Create a restaurant-worthy dish at home with this easy Air Fryer Rack of Lamb recipe! This tender, juicy lamb has a deliciously seasoned crust and is ready in less than one hour–perfect for hosting special occasions or a cozy gourmet dinner.
This rack of lamb air fryer recipe brings the elegance of fine dining straight to your kitchen with minimal effort. The lamb is seasoned with fragrant garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper and cooked to juicy, tender perfection. Cooking a rack of lamb in the air fryer creates a crisp outer crust that contrasts beautifully with the succulent inner texture. Plus, it saves you precious time while delivering the same quality as traditional methods!
Air fryer lamb makes a fantastic centerpiece dish, whether you’re hosting a formal get-together or want to impress dinner guests. This simple recipe makes a gourmet-style main course in less than one hour! For more elevated air-fried dinner ideas, try my Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Herb Salmon, Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs, or Air Fryer Prime Rib.
Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Rack of Lamb Recipe
- Easy Prep: This air fryer rack of lamb cooks faster than traditional methods, saving you time while delivering gourmet results.
- Juicy Interior, Crispy Exterior: The meat stays melt-in-you-mouth tender on the inside while developing a satisfying crisp outer crunch for the perfect texture contrast.
- Impressive Presentation: The picturesque presentation is sophisticated enough to dazzle your dinner guests and worthy enough to be the focal point during special occasions.
- Minimal Cleanup: Cooking in the air fryer minimizes preparation and simplifies post-cooking cleanup, making this a great option for busy home chefs!
If you love lamb recipes, some of my favorite air fryer lamb recipes are Air Fryer Lamb Chops, Air Fryer Leg Of Lamb, and Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs.
Ingredients Needed
Below are the simple ingredients you need to make a rack of lamb in the air fryer:
- Rack of Lamb: This premium cut of meat usually consists of eight ribs and is Frenched (trimmed) for an elegant presentation. Look for a high-quality lamb rack for the best taste and texture.
- Olive Oil: Enhances the flavor of the meat, helps the seasonings adhere, and contributes to a crispy outer crust.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds fragrance and depth of flavor. Or use garlic powder for convenience.
- Salt and Pepper: Kosher salt and ground black pepper provide a well-rounded flavor essential to seasoning the meat.
- Herbs: Dried rosemary and thyme add a tasty herbaceous flavor and hearty texture to the outer crust. Alternatively, use 1 tablespoon each of fresh herbs.
How to Make Air Fryer Rack of Lamb
Prepare lamb. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200°C). Trim any excess fat from the rack of lamb and pat it dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the spices and herbs and set aside.
Season lamb. Use a basting brush to coat the rack of lamb all over with olive oil. Then generously season the lamb with the mixed spices and herbs.
Cook. Carefully place the rack bone-side down in the air fryer. Cook at 375 degrees F (190°C) set cook time for 18-22 minutes, until you reach your desired doneness. See the cooking guide below for details on achieving different levels of doneness.
Rest and serve. Remove the lamb rack from the air fryer and let the lamb rest for a few minutes at room temperature to allow the juices to settle. Cut the rack between the bones for individual chops. Serve as desired!
How long to cook lamb rack in an air fryer?
The cooking time for the lamb rack in the air fryer depends on your preferred doneness level. Here’s a quick guide:
- Rare: Internal temperature: 120-130ºF (49-54ºC); cooking time: 8-10 minutes.
- Medium-Rare: Internal temperature: 130-140ºF (54-60ºC); cooking time: 12-15 minutes.
- Medium: Internal temperature: 140-150ºF (60-66ºC); cooking time: 15-18 minutes.
- Medium-Well: Internal temperature: 150-160ºF (66-71ºC); cooking time: 18-20 minutes.
- Well-Done: Internal temperature: 160ºF (71ºC); cooking time: 20+ minutes.
Pro-Tips For Making This Recipe
- Preheat the air fryer. Preheating ensures that the lamb starts cooking immediately when placed inside. This helps achieve the perfect inner and outer texture.
- Trim excess fat. Trimming the fat and patting the lamb rack dry before cooking is essential for an extra crispy crust.
