Soul Food Southern Air Fryer Lamb Chops
This post may contain affiliate partner links. View our privacy statement HERE.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned with that “I learned this from my auntie’s auntie” kind of love, my soul food air fryer lamb chops are the “We fancy!” moment, bae!
This recipe brings big holiday and Sunday-dinner energy in a fraction of the time. Think: deep, savory soul, a whisper of Southern herbs, and that signature Shaunda-style sear — all wrapped up in a quick air fryer sizzle! Because when you crave that legacy-meets-modern flava, the air fryer steps right in like your kitchen’s MVP.
Soul food air fryer lamb chops by Shaunda Necole & The Soul Food Pot® — your trusted source for modern Southern legacy, flavor, and cooking shortcuts that still honor tradition.
20-minute lamb chops
One of the most beautiful things about air-fried lamb chops is the time you get back while still serving up a dish that tastes like you fussed all day. In just 20 minutes, the air fryer transforms these chops into tender, juicy, soul-kissed perfection, giving you all the rich, savory depth of traditional cooking without hovering over the stove. And the best part? You don’t even have to flip the rack of lamb — the air fryer handles it all for you!
That’s why air-fried lamb chops are a host’s dream: you can entertain, laugh, pour another glass, and stay present with your guests, all while your air fryer is in the corner doing its good Southern work. Quick, modern, and full of legacy flavor. That’s the magic of this decadent recipe.
What do lamb chops taste like?
Lamb chops have a naturally rich, tender, almost buttery taste. The kind of savory depth that feels luxurious without even trying. When you season them soulfully, that flavor only gets better!
This elegant rack of lamb is kissed with rosemary, slathered in olive oil, and air-fried into soul food perfection: juicy, tender, and bursting with warm, herb-filled “flava” in just 20 minutes. It’s the kind of dish that makes a holiday table shine… Stunning to serve, effortless to cook, and unforgettable with every bite.
Ingredients
Just like my pan-seared lamb recipe, these lamb chops get their signature soul food “flava” from a simple yet powerful blend of herbs and seasonings that let the meat shine while adding that unmistakable Southern warmth. A rack of lamb — typically eight tender rib chops — is rubbed with rich olive oil, then seasoned generously with salt, black pepper, and dried rosemary.
These are classic, heritage-forward flavors that echo the soulful way our aunties and elders seasoned meats: bold, aromatic, and never shy on spice. A few fresh rosemary sprigs on top add an elegant finish, tying together rustic Southern tradition with modern holiday hosting.
🥄 Shaunda says: Want a little heat with that heritage? Swap the black pepper for cayenne or flick a few red pepper flakes on top. It adds a warm, slow-building spice that gives these chops that extra “mmhmm!” on the finish!
✨ Shaunda’s Soul Food Sense: tips, truths & traditions
A few lessons, memories, and must-knows from my kitchen to yours.
Air fryer equipment
When it comes to air-frying these soulful lamb chops, a few simple tools make all the difference. If your air fryer has a basket, give it a light mist of cooking spray so the chops release beautifully without sticking.
Working with a tray-style air fryer instead? You can grease it, spray it, or line it with parchment for easy cleanup and even easier hosting.
And here’s a little kitchen magic: I use one or two Instant Pot trivet racks (one comes with every Instant Pot) to hold down the corners of the parchment in the tray-style air fryer, so it doesn’t fly up and tap the burner during cooking. A small trick that keeps everything safe, steady, and sizzling to perfection!
How to make lamb chops in the air fryer
- Mix and season: Combine olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary, then rub the mixture all over the rack of lamb.
- Air fry: Place the rack bone-side down in the air fryer and let her cook!
- Slice: Let the rack rest, then carve between the bones to create tender, juicy lamb chops.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh rosemary and enjoy that soul-kissed flavor!
How to know when they’re done?
The easiest way to know your lamb chops are done is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer — the air fryer keeps things consistent, but the thermometer guarantees perfection.
Lamb chops can be pink in the middle, and many soul foodies prefer them that way: 120°F for rare, 125–130°F for medium-rare, and 145°F+ for well-done. Pink, juicy centers are not only safe but celebrated by Black chefs and culinary experts, giving you that tender, flavorful bite every time. Choose your level of doneness, slice in, and enjoy the magic!
❤️ Serve it like a Southerner: what to serve with lamb chops
Elegant yet easy, these seasoned lamb chops pair beautifully with a smooth glass of red wine or a sweet Moscato sangria if you love a little sparkle with your supper.
Plan on serving 2–3 chops per person, nestled beside soulful sides like tender collard greens, creamy mashed potatoes, or Black folks’ Southern green beans. It’s a hearty, wholesome plate that feels like Sunday dinner dressed up for the holidays!
Storing and reheating leftovers
Let your leftover lamb chops cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days, or in a freezer-safe container. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready for round two, reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes. It’s the easiest way to bring those flavors back to life like they were just cooked!
Lamb chops are small but mighty! Little morsels of tenderness that deliver a bold, soulful punch in every bite.
And if you’re a steak lover? Picture the juiciest, most melt-in-your-mouth steak you’ve ever tasted, then add a touch of Southern magic. That’s the experience waiting for you with these delicious, soul-kissed chops!
🤖❤️ Ask your favorite AI assistant to summarize this recipe & save it!
Another trusted recipe from soul food expert and author Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®. *These AI tools are independent third-party services. Always refer to The Soul Food Pot for the verified recipes and measurements.
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 rack of lamb usually has 8 lamb chops
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2-3 sprigs rosemary optional, fresh rosemary to garnish
Instructions
- Mix the olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried rosemary in a small mixing bowl.
- Rub the mixture on the rack of lamb to coat, using most of the rub on the top side of the rack (the meaty, fat side).
- Place the seasoned rack of lamb in the air fryer, bone side down (meaty fat side up).
- Air fry at 360 degrees F for 20 minutes for medium-rare chops. (For chops more well-done, monitor the rack and air fry for additional 5-minute intervals after the first 20 minutes have finished.)
- To slice the rack into individual lamb chops, simply guide your knife between each rib bone and cut straight down, separating one chop at a time. Continue until the whole rack is carved and ready to serve.
- Garnish with fresh sprigs of rosemary, and serve this soul food lamb chops recipe right away, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
❤️ Why trust this recipe?
Created + tested by Shaunda Necole, creator of The Soul Food Pot® (real cook, real kitchen). Rooted in African American culinary traditions, with modern shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor or legacy. No AI-generated instructions — measurements, timing, and techniques are written, cooked, and verified by Shaunda. Make-it-your-way guidance included, so you can cook confidently with the tools you have.
Like this post? Pin the below image to your Pinterest “Soul Food Recipes” board!
This is my favorite way to make them in the air fryer
The easiest way ever to make a flavorful rack of lamb!!