Air Fryer Lamb Chops

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fryer lamb chops recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

• Lamb Chops – I tested this air fryer lamb chops recipe using rib chops (the kind that are from a rack of lamb, separated into individual bones), but lamb loin chops or lamb shoulder chops would also work. The cook time may take a couple of minutes longer if you use those. (You can learn more about the difference in my baked lamb chops post.)
• Olive Oil – Or any neutral, heat-safe oil. Avocado oil is my other favorite.
• Seasonings – Including dried rosemary, dried thyme, salt (I prefer sea salt, but kosher salt is fine), and black pepper. For a richer flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon each of cumin and paprika. You can also use fresh herbs, but they’re less intense, so I recommend increasing the amount to 1 tablespoon of each. Or try my marinade variation below.

How To Cook Lamb Chops In The Air Fryer

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

1. Preheat your air fryer. I use and love this one. Preheating is not required, but I always do it because it helps get a little crust on the meat.
2. Season the lamb chops. Drizzle them with oil in a large bowl, and season with rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Coat the meat evenly in the mixture.
3. Air fry away. Place the lamb chops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure to leave room between the pieces, so they aren’t crowded. (Cook in batches if necessary.) Air fry, flipping halfway through — see below for my recommended cook times and the best way to ensure they’re cooked perfectly for you!
4. Don’t forget to rest. Transfer the air fried lamb chops to a plate and let them sit for 5 minutes before serving, which helps them stay juicy.

How Long To Air Fry Lamb Chops?

In my experience, air fryer lamb chops take about 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, but the time can vary depending on the size of your chops. The best way to know for sure is to use a meat thermometer. Although you can use an instant-read thermometer like this, my preferred method is a probe thermometer — I insert it after flipping and it beeps when they reach the right internal temperature.

Air fry lamb chops to 120 degrees F for rare, 130 degrees F for medium rare, or 140 degrees F for medium. The temperature will continue to rise about 5 more degrees as the meat rests after cooking.

TIP: I don’t recommend cooking lamb chops beyond medium doneness.

Most people, me included, agree that they taste gamey when cooked for longer.

Serving Ideas

Lamb is commonly served with potatoes, but I prefer to serve mine with a veggie-centric healthy side dish, such as:

• Air Fryer Vegetables – Make your entire meal in one appliance by pairing the lamb with my air fryer brussels sprouts or air fryer carrots. You can also just make mixed air fryer vegetables for variety.
• Other Veggies – If you’d rather cook your side in parallel while you have the lamb chops in the air fryer, make my roasted cauliflower, broccolini, or asparagus in the oven, or cook some sauteed vegetables (my go-to for using up whatever I have in the fridge).
• Salads – Balance the hearty air fryer lamb chops with my lighter Caprese salad, Mediterranean chopped salad, or broccoli slaw.
• Sauce – These chops are juicy and flavorful enough to not need a sauce, but I sometimes dip them in tzatziki, tahini, or chimichurri sauce.