It's just myself and my partner living in our town so often our special occasions are just the two of us and maybe a handful of friends. This small air fryer ham with an orange maple glaze is perfect for those intimate gatherings. It's perfect for Australia where the temperature is boiling come Christmas, so not having to turn the oven on is always an extra win.
I knew when I was asked to write a sponsored post about Tefal's 11L XXXL Dual Easy Fry Air Fryer (sponsored post by Betta) I wanted to try something that was a little out of the box.
I have a large experience with air fryers in the past and absolutely love the appliance, but this new Air Fryer was something else - THIS THING WAS HUGE which meant it has much more versatility with what you can cook.
Plus, it has a dual compartment which makes it easier to cook any sides you want to go along with the baked ham.
TL;DR
- Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 1 hour
- Meal prep: use leftovers in ham asparagus frittata or breakfast burrito
- Fridge storage: airtight container or ham bag for 7 days
- Freezer storage: cut into ham steaks and stack with parchment paper
- Reheating: have cold or reheat in microwave, stovetop or air fryer
- Customise: mix-and-match the glaze with balsamic maple or lemon dijon mustard sauce.
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Why you'll love this recipe
Quick & Convenient. Using an air fryer to bake ham means minimal prep and faster cooking time.
Perfect for Small Gatherings. I can't be the only one who has smaller intimate gatherings and doesn't need a ham that feeds 50.
Versatile. Mix-and-match your glaze depending on your preferences - try a balsamic basil maple dressing for a slightly tangy option or a homemade sweet bbq.
What type of ham is best for the air fryer?
- Smaller hams (1-2 kg) fit most air fryers without crowding.
- Boneless hams cook more evenly and are easier to slice.
- Spiral-cut hams soak up glaze between slices for extra flavour.
- Bone-in hams can work, but the bone takes up space and may stop the ham sitting flat (plus you're left with less ham)
- Precooked hams are ideal - you're reheating and glazing, not cooking raw.
Things to Consider
- Size matters - always check your air fryer basket or oven-style model can handle the ham.
- Fat and rind - a little fat helps with caramelisation, but too much can cause smoking. Trim back thick rind and score the fat for better glaze coverage. You don't want it to touch the heating element.
- Spiral hams can dry out faster, so glaze more often or cover with foil partway through.
- Juiciness - choosing the right cut upfront makes it easier to get a moist, flavour-packed result without fuss.
What size ham fits in the air fryer?
Basket-style air fryer
- Best for small hams up to 1.5-2 kg (depending on basket size).
- Works well with boneless or spiral-cut halves.
- Check that there's space for air to circulate around the ham - if it's touching the sides, it may cook unevenly.
- If the ham is too tall, you can trim or slice it in half to fit.
Oven-style air fryer
- Can handle larger hams, around 2-3.5 kg.
- Better for bone-in or whole small hams that won't fit in a basket model.
- More room for airflow, so you'll often get more even browning.
- Great if you're cooking for a family or want lots of leftovers.
Tip: Always measure your air fryer's internal space before buying the ham. A quick check saves the hassle of finding out it doesn't fit when you're ready to cook.
My Top Tip
Pick your ham size. Before going to the grocery store, make sure you measure the height, depth and width of the air fryer to make sure you're buying the right sized ham.
Ingredients and substitutions
Boneless leg ham. I used a boneless quarter (approx) 2kg leg ham. This fit my air fryer snuggly, but I had to make sure the fat and rind on top didn't touch the heating element so I opted for one that was slightly flatter.
Orange. The zest from the orange adds a good tang and balance with the brown sugar and maple syrup (similar to my Orange Rosemary Roast Chicken).
Substitute with other citrus if you prefer.
Brown sugar and maple syrup. These give the ham the sweetness and allow for the caramelisation. I wouldn't substitute the brown sugar, but you can use honey instead of maple syrup.
How to make baked ham in the air fryer
Step 1: Remove packaging from the leg ham and pat dry with paper towels. I like to leave the rind on as it makes the pattern of the ham score more stunning with the maple orange glaze, but you're welcome to peel this off.
Step 2: Using a sharp knife, score the rind and fat in a crisscross pattern, about ½ cm deep. This will help the glaze soak into the ham and create a beautiful caramelized finish.
Step 3: Add the ham glaze ingredients to a small bowl and mix until the brown sugar has dissolved. Brush the glaze generously over the ham, covering the entire surface. Set aside any remaining glaze to brush on halfway through cooking - this helps keep the ham moist and incorporates more flavour.
Add 1 orange zest to the outside of the ham to intensify the citrus flavour.
