tablespoons of melted butter and some finely chopped fresh thyme.
Once your ham is sliced and placed into a small baking dish, pour your homemade honey mustard glaze all over your ham, making sure each slice has an even amount of sauce. The glaze will add extra flavor to your ham and create a caramelized crust on the outside.
Bake the ham uncovered for 30 minutes in your preheated toaster oven. After this time, you should have a perfectly heated and glazed ham that is ready to be served. If desired, you can also place the ham back into the toaster oven on broil for 5-10 minutes to create a golden and crispy crust on the outside.
Preheating The Toaster Oven
Before you start cooking your ham in the toaster oven, it’s essential to preheat it properly. Preheating is crucial to ensure that your ham cooks evenly and thoroughly. To preheat your toaster oven, set the temperature dial to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the recommended temperature for cooking ham in a toaster oven.
Close the door tightly, ensuring no hot air escapes, and let the oven heat up for at least 10-20 minutes. Preheating is even more important in a toaster oven than a traditional oven because toaster ovens have hot spots or areas that are warmer than others. Preheating helps to even out the temperature and ensure that your ham cooks evenly.
If you don’t preheat your toaster oven, the heating elements at the top of the stove will be going full blast when you first put in your ham, and because they’re so close to the food, the top will be overly browned or blackened by the time your meal is done. Preheat it for just a few minutes, and then the elements only need to come on periodically to keep it up to temp, and your ham won’t crisp too much.
Cooking The Ham
When cooking ham in a toaster oven, it is important to monitor the internal temperature of the meat to ensure it is cooked properly. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the thickest part of the ham, making sure it reaches at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
To cook a fully cooked bone-in ham in a toaster oven, place the ham on a wire rack in a baking dish. Cover the ham with foil and bake for about 12-14 minutes per pound at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, remove the foil and brush the ham with your desired glaze. Return to the toaster oven and continue to cook until the glaze is caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
For an easy honey glazed ham, mix together one cup of honey, one-third cup of brown sugar, three tablespoons of Dijon mustard, two tablespoons of whole-grain mustard, four tablespoons of melted butter, and some finely chopped fresh thyme. Pour this mixture over your sliced ham and bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remember to let your ham rest for about 10-15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute. Using a toaster oven to cook ham is a convenient and easy way to prepare this delicious dish for any occasion.
Checking For Doneness
When cooking ham in a toaster oven, it is important to check for doneness to ensure that the meat is cooked through and safe to eat. There are several methods that can be used to check for doneness, but the most accurate method is to use a meat thermometer.
To use a meat thermometer, insert the probe into the thickest part of the ham, making sure that it does not touch any bones or fat. The internal temperature of the ham should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit to be considered fully cooked. If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can also check for doneness by piercing the ham with a fork or knife. If the meat is tender and easy to pierce, it is likely done.
Another way to check for doneness is by visually inspecting the ham as it cooks. As the ham cooks, the meat will begin to separate from the bones and the bones will move easily. This is a good indicator that the ham is done.
It is important to note that ham slices may be more difficult to check for doneness using a thermometer. If the slice is thick enough, you can insert the thermometer from the side into the middle of the slice to get an internal reading.
Once your ham has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the toaster oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and prevent it from drying out. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your toaster oven-cooked ham is perfectly cooked and delicious.