Why you should cook air fryer ham
Cooking ham is much faster and uses less energy than heating up a large oven. The circulating air creates a lovely golden crust on the outside while keeping the inside moist. It is a great option for Sunday lunch or when you need sliced meat for the week. You can easily adjust the glaze to suit your taste while keeping the process very clean and simple.
A step-by-step guide to air fryer ham
Prepare the meat: Remove any packaging and ties from the gammon joint. Wrap the meat tightly in aluminium foil to keep the juices inside during the first part of cooking. Place it into the basket and set the temperature to 180C.
First cook: Cook the ham for 40 minutes while it stays wrapped in the foil. This ensures the meat cooks through without drying out the exterior. While it cooks, mix the honey, mustard, sugar, and pepper in a small bowl.
Apply the glaze: Carefully remove the basket and open the foil. Use a brush to coat the top and sides of the meat with the honey and mustard mixture. Leave the foil open at the top so the glaze can caramelise under the heat.
Final browning: Cook for another 10 minutes at 200C until the glaze is bubbling and dark golden. Let the meat rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing it. Resting allows the juices to redistribute for a better texture.
Tips to make air fryer ham even better
Always let the meat come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before you start cooking. This helps it cook more evenly from the centre to the edge. If your gammon is very salty, you can soak it in cold water for an hour before starting the ham recipe. Make sure to wrap the foil tightly so no liquid leaks into the bottom of the basket. You can add a splash of apple juice inside the foil for extra moisture and flavour.
Checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure it is perfectly cooked. Aim for an internal temperature of 68C to 71C before resting. Slicing the meat against the grain will result in much more tender pieces.
You can find more inspiration in
air fryer bread rolls,
air fryer biscuits or
air fryer salmon steaks.