Air Fryer Leg Of Lamb: Cooking Time Perfection

Air fryers are a great way to cook a leg of lamb, with many recipes available online. The cooking time will vary depending on the weight of the lamb, the type of air fryer used, and the desired level of doneness. Generally, it takes around 40-60 minutes to cook a half leg of lamb in an air fryer, and it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check that the lamb has reached the desired internal temperature.

How to get a juicy leg of lamb

Air frying a leg of lamb is a great way to get a juicy roast with a nice crust. Here are some tips and instructions to help you achieve that:

Preparation

• Take the lamb out of the refrigerator 15-30 minutes before cooking to let it come to room temperature. This helps the lamb cook more quickly and evenly.
• If you want to season the lamb, mix your choice of herbs and spices (e.g. rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, garlic) with some olive oil in a small bowl.
• Pat the lamb dry with paper towels and then rub the herb/spice mixture all over it, making sure it's well-coated.
• You can also cut some slits into the lamb and stuff the slits with garlic slivers.
• Leave the lamb to rest for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days in the refrigerator to let the salt and seasonings penetrate the meat.
• Take the lamb out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to let it come back to room temperature.

Cooking

• Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F/180-200°C for 3-5 minutes.
• Place the lamb in the air fryer basket, fat/fatty side up. If the lamb is too close to the heating element, you can try elevating it by using a rack or making some foil balls to place underneath.
• Air fry at 400°F/200°C for 15-20 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325-360°F/160-180°C and cook for another 30-45 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on how rare you like your lamb and the size of the joint, so it's a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
• For medium-rare lamb, the internal temperature should be 130-135°F/54-57°C.
• For medium, the internal temperature should be 140-145°F/60-63°C.
• For well-done, the internal temperature should be 155-165°F/65-74°C.
• When the lamb has reached your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Serving

Air fryer roast lamb goes well with traditional sides such as roasted vegetables, a simple salad, or mint sauce. You can also serve it with potato wedges, rice, or pita bread for a more casual meal.

How to prepare a leg of lamb for the air fryer

Ingredients

The ingredients you will need for this recipe include:

• Half leg of lamb (bone-in or boneless)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garlic
• Fresh or dried herbs of your choice (e.g. rosemary, thyme)
• Potatoes (optional)

Preparation

To prepare your leg of lamb for the air fryer:

• Take the lamb out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. This helps the lamb cook more evenly.
• Pat the lamb dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step helps the seasonings stick better and ensures a crisp exterior.
• Create slits in the lamb and insert garlic slices into the skin. You can also make a marinade by mixing garlic, herbs, olive oil, and other seasonings, and rub it all over the lamb.
• Wrap the lamb in plastic wrap or aluminium foil and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to enhance the flavour. This step is optional but recommended.
• Remove the lamb from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking and let it come to room temperature.
• Place the lamb in the air fryer basket, fat side up. If it's too close to the heating element, you can elevate it slightly using a rack or aluminium foil balls.
• Set the air fryer temperature and timer according to your desired doneness. For medium-rare lamb, cook at 180°C for 30-35 minutes. For well-done lamb, cook for a longer time or at a higher temperature.
• After the initial cooking time, check the internal temperature of the lamb with a meat thermometer. The recommended internal temperatures are:

• Rare: 52°C (125°F)
• Medium-rare: 54-57°C (130-135°F)
• Medium: 60-63°C (140-145°F)
• Well-done: 65-74°C (150-165°F)

• Once the desired internal temperature is reached, remove the lamb from the air fryer and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicier meat.
• Collect any juices released during the resting time and drizzle them over the lamb when serving.

Tips:

• Always ensure that your lamb fits comfortably in the air fryer basket with enough space for air circulation.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and avoid overcooking the lamb.
• Resting the lamb after cooking is crucial, as it ensures the meat is juicy and tender.
• You can cook potatoes and other vegetables alongside the lamb in the air fryer for a complete meal.

