Air Fryer Ham Steak Recipe

Juicy, perfectly glazed ham steak with caramelized edges, ready in minutes from your air fryer for a deliciously simple main dish.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Serves:
2 servings
An overhead shot of a golden-brown ham steak with a glistening honey-mustard glaze, showcasing beautiful caramelization marks from the air fryer. The thick-cut ham sits on a white ceramic plate with fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish. A cross-section view reveals the juicy interior while highlighting the sticky, shiny exterior. Soft natural light streams in from the side, emphasizing the meat's texture and the glaze's sheen. Small bowls of stone-ground mustard and remaining glaze sit nearby, with a scattering of black peppercorns adding rustic contrast against a distressed wooden serving board.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 ham steak (approximately 300g, fully cooked)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp brown sugar</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp honey</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp Dijon mustard</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp apple cider vinegar</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp ground cloves</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp ground cinnamon</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">Pinch of black pepper</li> </ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"> <li class="equipment-single-item">Air fryer</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Pastry brush</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Small mixing bowl</li> </ul>
BAKE SMARTER

Kitchen Converter

Quickly switch between common baking units without leaving the recipe.

Convert
Result—

Volume uses US cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons. Converting weight to volume depends on the ingredient.

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Preheat your air fryer to 180°C for 3-5 minutes. This preheating stage is essential for achieving that perfect sear on your ham steak. While waiting, remove the ham steak from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels - this helps the glaze adhere better and promotes caramelization. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper until completely smooth. The acid in the vinegar helps cut through the richness of the ham while the sugar components will create a beautiful caramelization during cooking. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Place the ham steak in your preheated air fryer basket. If your air fryer has a rack rather than a basket, you can place it directly on the rack. Using your pastry brush, generously coat the top side of the ham with about half of the glaze mixture. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> Cook the ham steak for 4 minutes at 180°C. The air fryer's circulating heat will begin caramelizing the sugars in the glaze while warming the ham through. Because ham steaks are pre-cooked, we're focusing on flavor development rather than bringing it to a safe temperature. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> Carefully flip the ham steak (it will be hot!) and brush the second side with the remaining glaze. Return to the air fryer for another 3-4 minutes until the glaze is bubbling and caramelized. Look for a shiny, sticky appearance and slightly darkened edges - these are signs of perfect caramelization. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Check that the internal temperature has reached at least 57°C (135°F) for optimal serving temperature. If you prefer your ham warmer, you can continue cooking for 1-2 minutes more, but be careful not to overcook as ham steaks can dry out quickly. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Remove the ham steak from the air fryer and allow it to rest for 2 minutes. This brief resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor. Serve immediately while still warm, perhaps with a small bowl of any remaining glaze on the side for dipping. </li> </ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 serving
🔥 Calories: 320 calories
🥑 Fat: 16 g
🧈 Saturated Fat: 5 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 14 g
🍭 Sugar: 12 g
🍗 Protein: 28 g
🫀 Cholesterol: 85 mg
🧂 Sodium: 1200 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Can I use a spiral ham slice instead of a ham steak in my air fryer?

Yes, spiral ham slices work well but may cook faster due to their thinner cut. Reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes and watch carefully to prevent over-drying. The glaze will work perfectly with spiral ham, though you might need slightly less due to the increased surface area.

What side dishes pair well with glazed ham cooked in an air fryer?

Air fryer glazed ham pairs beautifully with scalloped potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, or a simple green salad. For a complete meal, consider adding buttered dinner rolls, air fryer sweet potato wedges, or steamed green beans with almonds.

How long does it take to cook ham in an air fryer compared to conventional methods?

Air fryer ham cooking is significantly faster than conventional methods. While oven-baked ham steak takes 20-25 minutes and pan-frying takes about 10-12 minutes with less even caramelisation, air fryer ham is perfectly cooked and glazed in just 7-8 minutes total cooking time.

Want to try something else in ...

More recipes you might like

Keep exploring with more recipes from What's Baking.