These air fryer lamb chops are marinated with garlic, lemon, rosemary and oregano, then cooked until browned on the outside and juicy in the middle. The marinade is simple, the lamb cooks in about 10 minutes and you don’t need to stand over a hot grill. Really, what more do we need?
I use lamb loin chops for this recipe because they fit easily in the air fryer and cook quickly. They also have enough fat to stay tender without needing a complicated cooking method. Just marinate them, add them to the basket and flip once. That’s it.
These Greek-inspired lamb chops are great with tzatziki, roasted potatoes, couscous or a simple salad. I usually add another squeeze of lemon right before serving because lamb and lemon just belong together.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Lamb Chops
- They cook quickly: Once the lamb is marinated, the actual cooking takes about 8 to 10 minutes.
- The marinade does the work: Lemon, garlic, rosemary and oregano give the lamb plenty of flavor without requiring a long list of ingredients.
- No grill required: You still get nicely browned edges without cooking outside or smoking up the kitchen.
- Easy to scale: Make a few chops for dinner or cook them in batches when you’re feeding more people.
- They work with almost any side: Potatoes, rice, salad, pita and tzatziki are all good ideas here.
What Kind of Lamb Chops Should I Use?
I use lamb loin chops, which look a little like tiny T-bone steaks. They’re meaty, tender and easy to arrange in an air fryer basket.
Lamb rib chops, sometimes called lamb lollipops, will also work. Rib chops are usually thinner than loin chops, so begin checking their temperature earlier. If you have an entire rack instead of individual chops, use my Air Fryer Rack of Lamb recipe instead.
The cooking time will depend more on the thickness of the chops than their exact weight. Try to buy chops of similar thickness so they finish cooking at roughly the same time.
Air Fryer Lamb Chops Ingredients
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:
Lamb loin chops: Look for chops that are about 1 to 1½ inches thick. Similar-sized chops will cook more evenly.
Olive oil: This carries the herbs and helps the outside of the lamb brown.
Lemon: I use both the zest and juice. The zest adds concentrated lemon flavor without making the marinade overly acidic.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is best here. Four cloves might sound like a lot, but we’re cooking lamb. It can take it.
Rosemary: Fresh rosemary has a stronger, brighter flavor than dried rosemary and is one of my favorite herbs to use with lamb.
Oregano: Dried oregano gives the marinade that Greek-inspired flavor.
Salt and black pepper: Lamb needs enough salt, especially when it’s cut into individual chops. Season both sides well.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Lamb Chops
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, rosemary, oregano, salt and pepper.
Add the lamb loin chops and turn them until every side is coated in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
I don’t recommend leaving the lamb in the lemon marinade overnight. The acid can start changing the exterior texture of the meat.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for about 3 minutes. Remove the lamb from the refrigerator while the air fryer heats.
Lightly shake the excess marinade from each chop. You want the herbs and garlic to stay on the meat, but you don’t need liquid dripping into the bottom of the basket.
Arrange the chops in a single layer with a little room between them. Air-fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
If your air fryer basket is small, cook the lamb in batches. Crowding the basket blocks the hot air and gives you steamed lamb instead of browned lamb. Nobody requested that.
Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a chop without touching the bone.
The USDA recommends cooking whole cuts of lamb to an internal temperature of 145°F followed by at least a 3-minute rest. Because the temperature can rise as the meat rests, you can remove the chops a few degrees before your target temperature.
Transfer the cooked chops to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes. Finish with chopped parsley and fresh lemon wedges, then serve.
Top Tip
A meat thermometer is much more reliable than cooking strictly by time. One air fryer’s 9 minutes can be another air fryer’s overcooked lamb, especially when the chops vary in thickness.
Start checking at 7 minutes if your chops are thin. You can always cook them for another minute. You cannot uncook a lamb chop. Tragically.
I use the Gourmia Air Fryer, it is my favorite.
How Long to Cook Lamb Chops in the Air Fryer
Lamb loin chops that are approximately 1 to 1½ inches thick generally take 8 to 10 minutes at 400°F, flipped halfway through.
Thinner rib chops may only need 6 to 8 minutes. Very thick loin chops may require 10 to 12 minutes.
Use those times as a guide and check the lamb with an instant-read thermometer. The shape and thickness of the meat, its starting temperature and the air fryer model can all affect the cooking time.
Substitutions
Lamb rib chops: You can use individual rib chops instead of loin chops. Begin checking them earlier because they’re usually thinner.
