If you’re looking to enjoy a holiday ham, but for a smaller crowd, then try this tasty small ham recipe! This 2-3 pound mini ham is perfect for 4-6 people (with sides) without having tons of leftovers. It’s great for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime you want something a little different.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for smaller gatherings. You get all the classic ham flavor without committing to a massive holiday roast (or a week of leftovers)
- Air fryer = faster cook time. No heating up the whole oven (or leave it available for sides or desserts). The air fryer gives you juicy, tender meat with beautifully caramelized edges!
- Hot honey glaze brings the wow factor. Sweet, sticky honey with a little heat balances the savory ham perfectly. It’s not just sweet, it’s layered and bold
- Incredible caramelization. The circulating heat in the air fryer helps that glaze bubble and cling, creating those glossy, slightly crispy edges everyone fights over
- Low effort, high reward. Most small hams are pre-cooked, so you’re really just heating and glazing, which means impressive results without complicated prep
- Great leftovers (without overload). Enough for sandwiches, a ham and cheese bagel, breakfast hash, or ham and cheese sliders, but not so much that you’re eating ham for a week straight
- Year-round friendly. It works for Easter or Christmas, sure, but it’s just as perfect for a cozy Sunday dinner!
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Ingredients List
- 2-3 lb small ham (boneless)
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp hot honey
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use a bone-in ham as well, but it generally takes about 10 minutes longer to cook
- Instead of butter, you can use an oil of choice (like olive oil or avocado oil)
- I use store bought hot honey, but you can make your own by infusing ½ cup regular honey with 1 – 1 ½ Tbsp red pepper flakes if needed
- The cider vinegar can be swapped for orange juice if preferred
- All seasonings can be adjusted to taste. Other good options include paprika, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, thyme, or rosemary
Step By Step Instructions
- If your ham is not pre-sliced, score the top using a sharp knife. Cuts should be about 1” apart, and around ¼” deep. Cut on a diagonal, then make perpendicular diagonal cuts to create a diamond pattern. Wrap the ham in foil (you will probably need two sheets). Cut off excess; too much foil bunched on the sides will slow cooking and you’ll need another 20-30 minutes cooking time
- Place the foil-wrapped ham into your air fryer’s basket, seam side facing up. Make sure it doesn’t touch the heating element
- Cook on the air fry setting at 325°F (or 320°F, depending on available settings) for 20 minutes. While it is cooking, mix all of the glaze ingredients together in a small bowl, stirring to combine into a paste
- Carefully open the foil at the top seam, and brush half of the glaze mixture over the top and sides (leave the ham in the foil though, as this will catch drips). Close the foil back up, and air fry for another 20 minutes, or until the ham is around 135°F degrees internally. Time can vary based on your specific air fryer and ham size, so add more time as needed; larger hams can take 15-20 minutes longer easily
- Open the foil back up (this time you can push it back so the top stays open) and add the remaining half the glaze. Air fry for 5-10 more minutes, until the glaze browns and caramelizes to your liking, and the ham reaches at least 140°F in the center
- Rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice and serve with your favorite sides! Pour any extra glaze from the foil over the slices!
Pairing Suggestions
Comforting Sides
- Creamy mashed potatoes – The cool, buttery texture balances the heat from the hot honey glaze
- Scalloped or au gratin potatoes – Rich and cheesy is never wrong with ham. You can also add leftover ham to this dish, as seen in my Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes and Ham!
- Mac and cheese – Especially a sharp cheddar version to cut through the sweetness
- Buttery dinner rolls – Perfect for swiping up extra glaze!
Veggie Pairings
- Roasted Brussels sprouts – Their slight bitterness balances the sweet-spicy glaze beautifully. Try my Longhorn Brussel Sprouts, which match the honey energy!
- Air fryer green beans – Keep the whole meal easy and cohesive
- Honey-glazed carrots – Lean into the sweet, but keep it savory. My Air Fryer Brown Sugar Carrots are the perfect match!
- Garlic sautéed spinach – A simple, lighter contrast
Sweet & Tangy Additions
- Pineapple salsa – Fresh acidity brightens the dish!
- Apple slaw – Crunchy, tart, and refreshing against the sticky glaze
- Cranberry sauce – Especially nice if you’re leaning holiday
Fresh Options
- Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette – Peppery greens + bright citrus = balance
- Simple cucumber salad – Cool and crisp to offset the spice
- Deviled eggs – A classic ham companion that always works
Drink Pairings
- Off-dry Riesling – Light sweetness balances the heat and acidity cuts the richness
- Pinot Noir – A smooth, light red that complements savory ham without overpowering it
- Sparkling wine (Brut or Extra Dry) – Crisp bubbles refresh the palate between bites
- Amber ale – Caramel notes echo the hot honey glaze beautifully!
- Old Fashioned – Warm bourbon and subtle sweetness pair naturally with sweet-spicy ham. Double down on flavor with my Hot Honey Old Fashioned!
- Whiskey sour (light on sugar) – Keeps things bright without overpowering. This Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour makes the perfect holiday pairing
- Sparkling apple cider (non-alcoholic) – Fresh, lightly sweet, and crowd-friendly!
