Air Fryer Lamb Chops, marinated and then cooked in just 7 minutes, for one of those super flavorful, easy dinner ideas that everyone will love! They come out tender and juicy inside with a crisp sear!
Easter is almost here!
There are several main dishes that would make great additions to your table: Slow cooker ham with orange glaze, baked salmon, braised lamb shanks, and of course, these quick and easy lamb chops in the air fryer.
The Best Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Lamb has a robust taste that is slightly gamey and grassy, making a great variation to several meat cuts, poultry, and seafood without the hassle.
A real plus is you can cook these lamb chops fast and leave your oven free for baking your desserts and other dishes.
The rib cut, 1-inch thick, can be cooked in 5-7 minutes (medium-rare) in a 400°F (204° C) preheated air fryer.
It is key to let them rest, tented, for 5 minutes before slicing in order to retain their juices.
The great thing is you can marinate them ahead using simple ingredients such as oil, an acid (vinegar), seasonings, and herbs.
This air fryer lamb chop recipe is keto, gluten-free, high protein, and dairy-free.
Secrets and Tips
- Marinate them first for at least 30-60 minutes and up to 4-5 hours.
- Remove them from the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking them.
- Cook them in a preheated air fryer at a high temperature (400 degrees F) to obtain a good seared crust.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket so they can cook evenly!
- Let them rest, tented, for 5 minutes before slicing in order to retain the juices.
What cut is lamb chops?
There are different cuts of lamb.
However, lamb chops can come from the rib, loin, sirloin, and shoulder of the animal. Ours are lamb rib chops that come from the ribs.
You can cook them for about 7 minutes in the air fryer (medium-rare).
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are a few simple ingredients you’ll need to marinade our air fryer lamb chops. They will flavor and tenderize the chops:
- Olive oil – You can use either regular or extra virgin olive oil. Along with the red wine vinegar and other ingredients, it is used to make the herb marinade.
- Red wine vinegar – It is the acidic ingredient for this simple marinade but you can replace it with another type of acid such as fresh lemon juice, lime juice, red wine, apple cider vinegar, etc
- Garlic –Fresh garlic will boost the flavor of our marinated lamb chops in the air fryer. But if you prefer you can use garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, etc
- Taco seasoning – You can use a store-bought one or this homemade keto taco seasoning. But make sure to taste the seasoning and adjust the salt to your taste before marinating the chops. You may replace it with Cajun seasoning, Zaatar, or other of choice.
- Oregano – You used dried oregano but you can use another dried herb of choice such as rosemary, thyme, Italian seasoning, If using fresh herbs, double the amount that you’d use for dried herbs. Fresh mint is a great choice too!
- Lamb chops – we used lamb rib chops, 1-inch thick which cook for about 7 minutes (medium-rare) in the air fryer. But you can use different types of lamb chops coming from the loin, sirloin, or shoulder. Make sure to adjust the cooking time.
- Chimichurri sauce – It is the homemade sauce that we serve with the air fryer lamb chops. You may replace it with another sauce of choice.
How to make lamb chops in the air fryer
- Make the chimichurri sauce and reserve! See the recipe card NOTES! SEE PIC. 1
- Meanwhile, in a large plastic sealable bag, combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, taco seasoning, and oregano. Shake to combine and then add the lamb chops, rubbing the marinade into the meat in order to coat. SEE PIC. 2
- Seal the plastic bag and chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then transfer the bag to the counter to marinate for extra 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204° C).
- Place lamb chops into the air fryer basket in a single layer but do NOT overcrowd it. SEE PIC. 3 For medium-rare (135° F or 57° C final internal temperature), cook the chops for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway. Internal temperatures: 125°F is rare, 135° F is medium-rare, 145°F is medium and 150°-160° F is medium-well to well-done.
- Repeat the cooking process with the remaining chops, if any. It will depend on the size of your air fryer basket. SEE PIC. 4 Make sure to allow the juicy lamb chops to rest, tented with foil, for 5 minutes before serving with the chimichurri sauce.
