Can You Air Fry Country Ham Slices? - The Best Way To Do It

If you're like most people, you love ham, but you've been wondering; “can you air fry country ham slices? Well, if you're looking for a delicious and easy way to make ham steak in the air fryer, then this is the article for you. These easy Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches in the Air Fryer are the perfect way to enjoy the classic combination of ham and cheese.


Cooking country ham slices in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare them. The only caveat is that you need to make sure that you cook the country ham slices for a long enough period of time, or else they will not be fully cooked.

How Do You Prepare Country Ham For Air Frying?

Country ham is a fully cooked and smoked cured meat that can be eaten raw or cooked. The process of curing meat with salt and smoke is called larding, which adds flavor to the meat while preserving it during storage.


Oftentimes, country hams are brined in water before being dried and smoked over an open pit fire. This process allows the ham to be sold as "uncooked" while still preserving its moisture levels because it has already been cured through larding.


Country Hams are usually sliced or diced into smaller pieces when they're sold in grocery stores or delis; however, you can also buy them whole (without any cuts) if you prefer this option!


Note: Country ham is typically made with a mixture of pork leg and shoulder meat, though some companies use just one or the other.

Steps To Getting The Best Air Fryer Results

When cooking with an air fryer, it's important to follow a few tips to ensure the best results.


Follow these steps and you'll be able to cook your food in minutes, with little to no oil or grease! 

Step #1: Use the right size container

When using an air fryer, it's important to use a container that is big enough to fit the food and the air fryer. This will ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding.


Step #2: Preheat the air fryer

Before cooking with an air fryer, it's important to preheat it. This will help create a hot and dry environment which will improve the results of your food. 

Step #3: Choose the right temperature

When cooking with an air fryer, it's important to choose the right temperature. Too low of a temperature and your food will be undercooked; too high of a temperature and your food will be overcooked.

Step #4: Use clean utensils

When cooking with an air Fryer, it's important to use clean utensils. This will prevent bacteria from forming on the food and ruining your results


Note: When using an air fryer, be patient! The results may take a little longer than traditional cooking methods, but they are worth it!


How Long To Cook Country Ham Slices In Air Fryer?

The cooking time for country ham slices depends on the size of your ham. Smaller cuts will take about 15 minutes, while larger ones may need up to 25 minutes. 


The best way to know how long to cook your country hams is by testing them with a meat thermometer inserted into their center. 


If you don't have one, it's okay, just insert a sharp knife into each slice and make sure there is no pink showing around the edges before removing it from the heat source (you can also use an instant-read thermostat).


To give your country ham a crispy outside, place it under the broiler for 5-10 minutes. You can also pan-fry them in butter or oil until they are browned and crisp. The best way to eat country ham is with a good hot biscuit, cornbread, or corn.


Tip: You can also enjoy it as part of an open-faced sandwich, topped with mashed potatoes and gravy—or even fried in butter or oil until crisp.

How Do You Keep The Ham Moist While Cooking It In The Air Fryer?

When cooking country ham, you want to ensure that it's cooked through and not raw on the inside. This is where a good quality product will come in handy. 


To get the best results with your air fryer, try using a glaze made from brown sugar or honey before cooking. 


If you don't like the idea of adding extra calories by making something yourself (and who doesn't love homemade dishes?), then look into purchasing one pre-made at your local grocery store instead!


The amount of time needed for different types of meats varies depending on their size: small pieces will take less time than large ones because there isn't as much surface area available for absorbing liquids from cooking oil during frying. 


Likewise, large pieces will cook faster than those made from smaller cuts due to their greater proportions needing fewer minutes spent under high heat conditions before being fully cooked through."


Note: Country hams can be dry and crumbly, but if they're properly prepared, they'll have a nice texture and flavor.

Should You Cover A Country Ham While It Cooks In An Air Fryer?

You should cover your country ham while cooking in an air fryer. Why? Because you can! You can use foil or parchment paper to cover the ham, but I prefer using aluminum foil. 


That's because it creates an environment that is more similar to what a traditional oven would be like for cooking this type of food. 


Covering your country ham while baking in an air fryer will also help prevent drying out as much, which means less time spent turning up the heat or turning down the heat after each batch cooks through (especially if you're serving several people).


Tip: The steam from boiling water helps soften the crust on top of the meat and makes it easier to peel off when done.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Ham

Air Fryer Ham is a great way to enjoy ham without all of the fat and calories. You can make this dish with any kind of ham, but we recommend using air fryer ham because it is so tender and delicious. Here are some ideas for what to serve with air fryer ham.


Warm oven fries

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare some oven fries according to your favorite recipe. Serve these fries with air fryer ham on top and you'll have a delicious and guilt-free meal!

Salad

Make a simple salad using mixed greens, diced tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, and diced ham. Top this salad with some crispy roasted red potatoes for extra deliciousness.

Baked potato bar

Bake a variety of different types of potatoes at the same time in the oven, then layer them into a baking dish and top them with an air fryer ham. This will be an amazing snack or party appetizer!

How To Make Country Ham Steak In Air Fryer

If you're looking for a delicious and easy way to cook up a ham steak, your best bet is to use an air fryer! Not only will this method give you perfectly cooked ham steak every time, but it's also a great way to save energy and money.


Here are four tips to make the perfect ham steak in the air fryer:

Step #1: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C)

Preheat your air fryer before adding your ham steak. This will help ensure that your steak comes out cooked evenly and doesn't stick to the bottom of the fryer.


Step #2: Cut your ham steak into thin slices

Use a thin cut of ham steak about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick lined with parchment paper and bake for 5 minutes. when cooking in the air fryer. This will ensure that the steak cooks quickly and evenly without becoming too dry or tough.


Step #3: Remove from the oven and let cool

slightly before using it in your air fryer let it cool, then Season your ham steak with salt and pepper before frying. This will help to add flavor and texture to the meat in the air fryer, cook your ham steaks for 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through.


Tip: Serve your ham steak hot with some delicious toppings! These can include butter, honey, onions, or even crispy fried potatoes.


Conclusion

So, you want to know the answer to the question “Can You Air Fry Country Ham Slices?” The answer is a resounding yes. At the end of the day, air frying is really just a way to cook food that’s been prepared in other ways. It’s not necessarily better or worse than other methods. 


But if you don’t have an air fryer and want to try it out. I recommend that you do so with country ham slices.