These Easy Lamb Loin Chops Recipe in Air Fryer make a perfect meal any time of the week. With a 4-ingredient marinade featuring olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, the lamb is tender, juicy, and full of flavor. You'll learn how to cook lamb loin chops in the air fryer for a quick and convenient meal that's sure to impress. This is an easy recipe that will add variety to your regular meal rotation.
Traditionally, lamb chops have been reserved for the holidays and special occasions, but you can easily incorporate this cut of meat into your weekly meals to add a variety of nutrients and flavor and broaden your taste pallette.
And the good news is that with just a few basic ingredients, you can have a hearty, flavorful, and nutritious meal with very little hands-on time needed.
Looking for more lamb recipes? Check out Easy Shepherd's Pie, Instant Pot Lamb Curry, and Shurpa (lamb soup).
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Recipe Overview
- Prep and Cook Time: 5 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook lamb chops in the air fryer and a flexible marinating time needed
- Cooking Method: Air-fryer with oven instructions provided
- Dietary Info: GAPS, Whole30, Low Carb/Keto, Paleo, WAPF, nutrient-dense
- Tools Needed: Dish for marinating lamb, air fryer
- Skill Level: Easy
Key Features & Benefits
- Flexible marinating time: Whether you have an hour or 5 hours, the lamb loin chops benefits from the delicious marinade.
- Cooking method - Cooking lamb chops in the air fryer yields incredibly tender meat and keeps your stovetop and oven free for other dishes.
- Suitable for all dietary needs - The simple marinade is compliant with most healing diets, making this a great option for a hearty main course.
- Versatile serving options - Whether it's a busy weeknight meal or a special occasion, these chops can be marinated ahead of time and quickly cooked in minutes.
- Bold flavor profile - Lamb chops have a robust taste that stands out in comparison to more commonly used proteins like chicken, beef, or pork.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Lamb Loin Chops
Learn how to cook lamb loin chops in air fryer with 5 simple ingredients and very simple prep. These chops are an easy way to make any meal special.
- Lamb loin chops: These small cuts of lamb are prized for their tender meat and fine marbling. They typically come with a bone running through the center that divides the loin and the tenderloin - two of the lamb's most tender cuts. Lamb loin chops have a robust flavor and are known to be the equivalent of T-bone steaks. They range in size from small to large and are generally one inch thick.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Used to marinate the lamb, adding moisture and flavor and helps to achieve that golden brown color during cooking. Swap with avocado oil if you don't want to use olive oil.
- Lemon: The juice of one lemon is used to add citrusy, acidic component that cuts through the rich flavor of the lamb.
- Fresh garlic: Minced garlic adds a nice savory flavor and aroma to the lamb loin chops.
- Fresh thyme: This herb is incredibly aromatic and adds a fresh herbaceous flavor to the robust meat. It complements the lamb very well. Fresh is always best, but you can sub in dried thyme using this fresh to dried herb conversion in parsley.
- Salt and black pepper: Use your favorite unrefined sea salt. The small amount of black pepper is enough to give it just that perfect kick.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Spice it up. Add chili pepper flakes to the marinade or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Switch up the fresh herbs. Instead of thyme, try rosemary, oregano, or parsley.
- Greek twist. Lamb is excellent with Mediterranean flavors. Add a tablespoon of fresh mint and oregano to the marinade for Greek-inspired flavor.
- Citrus boost. Swap the lemon with blood orange or lime juice for a citrusy twist.
- Herb butter finish. Melt a few tablespoons of butter and stir in fresh parlsey. Drizzle the butter over cooked lamb chops before serving.
💭Make it Nutrient-Dense: Buy New Zealand or Australian lamb as sheep from those countries are smaller in size and have been entirely grass-fed on open pasture. Some American lamb is grain-finished which means it's fed grain at the end of tis life to fatten it up before slaughter. Unless I'm purchasing from a local farmer I know and trust, I tend to reach for Australian or New Zealand lamb in grocery stores.
How to Cook Lamb Loin Chops in Air Fryer
The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the best results.
Step 1. Mix
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, the juice of one lemon, minced garlic cloves, thyme leaves, and salt and pepper.
Step 2. Marinate
Pat dry the lamb loin chops well with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Place them in a deep glass dish and pour the marinade over the chops. Toss to coat each loin chop with the marinade. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour up to 5 hours for the best flavor.
Step 3. Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the chops in a single layer on a baking sheet if using a toaster oven-type air fryer or into an air fryer basket if using a bucket-type air fryer. Air fry lamb chops for 10-12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145°F with an instant-read meat thermometer.
