Holidays are even more special with our Air Fryer Ham with Cranberry Glaze. Just 5 simple ingredients and much less work, allowing you to enjoy more time with family and friends. Cooking a holiday ham in the air fryer keeps it moist and this delicious golden sweet cranberry crust makes it irresistible. Perfect for smaller gatherings!
The extra bonus of using an air fryer to heat up a cranberry glazed ham is that it frees up the oven. Then, you can make our favorite side dishes in the oven like our French Canadian Meat Dressing Recipe and Balsamic Roasted Fennel and Carrots – together rounding out the perfect family feast.
Pre-cooked spiral hams are super delicious but top it with a golden spiced orange cranberry glaze and you have a slice of “HAM HEAVEN”. Don’t you just love something a little sweet with the salty ham? It’s the perfect pairing. In this article, we are going to cover how to choose a ham for your size and type of air fryer, keep it juicy and moist, how long to reheat and helpful hints to make the best darn cranberry glaze.
We have also included oven baking directions if you do not have an air fryer or if you are planning on feeding a huge crew of family and friends.
Jump to:
Types of Ham
Before we get started on the recipe, let’s review the different kinds of ham to choose from. In addition, the type and size to purchase will be determined by the size and type of your air fryer brand.
- Spiral Cut are also sometimes called City Hams. (BEST Choice, especially for Toaster Oven Style Air Fryers)
- Boneless has had the bone removed and is pressed into a roll. This type is also available as a spiral cut ham without the bone. (BEST Choice for cylindrical basket air fryers (around 5 quarts).
- Fresh is not cured or smoked or cooked. These are raw uncured leg of pork. This type of ham is best cooked in the oven not in the air fryer.
- Country hams are NOT suggested for this recipe as they are VERY SALTY. First, you need to boil to remove some of that sodium before they can even be prepared.
Bone in vs Boneless
Did you know there are pros and cons to both options?
- Bone-in hams are often tastier and moister than boneless ones.
- Semi-boneless or partially boned only the leg bone remaining. The hip or shank bone has been removed. This makes it easier to cut and serve.
- Boneless are more convenient and easier to slice.
If you have a large toaster oven style air fryer, you can used either bone in, semi-boneless or boneless holiday ham. If you have a cylindrical basket style (5-quart size) air fryer, you will most likely need to choose a boneless option. A bone-in type will be too large and be touching the heating elements and the sides. You don’t want that.
However, you may be able to fit in a half of semi-boneless ham in a 9 to 12-quart cylindrical air fryer but we have not tested it. Every air fryer is different.
Cooked vs Uncooked
Did you know that hams can be ready-to-eat or need to be cooked before serving? The best option is to choose a fully cooked ham that just needs to be reheated.
In addition, they can also be separated into several different categories.
- Fresh – uncured raw leg of pork (Do not use for this Air Fryer Ham with Cranberry Glaze recipe as it does not have that flavor profile you are looking for.)
- Cured – with either a wet brine or dry salt brine. This type can be cooked or uncooked.
- Smoked – sometimes they will be smoked after cured. Don't you just love the essence of hickory or maple is infused into the pork.
Check the package! One of these labels should be prominently displayed...
- Fully cooked – is the option needed for our air fryer ham with cranberry glaze recipe. (BEST Option)
- Partially cooked – this means the ham has been cooked up to the temperature of 137 degrees F (58 degrees C) but less than 148 degrees F (64 degrees C). This type will still require additional cooking before it can be served. Can be used but may take longer to cook . Need to be heated to 145 degrees F (62 degrees C) and then allowed to rest and the temperature should continue to rise to 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
- Ready to cook – are uncooked hams that will need to be cooked up 145 degrees F then left to rest as the temperature increases to 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) Do not use this type.
How Much Per Person?
Boneless - ¼ to ⅓ pound per adult serving.
Bone – in – ⅓ to ½ pound per adult serving.
Are you ready for some easy math? For example, if you want to serve 4 people, you will need approximately 1.5 pound of boneless or 2 pounds of a bone-in ham. Of course, it depends on how many sides you are serving and if you want leftovers to make our Red Lentil and Ham Soup or our Instant Pot Lentil Ham Stew.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Ham –
- Air fryers come in different types, models, and max capacities. Please consult your owner manual for the capacity and dimensions to determine the weight and type of ham to purchase.
