Juicy, tender, and delicious, these Air Fryer Lamb Chops are marinated in a flavorful mixture of Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and garlic, then air-fried for under 15 minutes. The air fryer is hands-down the fastest and easiest way to make perfect lamb chops every time! This recipe will change the way you cook lamb forever.

Lamb chops in the air fryer are easy enough for a simple weeknight dinner yet delicious enough to be the centerpiece for any special occasion! I seriously don't know how we lived before getting our air fryer. We no longer wait to preheat the oven, our meals cook faster, and whatever you cook in there just turns out so perfect. I mean, just look at this lamb. Point proven.
I'm obsessed with lamb and love using it in everything from the most decadent Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb to these simple stir-fried Spicy Cumin Lamb Noodles. It's an underrated protein that deserves much more attention. Lamb has a reputation for being fussy or complicated, but this easy lamb chop recipe is proof of its simplicity. The simple marinade adds so much flavor in such a short period of time and gives each chop a melt-in-your-mouth texture you'll be daydreaming about later.
Why You'll Love These Air Fryer Lamb Chops
- Full of flavor. The delicious marinade is made with simple ingredients that add incredible flavor without a lot of effort, including soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and fresh garlic. Dijon mustard adds the perfect zing, and the soy sauce infuses a salty, savory flavor into every bite. A little fresh garlic and a few seasonings will do the rest of the job. Simple, but tasty!
- Such an easy method. Air frying is the best way to cook juicy lamb chops every time, yet it's so simple! Even if you've never prepared lamb before, you can follow this method. They come out exquisitely every time but require minimal effort.
- Great for entertaining. Tender, succulent lamb chops are the perfect entree for a special dinner party. They take just 13-15 minutes in the air fryer, and they come out perfectly every time. Talk about a crowd-pleaser!
- A nutrient-dense protein. This lamb doesn't just look and taste good, it is also packed with health benefits which is great for immunity. It is a rich source of healthy amino acids (high-quality protein), and vitamins and minerals including zinc and iron. Zinc is needed for immune function and may also have an effect against viruses.
Ingredient Notes
To make these delicious Air Fryer Lamb Chops, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- loin lamb chops - either use fresh chops from the butcher or fully thawed frozen ones. Before air frying, let the chops come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes or so.
- Dijon mustard - use real Dijon mustard for a little heat and a tangy flavor.
- olive oil - to help the seasonings work their way into the meat and for the perfect crust.
- soy sauce - for a salty, umami flavor. Feel free to substitute this with Worcestershire sauce for an alternative.
- garlic - fresh garlic is best, especially in this situation.
- seasonings - I prefer to use a mixture of savory spices, like cumin powder, cayenne pepper, and Italian seasoning (optional). Add salt to taste.
You will also need measuring spoons, a medium bowl, plastic bag, air fryer, tongs, and a meat thermometer.
How to Make the Best Air Fryer Lamb Chops
- Make marinade. In a medium mixing bowl, add Dijon mustard, olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, cumin powder, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning (if using) .and salt. Mix well to combine.
- Marinate lamb. Place the lamb chops into a Ziploc bag or large mixing bowl and pour in the marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Press the marinade around the lamb chops to fully coat. (If marinating in a bowl, cover with plastic cling wrap). Place into the fridge and marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
- Air fry. Place the marinated lamb chops into the air fryer basket and space them out evenly. You may have to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Cook at 350 F for 13 minutes, flipping the lamb chops once halfway through, to ensure even cooking.
- Rest. Once done, leave the lamb chops inside the hot air fryer for another 5 minutes. This keeps the lamb chops warm and ensures that it is thoroughly cooked yet still tender.
- Serve. Season with additional salt and cumin to taste and serve.
How to Cook Lamb Chops on the Grill
You can also cook these lamb chops on the grill. To grill, heat your grill to medium-high heat and sear the lamb chops for 2-3 minutes per side. Lower the heat to medium and cook for another 5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 150 F. For well done, cook for a couple more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 F.
Recipe Variations
- Use different types of lamb chops. I generally use lamb loin chops here, which are thicker and meatier than lamb rib chops or shoulder chops. However, those work great, too! You can either buy the chops pretrimmed from the butcher or trim a rack of lamb yourself. You will need to reduce the cooking time to compensate for the smaller quantity of meat, so keep an eye on them.
- Make an herb marinade. Replace the savory cumin and cayenne pepper with fresh rosemary and mint. The fresh herbs will taste wonderful with the tangy Dijon and fresh garlic cloves.
- Make them on a sheet pan. For an easy one-pan dinner, get out your sheet pan and make Sheet Pan Lamb Chops and roast them with your favorite veggies at the same time. I love how the juices give the veggies extra flavor!
- Use Persian spices. I love lamb chops, and the air frying technique works very well with any combination of spices and seasonings. For the most delicious Persian flavors, use the marinade from my Lamb Shashlik recipe, then air fry like normal!
