Air-Fried Lamb Roast: A Quick, Crispy Delight

how to cook a lamb roast in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook a lamb roast, locking in flavour and moisture while achieving a lovely crust on the outside. The best way to check if your lamb is cooked to your liking is to use a meat thermometer. The ideal temperature for medium-rare lamb is 63°C, while medium lamb should be cooked to 70-75°C. Well-done lamb should be cooked to an internal temperature of 75-80°C. Before cooking, you can season your lamb with herbs, salt, pepper, and oil, and for an extra juicy roast, try wrapping it in plastic and letting it sit in the refrigerator for a while. When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 180°C and cook for 20-30 minutes, or until your desired level of doneness is achieved.

Characteristics Values
Preheat Air Fryer 180°C (360°F)
Prepare Lamb Make small incisions all over the lamb using a sharp knife. Mix garlic, rosemary, thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the lamb, including the incisions.
Cooking Time 25-45 minutes at 180°C (360°F). The cooking time depends on the size of the lamb joint and the type of Air Fryer.
Check for Preferred Cooking Level Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Medium: 70-75°C (157-167°F). Well-done: 75-80°C (167-176°F).
Rest and Serve Let the lamb rest for about 10 minutes before carving.

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Seasoning and preparation

To prepare your lamb roast for cooking in an air fryer, start by taking the lamb out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. If you are using a fresh herb like rosemary, pick the leaves off and chop them finely.

For seasoning, you can use a combination of minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, olive oil or vegetable oil, salt, and pepper. Mix these ingredients in a small bowl and rub the mixture all over the lamb, making small incisions in the lamb with a sharp knife to ensure the seasoning penetrates the meat. You can also season your lamb with dried oregano and a drizzle of lemon juice.

If you want to add potatoes to your roast, toss potato chunks or cubes in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. You can also add dried oregano and lemon juice to the potatoes. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket first, then nestle the lamb among them.

The cooking time will depend on the size of the lamb joint, the type of air fryer, and your desired level of doneness. As a rule of thumb, estimate 10 minutes per pound/450g for rare, then add five minutes for each degree of doneness. For medium-rare, cook at 360°F/180°C for 25-30 minutes. For medium, cook at 180°C/350°F for about 45 minutes. For well-done lamb, aim for an internal temperature of 75-80°C (167-176°F). The best way to ensure your lamb is cooked to your liking is to use a digital thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the joint, avoiding the bone.

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Cooking temperature and duration

The cooking temperature and duration for a lamb roast in an air fryer depend on several factors, including the size of the lamb joint, the type of air fryer, and personal preference for the level of doneness. It is recommended to cook lamb to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare, 157-167°F (70-75°C) for medium, and 167-176°F (75-80°C) for well-done.

To ensure the lamb is cooked to your desired level of doneness, it is best to use a digital or meat thermometer. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the joint, avoiding the bone. For a medium-rare lamb roast, you can air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 25-30 minutes. If you prefer your lamb medium, you can air fry at the same temperature for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 157-167°F (70-75°C).

For a juicy and tender lamb roast, it is important to note that cooking to temperature is more crucial than cooking for a specific duration. The weight of the lamb joint also plays a role in determining the cooking time. As a rule of thumb, estimate 10 minutes per pound (450g) for rare lamb, and then add five minutes for each degree of increased doneness. For example, a 1.1 kg half leg of lamb can be air-fried at 350°F (180°C) for 45 minutes for a medium-rare to the medium result.

Additionally, the type of air fryer and its preheating settings can impact the cooking duration. Some air fryers may require preheating for 3-4 minutes, while others may have a roast setting that is preferable to the 'air fry' setting to prevent the meat from drying out. It is also recommended to let the lamb come to room temperature before cooking and to let it rest for about 10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute.

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Cooking with potatoes

When cooking a lamb roast in an air fryer, you can cook the potatoes at the same time. First, cut your potatoes into thick wedges or cubes. Place the potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. You can also add other seasonings such as salt, pepper, oregano, garlic granules, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated.

Next, place the lamb in the centre of the air fryer basket and arrange the potatoes around it in a single layer. You can also place the potatoes on a rack above the lamb or at the bottom of the inner pot. If you are using a Ninja Dual Air Fryer, it is recommended to set it to 'roast' rather than 'air fry' to prevent the meat from drying out.

Cook at 180°C (360°F) for 30 minutes. After this time, flip the lamb and cook for another 30 minutes, or until the lamb is cooked to your desired level. The cooking time will depend on the size of the lamb joint, the weight of the lamb leg, and the type of air fryer you are using. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check that the lamb is cooked to your liking. For medium-rare lamb, the internal temperature should be 54.4-60°C (130-140°F). For medium lamb, the internal temperature should be 62.8-65.6°C (145-150°F). For well-done lamb, the internal temperature should be 71.1-76.7°C (160-170°F).

Once the lamb is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 10 minutes before carving. Check that the potatoes are cooked through by piercing them with a knife. If they need more time, you can leave them in the air fryer while the lamb is resting. Serve the lamb with the crispy potatoes alongside.

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Making gravy

You can also make a simple British-style mint sauce by mixing finely chopped fresh mint leaves with a sprinkle of sugar and a splash of vinegar. Adjust the mint sauce to taste by adding more sugar or vinegar as needed.

If you prefer a meat thermometer over a digital one, the best way to gauge if the meat is cooked to your liking is by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature for medium-rare lamb is 52-57°C (125-135°F), medium is 60-65°C (140-150°F), and well-done is 71°C and above (160°F+).

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Resting and serving

Once your lamb is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and cover it with foil. It is important to let the roast rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before carving against the grain to allow the juices to redistribute. You can collect any juices released during the resting process to drizzle over the lamb when serving.

While the lamb is resting, you can finish cooking any side dishes. For example, if you are cooking roast potatoes, pierce them with a knife to check if they are cooked through. They might need a little extra time after the lamb is done and while it is resting.

When serving, you can carve the lamb and plate it with the roast potatoes and a Greek salad on the side. You can also make a simple gravy using the pan drippings. To do this, deglaze the air fryer basket with a little water or broth, then transfer the liquid to a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer and thicken it with a cornstarch slurry (mix cornstarch with a little water) until the desired consistency is reached. Adjust the seasoning if needed.

Frequently asked questions

First, season the lamb with a mixture of herbs, salt, and pepper. You can also add garlic and olive oil to the mixture. Then, preheat your air fryer to 360°F / 180°C and place the lamb in the fryer basket. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until it's cooked to your desired level of doneness.

The cooking time will depend on the size of the lamb joint and the type of air fryer used. The best way to check if the lamb is cooked to your liking is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the joint, avoiding the bone. For medium-rare lamb, cook to an internal temperature of 145°F / 63°C. For medium, cook to 70-75°C (157-167°F). For well-done, cook to an internal temperature of 75-80°C (167-176°F).

Yes, you can cook roast potatoes alongside the lamb. Cut the potatoes into cubes, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Then, add the potatoes to the air fryer basket and place the lamb in the middle, cooking until the lamb is done to your liking.

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