- Choose a fully cooked ham. A fully cooked spiral ham (sliced) is super convenient and delicious.
- Boneless are best for cylindrical basket types of air fryers.
- Bone-in, semi boneless or boneless can be used in a LARGE toaster oven style air fryer.
- If you have a medium sized cylindrical basket air fryer (around 5 quarts), then most likely you will only be able to fit a 2 to 3-pound boneless ham in the basket drawer.
- We have a Cosori Toaster oven style air fryer (capacity 32 quarts) and could easily fit in a 7 to 8-pound bone in ham without it touching any of the sides or the heating elements. Due to the size of our air fryer, about 8 pounds is probably the max you can fit in safely for this model.
- Hosting the whole crew? If you want to cook a whole ham or larger one, we have included oven baking instructions in the recipe card below.
Cranberries - Fresh is best but can also use frozen. We used a full 12 ounces, so we had enough for the glaze but also extra cranberry sauce to dollop on top for serving. If you double the cranberry glaze recipe, you can make our Cranberry Sauce Muffins for breakfast in the morning.
Oranges – Use both the zest and the juice from a fresh orange.
Honey or sweetener of choice – We like honey as it is a natural sweetener. However, you can also use maple syrup, brown sugar, or a sugar alternative of choice.
Allspice – Makes this cranberry glaze smell and taste like the holidays. We used dried and ground allspice to keep this cranberry glazed ham recipe super easy. Believe it or not, allspice is NOT a mixture of spices but instead a dried berry from the Pimenta dioca tree. Allspice is also a prominent flavor in our Homemade Gingerbread Cookies and steamed gingerbread.
Looking for an allspice alternative? Mix the following spices together for the best substitution.
- ½ teaspoon dried ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon dried ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon dried ground nutmeg.
How to Prepare the BEST Cranberry Glaze
- Place fresh cranberries into a medium skillet and place heat on medium high.
- Add in honey or sweetener of choice.
- Zest in one orange and the juice of 2 oranges.
- Add in allspice and stir until well incorporated.
- The cranberry glaze will thicken as it sits. That is important as the glaze sticks to the sides of the ham instead of dripping to the bottom of the pan.
How to Prepare the Ham
- First things first! Line your basket or oven toaster tray with aluminum foil. You can thank us later but makes it for easy clean up. (Double check with your air fryer manufacturer instructions but most types can use aluminum foil.) Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C)
- We used a fully cooked spiral ham. If your ham is NOT spiral cut, take a moment to hand score the skin of the ham both vertically and horizontally to make a diamond shape. This helps crisp up the skin later in the cooking process.
- Spray a little oil on the bottom of the aluminum foil to prevent sticking. Wrap ham with heavy duty aluminum foil. Make sure the open end up at the top so you can add the cranberry glaze later in the cooking process. Place in air fryer.
- Air fry the ham for 20-25 minutes for 2- 3-pound smaller hams and 30 - 40 minutes for larger 8-pound ones. We use this time to make our spiced orange cranberry glaze.
- Take out of the air fryer and carefully open the aluminum foil wrap and brush ⅓ of the cranberry glaze all over the top of the ham and sides.
- Wrap back up in aluminum foil to seal and place back in the oven for another 20 minutes.
- Carefully unwrap the aluminum foil back and check the temperature of the ham in the thickest part of the ham away from bone. If the temperature is below 135 degrees F (57 degrees C) seal the aluminum foil wrap back around the ham and continue cooking.
- Once the internal temperature has reached 135 degrees F, pull back the aluminum foil back down off the ham so the top and sides are exposed.
- Brush another ⅓ of the cranberry glaze all over. (Save the remaining ⅓ of orange cranberry glaze for serving) Place back into the air fryer to cook for another 10 -15 minutes or until golden ruby red and the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (62 degrees C).
- FYI: If you are using a ham from Non-USDA certified plant, the USDA recommends heating to an internal temperature to 165 °F.
- Remove the beautiful glazed beauty from the air fryer and leave rest for 3 minutes. DO NOT THROW AWAY THE PAN DRIPPINGS! That is LIQUID GOLD! Strain juice and drizzle on the ham while serving along with a dollop of remaining Cranberry Glaze Sauce.
Tips for Success!
- Purchase a fully cooked ham.
- Use boneless for cylindrical basket air fryers models.
- Can use boneless, semi-boneless or bone-in for large toaster oven style air fryers
- Purchase a ham that fits inside the air fryer without touching the sides or the heating elements. Every air fryer has a different capacity.