How to cook a leg of lamb in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Half leg of lamb, bone in
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic
• Fresh rosemary
• White wine vinegar
• Dried oregano
• Garlic granules
• Beef stock cube
• Potatoes
• Fresh thyme

Method

Firstly, check that your lamb fits in your air fryer basket. You may need to use a half leg of lamb, or a boneless or butterflied leg.

Take the lamb out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to let it come to room temperature.

Make a marinade with garlic, rosemary, olive oil, vinegar, stock cube, salt, herbs and seasonings. Blitz in a mini chopper and add a little warm water if needed.

Place the lamb on two large pieces of foil on your worktop and pour the marinade over it, turning to cover both sides. Tightly wrap the lamb in the foil.

Preheat the air fryer to 180-200°C. Place the foil-wrapped lamb in the air fryer basket and roast for 40 minutes, turning over halfway through.

Add potatoes to the basket and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with dried oregano and lemon juice. Shake to coat.

Unwrap the lamb and place it back in the basket, nestling it among the potatoes. Roast for a further 30-40 minutes, or until the lamb is cooked to your liking. The best way to check is with a meat thermometer. For medium-rare lamb, the internal temperature should be 63°C/145°F. For medium, it should be 70-75°C/157-167°F, and for well-done, 75-80°C/167-176°F.

Remove the lamb from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Tips

• If your air fryer has space, you can cook the potatoes separately from the lamb.
• You can use a variety of seasonings on your lamb, such as garlic and rosemary, or a za'atar spice blend.
• It's important to rest the lamb after cooking to let the meat relax and become more tender.

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

Ingredients

• Half leg of lamb (bone in)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic
• Fresh rosemary
• White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• Dried oregano or mixed Italian herbs
• Beef stock cube
• Potatoes
• Lemon juice

Optional Ingredients

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Thyme
• Bay leaves
• Cornflour
• Water

Method

• Take the lamb out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. This will help it cook more evenly.
• Make a marinade with olive oil, crushed garlic, rosemary, vinegar, stock cube, salt, herbs and seasonings. Add a little warm water if needed.
• Lay the half leg of lamb on two large pieces of foil on your worktop. Pour the marinade over it, turning it over to cover both sides. Tightly wrap the foil around the lamb.
• Preheat the air fryer to 180-200°C. Place the foil-wrapped lamb in the air fryer basket and roast for 40 minutes, turning over halfway through.
• Remove the lamb and set aside. Add cubed potatoes to the air fryer basket. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with dried oregano and lemon juice. Shake to coat.
• Unwrap the lamb and place it back in the basket, nestling it among the potatoes.
• Roast for another 30-40 minutes or until the lamb is cooked to your liking. The best way to check is to use a meat thermometer. For medium-rare, the internal temperature should be 63°C/145°F. For medium, it should be 70-75°C/157-167°F, and for well-done, it should be 75-80°C/167-176°F.
• Remove the lamb from the air fryer and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing.
• Collect any juices released during the resting period and drizzle them over the lamb when serving.

Tips

• If your air fryer requires pre-heating, start this setting before preparing the lamb.
• If you want to cook potatoes with the lamb, choose a variety suitable for roasting, such as Maris Piper in the UK or Yukon Gold in the US.
• You can also add other herbs and spices to the marinade, such as thyme, bay leaves, or garlic powder.
• For a thicker gravy, mix cornflour with water and add it to the lamb juices while heating them in a saucepan.

How long to rest a leg of lamb after air frying

Resting your leg of lamb after air frying is essential to ensure the meat is tender and juicy. The high heat used in cooking causes the proteins in the lamb's muscles to contract, pushing the juices towards the centre of the meat. By letting the meat rest, you give the juices time to redistribute throughout the lamb, so they end up on your plate instead of your cutting board.

The length of time you should rest your lamb depends on the size of the cut. As a rule of thumb, you should give it 1 minute of resting time per 100g of lamb. For a roast leg of lamb, this equates to 10-20 minutes of resting time. For a steak, 3-5 minutes of resting time is sufficient.

When resting your lamb, place it on a warm plate and cover it loosely with foil. Avoid covering it too tightly, as you don't want the meat to sweat.

Frequently asked questions