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Getting a tender, perfectly cooked roast lamb used to feel like something reserved for special occasions or fancy restaurants. Between monitoring the temperature, dealing with long cooking times, and hoping you don’t end up with dry, overcooked meat, traditional roasting methods can be pretty intimidating. And let’s be honest – who has three hours to spend hovering around the oven these days?
That’s why this air fryer roast lamb recipe has become my new favorite way to enjoy this classic dish. It’s quick, reliable, and turns out great every time – plus, you won’t have to heat up your whole kitchen or spend hours checking on your dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Roast Lamb
- Quick cooking time – Unlike traditional oven roasting that can take hours, this air fryer method gives you perfectly cooked lamb in under an hour.
- Simple ingredients – You only need a handful of basic herbs and seasonings to create a flavorful roast – no fancy ingredients required.
- Less mess – The air fryer contains all the cooking in one space, meaning no oil splatters on your stovetop or messy oven to clean afterward.
- Energy efficient – Using an air fryer instead of heating up your whole oven saves energy and keeps your kitchen cooler, especially nice during warm weather.
- Perfect for small households – This method works great for cooking smaller portions of lamb, ideal when you’re not feeding a crowd.
What Kind of Lamb Should I Use?
For an air fryer roast, you’ll want to look for a boneless lamb cut that’s well-suited for roasting. The leg of lamb or lamb shoulder are both excellent choices, with the leg being a bit leaner and the shoulder offering more marbling for extra flavor. When shopping, look for meat that’s pink to light red with white (not yellow) fat, and aim for a piece that’s evenly shaped so it cooks uniformly in your air fryer. If you’re new to cooking lamb, start with a leg of lamb since it’s more forgiving and less likely to dry out. Just make sure your cut fits comfortably in your air fryer basket – you might need to ask your butcher to trim it to the right size.
Options for Substitutions
Here are some helpful substitutions you can make for this air fryer lamb recipe:
- Boneless lamb roast: While lamb gives this dish its classic flavor, you could use a beef roast like sirloin tip or top round. Just note that cooking times may need to be adjusted – beef usually needs a bit longer to cook than lamb.
- Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil works here – try avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or even melted butter. Just avoid oils with very low smoke points like flaxseed oil.
- Rosemary and Thyme: These herbs really make the dish, but you can switch things up with sage, oregano, or herbes de Provence. If using dried herbs instead of fresh, remember to use about 1/3 less since dried herbs are more concentrated.
- Sea salt: Any type of salt works fine here – kosher salt or regular table salt are good alternatives. If using table salt, use a bit less as it’s more concentrated than sea salt.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Air Frying
The biggest mistake when cooking lamb in an air fryer is not letting it come to room temperature first – cold meat straight from the fridge will cook unevenly and might end up tough on the outside while staying raw in the middle.
Another common error is overcrowding the air fryer basket – your lamb needs space for the hot air to circulate properly, so make sure there’s at least an inch of space around the meat.
Temperature control is crucial – starting with high heat (400°F/200°C) for the first 10 minutes helps create a nice crust, then reducing to medium heat (350°F/175°C) ensures the inside cooks evenly without burning the outside.
Don’t forget to let your lamb rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking, covered loosely with foil – cutting into it too soon will release all those flavorful juices, leaving you with drier meat.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Roast Lamb?
This juicy roast lamb calls for some classic Mediterranean-style sides that’ll make your meal feel complete. A simple mix of roasted potatoes and carrots seasoned with the same herbs as the lamb makes for an easy and tasty combination. For something green, steamed asparagus or roasted Brussels sprouts work great, and you can cook them right in the air fryer after the lamb is done and resting. I also love serving this with a quick mint sauce or gravy, plus some warm dinner rolls to soak up all those good juices. If you want to keep things light, a Greek salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and feta cheese makes a fresh counterpoint to the rich meat.
Storage Instructions
Keep: Got leftover roast lamb? Place it in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to 3-4 days. The herbs will continue to flavor the meat, making it even more tasty the next day!
Freeze: If you want to save some for later, wrap the cooled lamb tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer bag. It’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just remember to squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Warm Up: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover lamb, let it thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen. To warm it up, place it back in the air fryer at 160°C/320°F for 3-4 minutes, or until heated through. This helps keep the meat juicy without overcooking it. You can also use the microwave, but be careful not to heat it too long as it might dry out.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 25-40 minutes |
| Total Time | 35-55 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2200-2500
- Protein: 160-180 g
- Fat: 150-170 g
- Carbohydrates: 0-5 g
Ingredients
- 1 kg boneless lamb roast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon rosemary (use fresh or dried)
- 1 teaspoon thyme (use fresh or dried)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer and Prepare the Herb Oil Mixture
Start by preheating the air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
While the air fryer is heating up, mix some olive oil with a pinch of rosemary and thyme on a plate.
This herb-infused oil will add wonderful flavor to your lamb roast.
Step 2: Coat the Lamb Roast
Pat the lamb roast dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Place the lamb onto the plate with the herb oil mixture.
Turn the roast a few times to ensure it is well-coated with the oil and herb blend.
This will enhance the flavor and help achieve a crispy exterior.
Step 3: Air Fry the Lamb Roast
Place the coated lamb roast into the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 25-30 minutes, which should yield a medium-rare doneness.
To ensure you’re cooking to your preferred level, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
For medium-rare, aim for a temperature of around 145°F (63°C).
If you prefer it more well-done, continue to cook in additional 3-minute intervals until it reaches your desired temperature.
Step 4: Rest and Serve the Lamb
Once cooked to your liking, carefully remove the lamb roast from the air fryer and cover it with kitchen foil.
Let it rest for at least five minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender result.
When ready to serve, carve the lamb against the grain for best texture and flavor.
Note on Cooking Doneness
[Note 1]: It is important to use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your lamb roast.
The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare, followed by a rest period.