- Cook time in air fryer is 10 to 15 minutes per pound.
- No Air fryer? No Problem! Oven Baking directions in the recipe notes.
- Before putting in the air fryer, allow the ham to come to room temperature. We usually let it sit on the counter for 30-60 minutes at room temperature. This ensures more even cooking.
- Choose boneless small hams around 2 to 3 pounds for 5 to 6-quart basket style air fryers. Can choose larger bone-in spiral hams for oven style air fryers up to about 8 pounds.
- Use aluminum foil for easy cleanup and it also keeps your ham moist while heating up.
- Spiral boneless pre-cooked hams take about 10 minutes per pound to reach 145 degrees F. Bone in or semi boneless can take 10 to 15 minutes per pound.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature. Put in the largest meatiest portion of the ham away from the bone.
- Reserve a little of the cranberry glaze to serve and the strained pan drippings.
- Allow ham to rest 3 minutes before serving.
Side Dishes
Looking for a dish to pass or something you can make in advance? Try these salads, vegetables and potato and rice dish ideas to complete your holiday feast.
Salads: Quinoa Harvest Salad, Autumn Kale Salad and Dried Cranberry Sugar Glazed Pecan Holiday Salad can all be made in advance.
Vegetables: Balsamic Roasted Fennel and Carrots or Garlicky Sesame Stir Fried Green Beans are delicious with ham and are easy throw together. Our Moroccan spiced baby carrots can be cooked in advance and reheated just before serving.
Potatoes or Rice: Our creamy Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto or Crispy Roasted Red Potatoes and Cabbage make a complete holiday menu.
Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Leftover spiral cooked hams can be stored in a covered container for 3 to 5 days or up to 2 months in the freezer.
Technically, yes you can. However, as each air fryer model is different, it is best to consult with the owner’s manual first.
Wrapping the ham in foil seals all the juices inside so it keeps it tender and moist so it does not dry out during the cooking process.
Holiday Dessert Ideas
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Air Fryer Ham with Cranberry Glaze
Equipment
- Air fryer (Ours is a toaster oven style model (32-quart capacity) Please read full recipe for accommodating smaller air fryer units, cooking times and other specifics for choosing ingredients.
- aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 7 to 8 pounds Cooked ham
(3.1to 3.6 kg) fully cooked bone-in spiral ham for extra-large toaster oven style air fryer models (For example a smaller 5-to-6-quart cylindrical basket air fryers models, use a BONELESS fully cooked 2-to-3-pound.) Every air fryer capacity is different. The goal is to choose a ham that fits easily into your air fryer without touching the sides or the heating elements. - spray oil to prevent sticking
Cranberry Glaze
- 12 oz Cranberries
fresh or frozen - ½ cup honey (or maple syrup, brown sugar, or sugar alternative of choice)
- 2 tablespoons Orange zest
- ½ cup orange juice or juice from 2 oranges
- 1 teaspoon allspice dried ground (see recipe notes for substitution options)
Garnishes
- reserved ham juices strained
- cranberry glaze ⅓ of the remaining
- fresh oranges, cranberries and greens to decorate optional
Instructions
Prepare the Ham
- Allow the ham to come to room temperature. We usually let it sit on the counter for 30-60minutes at room temperature. This ensures more even cooking.
- First things first! Line your basket or oven toaster tray with aluminum foil. You can thank us later but makes it for easy clean up. (Double check with your air fryer manufacturer instructions but most types can use aluminum foil.) Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C)
- We used a fully COOKED spiral ham. If it is NOT spiral cut, take a moment to hand score the skin of the ham both vertically and horizontally to make a diamond shape. This helps crisp up the skin later in the cooking process.
- Spray a little oil on the bottom of the aluminum foil to prevent sticking. Place the ham flat side down on the aluminum foil. (If your ham has a little plastic device over the bone, this can be removed and thrown away.) Wrap your ham with heavy duty aluminum foil with the open end up at the top so you can add the cranberry glaze later in the cooking process. Place wrapped ham in air fryer.
- Air Fry for 20-25 minutes for 2- 3-pound smaller hams and 30 - 40 minutes for larger 7 to 8-pound ones. (Use this time to make your cranberry glaze.)
Make Spiced Orange Cranberry Glaze
- Place fresh cranberries into a medium skillet and place heat on medium high.
