Air Fryer Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar and Rum
A tender, glazed boneless ham cooked entirely in an air fryer with a sweet and savory brown sugar coating enhanced by rum, mustard, and warm spices. The air fryer creates a beautifully caramelized exterior while keeping the interior moist. Perfect for smaller holiday gatherings or when you want impressive results without heating up the whole oven. The foil-wrapped cooking method steams the ham initially, then the final uncovered glazing creates that golden, sticky finish.
Ingredients
- 1 3-pound cooked boneless ham
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons country mustard, or a mix of Dijon and whole grain mustardDijon mustard1:1dietary
works well
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ½ cup dark rum
Instructions
- 1
Preheat air fryer for 15 minutes
- 2
Score the ham both directions with shallow narrow cuts about between slices
- 3
Mix brown sugar, mustard, melted butter, ground cloves, garlic powder and soy sauce to form a thick paste
- 4
Line a small pan that fits in your air fryer basket with foil and overhang about six inches, press into the pan
- 5
Pour in the rum and place the ham cut side down
- 6
Brush or spoon on one quarter of the glaze
- 7
Cover with parchment then foil so the entire ham is covered, fold up the sides from the bottom foil
- 8
Lower the foiled pan into the air fryer basket
- 9
Lower temperature and cook for 30 minutes
- 10
Raise temperature
- 11
Remove top foil and parchment, brush or spoon on another quarter of the glaze
- 12
Set timer for five minutes, glaze again and set for five more minutes
- 13
Coat with remaining glaze and cook five more minutes
- 14
Remove ham to cutting board and slice
- 15
Serve with the liquid at the bottom of the pan on the side
Tips
Use a cake pan or similar small pan that fits your air fryer basket for best results.
The foil overhang makes it much easier to lift the hot pan out safely.
Save the rum-infused drippings as a flavorful sauce for serving.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days in airtight container.
Can glaze ham up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate before cooking.
Serve immediately while warm, with pan drippings as sauce.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip the foil covering to prevent the ham from drying out during initial cooking.
Use oven mitts when handling the hot pan to avoid burns.
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use a different type of mustard?
Yes, Dijon or whole grain mustard work well. You can also mix different mustards for more complex flavor.
What if my air fryer is too small for the pan?
Cut the ham into smaller pieces or cook directly in the basket with heavy-duty foil underneath to catch drippings.
How long will leftover ham keep?
Properly stored in the refrigerator, leftover ham will keep for 3-4 days. Slice only what you need.