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Air Fryer Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb
Whilst this is slightly fancy and not a traditional recipe that you would meal prep, hear me out. It’s a fully loaded complete meal cooked in the air fryer and definitely a recipe you might have for your Sunday roast, but you won’t have to worry about your Monday or Tuesday lunch. Say goodbye to the Sunday night fear.
SERVES
6
CALORIES
468
COOKING TIME
25 mins
DIFFICULTY
simple
Can you cook a rack of lamb in the air fryer?
Yes — a rack of lamb works brilliantly in the air fryer. It cooks evenly, develops a gorgeous golden herb crust, and stays juicy inside. It’s also quicker than the oven, making it one of the easiest lamb recipes to prepare at home.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
While lamb is best enjoyed straight after cooking, you can absolutely use leftovers for meal prep. Slice the rack into chops and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They’re delicious reheated in the air fryer or served cold with salads, beans, or grains.
What’s the best way to get a crispy herb crust in the air fryer?
Pat the lamb dry before brushing on the mustard and pressing on the herb and Parmesan mixture. This helps the crust stick. Cooking at a high heat in the air fryer ensures the herbs and cheese crisp up without drying out the meat.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes — you can assemble the herb crust in advance. Spread the mustard over the rack of lamb, coat with the herb and Parmesan mix, then cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to air fry. This makes it a brilliant recipe for entertaining.
Is rack of lamb healthy?
Rack of lamb is naturally rich in protein and iron. Cooking it in the air fryer means you use less oil, keeping it lighter than some traditional lamb recipes. Pairing it with beans and spinach balances out the meal with fibre and nutrients.
Can I adapt this lamb recipe?
Definitely. You can swap rosemary and thyme for mint or parsley if you prefer. For a different twist, try using pecorino instead of Parmesan in the crust. The base recipe is really easy to customise to your taste. For more delicious air fryer recipes like this, you can pick up a copy of my air fryer book Air Fryer 30 Minute Meals.
Method
Step 1
2 x 6 bone racks of lamb
Step 2
2 tbsp olive oil
Step 3
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
Step 4
400g tin of white beans (I like cannellini beans), drained
Step 5
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Step 6
20g Parmesan, grated
Step 7
200g spinach
Step 8
1 tbsp green pesto
Step 9
1 red chilli, finely diced
Step 10
Salt and pepper, to taste
Step 11
Fo the herb crust:
Step 12
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
Step 13
1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
Step 14
50g Parmesan, grated
Step 15
1 tbsp olive oil
Step 16
2 garlic cloves, minced
Ingredients
Mix together all the herb crust ingredients in a bowl along with some salt and pepper, and set aside.
Pat the lamb dry with kitchen paper really well and drizzle over 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper.
Brush the fat around the lamb with the Dijon mustard and firmly pat on the herb crust. Transfer to the air fryer and cook at 200°C for 20 minutes for medium or 25 minutes for medium well done. Once cooked, remove to a plate, cover lightly in foil and allow to rest for 10–15 minutes.
While the lamb is resting, add a tin of beans to the air fryer basket with the remaining olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, Parmesan and some salt and pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes, then add in the spinach and cook for a further 2–3 minutes while you carve the lamb.
Once cooked, stir the pesto through the spinachy beans and plate up with the lamb and chilli sprinkled over. Serve.
