Air Fryer Christmas Ham – Juicy, Glazed & Low-Calorie Holiday Favorite

Introduction

Every holiday table needs a showstopper, and my go-to for fuss-free, crowd-pleasing centerpieces is the Air Fryer Christmas Ham recipe — here made with a smoked turkey ham so it’s lighter, lower-calorie, and just as festive. The first time I tried glazing and finishing a turkey ham in the air fryer, I expected a compromise; instead, I got a golden, sticky exterior and juicy, tender slices that disappeared before I could photograph them. If you want a holiday roast that delivers big on flavor but small on stress (and calories), this Air Fryer Christmas Ham recipe will solve dinner-night anxiety and give you a centerpiece you’ll actually enjoy cooking.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• 🎄 Holiday-perfect glaze — sweet, tangy, and glossy without being heavy.
• ⏱ Fast and efficient — smaller cook time and much less fuss than an oven roast.
• 🥗 Lower-calorie option — using smoked turkey ham keeps calories and fat down.
• 🔥 Golden, caramelized finish — air fryer’s circulating heat makes the glaze sing.
• 🧼 Less mess — no giant roasting pan or mountains of grease to clean.

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My Personal Experience

The first year I tried an air fryer ham, I was nervous about crowd expectations. Could an appliance that fits on the counter capture the same festive drama as my oven? The answer was yes — with two small lessons learned: (1) use a sticky glaze with enough sugar to caramelize, and (2) finish at a higher heat to get that lacquered crust. After a few tweaks (and a few too-many taste checks), the result became a holiday favorite — juicy slices, a beautiful glaze, and a kitchen that smelled like celebration, not smoke and splatter. Now I make this for small gatherings and even family potlucks — it’s reliable and practically effortless.

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Required Equipment

Air Fryer

Any mid-size air fryer with a basket or tray that fits your chosen turkey ham will work. Make sure the piece of meat fits comfortably with at least 1–2 cm clearance on all sides for airflow.

Instant-Read Thermometer

Essential. The only way to know the turkey ham is safely heated through is to check the internal temperature (target 74°C / 165°F for turkey).

Small Saucepan or Microwave-Safe Bowl

For making and warming the glaze before brushing.

Basting Brush

To apply the glaze evenly. A silicone brush tolerates heat and won’t shed bristles.

Cutting Board & Sharp Knife

For resting and slicing the ham into neat, attractive pieces.

Aluminum Foil (optional)

Useful for tenting the ham during resting to retain heat.

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Ingredients & Substitutions

Makes 6–8 servings (adjust for your crowd).

• 1 (1.0–1.5 kg) smoked turkey ham or smoked turkey roast — chosen to replace pork while keeping a classic ham-like flavor. If you find a whole-cured smoked turkey ham, that’s perfect.
• 3 tbsp brown sugar (or coconut sugar for lower glycemic index) — helps glaze caramelize.
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard — balances the sweetness with tang.
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (or sugar-free maple syrup) — glossy finish and warm maple notes.
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar — adds bright acidity to the glaze.
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon — optional, warm holiday spice.
• ¼ tsp ground cloves or ¼ tsp allspice — optional, a little goes a long way.
• 1 tbsp olive oil — thin the glaze if needed and help with caramelization.
• Zest of ½ orange — fresh citrus lift in the glaze.
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Lemon or orange slices (optional) — for presentation and a citrus burst.
• Fresh herbs (parsley or thyme), for garnish

Substitutions & notes:

• Swap maple syrup for honey or golden syrup; for a low-calorie option use a sugar-free syrup but note caramelization may be less intense.
• If you prefer less sugar overall, use 1½ tbsp brown sugar + 1½ tbsp sugar-free syrup to balance caramelization and calories.
• Use prepared spiral-cut turkey ham if you want quick slices; adjust glaze time so it doesn’t overcook.

