These air fryer lamb chops are an easy and flavourful addition to any meal, made in just 10 minutes! They are marinated with lots of garlic and fresh thyme for a simple and delicious weeknight dinner.
Looking for more air fryer dinners? Try my air fryer pork chops, air fryer steak or air fryer chicken schnitzel next.
Lamb chops are something I grew up eating but are not something I have cooked a lot as an adult for the simple reason that I find they can be super messy to cook. Being quite a fatty cut of meat, the clean up can be a bit of a pain but with the air fryer, it contains it all and can really simply be washed away. Just another reason I am loving creating all the air fryer recipes at the moment!
These lamb loin chops are marinated in loads of fresh garlic and herbs and then cooked until perfectly medium so they stay nice and juicy and tender. Served simply with some sides of mashed potatoes, roasted broccolini, and an easy chimichurri, this is the easiest weeknight meal that is still sure to impress friends and family.
The air fryer works its magic on these lamb chops as the air circulates around the meat leaving the lamb browned on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.
Key Ingredients
You really don’t need a lot to make these deliciously tender lamb chops in the air fryer. A simple marinade helps lock in the moisture and enhances the flavour of the meat to ensure you’re making the most of this delicious cut.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Lamb loin chops – these small, T-bone-shaped cuts are naturally tender, juicy, and have a mild flavour, making them perfect for quick cooking. You can also use lamb cutlets (rib chops) or forequarter chops, but you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
- Olive oil – forms the base of the marinade, helping to lock in moisture and enhance flavour.
- Garlic – I don’t like to hold back on garlic when it comes to lamb, so I use 3 decent-sized cloves for a bold flavour, but you can adjust based on your taste.
- Fresh thyme or rosemary – both add incredible flavour to the lamb. I’m using thyme, but rosemary works just as well. You could also swap in fresh oregano for a slightly different flavour if you prefer.
- Salt and pepper – a generous amount of seasoning is key to bringing out the best taste for the lamb.
Equipment and Tools
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Air fryer – It’s no surprise you’ll need an air fryer to make this recipe. This is the one I have which I love and use a lot! It is perfect for 2 people, but if you’re feeding a family look for an XL or XXL size.
Step-By-Step Instructions
These lamb chops are really simple to prepare. We start by trimming off any excess fat from the meat. You want there still to be some, but any large bits you can get rid of as due to the short cooking time they won’t get a chance to render.
Next, place your lamb into a bowl with the olive oil, minced garlic, fresh herbs and a good seasoning of salt and pepper. Pop the lamb in the fridge to marinate for at least an hour to really allow the flavours to absorb into the meat.
While the lamb is marinating you can start to prep your sides as the lamb cooks super quick.
When ready, place the lamb in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer (to allow the air to circulate) and cook for 7-8 minutes depending on the thickness of your lamb chops, turning once halfway through cooking.
👉Tip! A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure your lamb chops (or any meat) are cooked to perfection. This is one kitchen tool that has completely changed the way I cook meat. Instead of guessing, a quick temperature check guarantees the meat is safe to eat while staying juicy and tender. This is the meat thermometer I use – it’s inexpensive and is super easy to use.
Honestly one of my favourite things about cooking using the air fryer is that you do not have to think until the timer goes off. You just set it, busy yourself with preparing the sides or enjoying a wine, and then the timer beeps and you have perfectly cooked meat without having to watch it over a hot stove.
Once the lamb is cooked, allow it to rest for about 5 minutes and serve. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket and your chops, you may need to cook them in batches.
What to serve with air fryer lamb chops
You can choose to serve your lamb chops with any of your favourite side dishes. Some ideas are:
- Dairy free mashed potatoes, air fryer roasted potatoes or smashed potatoes
- Roasted or steamed vegetables such as green beans, or asparagus
- Air Fryer Broccolini
- A simple fresh salad, like this mango and avocado salad or a Greek salad
- Dairy free potato salad
- A herby sauce such as dairy free tzatziki or chimichurri (as pictured)
- Oven-baked potato wedges with herb mayo
Recipe FAQs
Yes, depending on what you can find or like, you can use this recipe for the following cuts as well;
Lamb Cutlets (Rib Chops): Taken from the rack, these are leaner, smaller, and cook even faster so reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
Lamb Forequarter Chops: These are a more affordable cut from the shoulder, and have more connective tissue therefore need a slightly longer cooking time. Add 2-3 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature:
Medium-rare: 57°C (135°F)
Medium: 63°C (145°F)
Well-done: 71°C (160°F)
While marinating enhances the flavour, if you’re short on time you can coat the chops with the oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper just before cooking and still get delicious results.
Keep any leftover lamb in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the chops in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 3-4 minutes or until warmed through.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More lamb recipes:
Red Wine Braised Lamb Shanks
Greek-Style Lamb Pitas
Lamb and Roasted Eggplant Tart
Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Equipment
Ingredients
- 450-500 grams lamb loin chops approximately 6 chops
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat from the lamb chops if needed and place them in a large bowl.
- Add the olive oil, crushed garlic, and chopped thyme (or rosemary). Season generously with salt and pepper, then mix well to coat the lamb chops evenly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight, to marinate.
- When ready to cook, preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- Arrange the lamb chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- The lamb chops are medium when the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F). For medium-rare, aim for 57°C (135°F), and for well-done, 71°C (160°F).
- Remove from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
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