Recipe FAQs
Can You Get a Small Ham?
Yes! Most grocery stores carry small hams, typically between 2–4 pounds. Look for half hams, ham shanks, or ham roasts in the refrigerated meat section. Most are fully cooked and just need to be reheated.
How Many People Does a 3-Pound Ham Feed?
A 3-pound ham typically serves about 6–8 people, depending on portion sizes and whether it’s bone-in or boneless. Plan for about ½ pound per person for a bone-in ham or ⅓–½ pound per person for boneless.
Can You Heat a Precooked Ham in an Air Fryer?
Yes! A precooked ham can be reheated in the air fryer, and it’s a great way to warm it through while caramelizing the glaze. For best results, cook at a moderate temperature, cover with foil to prevent over-browning, and heat until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
Tips For the Best Air Fryer Small Ham
- Pre-cooked hams have plenty of salt, so I don’t add any to my glaze. However, you can add some to taste if desired
- My ham was just shy of 3 pounds and fit in one of my Ninja air fryer baskets perfectly (about 4 quarts). Feel free to cut the ham into smaller portions if needed for your specific air fryer (it may cook slightly quicker that way, so just check it regularly)
- I have cooked this ham from partially frozen as well with great success; just plan to add an extra 10-20 minutes (wrapped) to cooking time to compensate
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Store leftover ham in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Wrap slices in foil or plastic wrap, then place in a sealed container to prevent drying out. It will stay fresh for 3–4 days in the fridge
- Freeze for longer storage. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Slice before freezing for easy portioning later
Reheating Tips
- Air fryer (best for texture). Reheat slices at 300°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed through. Add a light brush of extra hot honey to keep it moist!
- Oven method. Cover with foil and warm at 300°F until heated through to prevent drying
- Microwave (quick option). Heat in short intervals with a damp paper towel over the ham to retain moisture
More Air Fryer Ham Recipes
- Ham and Cheese Stuffed Chicken
- Air Fryer Ham Balls
Final Thoughts
This air fryer boneless small ham is perfect for small gatherings for Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and more! Holidays aside, it’s even perfect for a weekend meal, leaving you just enough leftovers for some tasty lunch sandwiches during the week.
The hot honey glaze, paired with tangy mustard and sweet brown sugar, adds just the right amount of sweetness and spice. The air fryer does an amazing job of keeping the ham super juicy inside, while delivering the perfect caramelized edges on top.
Serve it alongside your favorite veggies and starches to complete the meal (and don’t forget some rolls to soap up all that tasty sauce)!
Air Fryer Small Ham (Hot Honey Glaze)
Servings: 6
This small ham is great for a smaller crowd for holidays, but also makes a nice weekend meal anytime! The hot honey and brown sugar glaze adds the perfect blend of heat and sweetness.
Equipment
- Foil
- Small bowl
- Spatula (or spoon; for mixing)
Ingredients
- 2-3 pound small ham (boneless)
- 2 Tbsp butter (melted)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp hot honey
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- If your ham is not pre-sliced, score the top using a sharp knife. Cuts should be about 1” apart, and around ¼” deep. Cut diagonally across the ham, then make perpendicular diagonal cuts to create a diamond pattern. Wrap the ham in foil (you will probably need two sheets). Cut off excess foil; too much bunched on the sides will slow cooking and you’ll easily need another 20-30 minutes cooking time2-3 pound small ham
- Place the foil-wrapped ham into your air fryer’s basket, seam side facing up. Make sure it doesn’t touch the heating element!
- Cook on the air fry setting at 325°F (or 320°F, depending on available settings) for 20 minutes. While it is cooking, mix all of the glaze ingredients together in a small bowl, stirring to combine2 Tbsp butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 Tbsp hot honey, 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp black pepper
- Carefully open the foil at the top seam, and brush half of the glaze mixture over the top and sides (leave the ham in the foil though, as this will catch drips). Close the foil back up, and air fry for another 20 minutes, or until the ham is around 135°F degrees internally. Time can vary based on your specific air fryer and ham size, so add more time as needed; larger hams can take 15-20 minutes longer easily – for best results use an instant read thermometer inserted near the center
- Open the foil back up (this time you can push it back so the top stays open) and add the remaining half the glaze. Air fry for 5-10 more minutes, until the glaze browns and caramelizes to your liking, and the ham reaches at least 140°F in the center
- Rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice and serve with your favorite sides!
Notes
- You can use a bone-in ham as well, but it generally takes about 10 minutes longer to cook
- Instead of butter, you can use an oil of choice (like olive oil or avocado oil)
- I use store bought hot honey, but you can use homemade too (and regular honey works too if you like less heat)
- The cider vinegar can be swapped for orange juice if preferred
- All seasonings can be adjusted to taste. Other good options include paprika, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, thyme, or rosemary! I do not add salt, pre-cooked hams are usually salty enough
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, size, and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 250g | Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5.3g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 2696mg | Potassium: 857mg | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 206.1IU | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg
