Air Fryer Small Ham with Hot Honey Glaze: A Delicious & Easy Recipe

Looking for a flavorful and fuss-free holiday ham option that won’t leave you with mountains of leftovers? This air fryer small ham recipe is the perfect solution! This recipe uses a 2-3 pound mini ham, making it ideal for serving 4-6 people (along with sides). Whether it’s Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or simply a special Sunday dinner, this recipe delivers a delectable dish with minimal effort.

Hot honey glazed small ham recipe dinners done quick featured image

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Ham Recipe

Perfect for Small Gatherings: Enjoy the classic ham flavor without the commitment of a huge roast or a week’s worth of leftovers. This recipe allows you to savor the taste of ham without the excess.
Faster Cook Time with Air Fryer: Skip heating up your entire oven! The air fryer provides a quicker cooking time, freeing up oven space for side dishes and desserts. Plus, it delivers incredibly juicy, tender meat with beautifully caramelized edges.
Irresistible Hot Honey Glaze: Elevate your ham with a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. The combination of sweet honey and a touch of heat perfectly complements the savory ham. It’s a glaze that’s bold, layered, and absolutely delicious.
Unmatched Caramelization: The air fryer’s circulating heat ensures even cooking and exceptional caramelization of the glaze. The result is a glossy, slightly crispy exterior that everyone will fight over.
Low Effort, High Reward: Most small hams are pre-cooked, so this recipe primarily involves heating and glazing, making it incredibly simple. Achieve impressive results without complicated preparation.
Ideal Leftover Portion: You’ll have just enough leftovers for sandwiches, a ham and cheese bagel, breakfast hash, or ham and cheese sliders, without being overwhelmed by excessive amounts of ham.
Year-Round Appeal: While perfect for Easter and Christmas, this recipe is equally delightful for a cozy Sunday dinner any time of the year.

Air fryer hot honey glazed small ham on a plate with slices cut off on a bed of parsley and carrots with mac and cheese in the back

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Air Fryer Ham Ingredients

Ingredients to make small glazed ham in the air fryer

2-3 lb small ham (boneless)
2 Tbsp butter, melted
¼ cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp hot honey
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp black pepper

Ingredient Tips and Substitutions

You can use a bone-in ham, but it will generally take about 10 minutes longer to cook.
Instead of butter, you can use an oil of your choice, such as olive oil or avocado oil.
I prefer store-bought hot honey for convenience, but you can easily make your own by infusing ½ cup regular honey with 1 – 1 ½ Tbsp red pepper flakes. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the level of heat.
If you don’t have cider vinegar, you can substitute it with orange juice for a slightly different flavor profile.
Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking. Other delicious additions include paprika, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, thyme, or rosemary.

How to Cook a Small Ham in the Air Fryer: Step-by-Step Instructions

If your ham is not pre-sliced, score the top using a sharp knife. Make cuts about 1” apart and around ¼” deep. Cut on a diagonal, then make perpendicular diagonal cuts to create a diamond pattern. Wrap the ham tightly in foil (you will probably need two sheets). Trim off any excess foil, as too much bunched on the sides can slow down the cooking process and require an extra 20-30 minutes.

Use a sharp knife to score ham if not precut

Place the foil-wrapped ham into your air fryer basket, seam side facing up. Ensure that the ham doesn’t directly touch the heating element.

Place foil wrapped ham in air fryer basket

Cook using the air fry setting at 325°F (or 320°F, depending on your air fryer’s available settings) for 20 minutes. While the ham is cooking, combine all of the glaze ingredients in a small bowl and stir to form a smooth paste.

Mix small ham glaze ingredients in a bowl

Carefully open the foil at the top seam and brush half of the glaze mixture evenly over the top and sides of the ham (leave the ham inside the foil to catch any drips). Close the foil back up and continue air frying for another 20 minutes, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of around 135°F. Cooking times may vary based on your specific air fryer model and the size of your ham. Check the temperature with a meat thermometer and add additional cooking time as necessary. Larger hams may require an extra 15-20 minutes.

Brush half the glaze mixture over the ham before closing the foil back up and resuming cooking

Open the foil completely (you can now fold it back to expose the top of the ham) and add the remaining half of the glaze, spreading it evenly. Air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the glaze develops a rich, browned color and caramelizes to your desired level of doneness. The ham should reach a minimum internal temperature of 140°F in the center.

Add the remaining half of the glaze to your ham and cook until the glaze browns

Remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite side dishes. Pour any extra glaze that has accumulated in the foil over the sliced ham for added flavor and moisture!

