How to cook a ham steak in the air fryer

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Air fryer ham steak is a delicious quick dinner for busy weeknights. The ham steak is brushed with a brown sugar glaze and air fried along with pineapple for a delicious family dinner.

I love easy no-fuss dinners I can have on the table in minutes, so making ham steak in the air fryer is ideal! The simple ingredients allow you to cook tender, juicy ham steaks in less than 20 minutes.

And the brown sugar glaze combined with sweet pineapple on top makes this air fried ham steak a family favorite. Learn how to make this tasty air fryer meal, which is so delicious you will want to add it to your regular meal plan!

Looking for more ideas? Try my Air Fryer Ham recipe, Air Fryer Grilled Ham & Cheese, or Stuffed Ham and Cheese Biscuits!

🍍Key Ingredients

For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below

• Ham steak
• Canned pineapple chunks
• Brown sugar
• Maple syrup
• Vinegar

🥣How to Make Ham Steak in Air Fryer

1. Cut the ham steak to fit in the air fryer basket.
2. Air fry ham steaks at 400 degrees F for 4 minutes.
3. While it cooks, drain the pineapple, reserving the juice. Mix 1/3 cup juice with the brown sugar, maple syrup, and vinegar.
4. Brush the ham steak with the homemade glaze mixture. Flip it over and brush the other side.
5. Put the pineapple cubes on top of the ham and brush them with the glaze. Air fry at 400 F for another 8 minutes.

1. Use an instant-read thermometer to verify it has reached 145 degrees F.
2. For an extra boost of sweetness, sprinkle some brown sugar on top of the pineapple. Then air fry for another 2 minutes.

🍴Serving Ideas

Air fryer ham steak is the perfect weeknight dinner! With the caramelized pineapple, you only need to add one or two side dishes for a complete meal. My favorite things to serve with glazed ham steak are asparagus, green beans, or scalloped potatoes.

Find More Air Fryer Recipes!

💭How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover ham steak in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat it, cook it at 350 degrees F for 2-3 minutes.

It is also delicious cold or used in another ham recipe. My favorite leftover ham recipes are crock pot ham and potato soup or ham and cheese muffins.

⭐Tips and Variations

Be sure to check out the step by step instructions

• Pineapple slices or rings can be used instead of chunks.
• If you don’t have maple syrup replace it with brown sugar.
• Try to pick a thickly cut ham steak. Reduce the cooking time by 2-3 minutes for thin slices.
• You can skip the fruit on top of the meat, but don’t skip the brown sugar glaze. It adds flavor and helps keep the meat from drying out.
• Use a pastry brush to spread the homemade glaze on air fryer ham steaks.

📝FAQ

Are ham steaks precooked?

Some ham steaks are sold as “precooked,” and some are sold as “fresh”. If you aren’t sure, assume it is not precooked!

Can I use frozen ham steaks?

Yes, you can air fry frozen ham steaks. Add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time, and check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it is fully cooked and has reached 145 degrees F.

Can I make this with leftover holiday ham?

Yes, this works fine with leftover ham. For the best results, slice it thickly.

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Air Fryer Ham Steak Recipe

Make air fryer ham steak for a delicious quick dinner! Ham steak is brushed with a brown sugar glaze and cooked with sweet caramelized pineapple.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time12 mins

Total Time17 mins

Servings: 3

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• 1 ham steak (8-10 ounces)
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/3 cup pineapple juice (use juice drained from pineapple chunks)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional

Instructions

• Cut the ham steak to fit in the air fryer basket if needed. A little overlap between the pieces in the basket is OK, but only a little.

  1 ham steak

• Put the ham steak in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F for 4 minutes.

• While it cooks, drain the pineapple, reserving the liquid. Mix 1/3 cup of the juice with the brown sugar, maple syrup, and vinegar.

  1 cup pineapple chunks, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/3 cup pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• When the 4 minutes are up, brush the top of the steak with the brown sugar mixture. Then flip it over and brush the other side.

• Put the pineapple chunks on top of the ham and brush them with the glaze mixture.

• Air fry at 400 degrees F for 8 minutes.

• Verify the internal temperature has reached 145 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer.

• Optional – if you want extra sweet and caramelized pineapple, pull the basket out, sprinkle a tablespoon of brown sugar on the pineapple chunks, and air fry at 400 F for 2 more minutes.

  1 tablespoon brown sugar

Notes

• Pineapple slices can be used instead of pineapple chunks.
• If you don’t have maple syrup replace it with brown sugar.
• Try to pick a thickly cut ham steak. Reduce the cooking time by 2-3 minutes for thin slices.
• You can skip the pineapple on top of the meat, but don’t skip the brown sugar glaze. It adds flavor and helps keep the meat from drying out.

  How long do ham steaks take to cook?

  Remove wrapper. Apply your favorite glaze, if desired. Cook steak in a preheated pan at medium setting. Cook approximately 3 minutes each side for Ham Steaks or approximately 8 minutes each side for Thick-Cut Ham Steaks.

  How long does it take to cook steak in Airfryer?

  Preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 400 degrees F. Season the steak on both sides with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Place the steak in the center of the air fryer basket and cook until desired doneness, about 10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 minutes for medium and 14 minutes for medium-well.

  How do you heat a ham in an air fryer?

  You can easily reheat your ham leftovers in the air fryer. Cook at 325°F for just 2-3 minutes to rewarm ham.

  Do ham steaks need to be cooked?

  Ham steaks are sold "fresh" and "pre-cooked". Look for cooked ham steaks, they will be labeled on the package as "fully cooked", "cured", or "hickory smoked". If ham steaks are not pre-cooked, they are not safe to eat before cooking.