Dried rosemary: Substitute 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary for the tablespoon of fresh rosemary. Crush it between your fingers before adding it to the marinade.
Thyme: Fresh thyme works well if you don’t have rosemary. It gives the lamb a slightly different flavor but still pairs really well with the garlic and lemon.
Avocado oil: This can replace the olive oil, although olive oil gives the marinade more flavor.
Garlic powder: Fresh garlic is my first choice, but 1 teaspoon of garlic powder works when that’s what you have.
Air Fryer Lamb Chops Variations
Add Dijon mustard: Whisk 1 tablespoon of Dijon into the marinade. It adds tang and helps the herbs stick to the lamb.
Make them spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a little cayenne to the marinade.
Use a Greek yogurt marinade: Replace 1 tablespoon of the olive oil with ¼ cup of plain Greek yogurt. It creates a thicker coating and adds more tang.
Add mint: Mix chopped fresh mint into the finished lamb or serve it on the side. I wouldn’t air-fry the mint because it can darken and lose its fresh flavor.
Use a dry rub: Skip the lemon juice and season the chops with oregano, rosemary, garlic powder, salt, pepper and a little smoked paprika.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Lamb Chops
I love serving these lamb chops with homemade tzatziki. The cold cucumber and yogurt sauce is really good with the warm, garlicky lamb.
You could also serve them with roasted potatoes, couscous, rice or warm pita. Add a cucumber and tomato salad if you want something fresh on the side.
For another lamb option, try my Grilled Lamb Lollipops. My Beef and Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki are another good choice when you want the same Mediterranean flavors in a different format.
If you want a more substantial lamb dinner, the Lamb Sirloin Roast is made with garlic, rosemary, lemon and red wine.
Make Ahead
You can mix the marinade up to 2 days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The lamb can marinate for up to 4 hours. I prefer cooking it shortly before serving because lamb chops are best when they’re hot and freshly browned.
You can also measure the marinade ingredients onto one of my Cilantro Parsley Recipe Card Box Set cards if this becomes one of those recipes you make without needing to reopen your phone every time.
How to Store Air-Fried Lamb Chops
Refrigerator: Let the lamb cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Cooked lamb chops can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually and place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat the chops in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, just until warmed through. Keep an eye on them because reheating lamb for too long will dry it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating helps the chops begin browning as soon as they enter the basket. If your air fryer doesn’t require preheating, follow the manufacturer’s directions and check the lamb’s temperature as it cooks.
Can I put marinated lamb chops directly in the air fryer?
Yes. Lightly shake off the excess liquid first, but leave the garlic and herbs on the meat. Too much wet marinade can interfere with browning and may create smoke in some air fryers.
Can I cook frozen lamb chops in the air fryer?
You can, but I recommend thawing them first for this recipe. Thawed chops absorb the marinade and cook more evenly. Frozen chops will need additional cooking time and won’t pick up as much garlic and lemon flavor.
Why are my lamb chops tough?
They were likely overcooked or didn’t rest after cooking. Lamb loin chops cook quickly, so begin checking them before the full suggested cooking time has passed.
Can I marinate lamb chops overnight?
I would limit this lemon-based marinade to about 4 hours. For an overnight marinade, leave out the lemon juice and add it shortly before cooking.
Can I cook these lamb chops in the oven?
Yes. Arrange them on a baking sheet and roast at 425°F until they reach the desired internal temperature, usually about 10 to 15 minutes depending on thickness. Broil briefly at the end if they need more browning.
Print
Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Garlic and Lemon
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Keto, Low-Carb
Description
These air fryer lamb chops are marinated with garlic, lemon, rosemary and oregano, then cooked in about 10 minutes until browned and juicy.
Ingredients
- 8 lamb loin chops, about 1 to 1½ inches thick
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Tzatziki, optional for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, oregano, salt and black pepper.
- Add the lamb chops and turn until completely coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for about 3 minutes.
- Remove the lamb from the marinade and lightly shake off the excess liquid.
- Arrange the chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air-fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Begin checking thinner chops at 7 minutes.
- Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches your preferred temperature. For food safety, the USDA recommends 145°F followed by at least a 3-minute rest.
- Transfer the chops to a plate and rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges and tzatziki.
Notes
Cooking time varies depending on the thickness of the lamb chops and the air fryer model. Avoid overcrowding the basket, and use an instant-read thermometer for the most reliable result.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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