If you haven't made an air fryer ham with an orange maple glaze, you are missing out! Using a small, precooked leg ham in the air fryer keeps it tender and juicy, while the glaze caramelises to create the perfect roast ham with a citrus twist. It's a perfect Christmas ham for smaller families or gatherings - and you don't even need to turn your oven on.
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.
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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.
Dual Compartment. The air fryer’s dual compartments let you cook the ham alongside veggies or sides, saving time and making meal prep efficient.
Perfect for Small Gatherings. This small baked ham recipe is ideal for intimate gatherings or a Christmas-themed meal prep without the hassle of a large roast.
Juicy & Flavourful: Cooking the ham in the air fryer keeps it tender and juicy, while the glaze caramelizes beautifully, giving you that classic holiday roast taste.
Ingredients
Boneless leg ham. If you're making your baked ham in the air fryer, I recommend around a 2kg sized ham. I found a quarter sized leg ham at the grocery store that fit this brief and fit in the large compartment of the Tefal XXXL Dual Easy Air Fryer.
Orange. Fresh orange juice and rind add a citrusy zest to the orange maple glazed ham, just like a Orange Rosemary Roast Chicken. Approximately 2 large oranges will provide enough juice and zest, but you can always supplement with purchased orange juice if desired.
Brown sugar. The brown sugar in the ham glaze helps to caramelise the rind and fat and provides a stunning golden colour once baked.
Maple syrup. The maple syrup gives the baked ham a rich sweetness and caramelisation; honey can be used as an alternative if preferred.
Please check the recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantity.
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 orange maple 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: 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 5: 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.
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.
Add a side in the second compartment. Use the second compartment for roasting vegetables like Honey Roasted Carrots, Air Fryer Asparagus & Potatoes or Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Meal prep and leftovers
Meal prepping air fryer ham is a fantastic way to streamline your week, giving you a flavourful, ready-to-go protein that pairs well with a variety of dishes. 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 Asparagus Cranberry Salad.
Storing
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
To keep the ham moist, reheat it in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 5 minutes or in the microwave with a cover, adding a splash of water or a drizzle of maple syrup over the ham steak if necessary. Avoid overheating, as this can dry out the ham—just a quick warm-up is all it needs.
You can also eat leftover baked ham cold - it's fantastic on a sandwich!
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, then reheat in the air fryer for a quick and easy protein boost.
If you want more meal prep information, check out my Meal Prep for Beginners post and my Meal Prep Basics E-Book.
FAQs
Most air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe, including Tefal's, making cleanup after cooking your air fryer ham quick and easy.
However, always check your specific model’s manual to be sure, and ensure you're not including any electronic parts in the dishwasher.
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.
Yes, the dual compartment in Tefal's Air Fryer make it easy to cook sides like vegetables alongside the ham. This setup is perfect for meal prep, allowing you to prepare a balanced meal with protein and sides all in one go.
Other Christmas mains
Or, you can have a browse through my Christmas Category for more delicious eats.
Recipe
Air Fryer Ham with Orange Maple Glaze
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 kg (4.4 lbs) Ham leg see note 1
- 1 orange juice & rind (see note 2)
- 40 g (2 tbsp) brown sugar
- 120 ml (½ cup) maple syrup
Instructions
Prepare the Ham
- Unwrap the ham 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 deep, to help the glaze soak in and caramelize beautifully.
- Generously brush the ham with glaze, covering the surface. Set aside extra glaze to brush on halfway through for added flavour and moisture. Sprinkle zest from 1 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 and enjoy your beautifully glazed orange maple air fryer ham! See post for meal prep tips and what to serve this air fryer baked ham with.
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