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Air-Fryer Notes

• Preheat the air fryer to 160°C / 320°F for 5 minutes before placing the ham inside. Preheating ensures even cooking and better glaze set.
• Basket spacing: leave at least 1 cm clearance between the meat and basket walls for circulation. If your ham is larger than the basket, you can trim fat or cook diagonally — but fit matters.
• Oil: a light brush of olive oil helps the glaze adhere and promotes even browning.
• Finishing high heat: after the main cook, increase air fryer temp to 200°C / 400°F for 3–5 minutes to caramelize the glaze — watch carefully to avoid burning.
• Tent if needed: if the exterior browns too fast, tent lightly with foil (but the air fryer’s airflow can be affected; avoid long foil coverage).

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How to Make Air Fryer Christmas Ham (step-by-step)

Step 1 — Prepare the Ham & Glaze

1. Remove turkey ham from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Trim any large pieces of excess fat if desired.
2. If your turkey ham is spiral-cut, set slices slightly apart on a platter to allow glaze penetration. For whole roasts, score the surface in a shallow diamond pattern (about 0.5 cm deep) to help glaze seep into the crust.
3. Make the glaze: combine 3 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp cinnamon (optional), ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional), and orange zest in a small saucepan. Warm gently until sugar dissolves and the mixture is glossy — about 2–3 minutes. If using microwave, heat in 30-second bursts and whisk. Reserve 1 tbsp of glaze for finishing.

Step 2 — Preheat Air Fryer

Preheat air fryer to 160°C / 320°F for 5 minutes.

Step 3 — Air Fry (First Stage)

1. Place the turkey ham in the air fryer basket or tray, scored side up. Brush a thin layer of glaze all over the top and sides.
2. Cook at 160°C / 320°F for 25 minutes (for ~1.0 kg ham). This gentle heat warms through the meat without drying and allows glaze absorption. For a 1.2–1.5 kg ham, increase this stage to 30–35 minutes. (Times scale with weight — see Recipe Snapshot for adjustments.)
3. At the 12–15 minute mark, check glaze and brush another light layer if the surface looks dry.

Step 4 — Baste & Finish (High Heat Glaze)

1. After the first stage, brush a generous layer of glaze over the ham. Increase the air fryer temperature to 200°C / 400°F.
2. Return ham and cook for 3–5 minutes to caramelize the glaze. Watch closely — the sugar can brown quickly. If using spiral-cut ham, glaze between slices and do 2–3 short caramelizing bursts (1–2 minutes each) to prevent burning.

Step 5 — Check Internal Temperature

Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the ham (not touching bone if bone-in). Target internal temperature: 74°C / 165°F for turkey. If the ham hasn’t reached that temp, return to 160°C / 320°F and continue in 5-minute increments until it does.

Step 6 — Rest & Slice

Transfer ham to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil for 10 minutes — this lets juices redistribute. Slice and arrange on a platter, garnish with orange slices and herbs, and drizzle any reserved glaze over the top.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Skipping the thermometer — You can’t judge doneness by color alone; always check internal temp.
• ❌ Cooking at too-high heat from the start — leads to burnt glaze but cool, underdone center. Use a two-stage cook.
• ❌ Over-glazing early — sugar can burn if applied too often during the high-heat stage. Reserve some glaze for finishing.
• ❌ Skipping rest time — slicing too soon lets juices run out and leaves meat drier.

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Pro Tips for Best Results

• Use a gentle first stage (160°C / 320°F) to warm through, then a short high-heat finish for caramelization. This prevents dryness and guarantees a glossy crust.
• If your air fryer is small, cook the ham at an angle or slice in half horizontally to fit — then rejoin for presentation.
• For an extra festive finish, brush with additional 1 tsp maple syrup + a squeeze of orange during the final minute.
• To reduce calories further, use 1½ tbsp brown sugar + 1½ tbsp sugar-free syrup and still get good glaze adherence.
• Keep saved glaze warm in a small saucepan so you can spoon it over slices at serving time.

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Air-Fryer Benefits of Turkey Ham

Air frying uses rapid hot air circulation to achieve a roasted, caramelized surface with less oil and shorter cook times than an oven. For turkey ham, that means a beautifully glazed exterior without an hours-long roast — perfect when you want holiday flavor but less total kitchen time.