- Add in honey or sweetener of choice.
- Zest in one orange and the juice of 2 oranges.
- Add in allspice and stir until well incorporated.
- The cranberry glaze will thicken as it sits. That is important as the glaze sticks to the sides of the ham instead of dripping to the bottom of the pan.
Glazing the Ham
- Take the ham out of the air fryer and carefully open the aluminum foil wrap and brush ⅓ of the cranberry glaze all over the top of the ham and sides.
- Wrap the ham back up in aluminum foil to seal and place back in the oven for another 20 minutes
- Carefully unwrap the aluminum foil back and check the temperature in the thickest part of the ham away from bone. If the temperature is below 135degrees F (57 degrees C) seal the aluminum foil wrap back around and continue cooking until the temperature reaches 135 degrees F. (Boneless hams take about 10 minutes per pound. Bone-in ones take about 15 minutes per pound to fully reheat)
- Once the internal temperature has reached 135 degrees F, pull back the aluminum foil back down off the ham so the top and sides of ham are exposed.
- Brush another ⅓ of the cranberry glaze all over the ham well. (Save the remaining⅓ of orange cranberry glaze for serving) Place back into the air fryer to cook for another 10 - 15 minutes or is golden ruby red and the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (62 degrees C).
- FYI: If you are using a ham from a Non-USDA certified plant, the USDA recommends heating to an internal temperature to 165 °F.
- Remove the ham from the air fryer and leave rest for 3 minutes. DO NOT THROW AWAY THE PAN DRIPPINGS! That is LIQUID GOLD! Strain ham juice and set aside.
- Move ham to a serving platter. Tent lightly with foil and let rest 3 minutes.
- Optional: Garnish your platter with fresh oranges, cranberries, and greens, if desired.
- Slice and serve with a drizzle of the ham juice and a dollop of remaining Cranberry Glaze. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Purchase a fully cooked ham.
- Use boneless hams for cylindrical basket air fryers models.
- Can use boneless, semi-boneless or bone-in hams for large toaster oven style air fryers
- Purchase a ham that fits inside the air fryer without touching the sides or the heating elements. Every air fryer has a different capacity.
- Cook time in air fryer is 10 to 15 minutes per pound.
- No Air fryer? No Problem! Oven Baking directions in the recipe notes.
- Before putting in the air fryer, allow the ham to come to room temperature. We usually let it sit on the counter for 30-60 minutes at room temperature. This ensures more even cooking.
- Choose boneless small hams around 2 to 3 pounds for 5 to 6-quart basket style air fryers. Can choose larger bone-in spiral hams for toaster oven style air fryers up to about 8 pounds.
- Use aluminum foil for easy cleanup .
- Spiral boneless pre-cooked hams take about 10 minutes per pound to reach at least 140 to 145 degrees F. Bone in or semi boneless ones can take 10 to 15 minutes per pound.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature. Put in the largest meatiest portion of the ham away from the bone.
- Reserve a little of the cranberry glaze to serve and the strained ham "liquid gold" juice.
- Allow to rest 3 minutes before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in a covered container for 3 to 5 days or up to 2 months in the freezer.
- ½ teaspoon dried ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon dried ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon dried ground nutmeg.
- As you are baking in a large standard oven, you can choose any sized fully cooked bone-in or boneless ham.
- Preheat standard oven to 325 degrees F (162 degrees C)
- We like to line a roasting pan with foil for easy cleanup.
- Spray oil on foiled line pan to prevent sticking.
- Place ham flat side down in the roasting pan. Cover with aluminum foil and place in the oven to roast.
- Make the cranberry glaze as directed above in the recipe card and set aside.
- Roast ham for approximately 12 to 15 minutes per pound. At the halfway point, check carefully pull off the aluminum foil, check the internal temperature and glaze ham with ⅓ of the glaze. Place the aluminum foil back on and put back in the oven continue roasting.
- With approximately 15 to 20 minutes left in the cooking process, carefully remove the ham from the oven. Turn the oven temperature up to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Brush with another ⅓ of the orange cranberry glaze (reserving the last ⅓ for serving)
- Place the ham UNCOVERED in the oven and bake until the glaze is ruby red and golden, and temperature has reached 145 degrees F (62 degrees C).
- Remove from the air fryer and leave rest for 3 minutes. DO NOT THROW AWAY THE PAN DRIPPINGS! That is LIQUID GOLD! Strain juice and set aside.
