Air Fryer Rack of Lamb

This recipe for air fryer rack of lamb looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to make. The lamb is perfectly cooked, tender and juicy, and sure to please any crowd. Plus, it’s ready in a fraction of the time it would take to roast in a conventional oven.

Why you’ll love this recipe

A rack of lamb is not something I would normally attempt to cook, but air frying makes a dish like this a breeze to cook!

Air frying is the perfect way to cook a rack of lamb because it provides even heat and cooks the meat quickly. This is especially important for lamb, which can dry out easily. By using an air fryer, you can ensure that your lamb is succulent and juicy.

You might also like to check out some of my other air fryer lamb recipes like this air fryer butterflied leg of lamb, air fryer lamb chops or air fryer lamb steaks.

Scroll down for the printable recipe card for this air fryer rack of lamb recipe, or read on for all the details!

What do you need?

Rack of lamb

A rack of lamb is a section of lamb rib chops that haven’t been cut into individual chops.

I’d recommend getting a frenched rack of lamb. This means it has had the excess fat trimmed off and the bones cleaned up. Your butcher will probably do this if asked, or you can often buy them ready-frenched.

A properly trimmed lamb rack will look much neater once cooked (as the fat cap will shrink and look untidy if not removed), so for a proper restaurant-style rack of lamb make sure you go with a frenched one.

Seasoning

The recipe below uses simple seasoning of rosemary and thyme, with a little salt and pepper, to make herb-crusted rack of lamb. You can switch in any other herbs or spices you like with lamb (try oregano, sage, parsley, garlic powder).

Fresh or dried herbs will work. If you are using fresh herbs, pick the leaves off and chop them up finely before using them.

Salt is important for bringing out the flavor of the lamb. I use flaked sea salt, but kosher salt, or ground sea salt are also good options.

If you prefer you can switch out the seasoning for your favorite lamb seasoning blend.

Oil

I normally use light olive oil when cooking a roast in my air fryer, but you can use any cooking oil that you would usually use for a roast.

Choose one with a high smoke point to prevent your air fryer from smoking during cooking (vegetable oil or avocado oil are good choices).

How to cook rack of lamb in an air fryer

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F/ 180°C.

Step 2: Season the lamb rack. On a plate, mix olive oil with rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pat lamb rack dry and press into the herb oil mixture, flip it over, and rub the herb mix in so the lamb is well coated.

Step 3: Air fry lamb rack. Place the lamb rack in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 15-20 minutes for medium-done lamb.

Check the temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure that it is cooked to your liking (medium-rare should be 145°F / 63°C).

See the section below for more details on cook times based on how well you like your lamb done.

Step 4: Rest lamb rack. Remove lamb rack from the air fryer, cover with kitchen foil, and leave to rest for at least five minutes before serving.

Resting the meat is really key for a succulent lamb rack, as it allows the juices to reabsorb into the meat.

How long to cook lamb rack in an air fryer

The exact cook times will depend on the size and shape of your lamb rack and how powerful your air fryer is.

The best way to know how long to cook a lamb rack in your air fryer is to use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature.

The USDA recommends cooking lamb rack to 145°F / 63°C.

If you prefer your lamb cooked to a different doneness, use 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

It is also important to rest lamb after cooking for at least 5-10 minutes. This will help the lamb reach the final cooking temperature, and allow the juices to reabsorb ensuring that it remains succulent.

Serving ideas

Lamb rack is a wonderfully tender cut of meat. Delicious served with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables, and mashed or roasted potatoes.

I also like to serve roast lamb with a mint sauce. You can try an easy homemade version by mixing chopped fresh mint leaves with sugar and vinegar. It looks a little rustic, but tastes amazing!

Share this recipe