How To Cook Lamb Ribs In An Air Fryer: Easy Cooking Guide

Originally posted on 18 September 2023 @ 19:30

How to cook lamb ribs in an air fryer

Lamb’s ribs are a delicious cut of meat that is tender, juicy, and full of flavor. While traditionally, lamb ribs are roasted or grilled, cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make these tasty ribs. Air frying lamb ribs results in crispy ribs on the outside and tender on the inside in a fraction of the time it would take to cook them in the oven.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make air fryer lamb ribs that are always cooked to perfection. We’ll cover tips on choosing the best ribs to air fry, how to prepare and season them, what temperature and cook times work best, plus some easy FAQs for troubleshooting your lamb ribs recipe. Let’s get started!

Choosing the Right Lamb Ribs for Air Frying

When selecting lamb ribs to cook in your air fryer, look for a rack of lamb ribs that are uniform in size. Individual ribs that are similar in size and thickness will cook more evenly. Try to avoid frames where the bones vary significantly in size.

For air frying, lamb loin ribs or Denver ribs work best. These ribs come from the loin section and contain a lot of meat between the bones. Please avoid lamb breast ribs for air frying as they tend to have less meat and can dry out.

A full rack of lamb contains 7-8 ribs. You can cook a whole shelf in most air fryers, but you may need to cut it in half if using a smaller model. Figure on about 1 pound of lamb ribs per person.

Preparing Lamb Ribs for the Air Fryer

Before cooking your lamb ribs, you’ll want to prepare them:

• Trim off any excess fat or membrane. Too much fat can cause smoking, so trim thick areas of fat between the bones. Also, peel off any silverskin or tough membrane covering the back of the rack.
• Season the lamb ribs. Rub them all over with a dry seasoning blend. Some good options include lemon pepper, rosemary, garlic, cumin, and chili powder. 
• Or Moroccan spices. Make sure to season both sides.
• Consider marinating. Marinate ribs for 2-6 hours before air frying for extra flavor. A marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and rosemary enhances the lamb.
• Let the ribs sit out while the air fryer preheats. Remove ribs from the fridge and let them come closer to room temperature before cooking—about 20 minutes. This helps them cook evenly.

Cooking Times and Temps for Air Fried Lamb Ribs

• Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (190°C). This high temp helps sear the ribs.
• Cook for 15 minutes for medium doneness, checking often. Lamb ribs cook quickly in the hot air fryer so keep a close eye to prevent overcooking.
• Flip halfway through cooking for even browning and cooking. Use tongs to flip carefully.
• Brush with sauce during the last 2 minutes if desired. Quickly brush ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce or glaze for added flavor.
• Check temperature. Air fry for at least 15 minutes, then check ribs for doneness. Use a meat thermometer to confirm they’ve reached 145°F for medium.
• Rest 5 minutes before serving. The temperature will rise about 5°F as they rest.

These cook times are based on 1 pound of lamb ribs. Smaller or thicker ribs may require slightly longer cooking times. Start checking early and adjust the time as needed.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Lamb Ribs

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your air-fried lamb turns out perfectly cooked and flavorful every time:

• Pat ribs dry before seasoning to help seasoning stick better
• Trim fat between bones to prevent smoking
• Use a rub with rosemary, cumin, garlic and salt
• Let sit out 20 minutes before air frying
• Arrange ribs in a single layer, not overcrowded
• Cook at 370°F for best searing and browning
• Flip halfway through cooking
• Brush with the sauce just during the last 2 minutes
• Check temperature to confirm doneness
• Allow to rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving

Side Dishes for Lamb Ribs

Lamb’s ribs pair well with these flavorful side dishes:

• Roasted or grilled vegetables
• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Rice pilaf or couscous
• Roasted sweet potatoes
• Hummus and pita bread
• Greek salad
• Grilled eggplant

A rich Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah are excellent wine choices with savory, herb-crusted lamb ribs.

FAQs

How long do you cook lamb ribs in an air fryer?

Most lamb rib recipes recommend cooking for around 15 minutes per pound at 370°F. Smaller ribs may take only 12-14 minutes. Check ribs for 15 minutes, then cook longer until internal temperature reaches 145°F.

What temperature are lamb ribs done?

The safe internal temperature for lamb ribs is 140-145°F for medium doneness. Check the temperature with a meat thermometer after at least 15 minutes of air frying.

Do you add water to the air fryer when cooking lamb?

There’s no need to add water when air-frying lamb ribs. The hot circulating air will keep the ribs from drying out. Avoid overcrowding ribs in the fryer basket so air can flow freely.

Can you cook a rack of lamb in an air fryer?

Yes, a rack of lamb cooks beautifully in the air fryer! Trim excess fat, season the lamb, and cook at 370°F for 18-22 minutes for medium-rare lamb. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, allowing the meat to rest before serving.

Should you flip lamb ribs when cooking?

Flipping lamb ribs at least once midway through air frying is essential. This ensures even cooking and browning on both sides of the racks. Use tongs to flip ribs when half the cooking time has elapsed.

Conclusion

Cooking lamb ribs in the air fryer results in flavorful, browned, and tender ribs in just 15-20 minutes of cooking time. Follow the tips in this article, like trimming fat, proper seasoning, flipping halfway, and using a meat thermometer. You’ll be serving restaurant-quality lamb ribs straight from your air fryer in no time.

The air fryer allows you to skip the lengthy oven roasting while yielding delicious ribs cooked to perfection. The quick cooking time makes air fryer lamb ribs an excellent idea for busy weeknights or easy entertaining. Serve them as appetizers or a main dish with rice, couscous, or roasted veggies.

Enjoy your succulent and juicy air-fried lamb ribs in a fraction of the time!