- Move to a serving platter. Tent lightly with foil and let rest 3 minutes.
- Optional: Garnish your platter with fresh oranges, cranberries, and greens, if desired.
- Slice and serve with a drizzle of the pan drippings and a dollop of remaining Cranberry Glaze.
chefmimi says
This sounds wonderful. And I love what it looks like! You must have a huge air fryer!
HWC Magazine says
Thank you. A spiral ham easily fit into our Cosori toaster oven style 32 quart air fryer! Love this size for a family or if you have growing boys!
Chef Mimi says
Seriously? I never would have attempted this. A ham in an air fryer. Wow. Well, it’s a beauty!
HWC Magazine says
Yes, seriously, you must give it a go. Air frying cuts down on cooking time. In addition, it makes the crust of the ham nice and crispy. Happy holidays to you.
Julie says
I didn't even know that this was possible in an air fryer but as you said the crust is amazing! Thank you for such an amazing recipe. I'll be making it again for Easter!
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Julie. Yes, it really is a time saver and the cranberry crust on the air ham is so festive. During Easter, you may want to swap out the cranberries with seasonal fresh berry compote instead. Take Care
Lynn Fenby says
If this recipe looked good to you, then you must make it because it is fantastic! I didn't even think that I liked cranberries....but you will love them and you will love this very easy, very impressive recipe.
HWC Magazine says
Thanks Lynn. Air fried ham with cranberries is one of our favorite holiday meals, especially when making it for a smaller crew. Glad you like it.
mjskitchen says
This looks irresistibly delicious! Love that glaze. Don't have an air fryer, but I'm sure the oven would work fine.
HWC Magazine says
Thank you MJ. Also included are oven directions for your convenience. Take Care
John / Kitchen Riffs says
I've made a cranberry glaze before, but it's been forever. Yours looks great -- gotta do this again. If we're serving a crowd we always opt for a cooked bone-in ham (sometimes we'll do an uncooked country ham, but they're a bit of a production to prepare). The bone really does seem to add flavor. But the boneless are much more convenient, and have flavor that pretty good too. I mean, we're talking ham -- it's loaded with flavor! Anyway, this looks wonderful -- thanks.
HWC Magazine says
Thank you John. Bone in hams are always more flavorful. In addition, we love using the bone to make soup too. If you have a larger air fryer, you can make a bone in ham but we have included oven recipes too if you want to make a huge ham for a large family gathering. Wishing you and Mrs. Riff a super holiday season and a very happy new year.
Chef Mimi says
This is just gorgeous! I love what you did with the ham and that gorgeous glaze.
HWC Magazine says
Thanks so much Mimi! The cranberry glaze is so good. Just the smell of the spiced glazed ham in the air fryer makes it feel like the holidays. Take care
Heidi | The Frugal Girls says
Yum, what a fabulous Christmas treat! The air fryer is such a smart choice for preparing the ham... and your cranberry glaze is so heavenly.
HWC Magazine says
Thanks so much Heidi! We are loving the leftovers. Stay tuned as we have a leftover ham recipe, you are not going to want to miss.
Michelle says
Such a festive ham! One of my favourite protein to enjoy during the holidays! You did such a great job with the presentation too! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Michelle. Happy holidays to you and your family!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
What a beautiful way to serve ham. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Karen! Hope you and your family and doing well and enjoying this holiday season.
Sherri Hall @ Watch Learn Eat says
My mom dropped off a ham at our house to make for Christmas and I was trying to find a new recipe and here I am! LOVE THIS! Happy Holidays! 🙂
HWC Magazine says
Love that! Happy Holidays Sherri to you and your family. Ham it up!!!
Emma @ Bake Then Eat says
My fella would love me forever if I served him this for his dinner 🙂
HWC Magazine says
A way to a man's heart is through his belly... LOL Wishing you a super holiday and 2018 Emma!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
This ham looks absolutely perfect for the holidays and super tasty, too!
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Amy! Wishing you a super holiday and 2018!
mjskit says
What a beautiful ham! Love the twist with the cranberries. Have never had a cranberry glazed ham and it looks so festive and absolutely delicious! Hope you and your family have a very Happy Holiday season!
HWC Magazine says
Thank you MJ. We just happened to have fresh cranberries on hand and they do work perfectly with the savory ham. Seriously one bite just does taste just like the holidays. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season.