Cody Casey
Cooking butterflied lamb in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious lamb roast. The air fryer ensures the lamb develops a nice crust on the outside while staying tender and moist on the inside. It is also more energy-efficient than using an oven. The cooking time will depend on the size of the lamb joint and the type of air fryer used, so a digital thermometer is the best way to ensure the lamb is cooked to your liking. To prepare the lamb, simply season with salt, pepper, olive oil, and herbs, and then air fry.
How to cook butterflied lamb in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking oil | Light olive oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil |
| Temperature | 360°F / 180°C |
| Cooking time | 20 minutes or until done to your liking |
| Resting time | 10 minutes |
| Meat temperature | 145°F / 63°C for medium-rare |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, thyme |
| Sides | Potatoes, carrots, peas, gravy, salad, wraps, pita bread |
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What You'll Learn
Seasoning the lamb
Take the lamb out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. This step helps the lamb cook more evenly and quickly.
Pat the lamb dry with paper towels. It is important to remove any excess moisture from the surface of the meat before seasoning and cooking.
Prepare your chosen seasonings. A simple and classic combination is fresh rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. You can also add other herbs and spices, such as garlic powder, dried rosemary, or even pre-made seasoning mixes like Moroccan or Greek spices. If you're using fresh rosemary, remember to pick the leaves and chop them finely.
Drizzle the lamb generously with your chosen cooking oil. Light olive oil is a good option, but you can also use other cooking oils with a high smoke point, like vegetable oil or avocado oil.
Add your selected herbs, salt, and pepper to the lamb. You can sprinkle them directly onto the meat or mix them with the oil on a plate and then roll the lamb in the herb-oil mixture. This technique ensures an even coating of herbs and oil on the lamb's surface.
Using a sharp knife, make small slits on the lamb's skin. Insert thin slices of garlic cloves into these slits to infuse the lamb with garlic flavour. You can also add bashed garlic cloves to the air fryer basket during cooking for a more subtle garlic aroma.
Once the lamb is seasoned, it's almost ready for the air fryer. However, if you have time, you can let the lamb rest with the dry seasoning for a while. This allows the flavours to penetrate the meat, enhancing the taste.
Finally, place the seasoned lamb in the air fryer basket, ensuring it fits well without sticking up too much. If desired, add some extra sprigs of rosemary or garlic cloves to the basket for an extra punch of flavour.
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Cooking temperature and time
The cooking temperature and time for butterflied lamb in an air fryer will depend on how you like your lamb cooked, the size of the lamb joint, and the type of air fryer you are using. It is recommended to cook to temperature rather than time, so a meat thermometer is a good tool to have for this recipe. The USDA states that roast lamb should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F / 63°C for medium-rare. For medium, aim for an internal temperature of 157-167°F / 70-75°C, and for well-done, the internal temperature should be 167-176°F / 75-80°C.
One recipe suggests cooking butterflied lamb at 200°C for 10 minutes to develop a nice crust, then lowering the heat to 180°C and cooking for another 30-40 minutes, or until the core meat temperature reaches 145°F / 63°C. Another recipe with a similar cooking time recommends cooking at 400°F / 200°C for 20 minutes, then lowering the heat to 325°F / 160°C and cooking for an additional 45 minutes.
If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat mode, you can simply set it to air fry for 3-4 minutes before adding the lamb. It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and weight of the lamb joint, so it's recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure the lamb is cooked to your desired doneness. As a guideline, estimate 10 minutes per pound / 450g for rare, then add five minutes for each degree of doneness that you prefer.
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Choosing the right cut of lamb
When it comes to choosing the right cut of lamb for your air fryer, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, you need to ensure that the lamb joint fits comfortably in the basket of your air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer, consider a smaller lamb joint, such as a half leg joint, or other cuts like butterflied leg or boneless shoulder. These cuts are ideal for air frying as they cook quickly and evenly, resulting in tender and moist lamb with a nice crust.
Another factor to consider is the gaminess of the lamb. If you prefer a milder flavour, opt for lamb leg chops as they have less of a gamey taste. However, keep in mind that these chops are usually more expensive. Alternatively, if you enjoy the gaminess of lamb, you can enhance that flavour by cooking the lamb past medium-rare.
For those who prefer lamb chops, choose thicker cuts with the bone intact. Lamb loin chops, lamb shoulder chops, or rib chops are excellent choices, but they will require a slightly longer cooking time. If you're looking for a quick and easy option, lamb chops marinated in red wine vinegar and herbs are perfect for air frying. This combination results in tender and juicy chops with a nice crust, ready to serve in just a few minutes.
Lastly, consider the desired doneness of your lamb. The cooking time and temperature will depend on whether you prefer your lamb rare, medium-rare, medium, or well-done. Adjust your air fryer settings accordingly and always use a meat thermometer to ensure your lamb is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
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Preparing the lamb for cooking
To prepare your butterflied lamb for cooking in an air fryer, start by taking the lamb out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to cook it. This will allow it to come to room temperature and ensure even cooking.
Next, you'll want to season the lamb. You can use a variety of herbs and spices for this, such as rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and garlic. If you're using fresh rosemary, be sure to chop the leaves finely before using them. You can also add some olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice to help the seasonings stick to the meat. Either drizzle the oil over the lamb and rub it in or mix the oil with the seasonings on a plate and roll the lamb in it.
If you want to get some extra flavour into the meat, you can use a sharp knife to make small cuts or slits in the lamb and push slices of garlic into them.
Finally, if you're using a particularly powerful air fryer brand like the Ninja Foodi, you may want to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes to avoid overcooking the lamb.
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Side dishes and sauces
While your butterflied lamb is cooking in the air fryer, you can prepare some side dishes and sauces to go with it. Here are some ideas:
Side Dishes
- Roasted vegetables — Carrots, peas, and potatoes are classic choices to serve with lamb. Cut the potatoes into thick wedges, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, oregano, garlic granules, and a squeeze of lemon. Place them in the air fryer basket alongside the lamb.
- Salad — A fresh salad can complement the richness of the lamb.
- Wraps or pita bread — For a more casual meal, serve the lamb in wraps or pita bread with a garlic yogurt sauce or tzatziki for a Greek-inspired touch.
- Asparagus — Oven-roasted asparagus is a delicious and elegant side dish that pairs well with lamb.
- Beets — Try sautéed beet greens, or sweet roasted carrots and beets for a colourful and nutritious addition.
Sauces
- Chimichurri — A traditional Argentine sauce made with herbs, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil. It adds a fresh and tangy flavour to the lamb.
- Mint sauce — A classic British condiment for lamb, made by mixing finely chopped fresh mint with a sprinkle of sugar and a splash of vinegar. Adjust the quantities to taste.
- Garlic yogurt — A creamy and tangy sauce made by mixing yogurt with garlic. It's a perfect complement to the lamb, especially when served in wraps or pita bread.
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