How to make chimichurri sauce
In a medium bowl, mix well:
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ cup finely chopped parsley
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small red chili, de-seeded and finely chopped
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
Let the sauce sit for at least 10 minutes to 1 hour to release all of the flavors into the oil before using.
But you can prepare this easy recipe up to 24 hours ahead and chill it, covered, in the fridge.
This is the authentic Argentinian chimichurri. The ingredients are finely chopped, presenting a chunky texture.
But if you are in a hurry, you can process them in a food processor although the consistency won’t be the same.
How do you know when the lamb is cooked?
The best way to find out is by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the lamb chops, without touching the bone.
The cooking time may vary depending on their thickness, weight, where the cut comes from (rib, loin, sirloin, or shoulder), desired level of doneness, and the air fryer temperature.
But it usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Here are the internal temperatures that you can cook the lamb meat to:
- 125°F(rare),
- 135° F (medium-rare),
- 145°F (medium),
- 150°-160° F (medium-well to well-done).
When cooked past medium, the gamey flavor of the lamb becomes stronger.
How long to marinate air-fried lamb chops
Lamb chops are fairly tender cuts of meat.
Because we use an acidic ingredient in the marinade (red wine vinegar), 30-60 minutes are enough to infuse flavor and tenderize the meat.
If you prefer to marinate for longer, please do not pass 4-5 hours; otherwise, the acid will start breaking down the fibers too much and leave a mushy mess.
What to serve with
You can serve this easy air fryer recipe for quick weeknight dinners, on date nights, or as an elegant meal on Easter.
These cooked lamb chops pair well with many side dishes such as:
· Roasted carrots and parsnips
- Mashed potatoes
- Cauliflower mash
- Raw salad
- Steamed green beans
- Instant Pot Brussels sprouts
- Yuca fries
Storage
Keep cool leftovers in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze them for up to 2 months, wrapped in plastic wrap, and then placed inside a freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag.
Thaw them in the fridge overnight. Reheat individual chops, covered, in the microwave for up to 1-2 minutes or until hot.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Other lamb recipes
PIN & ENJOY!
Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Equipment
- 1 bowl
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tablespoon store-bought taco seasoning or homemade keto taco seasoning taste the seasoning and adjust the salt to your taste before seasoning the chops.
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 lb lamb chops from the Rib, 1-inch thick
- Chimichurri sauce to serve with -- OPTIONAL – See recipe below
Instructions
- Make the chimichurri sauce and reserve! See the recipe card NOTES!
- Meanwhile, in a large plastic sealable bag, combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, taco seasoning, and oregano. Shake to combine and then add the lamb chops, rubbing the marinade into the meat in order to coat.
- Seal the plastic bag and chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then transfer the bag to the counter to marinate for extra 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204° C).
- Place lamb chops into the air fryer basket in a single layer but do NOT overcrowd it. For medium-rare (135° F or 57° C final internal temperature), cook the chops for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway. Internal temperatures: 125°F is rare, 135° F is medium-rare, 145°F is medium and 150°-160° F is medium-well to well-done.
- Repeat the cooking process with the remaining chops, if any. It will depend on the size of your air fryer basket. Make sure to allow the juicy lamb chops to rest, tented with foil, for 5 minutes before serving with the chimichurri sauce.
Recipe Notes
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ cup finely chopped parsley
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small red chili, de-seeded and finely chopped
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- Marinate them first for at least 30-60 minutes and up to 4-5 hours.
- Remove them from the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking them.
- Cook them in a preheated air fryer at a high temperature (400 degrees F) to obtain a good seared crust.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket so they can cook evenly!
- Let them rest, tented, for 5 minutes before slicing in order to retain the juices.
Nutrition
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Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Yum! Lamb is my favorite red meat. Yours looks so succulent and good. Really great recipe -- thanks.