If you’re looking for an impressive yet simple dish to serve at your next gathering, look no further than this air fryer rack of lamb recipe. Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it also yields perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy lamb that will have your guests raving. Plus, it requires minimal preparation and cooks in a fraction of the time compared to roasting in a traditional oven.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Preparation: Coating the rack of lamb with oil and a simple seasoning is all it takes to achieve fantastic flavor with minimal effort.
- Time-Saving: The air fryer cooks the lamb rack at lightning speed, allowing you to enjoy your meal sooner compared to traditional oven roasting.
- Perfectly Seared Exterior: The air fryer ensures a crispy seared exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
What Do You Need?
Rack of Lamb
A rack of lamb consists of lamb rib chops that haven’t been cut into individual pieces. For the best results, I recommend using a frenched rack of lamb. This means it has been trimmed of excess fat and the bones have been cleaned up. If you can’t find one, simply ask your butcher or look for pre-trimmed options at your local grocery store. A proper trim will give your lamb rack a neat and restaurant-style appearance.
Feel free to explore other air fryer lamb recipes like butterflied leg of lamb, lamb chops, or lamb steaks for more delicious ideas.
Seasoning
This recipe calls for a simple blend of rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper to create a delectable herb-crusted rack of lamb. However, don’t hesitate to experiment with other herbs or spices that pair well with lamb, such as oregano, sage, parsley, or garlic powder. Both fresh and dried herbs work well, but if using fresh herbs, be sure to finely chop the leaves before adding them to the seasoning mix.
Salt plays a crucial role in enhancing the lamb’s flavor. I recommend using flaked sea salt, kosher salt, or ground sea salt, depending on your preference. Alternatively, you can substitute the seasoning with your favorite lamb seasoning blend.
Oil
While I typically use light olive oil for roasting in my air fryer, you can opt for any cooking oil that you usually use for roasting. Just make sure it has a high smoke point to prevent any smoking during the cooking process. Vegetable oil or avocado oil are excellent choices.
How to Cook Rack of Lamb in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 360°F/180°C.
Step 2: Season the lamb rack by mixing olive oil, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper on a plate. Pat the rack dry and press it into the herb oil mixture, ensuring it is well-coated on both sides.
Step 3: Place the lamb rack in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 15-20 minutes for a medium-done lamb. To determine the lamb’s doneness, use a meat thermometer to check if it reaches your desired internal temperature (medium-rare should be 145°F/63°C). Refer to the section below for additional cook times based on your preferred doneness.
Step 4: Remove the lamb rack from the air fryer, cover it with kitchen foil, and allow it to rest for at least five minutes before serving. Resting is crucial as it allows the meat’s juices to reabsorb, resulting in a succulent lamb rack.
How Long to Air Fry Rack of Lamb?
The cooking time varies depending on the size, shape, and power of your air fryer. To ensure accuracy, use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the lamb. The USDA recommends cooking lamb rack to 145°F/63°C. However, if you prefer a different doneness, refer to the following internal temperatures as a guide:
- Rare: 140°F/60°C
- Medium-rare: 145°F/63°C
- Medium: 150°F/65°C
- Medium-well: 160°F/71°C
- Well-done: 170°F/77°C
Additionally, remember to rest the lamb for at least 5-10 minutes after cooking. This helps the lamb reach its final cooking temperature and allows the juices to reabsorb, ensuring a succulent result.
Serving Ideas
A beautifully tender cut of meat like lamb rack deserves to be paired with delightful accompaniments. Serve it with steamed or roasted vegetables and mashed or roasted potatoes for a complete and satisfying meal. For an extra touch of flavor, try a homemade mint sauce by combining chopped fresh mint leaves, sugar, and vinegar. The result may look rustic, but the taste is simply incredible!
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