Honey pineapple ham bake coats diced ham and pineapple chunks in a sticky brown sugar and honey glaze and bakes them until bubbling and caramelized. It takes ten minutes to prepare, bakes for thirty five minutes, and serves six.
Pineapple juice, cinnamon, and a spoonful of Dijon mustard keep the glaze from tasting too sweet, and the ham edges turn dark and chewy in the oven. It is a fast way to use leftover roast ham, and it works over rice, potatoes, or toast.
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Why You Will Like Honey Pineapple Ham Bake
A sweet and tangy glaze caramelizes around the ham for sticky, crisp edges.
It uses leftover or store bought ham, so there is no meat to cook from scratch.
Everything bakes in one dish with ten minutes of work, which makes it a dependable weeknight meal.
What Goes into Honey Pineapple Ham Bake
- The bake uses four cups of cooked diced ham and one can of pineapple chunks, drained, with the juice saved.
- The glaze is one cup of brown sugar, a quarter cup of honey, a quarter cup of the reserved pineapple juice, one teaspoon of cinnamon, and one teaspoon of Dijon mustard.
Cooked ham. It brings salty, smoky flavor.
Pineapple. It adds juicy sweetness and acid.
Brown sugar and honey. They caramelize into a sticky glaze.
Pineapple juice. It thins the glaze and adds fruit flavor.
Cinnamon and Dijon. They add warmth and tang.
Baking Honey Pineapple Ham Bake Step by Step
1. Heat the oven. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a baking dish.
2. Mix the glaze. Stir the brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, cinnamon, and Dijon in a bowl until smooth.
3. Combine. Spread the ham and pineapple in the baking dish.
4. Glaze. Pour the glaze over the top and stir gently to coat.
5. Bake. Bake for thirty to thirty five minutes, stirring once, until the glaze is thick and bubbling at the edges.
Stir the dish once halfway through baking. This coats the pieces evenly and prevents the glaze from burning at the edges of the pan. Use a dish with sides at least two inches tall so the syrup does not overflow, and place a sheet pan underneath to catch any drips.
Cut the ham into pieces about the same size as the pineapple chunks. Even pieces bake evenly and make the dish easier to serve. If the ham is very salty, rinse it briefly or add a little extra pineapple juice, and skip any added salt.
Leftovers of Honey Pineapple Ham Bake
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days. Reheat in a covered dish at 350 degrees F for fifteen minutes, or in the microwave with a splash of juice. The glaze thickens as it cools, so add a spoonful of water when warming. Freeze for up to two months.
What to Serve with Honey Pineapple Ham Bake
Serve the bake hot over rice, mashed potatoes, or toast, with a green vegetable such as roasted broccoli. For more ham ideas, try cheesy hash brown ham bake, ham and cheese puffs, fried pineapple rings, or ham mozzarella puff pastry stacks.
Handy Tips for Honey Pineapple Ham Bake
Flag the allergens. This dish contains pork, and some hams contain added gluten, soy, or milk, so check every label.
Do not taste a hot glaze. Do not taste the glaze straight from the oven, because hot sugar can burn the mouth.
Check the temperature. Reheat the ham to 165 F before serving.
Reserve the juice. Drain the pineapple over a measuring cup.
Use fresh pineapple. Chunks work too, with a splash of juice.
Add heat. A pinch of cayenne gives a sweet and spicy bake.
Line the dish. Parchment makes cleanup simple.
Check trusted guidance. Read the Purdue Extension guide to storing leftovers for safe handling of cooked ham.
For a lighter glaze, cut the brown sugar to three quarters of a cup and add a splash of apple cider vinegar. The bake will be less sticky but still bright and balanced. A teaspoon of soy sauce also boosts the savory side and lets you keep the sweetness in check.
Turn the bake into a main course by adding sweet potato cubes or green beans to the dish. Roast the sweet potatoes for fifteen minutes first so they finish with the ham. The vegetables soak up the glaze and make the meal more filling without extra work.
Questions About Honey Pineapple Ham Bake
How do you keep honey pineapple ham bake from burning?
Stir once during baking and use a deep dish with the oven rack in the center.
Can you make honey pineapple ham bake ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble it a day early and bake just before serving.
Can you freeze honey pineapple ham bake?
Yes, for up to two months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
What kind of ham works well?
Fully cooked leftover or deli ham both work.
Can I use canned ham?
Yes, drain it and cut it into small cubes.
Honey Pineapple Ham Bake
Equipment
- 9 by 13 inch baking dish
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cup cooked ham diced
- 1 can pineapple chunks 20 ounce can, drained with juice saved
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup reserved pineapple juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
Cooking
- Heat. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease a baking dish.
- Mix. Stir the brown sugar, honey, juice, cinnamon, and Dijon.
- Combine. Spread the ham and pineapple in the dish.
- Glaze. Pour the glaze over the top and stir to coat.
- Bake. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, stirring once, until bubbling.
