Roast Lamb In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Lamb is a fatty meat that cooks beautifully in an air fryer, producing a juicy roast with a Brazilian barbecue-style crust. The air fryer is a more economical way to cook lamb than an oven, as it is more energy-efficient and cooks food quicker. A boneless leg of lamb can be cooked in an air fryer in under an hour, and you can also cook lamb chops in an air fryer in as little as 7-9 minutes.

Cooking times and temperatures for air-frying lamb

The cooking time and temperature for air-fried lamb will depend on the size of the lamb joint, the type of air fryer used, and how well-done you like your lamb. It's important to preheat the air fryer and let the lamb sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before cooking.

• Rare: 125°F/52°C
• Medium-Rare: 130-135°F/54-57°C
• Medium: 140-145°F/60-63°C
• Well-Done: 150-165°F/65-74°C

For a 3-pound boneless leg of lamb, cook at 360°F for 60 minutes for a medium-rare roast. If you're cooking lamb chops, preheat the air fryer to its highest setting and cook for about 7-9 minutes for medium-well.

It's recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the lamb to ensure it's cooked to your desired level of doneness. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the joint, avoiding the bone.

How to prepare lamb for air-frying

Preparing lamb for air-frying is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to ensure a delicious result. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare lamb for air-frying:

Choosing the Right Cut of Lamb:

• For air-frying, it is best to choose a lamb joint that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket. Options such as a half leg joint, butterflied leg, or boneless shoulder are ideal.
• If you are cooking for a larger group, you may need to cut the lamb into smaller pieces to ensure it fits in the air fryer.
• Boneless leg of lamb is a popular choice for air-frying, but you can also use lamb chops or lamb shoulder, adjusting the cooking time accordingly.

Preparing the Lamb:

• Remove the lamb from the refrigerator 15-30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. This step helps the lamb cook more evenly.
• If desired, create a marinade by mixing ingredients such as garlic, rosemary, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices. You can also add a beef stock cube or bouillon powder for extra flavour.
• Place the lamb in a dish and use a sharp knife to make small slits in the skin.
• Rub the lamb with the marinade, ensuring it penetrates the slits. Alternatively, you can spritz the lamb with olive oil and then rub with a spice blend of salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried rosemary.
• For extra flavour, wrap the marinated lamb in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight. This allows the seasonings to penetrate the meat and enhance its flavour.

Air-Frying the Lamb:

• Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 360°F and 400°F.
• If desired, place potatoes or other vegetables in the air fryer basket first and cook for about 20-30 minutes before adding the lamb. This allows the vegetables to cook through without overcooking the lamb.
• Place the lamb in the air fryer basket, fatty side up, ensuring it is not too close to the heating element. You may need to elevate the lamb slightly using a rack or aluminium foil balls.
• Air fry the lamb for 15-20 minutes at the higher temperature to form a crust, then reduce the temperature to 325°F/160°C and continue cooking for an additional 30-45 minutes, depending on your desired doneness.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the lamb. The recommended internal temperature for medium-rare lamb is 130°F-135°F, while well-done lamb should reach 155°F-165°F.
• Remove the lamb from the air fryer and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

By following these steps, you can prepare and cook delicious, tender, and juicy lamb in your air fryer. Enjoy experimenting with different seasonings and marinades to find your favourite flavour combinations!

What to serve with air-fried lamb

There are a variety of side dishes that can be served with air-fried lamb. Here are some suggestions:

• Roasted vegetables and potatoes: You can roast potatoes and vegetables such as carrots, peas, and parsnips in the air fryer alongside the lamb. This creates a traditional roast lamb dinner.
• Salad: Roasted lamb can be served with a fresh salad.
• Wraps or pita bread: Lamb can be served in wraps or pita bread with a drizzle of garlic yogurt or tzatziki for a Greek-inspired flavour.
• Rice dishes: These could include almond rice pilaf with cherries or garlic and herb rice.
• Asparagus: Try air fryer buffalo cauliflower, air fryer brussels sprouts, or Ninja Foodi asparagus.
• Mashed potatoes: These could be instant pot mashed potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes.
• Beet greens: You could try sautéed beet greens.
• Gravy: A rich brown gravy can be spooned over the lamb and any accompanying vegetables.
• Mint sauce: A simple British-style mint sauce can be made by mixing finely chopped fresh mint leaves with a sprinkle of sugar and a splash of vinegar.

How to check if air-fried lamb is cooked

Checking if your air-fried lamb is cooked is easy if you follow these steps:

Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer. Set it to 360°F/180°C for 5 minutes. This will ensure your lamb cooks evenly.

Secondly, the size of your lamb joint and the type of air fryer you are using will affect cooking time. As a rule of thumb, estimate 10 minutes per pound/450g for rare, and then add 5 minutes for each degree of doneness that you require. For example, a 2.5-2.7lb/1.1-1.2kg lamb joint will take 25-30 minutes for medium-rare.

Thirdly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the lamb. The thickest part of the joint is the best place to do this, and be sure to avoid the bone. Here are some internal temperature guidelines:

• Rare: 125°F/52°C
• Medium-Rare: 130-135°F/54-57°C
• Medium: 140-145°F/60-63°C
• Well-Done: 155-165°F/65-74°C

Remember, the temperature of the meat will continue to rise a few degrees while it rests. So, if you want it to be medium-rare, remove the lamb from the air fryer at 130°F/54°C and let it rest for 10 minutes. It will then be the perfect temperature.

Finally, the USDA states that roast lamb should be cooked to a minimum of 145°F/63°C for medium-rare.

The benefits of air-frying lamb

Air fryers are a great way to cook lamb, offering several benefits over traditional oven roasting. Here are some advantages of using an air fryer to cook lamb:

Quick and Easy

Air fryers can cook lamb more quickly than traditional ovens, with most recipes taking around an hour to cook a medium or large leg of lamb. This is because the smaller space of an air fryer results in less heat loss, meaning faster cooking times.

Juicy and Tender

The air fryer's ability to lock in flavour and moisture results in juicy and tender lamb. The dry cooking method ensures the lamb doesn't dry out, and the hot air circulation creates a delicious, crispy crust while keeping the meat succulent and moist inside.

Energy Efficient

Air fryers are more energy-efficient than ovens, making them a more economical choice for cooking lamb. This is especially beneficial if you're cooking smaller portions or want to save on energy costs.

Versatile Cooking

Air fryers offer the convenience of cooking lamb and vegetables together. You can cook lamb with roast potatoes, or even swap them out for air-fried vegetables. This saves time and effort, as you can prepare a complete meal in one go.

Healthier Option

Air fryers can be a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, as they require little to no oil. Lamb is naturally fatty, so cooking it in an air fryer can reduce the amount of oil used, resulting in a healthier meal.

Consistent Results

Air fryers provide consistent results when cooking lamb. By cooking to temperature rather than time, you can ensure your lamb is cooked to your desired doneness every time. A meat thermometer is a valuable tool to help you achieve the perfect level of doneness, whether you prefer your lamb rare, medium, or well-done.

Frequently asked questions