Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes and Ham gives me all that creamy, cheesy comfort without waiting for oven space. The potatoes get tender, the cheddar and Gruyère sauce is rich, and the ham adds depth to every bite. The top turns golden and crispy, creating that perfect contrast everyone fights over at family dinners. I serve it for Easter, Christmas, family gatherings, and potlucks because it's a cheesy, comforting crowd-pleaser everyone loves, and it's my favorite way to use up leftover holiday ham. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days or freezes for up to 2 months.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 ½–2 cups leftover cooked ham cubed
- 4 medium potatoes peeled and thinly sliced
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 ⅓ cups whole milk
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups mature cheddar cheese grated
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.2 tablespoons butter
- Add the onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are soft and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.1 large onion, 2 cloves garlic, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a smooth roux.4 tablespoons butter, 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, to prevent lumps. Once smooth, stir in the heavy cream and ¾ of the cheddar cheese. Continue whisking until the cheese is melted and the sauce is thick and creamy. Remove from heat.2 ⅓ cups whole milk, ¾ cup heavy cream, 1 ½ cups mature cheddar cheese
- Layer half of the potato slices in the prepared baking dish that fits in your air fryer. Top with half of the sautéed onions, cheese sauce, and ham. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, onions, ham, seasoning, and cheese sauce. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheddar and all of the Gruyère cheese.1 ½–2 cups leftover cooked ham, 4 medium potatoes, 1 cup Gruyère cheese
- Air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 30–35 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife. Remove the foil, increase the temperature to 350°F (180°C), and cook for another 5–8 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Notes
Here's what I've learned from making them multiple times:
- Use a mandoline slicer: Thinly sliced potatoes cook evenly and create better layers than hand-cut slices, plus it saves at least 10 minutes of prep time.
- Rinse excess starch: After slicing your potatoes, rinse them in a bowl of cold water and pat them dry to remove surface starch, which prevents the layers from becoming gummy and helps the creamy sauce, with its cheesy flavor, coat each slice better, whether you're using pans or baking dishes.
- Switch up the cheese: Replace the Gruyère with Swiss cheese for a milder, nuttier taste that melts just as smoothly, and you can add garlic powder (1 teaspoon) to the sauce if you want extra depth or use it instead of fresh garlic when sautéing veggies like onions.
- Try different proteins: Dice a thick ham steak into cubes for meatier pieces with better texture, or cook 6 to 8 strips of bacon until crispy and crumble them for a smokier flavor that adds extra richness to each layer.
- Choose your potato variety: Russet potatoes create a fluffier, more traditional texture because of their high starch content, while red potatoes hold their shape better and give you firmer, waxier layers that won't fall apart when serving.
- Flash-freeze meal prep: Freeze individual portions on a baking sheet for 1 hour, then transfer them to containers so the layers don't stick together, and you can grab single servings whenever you need them.
Nutrition
Calories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 20gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 572mgPotassium: 690mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1119IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 441mgIron: 1mg
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