Air-Fried Lamb: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Lamb is a versatile meat that can be cooked in many ways, but how long does it take to cook in an air fryer? The answer depends on the cut of lamb and your desired level of doneness. For lamb chops, cooking times range from 7 to 10 minutes for rare to well-done. For a leg of lamb, the cooking time is significantly longer, ranging from 45 minutes to over an hour for medium-rare to well-done.

How to cook lamb chops in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Lamb chops
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic (freshly minced or jarred)
• Rosemary (dried or fresh)
• Oregano or other fresh herbs
• Butter (optional)

Optional Marinade

• Red wine vinegar
• Olive oil
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper

Steps

• If you want to add extra flavour to your lamb chops, prepare a marinade by combining red wine vinegar, olive oil, rosemary, oregano, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl.
• Rub the marinade into the lamb chops and leave them covered in the fridge for up to 5 hours.
• Take the lamb chops out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature. This will help them cook more quickly and evenly.
• Pat the lamb chops dry with a paper towel and remove any excess fat.
• Season the lamb chops by adding them to a bowl and mixing them with olive oil, butter, and spices. Rub the mixture over each lamb chop.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the lamb chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded.
• Air fry the lamb chops for 3-4 minutes on each side or until they reach a minimum internal temperature of 145°F. For thicker cuts of lamb, you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• For a well-done chop, aim for an internal temperature of 155-165°F, which will take around 10-12 minutes in total.
• Let the lamb chops rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

Tips

• It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure your lamb chops are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
• If you want to get crispy edges on your lamb chops, cook them for an additional 2-3 minutes.
• You can serve lamb chops with a variety of side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, sautéed beet greens, roasted carrots and beets, or a chimichurri sauce.

How long to cook lamb chops in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook lamb chops, producing a juicy and tender result in a fraction of the time it would take to grill or bake in an oven. The cooking time will depend on the level of doneness you want to achieve, the thickness of the chops, and the type of air fryer being used.

Preparation

Firstly, take the lamb chops out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature. This will help the chops cook more quickly and evenly. Pat the chops dry with a paper towel and remove any excess fat.

Seasoning

Add the lamb chops to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. You can then add your choice of seasonings and spices. Suggested seasonings include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried rosemary, dried oregano, and fresh thyme. Rub the oil and seasonings into the lamb chops, ensuring they are well coated.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 360-400°F. Place the lamb chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded. For thicker cuts of lamb with the bone intact, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer for a full 10 minutes before adding the lamb chops.

Cook the lamb chops for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they reach a minimum internal temperature of 145°F. For a well-browned exterior, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Resting

Remove the lamb chops from the air fryer and let them rest for about two minutes before serving.

Cooking Times by Desired Doneness

The ideal temperature and cooking time will depend on how well done you like your lamb chops. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check that the desired temperature has been reached.

• Medium-rare: 145°F, 7-8 minutes
• Medium: 150°F, 8 1/2-9 minutes
• Medium-well: 155-160°F, 10-12 minutes
• Well done: 165°F, 12 minutes

How to cook a leg of lamb in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 leg of lamb (about 2kg), bone-in
• 1.5 kg potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional:

• Mint sauce or mint jelly
• Green beans

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (360°F).
• Make small incisions all over the lamb using a sharp knife.
• In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Rub this mixture all over the lamb, making sure to get it into the incisions.
• In a large bowl, toss the potato chunks with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
• Place the seasoned leg of lamb in the air fryer basket. Arrange the seasoned potato chunks around the lamb in a single layer.
• Cook at 180°C (360°F) for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, flip the lamb over using tongs for even cooking. Continue cooking for another 30 minutes or until the lamb is cooked to your desired level of doneness and the potatoes are crispy and golden brown.
• Once cooked, remove the lamb and potatoes from the air fryer. Let the lamb rest for about 10 minutes before carving.
• Serve the roast lamb with the crispy potatoes alongside.

Optional Gravy:

• If desired, you can make a simple gravy using the pan drippings.
• Deglaze the air fryer basket with a little water or broth, then transfer the liquid to a saucepan.
• Bring to a simmer and thicken with a cornstarch slurry (mix cornstarch with a little water) until the desired consistency is reached. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Tips:

• It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure the lamb is cooked to your liking.
• The cooking time will depend on the size of the lamb joint and the type of air fryer used.
• For a Greek-inspired roast lamb, try using Greek ingredients such as olive oil, garlic, and herbs.
• To elevate the lamb slightly off the bottom of the air fryer, you can use a rack, aluminium foil balls, or the air fryer basket.

How long to cook a leg of lamb in an air fryer

The cooking time for a leg of lamb in an air fryer depends on the size of the lamb joint, the type of air fryer used, and the desired level of doneness. It is recommended to cook the lamb to temperature rather than time, so a meat thermometer is useful.

Air Frying a Leg of Lamb:

Firstly, ensure your leg of lamb fits in the air fryer. If it is too big, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces. You can also elevate the lamb slightly, using a rack or foil balls, to prevent the lamb from touching the bottom of the air fryer.

Cooking Times and Temperatures:

• Rare: 125°F/ 52°C (very pink inside)
• Medium-Rare: 130-135°F/54-57°C
• Medium: 140-145°F/60-63°C
• Well Done: 150-165°F/65-74°C
• Shreddable: 180-200°F/82-93°C

The USDA recommends cooking lamb to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F/63°C. However, this may be too well done for some people, so it is worth checking the temperature as you cook.

Example Cooking Times:

One recipe suggests the following cooking times for a 3.5-pound boneless leg of lamb:

• Air fry at 400°F/200°C for 15-20 minutes.
• Reduce the temperature to 325°F/160°C and air fry for a further 30 minutes.
• Check the internal temperature and continue cooking if needed.

Another recipe, for a 2kg bone-in leg of lamb, suggests the following cooking times:

• Preheat the air fryer to 180°C/360°F.
• Cook the lamb at 180°C/360°F for 30 minutes.
• Flip the lamb and cook for another 30 minutes, or until the lamb is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary, so it is always best to check the internal temperature of the lamb to ensure it is cooked to your liking.

What temperature to cook lamb in an air fryer

The ideal temperature for cooking lamb in an air fryer depends on the level of doneness you want to achieve. According to the American Lamb Board, the minimum temperature required to enjoy lamb chops is 145°F/63°C for medium-rare. For a medium doneness, the internal temperature should be 150°F, and for medium-well, it should be 155-160°F. Well-done lamb is achieved at an internal temperature of 165°F.

When cooking lamb in an air fryer, it is recommended to cook based on temperature rather than time to ensure the desired doneness. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to check if the lamb is cooked to your preference. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the bone.

• Rare: 125°F/52°C
• Medium-Rare: 130-135°F/54-57°C
• Medium: 140-145°F/60-63°C
• Medium-Well: 155-160°F/65-74°C
• Well Done: 165°F/74°C

Additionally, it is important to note that the cooking time will vary depending on the cut of lamb and the size of the lamb joint. For example, lamb chops will take less time to cook than a leg of lamb. It is always recommended to adjust cooking times accordingly and ensure that the lamb is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Frequently asked questions