- Use a meat thermometer. Ensure precise doneness by checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Season generously. Don’t be afraid to use all of the spices, and add even more if desired! The spice and herb mix creates the crust that enhances the lamb’s natural flavors and adds tasty texture.
- Allow resting time. Before slicing and serving, let the lamb sit for a few minutes at room temperature. This allows the juices to be redistributed for a more flavorful taste and texture.
Recipe Variations
Below are optional variations to customize this ninja air fryer rack of lamb:
- Garlic and Dijon Marinade: Mix 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Brush the mixture all over the prepared lamb rack and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours before cooking to infuse a rich, savory flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: Mix ¼ cup of panko bread crumbs with the herbs, spices, and 1 teaspoon of olive oil to create a heartier herb crust. Press the mixture onto the lamb before cooking for an extra crunch.
- Spicy Rub: Substitute the spices with 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of cumin, ½ teaspoon of chili powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Rub the spice mix over the lamb for a smoky, spicy variation.
Serving Suggestions
Pair lamb as a main course with a sauce to enhance the flavors like a mint jelly or red wine reduction. Or serve with some of our favorite recipes below for a full-spread gourmet meal:
- Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables
- Air Fryer Green Beans & Garlic Butter Sauce
Storage Directions
Allow leftovers to cool completely to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350ºF for a 3-5 minutes or until heated through and re-crisped.
Air Fryer Rack of Lamb Recipe Faqs
Can I use a frozen lamb rack?
While I recommend using fresh lamb for the best air fryer rack of lamb recipe, you can also use frozen if needed. Thaw the rack in the refrigerator overnight. Then pat it dry with paper towels and proceed with the recipe as outlined.
Can I use boneless lamb chops instead of a rack of lamb?
Yes, you can make air fryer lamb chops instead of using a rack of lamb. Follow the recipe as outlined and adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve your desired level of doneness. Or check out my Air Fryer Lamb Chops recipe.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER PRIME RIB
- AIR FRYER BACON WRAPPED MEATLOAF
- EASY AIR FRYER PERUVIAN LOMO SALTADO
- AIR FRYER PEPPERONI BASIL TOMATO PUFFS
- AIR FRYER LAMB CHOPS
Air Fryer Rack of Lamb
Description
Ingredients
- 1 rack of lamb
- 2 teaspoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon rosemary , dried, or fresh
- 1 teaspoon garlic , minced or garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme, dried, or fresh
Instructions
- Start by preheating your Air Fryer to 400 degrees F (200°C). Preheating ensures that the lamb starts cooking immediately when placed inside.
- Trim any excess fat from the rack of lamb and pat it dry with paper towels. Trimming the fat helps in achieving a crispier crust.
- Brush the rack of lamb with olive oil to help the seasonings adhere. Season generously with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs and seasonings. Common choices include rosemary and garlic, but feel free to get creative with your seasoning.
- Carefully place the seasoned rack of lamb into the Air Fryer basket or onto the Air Fryer rack. Ensure that it's positioned bone-side down for even cooking.
- Cook the rack of lamb at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 18-22 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the meat and your specific Air Fryer model. To achieve medium-rare doneness, aim for an internal temperature of about 135-140°F (57-60°C) when using a meat thermometer. Adjust the cooking time accordingly for your preferred level of doneness.
- Once the lamb reaches your desired doneness, carefully remove it from the Air Fryer and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Resting helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a juicy and flavorful result.
- To serve, slice the rack of lamb between the bones into individual chops. Arrange them on a serving platter, and it's ready to be enjoyed.
- While the lamb is delicious on its own, you can enhance the flavor further by serving it with a sauce of your choice, such as a mint jelly or a red wine reduction.
Equipment
- Meat Thermometer
- Parchment Paper, optional
- Cooking Spray, optional
Nutrition
Share this recipe
We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!
Mary A
I made this tonight. The flavor worked very well with the garlic mashed potatoes my son made and the tzatziki my daughter made. The only reason I am not giving it five stars is that it took 25 minutes at 360 to get to 158 degrees F, but then the crust was super dark (which caused my son to say “Ooo! It’s burnt!”.