Air Fryer Ham and Potato Casserole
I make Air Fryer Ham and Potato Casserole whenever I have leftover holiday ham from Christmas or Easter because it turns leftovers into comfort food everyone fights over, and the air fryer cooks it way faster with less cleanup. Each scoop has tender potatoes coated in rich, creamy sauce with chunks of savory ham and a golden cheese top. It's ideal for hearty winter dinners, Sunday brunch, potlucks, and meal prep. Kids love it, and it's budget-friendly too. The casserole stores in the fridge for 2 to 4 days or freezes for up to 3 months.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1¼ cups whole milk
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and diced
- 2½ cups cooked ham diced
- 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar or cheese blend
- ¼ cup chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a skillet, melt butter with olive oil. Sauté onions until soft. Stir in flour, then slowly whisk in milk, broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thickened.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 yellow onion, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1¼ cups whole milk, ½ cup chicken broth, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- In a baking dish that fits your air fryer basket, layer half of the potatoes and ham, then pour over half the sauce. Repeat with remaining ingredients.2 pounds russet potatoes, 2½ cups cooked ham
- Cover tightly with foil and place in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes. Carefully remove foil, top with shredded cheese, and air fry for 5 more minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.2 cups shredded cheese
- Let sit for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.¼ cup chopped parsley
Notes
I've made this casserole dozens of times, and these tips help it turn out perfect every time.
- Use russet potatoes: They break down just enough to absorb the sauce while still holding their shape, unlike waxy potatoes that can turn gummy.
- Dice everything evenly: Cut your potatoes and ham into similar-sized pieces (about ½-inch) so they cook at the same rate, and you get a bit of everything in each bite.
- Check your dish size: Make sure your baking dish fits comfortably in your air fryer basket with at least an inch of space around it for air circulation, or the top won't brown properly.
- Customize your cheese: Cheddar melts beautifully, but you can mix in Gruyère for nuttiness, Monterey Jack for extra creaminess, or pepper jack if you want a little kick.
- Don't skip the resting time: Letting the casserole sit for 5 minutes after cooking helps the sauce thicken and makes it way easier to scoop out clean portions instead of a saucy mess.
- Flash freeze for meal prep: Cool the casserole completely, cut into portions, and freeze on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring to freezer bags so the pieces don't stick together.
Nutrition
Calories: 452kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 23gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1086mgPotassium: 923mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 790IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 363mgIron: 2mg
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