Overhead view of hot honey glazed small ham sliced showing caramelized edges and pinecone cut on a bed of parsley and carrots

What to Serve with Your Air Fryer Small Ham: Pairing Suggestions

This delicious air fryer ham is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas to create a complete and satisfying meal:

Comforting Sides

Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The smooth, buttery texture of mashed potatoes provides a delicious contrast to the sweet and spicy glaze of the ham.
Scalloped or Au Gratin Potatoes: Rich and cheesy potatoes are always a perfect complement to ham. You can even add leftover ham to this dish! Try Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes and Ham for a complete meal.
Mac and Cheese: A classic comfort food, mac and cheese, especially a sharp cheddar version, helps cut through the sweetness of the glaze.
Buttery Dinner Rolls: Perfect for mopping up every last drop of the delicious hot honey glaze!

Veggie Pairings

Roasted Brussels Sprouts: The slight bitterness of Brussels sprouts balances the sweet and spicy glaze beautifully. Try my Longhorn Brussel Sprouts, which also feature a honey-based flavor!
Air Fryer Green Beans: Keep the entire meal quick and easy by air frying your green beans for a cohesive cooking experience.
Honey-Glazed Carrots: Embrace the sweetness with a savory twist. My Air Fryer Brown Sugar Carrots are the perfect sweet and savory side.
Garlic Sautéed Spinach: A simple and lighter option that provides a pleasant contrast to the richness of the ham.

Sweet & Tangy Additions

Pineapple Salsa: The fresh acidity of pineapple salsa brightens the entire dish.
Apple Slaw: Crunchy, tart, and refreshing, apple slaw offers a delightful contrast to the sticky glaze.
Cranberry Sauce: Especially appropriate if you’re serving the ham for a holiday meal, cranberry sauce provides a classic sweet and tart pairing.

Fresh Options

Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette: Peppery greens combined with a bright citrus vinaigrette offer a refreshing balance to the richness of the ham.
Simple Cucumber Salad: Cool and crisp cucumber salad provides a simple and refreshing counterpoint to the spice of the glaze.
Deviled Eggs: A classic ham companion that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Drink Pairings

Off-Dry Riesling: The slight sweetness balances the heat of the glaze, while the acidity cuts through the richness of the ham.
Pinot Noir: A smooth, light-bodied red wine that complements the savory ham without overpowering it.
Sparkling Wine (Brut or Extra Dry): Crisp bubbles refresh the palate between bites of the sweet and savory ham.
Amber Ale: The caramel notes in an amber ale echo the hot honey glaze beautifully.
Old Fashioned: Warm bourbon and subtle sweetness pair naturally with sweet-spicy ham. Elevate the flavor even further with my Hot Honey Old Fashioned!
Whiskey Sour (Light on Sugar): This bright and citrusy cocktail complements the ham without being overly sweet. A Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour makes an ideal holiday pairing.
Sparkling Apple Cider (Non-Alcoholic): A fresh, lightly sweet, and crowd-pleasing option for all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Small Ham

Can I Buy a Small Ham?

Yes! Most grocery stores carry small hams, typically ranging from 2–4 pounds. Look for half hams, ham shanks, or ham roasts in the refrigerated meat section. Most of these are fully cooked and simply need to be reheated.

How Many People Does a 3-Pound Ham Serve?

A 3-pound ham typically serves about 6–8 people, depending on portion sizes and whether it’s bone-in or boneless. Plan for about ½ pound per person for a bone-in ham, or ⅓–½ pound per person for a boneless ham.

Is It Safe to Reheat a Precooked Ham in an Air Fryer?

Yes! A precooked ham can be safely and effectively reheated in the air fryer. In fact, it’s a fantastic method for warming the ham through while simultaneously caramelizing the glaze. For optimal results, cook at a moderate temperature, cover the ham with foil to prevent over-browning, and heat until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Small Ham

Pre-cooked hams are typically quite salty, so I usually don’t add any additional salt to the glaze. However, you can always add a pinch to taste if desired.
My ham was just under 3 pounds and fit perfectly inside one of my Ninja air fryer baskets (approximately 4 quarts in size). If necessary, you can cut the ham into smaller portions to fit your specific air fryer model. Keep in mind that smaller pieces may cook slightly faster, so monitor them closely.
I have successfully cooked this ham from a partially frozen state as well. If you are starting with a partially frozen ham, simply plan to add an extra 10-20 minutes (while wrapped in foil) to the overall cooking time to compensate.

View of the back of a cut small ham cooked in the air fryer showing off the honey glaze and caramelized edges

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storage Tips

Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. To prevent it from drying out, wrap the slices tightly in foil or plastic wrap before placing them in a sealed container. Properly stored, leftover ham will remain fresh for 3–4 days in the refrigerator.
For longer storage, freeze the ham. Wrap it tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag. You can freeze ham for up to 2 months. For easier portioning later, consider slicing the ham before freezing.

Reheating Tips

Air Fryer (Best for Texture): Reheat ham slices at 300°F for 3–5 minutes, or until warmed through. For added moisture and flavor, lightly brush the slices with extra hot honey before reheating.
Oven Method: Cover the ham with foil to prevent drying and warm it at 300°F until heated through.
Microwave (Quick Option): Heat the ham in short intervals with a damp paper towel placed over it to help retain moisture.

Air Fryer Glazed Ham Bites