Step 4. Rest
When the lamb loin chops have sufficiently cooked, remove from heat and allow to rest for 5-8 minutes to lock in the juices. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve immediately.
Helpful Tips for Lamb Loin Chops in Air Fryer
- Bring to room temperature first. When ready to cook, remove the chops from the fridge at least 30 minutes before air frying them to promote even cooking.
- Pat dry the meat first. It's important to start with dry meat so the seasonings and marinade can adhere to the lamb, as any moisture will repel oil.
- Use every bit of marinade. After transferring the lamb loin chops to the air fryer basket or sheet, pour the marinade directly over the chops so they seep into the meat during cooking.
- Know your air fryer. A toaster oven type air fryer (like mine) requires a little more cooking time than a basket-type air fryer.
- Check the internal temperature. If you're unsure whether or not the chops have sufficiently cooked, cook until the internal temperature registers 145°F with an instant-read meat thermometer.
Serving Suggestions
If you're serving this on a weeknight dinner when time is limited, I recommend sticking to simple side of vegetables, like crispy potatoes or buttery garlic green beans and a refreshing salad like cabbage cucumber salad. However, if you have a special dinner coming up and need some more fancy options, consider serving this with arugula salad with goat cheese and roasted red cabbage. These lamb steaks are also great over mashed potatoes and some finely sliced onions to balance any gamey flavor. Don't forget the refreshing drizzle of garlic yogurt sauce. Perfection!
More air fryer lamb loin chops pairing suggestions:
Storage and Reheating Instructions
How long do air fryer lamb loin chops last in the refrigerator?
To store: If you have any leftovers, transfer lamb loin chops to an airtight container after they have completely cooled to room temperature. Seal and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Storage containers: These glass snap containers are perfect for leftover lamb chops.
To freeze: If you have a large batch, you can portion the lamb loin chops into individual servings and wrap them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Then, place them in an airtight container and seal them tightly. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, remove the plastic wrap or aluminum foil and reheat.
To reheat: The best way to reheat these air fryer lamb loin chops are on a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a touch of butter or healthy fat just to cover the surface of the pan, place the loin chops, cover it and steam it through until completely warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure can! Feel free to use this marinade and technique to cook different type of lamb chops (not loin chops). You can also use boneless lamb loin chops. However, some cuts of lamb require a different cooking time and method depending on the texture and thickness of the meat.
Lamb chops generally come from different areas of the lamb and can include rib, loin, or lamb shoulder chops. You've likely come across lamb chops, typically from a rack of lamb, that are common on special occasions. Lamb loin chops are specifically cut from the loin area of the lamb and are prized for their tenderness and flavor. They are often smaller in size and more expensive than other types of lamb chops.
Certainly! Preheat the oven to 400°F and follow the recipe per instructions but instead of cooking them in the air fryer, arrange them on a baking sheet and roast in the oven until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. You may need a little more roasting time since air fryers tend to cook quicker.
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Here are some ideas:
Did you make these Lamb Loin Chops in Air Fryer? Please leave a ⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚
Printable Recipe
Air Fryer Lamb Loin Chops
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lamb loin chops (about 8 small size chops)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon juiced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, the juice of one lemon, minced garlic cloves, thyme leaves, and salt and pepper.
- Marinate: Pat dry the lamb loin chops well with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Place them in a deep glass dish and pour the marinade over the chops. Toss to coat each loin chop with the marinade. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour up to 5 hours for the best flavor.
- Air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the chops in a single layer on a baking sheet if using a toaster oven-type air fryer or into an air fryer basket if using a bucket-type air fryer. Air fry for 10-12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145°F with an instant-read meat thermometer.
- Rest: When the lamb loin chops have sufficiently cooked, remove from heat and allow to rest for 5-8 minutes to lock in the juices. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve immediately.
Notes
- Quickly strip the thyme leaves. Hold the thyme sprig at its top with one hand, and then, using your thumb and index finger on the other hand, pull the leaves downward along the stem's opposite growth direction to strip most of them from the stem. From here, you can chop them up or use as is.
- Bring to room temperature first. When ready to cook, remove the chops from the fridge at least 30 minutes before air frying them to promote even cooking.
- Pat dry the meat first. It's important to start with dry meat so the seasonings and marinade can adhere to the lamb, as any moisture will repel oil.
- Use every bit of marinade. After transferring the lamb loin chops to the air fryer basket or sheet, pour the marinade directly over the chops so they seep into the meat during cooking.
- Know your air fryer. A toaster oven type air fryer (like mine) requires a little more cooking time than a basket-type air fryer.
- Check the internal temperature. If you're unsure whether or not the chops have sufficiently cooked, cook until the internal temperature registers 145°F with an instant-read meat thermometer.
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