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Learn how to cook lamb shoulder chops in air fryer! This air fryer lamb shoulder chops recipe is juicy, flavorful, and delicious without being gamey. Learn to roast lamb chops in the air fryer that are low carb, keto, and gluten free. Get tips on cooking air fryer lamb loin chops vs lamb shoulder chops, the safe temperature for cooking lamb, and more!
I’m usually not a huge fan of lamb, but these quick and easy air fryer lamb chops aren’t just good- they’re AMAZING! The secret is that it’s a marinated lamb shoulder chops air fryer recipe. The marinade flavors the dish with minimal prep time and the acid in the marinade tenderizes the meat.
Anyhow, I hope these airfryer lamb chops make it to your table soon. Lamb in air fryer is simple enough for a weeknight meal but fancy enough for a holiday entrée. It’s worth the effort of seeking it out!
🐑 Air Fryer Lamb Shoulder Chops
Here’s what you need to air fry lamb shoulder chops:
- 2 lamb shoulder chops, bone in (1 lb or 454g; ¾-1 inch thick or 1.9-2.54 cm)
- ¾ cup red wine
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 crushed garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary (can substitute oregano or thyme)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Get a printable recipe card below!
The lamb chops you use will impact the outcome of this recipe. The cut of lamb you use can impact the cooking time. So can the thickness and weight of the chops or lamb cutlets.
If you don’t want to buy online, you may be able to find lamb at Costco and other local stores. Lamb loin chops are tender and leaner than lamb shoulder chops, and I have directions for cooking both below.
Another option is to cut lamb chops from a rack of lamb. This will make “lollipop” lamb chops if you cut between the bones. (Here’s the cooking time and temperature for air fryer rack of lamb.)
You can make air fryer lamb chops in a Ninja Foodi, Philips, Nuwave, Pampered Chef, Actifry, Instant Pot Vortex, Cosori, Breville, or another air fryer. However, some air fryer brands cook more quickly than others. Always check the food early the first time you try a new air fryer recipe to prevent overcooking the food.
🔪 How to Make Lamb Chops in an Air Fryer
Here are the step-by-step instructions to make this lamb shoulder air fryer recipe:
Mix the ingredients for the lamb shoulder chops marinade together. This is the wine, vinegar, oil, garlic, mustard, coriander, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Put the lamb chops in a bowl and pour the marinade over the top.
Cover the bowl and allow the lamb chops to marinate in the fridge for 4-8 hours. Flip the lamb chops occasionally so all sides of the meat has contact with the marinade.
Preheat the air fryer to 400F (200C) for 5 minutes. Lift the lamb chops out of the marinade and carefully place them in the hot air fryer basket. If you have an air fryer oven, they should go on the top rack.
⏲️ Air Fryer Lamb Chops Cooking Time
How long to cook lamb shoulder chops in air fryer? What is the air fryer lamb chops temperature? Air fry lamb chops for a total of 6-10 minutes in an air fryer preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200C). Flip the lamb chops over halfway through cooking time.
Check the marinated lamb chops with a meat thermometer to ensure they’ve reached the right temperature. (More on this in the next section.)
After air frying, the lamb should rest for 5 minutes before serving. Cover the lamb with foil to keep it warm.
❓ What temperature should lamb shoulder chops be cooked to?
How do you know when lamb is cooked? Use a meat thermometer! According to the USDA, raw lamb chops should be cooked to a minimum internal temp of 145F (63C) before removing from the heat source. The lamb should rest for at least 3 minutes before slicing and serving.
Lamb cooked to 145F (63C) is medium-well done (though I’ve seen some sources calling it medium). Here is a handy guide for lamb doneness (source):
- Rare: 115 to 120°F
- Medium-rare: 120 to 125°F
- Medium: 130 to 135°F
- Medium-well: 140 to 145°F
- Well-done: 150 to 155°F
Keep in mind that lamb will continue to cook for a few minutes as it rests, after pulling from the air fryer. This means that lamb pulled at 145F (63C) could end up well-done. I prefer to remove lamb from the heat a little before it reaches 145F for this reason (though you’re not technically supposed to do that).
Ground lamb has a different minimum safe temp than cuts of lamb. Ground lamb should be cooked to an internal temp of 160F (71C).
Can you overcook lamb shoulder chops?
Yes, overcooking lamb shoulder chops can result in tough and dry meat. It’s best to cook lamb chops until they reach the desired doneness but avoid prolonged cooking.