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Variations You Can Try

• Honey-Mustard Glaze: Swap maple for honey and add a little wholegrain mustard for texture.
• Spiced Citrus Glaze: Add star anise and extra orange zest for a fragrant, holiday-forward finish.
• Low-Sugar Glaze: Use erythritol-based syrup + extra mustard/acid to keep balance.
• Oven Version: Roast at 160°C / 320°F for 20–25 min/kg, finishing at 200°C / 400°F for 5–10 minutes to caramelize.
• Pineapple-Maple Glaze: Add a tablespoon of crushed pineapple or pineapple juice to glaze for a classic sweet twist (watch caramelization closely).

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Tips for This Recipe

• Make ahead: You can glaze and air fry the ham fully, then refrigerate and rewarm in the air fryer at 150°C / 300°F for 10–12 minutes before serving, then give a final 1–2 minute high-heat glaze finish.
• Staging: Warm plates in the oven to keep slices hot for serving.
• Serving: Slice thin for sandwiches the next day — glazed turkey ham makes excellent festive sammies.

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Optional Additions

• Mustard-maple drizzle (extra glaze warmed and spooned) — carb note: small sugar contribution from maple.
• Horseradish yogurt — whisk 1 tbsp horseradish into ½ cup Greek yogurt for a spicy, lower-calorie dip.
• Cranberry compote — tangy partner; adds carbs from fruit — note portion sizes for low-calorie plans.

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Serving Ideas

• Classic holiday plate: glazed ham slices, roasted vegetables, garlic mashed cauliflower (keto-friendly), and cranberry on the side.
• Buffet option: slice thin and offer with small rolls and condiments for self-serve sandwiches.
• Light dinner: sliced ham with warm green beans and a lemony arugula salad.

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Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze slices for up to 2 months (wrap well).
• Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 160°C / 320°F for 3–5 minutes (from chilled) or until internal temp reaches 74°C / 165°F. For frozen slices, reheat at 170°C / 340°F for 6–8 minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions (5–7)

1. Can I use a pork ham instead of turkey ham?
Yes — if you prefer pork, use a pre-cooked ham and reheat to an internal temp of 60–63°C / 140–145°F for a pre-cooked ham (but follow package instructions). Because you asked earlier to avoid pork, this recipe uses turkey ham.

2. How do I know when the glaze is caramelized enough?
Look for a deep golden-brown lacquer and glossy sheen. The glaze will bubble and darken quickly at 200°C / 400°F, so watch closely.

3. My air fryer is small — can I still make this?
Yes. You can halve the ham or cook in two runs. Keep the first batch warm tented while you finish the second.

4. Can I prepare the glaze ahead?
Absolutely. Make the glaze up to 48 hours ahead and refrigerate. Rewarm gently before brushing.

5. Is glazing mandatory?
No — but the glaze creates the festive flavor and glossy finish that make this recipe special.

6. What if my ham is already spiral-sliced?
Great — glaze between slices and do shorter high-heat bursts so the sugar doesn’t burn.

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Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving — about 120–150g sliced turkey ham; approximate)

• Calories: 180–230 kcal (varies by exact product and glaze option)
• Protein: 24–28 g
• Fat: 6–10 g
• Carbs: 6–12 g (mostly from glaze sugars)
• Net Carbs: 6–12 g

(To reduce calories and carbs, use sugar-free syrup and reduce brown sugar to 1½ tbsp.)

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Recipe Snapshot

• Prep Time: 10–15 minutes (plus glaze make time)
• Cook Time: 25–35 minutes (first stage) + 3–5 minutes glaze finish (total depends on weight)
• Total Time: 40–55 minutes (for 1.0–1.5 kg turkey ham)
• Course: Main / Holiday centerpiece
• Cuisine: Holiday / American-influenced
• Servings: 6–8 (depending on slice thickness)
• Calories: ~180–230 kcal per serving (estimate)