Make a perfectly juicy Christmas ham in the air fryer! Quick, easy, and full of flavor—ideal for holiday dinners. This is the perfect Easy Air Fryer Christmas Ham Recipe.

Golden-brown air fryer Christmas ham sliced and served on a platter with herbs.
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Make your holiday dinner effortless with this Easy Air Fryer Christmas Ham!

Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly glazed, this ham cooks quickly in the air fryer, leaving more time for family, friends, and festive fun.

Whether it’s your first time using an air fryer for a holiday roast or you’re looking for a faster, foolproof method, this recipe delivers a show-stopping centerpiece with minimal fuss.

Golden-brown air fryer Christmas ham sliced and garnished with fresh herbs.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Quick and Convenient: Cooks much faster than a traditional oven ham.
  • Juicy and Tender: The air fryer locks in moisture for perfectly tender slices.
  • Easy Glazing: Apply your favorite glaze effortlessly for maximum flavor.
  • Minimal Cleanup: Less mess compared to roasting in the oven.
  • Impressive Holiday Centerpiece: Delicious, golden-brown ham that steals the show.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients needed for Easy Air Fryer Christmas Ham Recipe on kitchen table.
  • Boneless ham: Juicy, flavorful ham perfect for holiday or dinner.
  • Unsalted butter: Adds richness and smooth, creamy flavor to ham.
  • Maple syrup: Provides natural sweetness with warm, caramel-like notes.
  • Chopped pecans: Adds crunch and nutty flavor to finish dish.

How To Make Easy Air Fryer Christmas Ham

Preheating the air fryer and removing the ham from packaging.

Step One: Preheat the air fryer temperature to 325 degrees F. Remove ham from package. 

Spreading butter, pouring maple syrup, and pressing pecans onto ham.

Step Two: Spread butter all over the outside of the ham. Next, pour the maple syrup on top of the ham. Add the pecans to the ham, pressing down to make sure they stick if need be.

Step Three: Place the coated ham into the air fryer basket. Set cook time for 30-35 minutes. Ham should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees when fully cooked before serving. 

Ham placed in the air fryer basket cooking to 145°F internal temperature.

Easy Air Fryer Christmas Ham Recipe Tips

  • Choose the Right Ham: Boneless hams work best for even cooking in the air fryer.
  • Preheat the Air Fryer: Makes the ham cooks evenly and develops a golden crust.
  • Press Pecans Firmly: Helps them stick to the glaze for a crunchy finish.
  • Monitor Internal Temperature: Cook until the ham reaches 145°F for safe, juicy results.
  • Adjust Cook Time for Size: Larger hams may need a few extra minutes; smaller hams less.
  • Let Ham Rest: Resting for 5–10 minutes before slicing keeps it tender and juicy.
  • Experiment with Glazes: Maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar mixes add extra flavor.

Storing Instructions

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days.
  • Slice Before Storing: Cut into slices for easy reheating and serving.
  • Reheat Gently: Warm in the oven, microwave, or air fryer until heated through to maintain juiciness.
  • Freeze for Longer Storage: Wrap tightly in foil or place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Golden-brown air fryer Christmas ham sliced and garnished with fresh herbs on a festive platter.

Easy Air Fryer Christmas Ham Recipe Faqs

What size ham works best for the air fryer? A 3-5 pound boneless ham fits best in most standard air fryers and cooks evenly.

How long should I cook the ham? Cook for 30–35 minutes at 325°F, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

Can I use a bone-in ham? Yes, but you may need to adjust the cooking time and check the internal temperature carefully.

Can I make this ahead of time? You can prep the ham with butter, syrup, and pecans in advance, then refrigerate. Cook just before serving.

How do I store leftover ham? Store sliced ham in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Can I try different glazes? Absolutely! Honey, brown sugar, or mustard glazes work beautifully for extra flavor.

Air fryer Christmas ham plated with festive sides for holiday dinner.

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Golden-brown air fryer Christmas ham sliced and served on a platter with herbs.

Easy Air Fryer Christmas Ham Recipe

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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

Make a perfectly juicy Christmas ham in the air fryer! Quick, easy, and flavorful—perfect for holiday dinners and festive gatherings.

Ingredients 

  • 3 pounds Boneless Ham
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 1 ½ tablespoon Maple Syrup
  • 2 tablespoons Chopped Pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer temperature to 325 degrees F, for 3-5 minutes.
  • Remove the 3 pounds Boneless Ham from package.
  • Spread the 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter all over the outside of the ham. Next, pour the 1 ½ tablespoon Maple Syrup on top of the ham.
  • Add the 2 tablespoons Chopped Pecans to the ham, pressing down to make sure they stick if need be.
  • Place the coated ham into the air fryer basket. Set cook time for 30-35 minutes.
  • Ham should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees when fully cooked before serving.
  • Remove from air fryer, slice, & serve.

Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 466kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 37gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 2020mgPotassium: 506mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 89IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 2mg

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