🌡️ Reheating Lamb Chops in Air Fryer
It’s best to enjoy lamb chops fresh, and only make what you’ll eat. Lamb chops leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat lamb chops in an air fryer at 350F (177C) for 3-6 minutes.
Another way to reheat lamb chop leftovers is in the microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. Cooked lamb chops also freeze well. Store them in a freezer bag with the air pressed out.
😋 What to serve with lamb chops?
Wondering what to eat with lamb chops? Air fryer lamb chops and potatoes are a classic combo. Here are some other sauces and side dishes to go with lamb chops:
Watch How to Make It!
Air Fryer Lamb Shoulder Chops Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lamb shoulder chops 454 grams (2 bone-in lamb shoulder chops, ¾-1-inches thick)
For the lamb chop marinade:
- ⅓ cup red wine
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients for the lamb shoulder chops marinade together. This is the wine, vinegar, oil, garlic, mustard, coriander, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Put the lamb chops in a bowl and pour the marinade over the top.
- Cover the bowl and allow the lamb chops to marinate in the fridge for 4-8 hours. Flip the lamb chops occasionally so all sides of the meat has contact with the marinade.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Lift the lamb chops out of the marinade and carefully place them in the hot air fryer basket. If you have an air fryer oven, they should go on the top rack.
- Air fry lamb shoulder chops for a total of 6-10 minutes at 400℉ (200℃). Flip the lamb chops over halfway through cooking time.
- Lamb chops should reach a safe minimum internal temp of 145°F (63°C) using a meat thermometer. Let the lamb rest for 5 minutes before serving. You can cover it with foil to keep it warm.
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). Lamb shoulder may be a fatty meat (high in calories), but that helps keep it moist while air frying. So why make air fry lamb shoulder chops? Here are a few nutritional benefits and other reasons to try this recipe:- Protein: Lamb is considered a red meat that is packed with high-quality protein. Certain cuts of lamb are lean protein (such as lamb loin), and the fat is easy to trim.
- Vitamins and minerals: Lamb is rich in zinc, selenium, iron, and phosphorus (Cronometer). Lamb is also packed with an assortment of B vitamins, including riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B12. The zinc and iron found in lamb is more bioavailable than when you get these nutrients from plant foods.
- Low carb, keto, gluten free: This air fryer lamb chops recipe fits many of the special diets. This includes keto, low carb, gluten free, Paleo, dairy free, soy free, and sugar free.
Is lamb healthier than beef?
Which food is “healthier” generally hinges on the needs of the individual. Both lamb and beef are red meats that pack in the high-quality protein, B vitamins, and highly bioavailable minerals. In some instances, lamb is leaner than beef, but this is not always the case. Nutrition information is for one lamb shoulder chop. Only half the marinade is calculated in the nutrition information since it is largely discarded.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
FAQs
How to cook lamb loin chops in air fryer?
You can air fry marinated lamb loin chops, but the cooking time will depend on their thickness and your air fryer. In general, air fry lamb loin chops for 16-20 minutes in an air fryer preheated to 390F (200C). Flip the chops halfway through cooking time.
How to make frozen lamb chops in air fryer?
You can make air fryer frozen lamb chops, but the results will not be as good as when you cook them from fresh. Depending on your recipe, you will need to add 5-6 minutes to the total cooking time to defrost them.
How to make lamb chops in oven?
Here’s a popular recipe from Bon Appetit for herb-roasted lamb chops in the oven. The lamb chops are marinated, seared in a skillet on the stove, then transferred to the oven to roast. Yummy!
Can you eat lamb chops pink?
Color is not the major indicator of doneness in lamb and other meats, internal temperature is. The minimum safe internal temperature for lamb is 145F (63C), regardless of whether there is still some pink inside.
Does lamb get more tender the longer you cook it?
Lamb generally gets more tender with longer, slow cooking methods at a lower temperature. However, overcooking can still make it dry and less enjoyable.
What is the difference between lamb chops and lamb shoulder chops?
Lamb chops come from the rib or loin, while lamb shoulder chops are cut from the shoulder, a tougher but flavorful part. Shoulder chops may benefit from slow cooking to become tender, or you can marinate and air fry them.
👨🏾🍳 Other Air Fryer Meat Recipes
Looking for more air fryer recipes for meat? Try these:
- Roast Lamb in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Pork Roast
- Polish Sausage in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Ground Beef
You may also want to check out the entire collection of Air Fryer Recipes while you’re here!
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
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This is truly excellent!
Hi John! Thank you so much!
Do you prefer lamb shoulder or lamb loin chops?