Air fryer lamb chops are a fast way to cook tender lamb loin T-bone style chops without using the stovetop or broiler. The outside gets sizzling and browned while the inside stays juicy, from pink to well done, in about 15 minutes.
Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Lamb Chops Recipe
The air fryer makes lamb chops easier to cook on a busy night because you don't have to heat the oven, turn on the broiler, or clean up stovetop splatter. The chops cook quickly in any simple basket-style air fryer, with browned edges and very little hands-on work.
- No stovetop or broiler hassle: The air fryer gives the chops browned edges without grease splatter on the stove or heating up the oven.
- Quick lamb dinner: Lamb loin chops cook fast, so you can have a tender lamb dinner on the table in 15 minutes.
- Tender lamb chops: Lamb loin chops are small T-bone style chops with mild lamb flavor and a meaty, juicy texture.
Ingredients Overview
Lamb loin chops are the best fit for this recipe because they are small, tender, and shaped like miniature T-bone steaks. Look for chops about 1¼ to 1½ inches thick, and plan on about two small chops per person.
Coarse salt, cracked black pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, and butter keep the flavor simple so the lamb stays the focus.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Season the lamb chops, arrange them in a single layer, and air fry them at high heat until the outside is sizzling and the centers are cooked the way you like them. The photo guide below shows the process step-by-step.
💡 Pro Tip
For an even milder lamb flavor, marinate the chops in this lamb marinade or any Italian dressing for 1 hour or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
Step 1: Lay your lamb chops on a cutting board. Brush each with some olive oil and season with coarse salt, fresh cracked black pepper, and a few leaves of bruised, fresh rosemary.
Step 2: Place the lamb chops in the air fryer basket grill.
Step 3: Set the air fryer temperature to 400℉, and the time to 8 minutes. You do not need to turn the chops over.
Check at 8 minutes with an instant read thermometer to see if the chops are cooked the way you prefer.
Lamb chops are safely cooked at 145℉, and you can cook them a few minutes longer if you prefer them more done.
Step 4: Melt some butter on top of the lamb chops, and serve immediately while hot with your favorite sides.
Serving Suggestions
Serve air fryer lamb chops with sides that can be ready before the chops go into the air fryer. Roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots, or a side of cheesy mashed potatoes all work well with the mild lamb flavor and simple rosemary seasoning.
Prepare your sides and salads before the lamb chops go into the air fryer. These chops cook fast and are best served hot while the edges are still sizzling.
Substitutions and Variations
Small changes can shift the flavor while keeping the same quick air fryer method.
- Use rib chops: Lamb rib chops can be cooked in the air fryer too, but thinner chops may cook faster than loin chops.
- Swap the rosemary: Fresh thyme, oregano, or parsley all work well with lamb.
- Add lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon after cooking brightens the flavor without changing the cook time.
- Use olive oil: Brush the chops lightly with olive oil instead of butter if you prefer.
- Try a quick marinade: Italian dressing, lemon-garlic marinade, or Greek-style herbs can be used before seasoning and air frying.
Tips for Success
A few small details help the chops cook evenly and stay tender.
- Use similar-sized chops: Chops that are close in thickness will cook more evenly in the same batch.
- Skip the preheat: Air fryers heat quickly, so there is no need for a preheat before cooking these small lamb chops.
- Do not crowd the basket: Arrange the chops in a single layer so hot air can move around them.
- Check at 8 minutes: Lamb loin chops are small and cook quickly, so check early if you like the centers still slightly pink.
- Cook sides first: Lamb loin chops cook quickly, so potatoes, vegetables, or salad should be mostly ready before the chops go in.
Storage Options
Lamb chops are best freshly cooked, but leftovers can still be saved for another meal.
- Refrigerate: Store leftover lamb chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently: Warm leftovers in the air fryer at a lower temperature just until heated through so the meat does not dry out.
- Slice for leftovers: Remove the meat from the bone and slice it for salads, wraps, rice bowls, or quick lunches.
- Freezing: Cooked lamb chops can be frozen, but the texture is better when they are eaten fresh or refrigerated for short-term leftovers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Lamb loin chops usually take about 8 minutes at 400°F, depending on thickness and preferred doneness. Thinner chops may cook faster, while thicker chops may need a few extra minutes.
Lamb loin chops work especially well because they are tender, meaty, and shaped like small T-bone steaks. Their thickness helps them brown on the outside while staying juicy inside.
Start with fresh lamb loin chops, use herbs such as rosemary or thyme, and avoid overcooking. A short marinade with Italian dressing, lemon, garlic, or herbs can also mellow the lamb flavor.
Lamb chops are usually tough because they were overcooked. Check them early and cook them only to your preferred doneness.
Fresh or fully thawed lamb chops cook more evenly and are easier to season. For the best texture, thaw frozen lamb chops in the refrigerator before air frying.
Quick Dinner Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Basting Brush
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs lamb loin chops 8 small t-bone lamb chops, about 3 oz each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt coarse
- ½ teaspoon black pepper coarse ground
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 sprigs rosemary fresh slightly bruise the leaves
- 2 teaspoon butter optional
Marinade (optional)
- ½ cup Italian salad dressing or lamb marinade
Instructions
- If planning to marinate, use a plastic zipper bag or small dish and add your marinade. Cover and chill for one hour, or overnight.½ cup Italian salad dressing
- Lay your lamb chops on a cutting board. Brush each with some olive oil and season with coarse salt, fresh cracked black pepper, garlic powder, and a few leaves of bruised, fresh rosemary.1½ lbs lamb loin chops, ¾ teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 2 sprigs rosemary fresh
- Place the lamb chops in the air fryer basket grill.
- Set the air fryer temperature to 400℉, and the time to 8 minutes. You do not need to turn the chops over.
- Check at 8 minutes with an instant read thermometer to see if the chops are cooked the way you prefer. Lamb chops are safely cooked at 145℉, and you can cook them a few minutes longer if you prefer them more done.Cooking time will vary slightly due to air fryer, thickness of lamb chops, and cut of lamb chops. An Instant Read thermometer is incredibly helpful.
- Melt some butter on top of the lamb chops, and serve immediately while hot with your favorite sides.2 teaspoon butter
Notes
- Use similar-sized chops: Chops that are close in thickness will cook more evenly in the same batch.
- Skip the preheat: Air fryers heat quickly, so there is no need for a preheat before cooking these small lamb chops.
- Do not crowd the basket: Arrange the chops in a single layer so hot air can move around them.
- Cook sides first: Lamb loin chops cook quickly, so potatoes, vegetables, or salad should be mostly ready before the chops go in.
Nutrition
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Kelly Bloom says
My family loved this!