Step 4: Brush the glaze generously over the ham, covering the entire surface. Set aside any remaining glaze to brush on halfway through cooking - this helps keep the ham moist and incorporates more flavour.
Add 1 orange zest to the outside of the ham to intensify the citrus flavour.
Step 5: Place the ham in the large air fryer compartment, ensuring there is enough room around the top if you kept the rind on as this separates slightly and rises. Cook for 15 minutes 160°C (320°F).
Open, brush with additional glaze and lower the heat to 120°C (250°F) for a further 45 minutes.
If you have a large ham that you're hoping to bake in the oven, try my Pineapple Baked Ham Recipe.
Step 6: Remove the baked ham from the air fryer and add the other orange zest.
Let the ham rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy your perfectly glazed orange maple air fryer ham.
My Top Tips
Don't skip the scoring. This helps the glaze soak in and gives you that sticky, caramelised finish.
Glaze in layers. Brush on a thin layer of glaze at the start, then reapply every 5-10 minutes. Layering builds flavour and creates a glossy, golden crust.
Use foil when needed. If the glaze is browning too quickly, tent the ham loosely with foil.
Meal prepping with leftover ham
The baked ham offers a versatile base that's easy to portion out, making it a meal prep staple for balanced meals with your favourite carbs like a Potato Salad or Mediterranean Pasta Salad and colourful veggies such as my BBQ Mediterranean Veg Salad.
Storing leftover baked ham
Store sliced ham in airtight containers or a ham bag in the fridge for up to 7 days.
For maximum freshness, divide it into single-serving portions, so you can easily grab what you need without opening the whole container or ham bag multiple times.
Reheating
Add a splash of water or maple syrup to the ham before reheating to keep it moist.
Air Fryer. Reheat at 160°C (320°F) for 5 minutes.
Microwave. Cover with a paper towel and reheat for 2 minutes.
Stove. Add a light layer of oil and reheat like you're cooking a steak (couple minutes each side).
Freezing
Freeze any extra ham portions by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap, then placing them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
When you're ready to use, thaw portions in the fridge overnight or reheat straight away.
If you want more meal prep information, check out my Meal Prep for Beginners post and my Meal Prep Basics E-Book.
FAQs
Most hams sold for this recipe are pre-cooked. A raw ham would be too large for most air fryers and needs longer, lower cooking times, so it's not ideal.
Yes, you can place foil in the air fryer, or even air fryer baskets, to catch any drippings from the baked ham, which helps reduce cleanup. Just be sure to leave space around the edges for proper air circulation and avoid covering the entire basket, as it could affect cooking efficiency.
Only if the glaze starts browning too fast. Tent loosely so it doesn't steam.
Start with one layer at the beginning, then reapply every 5-10 minutes for a glossy, sticky coating.
Other Christmas Recipes
Or, you can have a browse through my Christmas recipes for more delicious eats.
Recipe
Air Fryer Ham with Orange Maple Glaze
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 kg (4.4 lb) Ham leg, see note 1
- 1 large orange, approx ¼ cup juice + 1-2 tablespoon rind
- 40 g (2 tablespoon) brown sugar
- 120 ml (½ cups) maple syrup
Instructions
Prepare the Ham
- Unwrap the 2 kg (4.4 lb) Ham leg and pat dry using a paper towel. For a decorative touch, leave the rind on to enhance the scoring pattern with the glaze, or remove it if preferred.
- Score the rind and fat in a crisscross pattern, about ½ cm (¼ inch) deep, to help the glaze soak in and caramelize.
- Grate the rind off the 1 large orange (be careful not to go too deep into the white), then squeeze out the juice. Mix with 40 g (2 tablespoon) brown sugar and 120 ml (½ cups) maple syrup to make the glaze.
- Generously brush the ham with glaze, covering the surface. Set aside extra glaze to brush on halfway through for added flavour and moisture. optional: sprinkle zest from an extra orange over the ham for extra citrus intensity.
Air Fry Ham
- Place the ham in the air fryer's large compartment with space for the rind to rise if left on. Cook at 160°C (320°F) for 15 minutes. Then, brush with more glaze, reduce heat to 120°C (250°F), and cook for 45 more minutes. The ham is already cooked so you're only reheating it, but it should reach about 60°C making it warm and moist without being overcooked.
Rest and Serve
- Remove from the air fryer, sprinkle with additional orange zest, and let the ham rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or store for a cold and flavourful ham. See notes for storing, reheating and freezing.
athletelunchbox
I was so shocked that I could fit a ham into the air fryer, and even more shocked that it turned out amazingly (not once, not twice, but three times!!) It was the perfect addition to a small holiday gathering and I would love to know your thoughts if you make this