Amazing 30-Minute Air Fryer Brown Sugar Ham Recipe

Oh my gosh, you have to try this air fryer brown sugar ham – it’s life-changingly easy! I stumbled onto this method last Easter when my oven decided to quit right before dinner. In a panic, I threw our spiral-cut ham in the air fryer with a quick brown sugar glaze, and wow – the results blew us away. The ham came out perfectly caramelized in half the time, with this incredible sticky-sweet crust that had everyone fighting for seconds. Now it’s my go-to for holiday meals, Sunday dinners, or anytime I want that special ham flavor without the fuss. Trust me, once you try making ham in your air fryer, you’ll never go back to the old oven method!

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Brown Sugar Ham

Oh, let me count the ways this recipe will become your new favorite:

• Crazy fast cooking – Done in under 30 minutes while your oven would still be preheating!
• That sticky-sweet crust – The glaze caramelizes perfectly in the air fryer’s intense heat.
• Almost no cleanup – One little basket to wash instead of roasting pans and racks.
• Smaller portions – Perfect for when you’re craving ham but don’t need a whole spiral-cut monster.
• Holiday magic anytime – Get that special occasion flavor even on busy weeknights.

Seriously, your future self will thank you when you’re eating amazing ham without heating up the whole kitchen!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Brown Sugar Ham

Here’s everything you’ll need for that perfect sticky-sweet ham – and yes, every single ingredient matters!

• 1 (2-3 lb) pre-cooked ham – Spiral-cut works beautifully, but any fully-cooked ham will do
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar – Pack it in firmly for maximum caramelization
• 1/4 cup honey – The glue that holds our magical glaze together
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard – Just enough tang to balance the sweetness
• 1 tbsp butter, melted – Makes the glaze extra glossy and rich
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves – That warm spice that says “holiday” in every bite

Pro tip: For the best results, measure everything before you start – this glaze comes together fast once the ham’s ready to cook!

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Equipment You’ll Need

Gather these kitchen essentials – trust me, you probably already have everything:

• Air fryer – Any size that fits your ham (I use my 5-quart)
• Small mixing bowl – For whipping up that glorious glaze
• Silicone basting brush – Makes glazing mess-free
• Sharp knife – For scoring the ham’s surface
• Tongs – Helps rotate the ham safely

That’s it! See? Nothing fancy needed for this kitchen magic.

How to Make Air Fryer Brown Sugar Ham

Alright, let’s get cooking! This process is so simple you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the oven. Just follow these steps for that perfect caramelized ham every time.

Step 1: Prepare the Glaze

First, grab your small mixing bowl – this is where the magic starts. Combine your packed brown sugar (really press it in there!), honey, Dijon mustard, melted butter, and ground cloves. Stir until it becomes this gorgeous sticky paste that smells like heaven. No lumps allowed! The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable.

Step 2: Score and Glaze the Ham

Now, take your sharp knife and make shallow cuts about 1/4-inch deep diagonally across your ham’s surface – this creates little pockets for the glaze to seep into. Don’t go too deep! Then grab your basting brush and slather on HALF the glaze, getting it into all those nooks and crannies. Save the other half – we’ll use it later!

Step 3: Air Fry the Ham

Preheat that air fryer to 325°F (this takes about 3 minutes usually). Carefully place your glazed ham in the basket – if it’s spiral-cut, face those pretty slices upward! Cook for 15 minutes, then pause to brush on the remaining glaze. Pop it back in for another 10 minutes until the outside is beautifully caramelized and the internal temp hits 140°F.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

Here’s where patience pays off – resist slicing immediately! Let your ham rest for a full 5 minutes outside the air fryer. This lets the juices redistribute so every bite stays moist. Then slice, serve, and watch everyone’s eyes light up at that perfect sticky crust!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Brown Sugar Ham

Through many happy (and a few messy) trials, I’ve learned these tricks for air fryer ham perfection:

• Spiral-cut is your friend – Those pre-sliced edges catch extra glaze beautifully!
• Size matters – Add 2 minutes per extra pound beyond 3 lbs, and always check temp.
• Glaze timing is key – Wait until the last 10 minutes for that second coat so it doesn’t burn.
• Don’t skip the rest – Those 5 minutes make all the difference in juicy slices.
• Catch the drips – Place foil underneath if your air fryer doesn’t have a drip tray.

The best tip? Trust your nose – when your kitchen smells like caramelized heaven, it’s probably done!

Variations for Air Fryer Brown Sugar Ham

Want to mix things up? Here are my favorite twists on this already-amazing recipe:

• Maple magic – Swap the honey for real maple syrup for deeper, woodsy sweetness
• Tropical vibes – Add pineapple rings during the last 5 minutes of cooking
• Spice it up – Mix in 1/4 tsp cayenne for a sweet-heat kick
• Orange zest – Stir in 1 tsp fresh zest to brighten the glaze
• Bourbon boost – Replace 1 tbsp honey with bourbon for grown-up flavor

Honestly? The basic version is perfect, but playing with flavors keeps dinner exciting!

Serving Suggestions

Oh honey, this ham deserves a proper supporting cast! My go-to’s? Creamy mashed potatoes soaking up that glaze, roasted carrots with thyme, and buttery biscuits. For holidays, I add Grandma’s green bean casserole – pure comfort!

Storage and Reheating

Now, let’s talk leftovers – though I can’t promise there will be any! If you’re lucky enough to have some, wrap slices tightly in foil or store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat? Pop those slices back in the air fryer at 300°F for just 2-3 minutes until warmed through. The glaze stays gloriously sticky this way – no sad, dried-out ham here!

Nutritional Information

Now, let’s talk numbers – but remember, these are estimates and might change depending on your exact ingredients. Per serving (about one thick slice):

• 210 calories – Not bad for such indulgence!
• 8g fat (3g saturated) – All that juicy ham goodness
• 890mg sodium – Ham’s naturally salty, so watch portions if needed
• 18g carbs (12g sugars) – Thank our glorious glaze
• 16g protein – Keeping you satisfied

As my grandma used to say, “Everything in moderation… except maybe holiday ham!”

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve gotten so many questions about this air fryer brown sugar ham – here are the ones that pop up most often:

Share Your Results

I’d love to hear how your air fryer brown sugar ham turns out! Snap a photo, leave a comment, and let me know if it’s become your new go-to like it has for me. Happy cooking!