Air Fryer Lamb
Air fryer lamb chops are ready in 10 minutes at 200°C, with golden, crisp-edged fat and meat that stays pink and juicy in the middle. Garlic, rosemary and olive oil are all the seasoning you need. Use a meat thermometer for the exact doneness you like, then rest the chops for 5 minutes before serving with mint sauce and roast potatoes.
- Total
- 28 min
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 13 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 470kcal
Choosing the ingredients for air fryer lamb
Loin chops cook best here. They are tender, with a small bone and a strip of fat that crisps at the edge. Cutlets are thinner and finish a few minutes sooner, while chump chops are thicker and need longer. Aim for chops of about 2.5cm so the outside colours while the middle stays pink.
Fresh rosemary is lovely, but dried does the job. Thyme or oregano work if you have no rosemary. Grating the garlic into the oil, rather than slicing it, spreads it evenly and helps it to stick without catching.
Step-by-step air fryer lamb
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Season Pat the chops dry with kitchen paper. Mix the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper in a small bowl and rub the mixture over both sides of each chop.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200°C for so the basket is hot when the lamb goes in.
- Cook Lay the chops in a single layer in the basket, with a little space between them, and cook for . Turn them with tongs and cook for another .
- Check the temperature Push a meat thermometer into the thickest part of a chop, away from the bone. Take the lamb out at 52–54°C for medium-rare, 57–60°C for medium or 70°C for well done. If it needs longer, add at a time.
- Rest Move the chops to a warm plate, cover loosely with foil and leave them for . The temperature will rise by a few degrees as they rest.
- Serve Spoon over any juices from the plate and serve with mint sauce and a wedge of lemon.
Serving and what comes next
Roast potatoes, buttered peas or green beans and a spoonful of mint sauce turn it into a proper plate. A squeeze of lemon sharpens the richness.
Cooking for a crowd or want a bigger joint? Air fryer lamb rump roast uses a similar rub. On the hob, pan-fried lamb chops are a good alternative when the air fryer is busy.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Lamb
- The chops are well done and tough in the middle.
- They cooked for too long or were cut thinner than 2.5cm. Check the temperature after 8 minutes, and remove them about 3°C before your target as they keep cooking while they rest.
- The fat is pale and chewy rather than crisp.
- Score the fat lightly with a sharp knife before seasoning so it can render, then add 1–2 minutes at the end if the edge is still pale, checking the temperature again.
- The air fryer smokes while cooking.
- Lamb fat drips and burns in the drawer at 200°C. Trim any very thick fat from the chops, and wipe out the drawer between batches.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Lamb
How long do you cook lamb chops in the air fryer?
Ten minutes at 200°C for chops 2.5cm thick, turned halfway, gives medium. Cook for 8 minutes for medium-rare or 12 minutes for well done. Thin cutlets of around 1.5cm need 6–7 minutes.
What temperature should lamb chops be?
For whole cuts like chops, 52–54°C is medium-rare, 57–60°C is medium and 70°C is well done. Lamb mince and sausages must always be cooked until steaming hot all the way through.
Can you cook lamb chops from frozen?
No. Thaw them in the fridge overnight, then pat them dry. Cooking from frozen burns the outside before the middle is ready.
Can I cook lamb chops in the oven instead?
Yes. Roast them on a baking tray at 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6, for 12–15 minutes, turning them halfway, then rest for 5 minutes.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 77 ratings
