Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Rosemary & Garlic
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These Air Fryer Lamb Chops are juicy and flavorful with a crispy crust. This easy recipe is the fastest way to cook lamb chops, cutlets or a rack of lamb. They marinate briefly in garlic, rosemary and olive oil before cooking for just 10-12 minutes at 400°F!
When it comes to air fryer recipes, these garlic and rosemary lamb chops are one of my absolute favorites! They’re full of flavor and cook in as little as 10-12 minutes. I promise you: once you learn to cook lamb chops in the air fryer, you’ll never go back to the oven!
Here we’re using a classic rosemary garlic marinade using olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Just toss the lamb in it and let it marinate to enhance the flavors of the meat.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Lamb
- Lamb Chops: You can use loin chops (look like mini T-bone steaks) or rib chops (long bone extending out). Other options include sirloin or blade chops, cutlets or a rack of lamb.
- Olive Oil: Refined olive oil is what you want, as extra virgin olive oil may smoke. If you don’t have any, you can use canola, sunflower or safflower oil.
- Rosemary: It adds a smoky, flavorful boost to the lamb seasoning. You can use fresh or dried rosemary.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic or bottled minced garlic.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon helps tenderize the meat while adding flavor. Use storebought lemon juice in a pinch.
- Salt & Pepper: You can use table salt, coarse salt or kosher salt as you like. Freshly ground black pepper works the best.
You’ll also need an air fryer for this recipe, and my favorite brand is Ninja Air Fryer. Mine has 4-quart capacity, and I cook 5 chops at a time to avoid overcrowding.
How to Cook Lamb Chops in an Air Fryer
1. Make the Marinade: Mix the garlic, rosemary, olive oil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.
2. Marinate the Lamb: Add the lamb chops and toss to coat. Set aside to marinate for as little as 10 minutes up to 2 hours.
3. Place in the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 390-400°F (about 3 minutes). Take the basket out and add the lamb chops, spacing evenly into one layer. (Cook in batches for smaller air fryers.)
4. Cook the Chops: Cook for 5-6 minutes. Then remove the basket and flip the chops. Cook 5-6 minutes more or to desired doneness.
Let the lamb rest undisturbed for 3 minutes before serving for the juiciest meat.
How to Tell When it’s Done?
Cooking time depends mainly on the thickness of the chops and how full your air fryer basket is. You’ll reach medium-rare in 10-12 minutes for room temperature loin chops, or 12-14 minutes for chilled loin chops.
Since there’s always some variation in chop sizes and air fryers, use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness. Simply insert the probe into the center of one of the larger chops in the basket and compare against the guidelines below:
| Lamb Doneness | Internal Temperature | Color |
| Rare | 125°F | Cool red center |
| Medium-rare | 135°F | Warm red center |
| Medium | 145°F | Pink center |
| Medium-well | 150°F | Slight pink center |
| Well-done | 155-160°F | Little or no pink |
Note: The temperature will rise another 5°F, since the meat keeps cooking while resting. Note that the USDA suggests 145°F plus a 3 minute rest period as the safe temperature for lamb.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Lamb Chops
- Buy lamb chops of the same thickness so they cook evenly.
- A large air fryer will let you cook everything at once. If you’re using a smaller one, you may need to cook in batches.
- To avoid overcooking, try cooking for 5 minutes per side as a baseline for medium-rare. Then add more time to reach your desired doneness if needed.
What’s the Best Temperature to Cook Lamb Chops in an Air Fryer and for How Long?
I recommend cooking them at 400°F (218°C) for a crispy crust, although manufacturers suggest 390°F. They will typically take 5-7 minutes per side for medium-rare, although time will vary by thickness of the chops, how full the basket is and your desired doneness.
Can I Cook Frozen Lamb Chops in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen lamb chops in the air fryer at 390°F for 15-20 minutes. Note they will not be as juicy as fresh or thawed lamb chops.
What to Serve with Lamb Chops?
Lamb chops are very versatile go well with mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, steamed rice and other starches. For vegetables, think green beans, broccoli, carrots, parsnips and more!
Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Ingredients
- 1 pound lamb chops, about 4-5 chops (see note)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, see note
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoons fresh rosemary, or 1 teaspoons dried, chopped (see note)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, rosemary, salt and pepper together. Add the lamb and toss to coat. Set aside to marinate for as little as 10 minutes up to 2 hours (see note).
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Once hot, remove the basket and use tongs to put in the chops, ideally in a single layer. (If you’re using a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.)
- Put the basket back into the air fryer. Set the timer for 5-7 minutes depending on thickness and temperature of the chops, and then let the chops cook.
- Take out the basket and flip the lamb chops using the tongs. Set the timer for 5-7 minutes more for medium-rare.
- Check doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the middle of a large chop: 125°F is rare, 135°F is medium-rare, 145°F is medium and 150-160°F is medium-well to well-done. You can put the lamb back in for a few more minutes to reach your desired doneness.
- Let the lamb rest for 3 minutes to let the juices redistribute before serving.
Notes
- Lamb chops: Try to get loin chops or rib chops about 1-2 inches thick. You can also substitute sirloin chops, blade chops, lamb cutlets or a rack of lamb.
- Olive oil: Use refined olive oil or another high-temperature oil like canola, as extra virgin olive oil will smoke.
- Rosemary: If you don’t have rosemary, use thyme, oregano or sage instead.
- Marinating: Let the chops marinate at room temperature, as the meat will cook more evenly when they’re not straight out of the refrigerator.
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We did ours at 400 for 5min, flip then 6 min and the rest (essential). First time doing red meat in the AF and I am significantly impressed! Thanks!
The marinade is wonderful & so easy, I cooked rack of lamb today.it’s so tender & juicy. I cooked lamb short loin chops the other day & I would never cook them any other way .Thank you.
Hi Barbara, Thanks for your feedback and I know what you mean! So tasty, quick and easy….
Great recipe, husband and kids loved it!
I added 10 more minutes to cooking times for a well done finish (and think my chops were chubbier).
Loved the flavor (I prepared the coating and coated in the morning and cooked around 6pm) and super easy to follow recipe.
Thanks!
Hi Tammy, That’s so great to hear and thanks for your feedback!