Air Fryer Ham Steaks That Saved My Tired Mom Brain

What Went Down…

Y’all ever open the fridge at 5:47 PM, one kid screaming for snacks, another drawing on the wall with ketchup, and you’re just… staring? That was me. And what did I find? A pack of ham steaks. That’s it. That’s the story.

But hold up—tossed ’em in the air fryer, glazed with a lil’ brown sugar + mustard, and boom. Crispy edges. Juicy middle. Dinner in 10 minutes flat. Even my picky eater was like, “Mom this tastes like bacon steak,” and I was like… “You know what? Yeah. Let’s go with that.”

🛒 What You’ll Need

• 2 boneless ham steaks (about ½-inch thick)

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp Dijon or yellow mustard

• Optional: pinch of garlic powder, black pepper, splash of pineapple juice if you’re feelin’ fancy

🔥 How To Make Ham Great Again

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (if you’re in a rush, skip this—nobody’s judging).

2. Pat the ham dry with a paper towel. Helps it crisp up better and not steam like a sad lunch meat.

3. Mix brown sugar + mustard in a small bowl. Add garlic powder if you wanna be extra.

4. Brush both sides of the ham with the glaze. Thick layer = sticky, caramelized edges. You want that.

5. Pop into the air fryer

   • Cook at 380°F for 8–10 minutes

   • Flip halfway

   • Keep an eye out at minute 7—it can brown fast depending on your machine

6. Done when edges are caramelized and the glaze is bubbling like a lava lamp from the ’90s. 😍

💡 Jenny’s Real-Life Tips

• Got leftovers? Chop ’em into breakfast hash, sandwiches, or throw on pizza. Ham don’t quit.

• Wanna get wild? Add pineapple slices for a Hawaiian vibe.

• Serving suggestion: mashed potatoes and green beans (or just mac ‘n cheese from a box—we’re not fancy every night).

FAQ

Can I use bone-in ham steak?
Sure can. Just cook a couple mins longer and make sure it fits in your basket.

Do I have to glaze it?
Nope. But I highly recommend it—it makes it taste like you tried harder than you actually did.

What if it’s pre-glazed?
Still okay! Just skip the sugar + mustard and air fry as-is.

Wrap It Up, Jenny

This is my “I have nothing planned and 12 minutes to live” dinner. It’s salty, sweet, smoky, and stupid easy. Pair it with whatever sides you have, light a candle if you wanna feel fancy, and boom—you just pulled off another weeknight win.

Ham steaks, y’all. They don’t get enough credit.
Now go save your own tired brain. You got this. 💪

Love always,
– Jenny

Air Fryer Ham Steaks

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• Author: Jenny
• Total Time: 12 mins
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

These sweet and smoky air fryer ham steaks come together in under 15 minutes with zero stress. Glazed with brown sugar and mustard, they’re crispy on the edges, juicy in the middle, and basically taste like bacon’s older, hotter cousin.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 boneless ham steaks (6 oz each)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp Dijon or yellow mustard
• ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
2. Pat ham steaks dry with paper towel.
3. Mix brown sugar, mustard, garlic powder, and pepper into glaze.
4. Brush glaze over both sides of ham.
5. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until edges are caramelized.
6. Let rest 2 minutes before serving.

• Prep Time: 2 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Category: Dinner, Quick Meals
• Method: Air Fryer
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 8
• Sodium: 1150mg
• Fat: 20
• Saturated Fat: 6
• Carbohydrates: 9
• Protein: 24