How to Serve
These Air Fryer Lamb Chops are delicious served on their own, or paired with some of the following sides for a feast worthy of any special occasion including:
- Sautéed Garlic Green Beans
- Baked Mashed Potatoes
- Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
- Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
- Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Sautéed Spinach
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Make a large batch. The only trick with using the air fryer is that you're limited by size. If your oven has a convection or air fry feature, you can cook a larger quantity in the same amount of time.
- Use a meat thermometer. Every home cook should have an instant-read meat thermometer on hand. Probe the thickest section of the cooked lamb chops and remove them from the oven only when they have an internal temperature of 145 F.
- Plan ahead. If you know you want to serve these air fryer lamb loin chops for dinner, prep them either the night before or the morning of and let them marinate in the fridge all day. Easy!
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Once cooked, let the leftover lamb chops cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat
Since lamb chops are so thin and delicate, reheating requires a gentle touch. The easiest method is to pop them back in the air fryer at 350 F for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
How to Freeze
Although you can also freeze the cooked lamb chops, they won't have quite the same wonderful texture after thawing and reheating. However, you can add the lamb chops and marinade mixture to the bag and freeze it for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge, then air fry like normal!
FAQ
Yes, and this is my preferred way to prepare them! As the hot air swirls around the air fryer, the surface of the chops crisps up into the most wonderful crust full of flavor from the marinade. They also cook incredibly quickly (around 15 minutes), and you won't have to heat up your whole kitchen by cranking up the oven!
Lamb chops require less cooking than other proteins and can be air-fried at just 350 F. The total cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the lamb chops but they are generally done in about 13-15 minutes plus a 5-minute rest in the warm air fryer.
If you don't have much experience cooking lamb chops, it can be intimidating to know when to remove them from the air fryer. The easiest and most reliable way to gauge doneness is to use a meat thermometer. When fully cooked, the air-fried lamb chops must reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
More Lamb Recipes
- Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
- Sheet Pan Lamb Chops
- Spicy Cumin Lamb Skewers
- Roast Lamb with Vegetables
- Greek Lamb Shanks
- Coconut Lamb Curry
Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Lamb Chops
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 lamb chops
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Juicy, tender, and delicious, these Air Fryer Lamb Chops are marinated in a flavorful mixture of Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and garlic, then air-fried for under 15 minutes. The air fryer is hands-down the fastest and easiest way to make perfect lamb chops every time! This recipe will change the way you cook lamb forever.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce)
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 pieces of lamb chops (approximately 1 pound)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add Dijon mustard, olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, cumin powder, cayenne pepper, Italiano spice blend (optional), and salt. Mix well to combine.
- Place the lamb chops into a Ziploc bag and pour in the marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Press the marinade around the lamb chops to fully coat. (You can also coat the lamb chops with the marinade in a large bowl and cover with plastic cling wrap). Place into the fridge and marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
- Place the marinated lamb chops into the air fryer basket and space them out evenly. You may have to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Cook at 350 F for 10-13 minutes, flipping the lamb chops once halfway through, to ensure even cooking.
- Once done, leave the lamb chops inside the hot air fryer for another 5 minutes. This keeps the lamb chops warm and ensures that it is thoroughly cooked yet still tender.
- Season with additional salt and cumin to taste, and serve.
Notes
How to make well done lamb chops: For well done lamb chops, just add an additional 3 minutes to the cooking time.
How to grill lamb chops: Heat the grill to medium-high heat and sear the lamb chops for 2-3 minutes per side. Lower the heat to medium and cook for another 5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 150 F. For well done, cook for a couple more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 F.
How to store: Once cooked, let the leftover lamb chops cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to reheat: Since lamb chops are so thin and delicate, reheating requires a gentle touch. The easiest method is to pop them back in the air fryer at 350 F for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
How to freeze: Although you can also freeze the cooked lamb chops, they won't have quite the same wonderful texture after thawing and reheating. However, you can add the lamb chops and marinade mixture to the bag and freeze it for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge, then air fry like normal!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Marinate Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lamb
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nisa says
The best recipe ever. I hated lamb but your recipe made me a conver. Thank you
Charisse Kennedy says
This recipe was absolutely wonderful. Can't wait to make it again. Thank you
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much Charisse! Enjoy!
Steve/Jeff says
Excellent recipe! I’ve tried it a couple times...I like spicy so I doubled the cayenne pepper and mustard. Mmmmm.
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much Steve and Jeff! Enjoy!
David says
The Dijon garlic combo sounds delicious! I don't have an air fryer yet but I bet this lamb marinade would be great for grilled lamb too. Looks like yours came out nice and moist.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you David! Yes, you are absolutely right! You can make this recipe on the grill or in the oven too. You just have to adjust the cooking method and time.
Karen says
These chops look delicious. I may need to cave and finally buy an air fryer!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much! Yes, you do! It has been a game changer for us.