Why This Honey Glazed Ham Recipe Works
The magic of this honey glazed baked ham lies in its simplicity. It’s a fuss-free recipe that delivers maximum flavour. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Perfectly Balanced Flavours: The honey glaze combines sweetness, acidity, and heat, giving your ham a unique twist.
- Caramelised Edges: The sugars in the glaze caramelise beautifully, creating a sticky crust that’s simply irresistible.
- Easy to Cook: Whether you’re using an air fryer or oven, the method is straightforward. No kitchen stress here!
- Showstopper Presentation: The golden glaze and crispy edges make this ham a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds.
Secrets to the Best Honey Glazed Ham 🥄
To elevate your honey glazed baked ham, consider these tips:
- Choose the Right Ham: Go for a free-range, boneless ham for a tender and flavourful result. Opt for one with a little fat on top to keep things moist.
- Hasselback Style: Scoring your ham not only looks gorgeous but allows the glaze to penetrate deep into the meat, ensuring every slice is packed with flavour.
- Adjust the Spice: Not a fan of too much heat? Dial down the chilli flakes and powder for a milder glaze, or crank it up for spice lovers.
- Use Fresh Honey: Local, raw Australian honey adds depth to the glaze, making it rich and aromatic. 🐝
- Glaze Generously: Don’t be shy with the glaze. Let it seep into those cuts and pool around the base for that extra sticky, golden finish.
Cooking Methods: Air Fryer vs. Oven
Air Fryer: This method is perfect for smaller hams and delivers those crispy, caramelised edges in no time. Set your air fryer to 160°C and cook for about 30 minutes. Check occasionally to ensure even browning.
Oven: For larger hams, the oven is your best bet. Preheat to 180°C and bake for 15 minutes per 500g. Baste the ham with glaze halfway through cooking for an even more decadent result.
Both methods yield a spectacular ham, so it’s really about what works best for your kitchen setup.
Hot Honey Glaze: The Star of the Show 🌟
This glaze is where the magic happens. A combination of honey, lemon juice, chilli powder, and flakes creates a vibrant sauce that perfectly complements the savoury ham. The honey brings sweetness and stickiness, while the lemon juice cuts through the richness. Adjust the chilli to suit your family’s spice tolerance, and voila – the ultimate glaze!
Pro Tip: Warm your glaze slightly before pouring it over the ham. This ensures it spreads easily and coats the ham evenly.
How to Serve Honey Glazed Ham
This simple honey glazed ham recipe is a versatile centrepiece that pairs beautifully with a range of sides:
- Crispy Roast Potatoes: A classic choice that soaks up the extra glaze.
- Charred Green Beans: Add a pop of freshness with this simple yet elegant side.
- Sweet Potato Mash: The earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes complements the honey glaze perfectly.
- Homemade Dinner Rolls: Mop up every last drop of that glaze with warm, fluffy bread.
- For drinks: A sparkling white wine or fruity punch adds a festive touch. Or, keep it simple with a jug of iced lemon water to balance the richness of the ham.
Storage Tips 🥡
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, this honey glazed ham is just as delicious the next day. Here’s how to store and reuse it:
Refrigerate: Wrap the ham tightly in foil or place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Slice the ham and freeze portions in zip-lock bags for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Warm slices in a non-stick pan over low heat or zap them in the microwave for a quick lunch.
Pro Tip: Leftover honey glazed ham is perfect for sandwiches, salads, or even tossed through a pasta dish for a quick mid-week meal.
Other Recipes to Try
If you loved this honey glazed ham, you’ll adore these festive favourites:
Share Your Creations! 📸
I’d love to see how your honey glazed ham turns out! Snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @steph_cooks_stuff. Let’s spread the festive joy one delicious dish at a time.
There you have it – the ultimate honey glazed ham recipe for your holiday table. With its golden caramelised crust, tender meat, and crowd-pleasing flavours, this dish will be the highlight of your Christmas feast. Happy cooking, and here’s to a season filled with good food, great company, and plenty of honey-glazed goodness! 🍯🎅
Honey Glazed Ham
- Total Time: 5 hours 54 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
Description
Get ready to dazzle your guests with this Hot Honey Baked Ham! It’s sweet, spicy, and perfectly cooked in the air fryer or oven – ideal for your festive feast. Trust me, those crunchy caramelised edges will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by prepping your ham. Remove the skin but leave a little fat for extra flavour. Slice thin cuts about halfway through, creating that iconic Hasselback look – it’s fancy but so easy!
- Mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle some between the slices and the rest over the top, making sure your ham is fully coated in that delicious seasoning.
- Time to cook! For air fryer magic, set it to 160°C and cook for 30 minutes. If you’re going with the oven, preheat to 180°C and bake for 15 minutes per 500g (so a 1.5kg ham needs around 45 minutes).
- While your ham cooks, make the Hot Honey Glaze. Mix honey, lemon juice, chilli powder, and chilli flakes to your spice level. Microwave for 1 minute until warm and glossy.
- Once the ham is cooked, pour the hot honey glaze over the top, letting it seep into every slice. Don’t forget to let those edges caramelise – those crispy bits are pure gold!
- Prep Time: 309
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Australian
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Bone-in ham works just as well, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time. Add an extra 15 minutes for every kilogram to ensure the meat is cooked through.
Basting is key! If you’re baking the ham, spoon some of the glaze over it halfway through cooking. You can also cover the ham with foil for the first half of the baking time to lock in moisture.
Yes! Prepare the glaze up to two days in advance and store it in the fridge. Just warm it slightly before using to ensure it spreads easily over the ham.