Our Taste of Home: Air Fryer Glazed Holiday Ham

by Perla Santos

I’d love to share a beloved traditional dish that holds a special place in our hearts during the Christmas Eve dinner: glazed ham. This culinary masterpiece is my favorite for the occasion, filled with festive spirit and warmth. The enticing aroma of the sweet glaze mingling with the savory, juicy meat creates an irresistible combination that fills the air, making our Christmas Noche Buena a truly memorable celebration.

To add a celebratory touch, I enjoy decorating the ham with vibrant pineapple tidbits nestled among rich maraschino cherries, sculpting them into delightful shapes like trees or stars to enhance the holiday ambiance.

I recently discovered a clever cooking method: by slicing the ham into two halves, I can conveniently use the air fryer to prepare it. This approach not only saves time but also makes the cooking process more efficient, allowing us to reserve the large oven for other festive dishes. It’s a practical and cost-effective solution that adds to the joy of holiday cooking!

Ingredients:

• Boneless ham from Costco (about 6–8 lbs, fully cooked)

• Maraschino cherries (about 20–30, depending on ham size)

• Pineapple slices with juice (1 can, reserve juice)

• Honey (½ cup) · • Brown sugar (1 cup, packed)

• Whole cloves (about 20–30)

• Ground cinnamon (1 tsp)

• Toothpicks for cherries and pineapple

• Lettuce leaves for decoration (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ham: Place the ham on a platter. Score the surface with ½-inch deep cuts and insert cloves at the intersections of the cuts. Cut the ham into two halves.

2. Make the Glaze: In a saucepan, combine the reserved pineapple juice, honey, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves and it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

3. Cook the Ham: Line the air fryer pot with foil. Place each piece of ham in the air fryer, one at a time, and cook for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Reconnect the Ham: Once cooked, reconnect the two halves of the ham and secure them tightly with toothpicks.

5. Glaze the Ham: Spread half of the glaze over the ham.

6. Arrange Fruit: Using toothpicks, insert pineapple bits and cherries, and arrange them over the ham. If desired, shape them into a tree design.

7. Drizzle the remaining glaze over the fruit and the ham.