Air Fryer Lamb Chops
This delicious air fryer lamb chops recipe is delicious and easy to make. They are so juicy and succulent in a fresh herb and lemon marinade. Perfect for either a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
The lamb chops
Lamb chops are meat cut from a lamb’s rib, loin, or shoulder. They are typically small, tender, and flavorful.
They are an ideal ingredient for air frying. You could also use lamb cutlets from a rack of lamb. The main difference between lamb cutlets and lamb chops is cutlets are usually cut closer to the bone and may have more meat on them. They are often considered a more upscale or fancy version of lamb chops and are typically more expensive.
The chops are marinaded first to impart a delicious flavor to the meat. It’s best to do this well in advance. If you’re short on time, let them marinate for at least an hour, but you can marinate them for up to 24 hours.
For another delicious dish, try these air fryer portobello mushrooms!
Ingredients
You need a handful of ingredients for this easy recipe. Find the simple ingredients listed in the printable recipe card at the end of this post. Here is a rundown of what you will need.
- Lamb chops. This recipe uses lamb loin chops, but you can also use lamb shoulder chops and lamb rib chops.
- Extra virgin olive oil.
- Fresh herbs – Both fresh rosemary and thyme bring a wonderful flavor. You could also use fresh mint.
- Lemon zest and lemon juice
- Fresh garlic. Minced
- Salt.
- Black pepper. To taste
Cooking lamb chops
If you want to make a leaner dish, you can chop off some excess fat from the outside but keep the fat inside the chop. This keeps it moist.
Place lamb chops in a large bowl or large Ziploc bag. Drizzle over olive oil, and add rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, garlic, salt, & pepper. Toss it all together in this herb marinade to coat.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least an hour or up to 24 hours.
Place the lamb chops in an air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air Fry at 400°F/200°C for 7 minutes.
Flip the chops and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until cooked to your liking.
The exact cooking time will also depend on the thickness of the lamb chops. The temperature of the meat will continue to rise a few degrees as it rests, so remove it from the air fryer a few degrees below your target temperature.
Let the cooked lamb chops rest for a few minutes before serving.
Lamb cooking temperatures
The best way to check the level of doneness of lamb is using a meat thermometer.
Insert the thermometer: Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the lamb chop, ensuring the thermometer does not touch the bone.
Wait for the thermometer to stabilize and give you a temperature reading. The ideal temperature for lamb chops depends on how you prefer them cooked. Here are some guidelines:
- Medium-rare lamb: 125°F (50°C)
- Medium doneness : 130°F (55°C)
- Medium-well : 145°F (71°C)
Once the lamb chops reach the desired temperature, remove them from the heat source and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Remember that when cooking meat, the temperature of the meat will continue to rise a few degrees as it rests, so take it off the heat source a few degrees below your target temperature.
Storing
Leftover air fry lamb chops can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
They can be reheated in the air fryer.
The uncooked lamb chops can also be frozen in their marinade for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then cook as per the recipe.
More air fryer recipes
Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Succulent air fryer lamb chops in a fresh herb and lemon marinade.
Ingredients
- 6-8 lamb chops
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the lamb chops to a large bowl. Drizzle over olive oil and lemon juice, and add rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, garlic, salt, & pepper. Toss it all together to coat.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least an hour or up to 24 hours.
- Place the lamb chops in an air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air Fry at 400°F/200°C for 7 minutes.
- Flip the cutlets and cook for 2-3 minutes until cooked to your liking.
- Let the chops rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Lamb cooking temperatures
The best way to check the level of doneness of lamb is using a meat thermometer.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 285Total Fat 22gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 66mgSodium 412mgCarbohydrates 1gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 21g
Love your lamb loins recipe. I struggle to make sure the meat is never too dry for my fussy grandchildren. This did it!! 😀.
So happy to read this Jean!