These Air Fryer Barnsley Lamb Chops cook beautifully with a nicely browned crust and juicy interior. The bone-in double cut chops are a traditional cut of lamb with a perfect ratio of fat to meat that is packed with flavour. Don’t overlook this cut also known as saddle chops or miss out on these delicious and quick to cook lamb.
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I’ve shared many air fryer lamb recipes at this point but didn’t want to miss including this cut. Barnsley chops are a little rarer to come across nowadays, But they’re such a delicious and meaty cut that I thought it was important to include them.
They’re not quite so readily available to buy in supermarkets although they can be found if you look hard enough. Traditional butchers however will almost certainly have them available. They might be ever so slightly harder to eat than something like a lamb leg steak or chump chop because of the bone. But I’m a bit of a neanderthal that likes to pick up the bone and chew all that tasty meat off of it. So I love these chops.
If you do want to check out all of my other air fried lamb recipes, just click on the image below.
How to Serve
As I say in every lamb recipe, lamb is incredibly versatile. It has a strong flavour that really stands up to being well seasoned and served with various different cuisines from around the world.
But for me, with the Barnsley chop being such a classic British piece of meat, I do generally serve it as part of a classic British meal. Or what I like to call, a meat and gravy meal. Try mixing a matching any of my roast dinner recipes to create a simple meal. I love Barnsley chops served with mashed potatoes, roasted honey parsnips, and some buttered spring greens.
But they’re also great served in a lighter way with some salad, Turkish rice, creamy coleslaw and roasted vegetables like I’ve done in the images on this page.
You could also serve them just like a steak, with some garlicky roasted mushrooms, air fried chippy chips, and some garden peas.
Ingredients
Lamb
Barnsley chops are simply lamb loin chops which have not been separated along the spine. So they are just basically two lamb chops in one.
As I’ve already mentioned, It is harder to find Barnsley cut chops in supermarkets, especially in the pre-packaged ranges. A good butcher or even a butcher’s counter in a supermarket is going to be a much better bet. If you can’t find Barnsley chops go for regular lamb loin chops – they’ll taste the same of course.
I’m understand that chops cut like this are known as saddle chops in the US. But as lamb is not as commonly eaten or available over that side of the pond, I imagine they are only more likely to be found in specialist butchers.
The Barnsley chops that I’ve cooked or a really good size and nice and thick – around 300g/11oz each. This means that just one chop was a decent portion for one person and two chops made for a very hearty serving.
Oil
Although Barnsley chops should have a good amount of fat and decent marbling throughout the meat, the little bit of extra oil is still necessary. The thin coating of oil helps the outside of the chops to crisp up and get nice and brown without drying out. It also gives a seasoning something to adhere to.
I’ve used a neutral flavoured vegetable oil. But you can use any oil that you prefer. Or even melted butter. Just make sure that if whatever you choose has a strong flavour, that it complements the rest of your meal.
Seasoning
To keep things simple I’ve used a mix of paprika and garlic salt. This is my go-to seasoning mix when I’m just keeping things very neutral and easy. I can serve lamb chops seasoned like this with basically any cuisine with no clash of flavours.
You can use any seasonings, or mixes that you prefer. But don’t feel confined to only using spices. You can also use fresh herbs, citrus juice and/or zest. Minted lamb is a very popular flavouring here in the UK. You can achieve this by using specialist dry seasoning mixes, just using dried mint or marinating in mint sauce.
Allergen Information
This recipe is free from egg, dairy, gluten and nuts.
Please note that this recipe may contain other allergens not referred to above and any variations suggested have not been tested unless otherwise stated. For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How Long to Air Fry Barnsley Chops
Exactly how long your chops will take to air fry will depend on their size and thickness. The chops I’ve cooked here which are around 300g/11oz cook in 10 minutes. This cooks them to just slightly over medium. I find that cooking Barnsley chops any less than this and they end up with quite tough pieces of meat around the bone areas.
Even thicker chops will require a couple of extra minutes cooking. And of course, thinner chops will require less cooking. And if you prefer your lamb to have no pink at all, add 2 to 3 minutes to the cooking time. Do be careful not to overcook and remember that the meat will continue to cook slightly as the meat rests.
Talking of resting the meat – It’s a good idea to allow the chops to sit for 5 minutes covered in foil before serving. This gives the meat a chance to relax, the juices to redistribute and a more even cook on the chops.
How to Air Fry Barnsley Lamb Chops From Frozen
You can cook Barnsley lamb chops directly from frozen in the air fryer. There are a couple of extra steps to make sure that the lamb cooks well and browns nicely on the outside .
Start by giving the frozen chops a quick rinse under running water to remove any surface ice. Dry the chops really well and then you can carry on with oiling and seasoning them as normal.
I find that you generally only need to add around an extra two minute to the cooking time when cooking lamb chops from frozen.
Leftovers – Storage & Reheating
Leftover lamb chops will keep in the fridge quite happily for several days. You can also freeze them and defrost at later date.
Although you can eat leftover lamb cold, I find the lamb fat solidifies in a way that isn’t very pleasant to eat. I like to reheat the lamb in the microwave along with the drop of water. It doesn’t take long for the lamb to be piping hot without it overcooking or becoming dry.
If you don’t have a microwave available, you can replicate this by loosely wrapping the lamb in tin foil. Add a drop of water and air fry on high until piping hot. You’re effectively steaming the lamb which will keep it nice and juicy. You can also slice the meat off of the bone and add the lamb to other dishes like soups, stir fries etc and reheat it this way.
Common Air Fryer Questions – A Brief Guide to Air Frying
- What exactly is an air fryer?
- What are the benefits of using an air fryer?
- Are all air fryers the same?
- Is an air fryer always better to use than an oven?
- Do air fryers need to be pre-heated?
- What is the best temperature to air fry at?
- What setting is best to use? Air fry, bake, dehydrate, etc…
- Can food be cooked from frozen in an air fryer?
- Can I reheat food in an air fryer?
- Are air fryer liners a good idea?
The Air Fried Feast Community
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What Exactly is an Air Fryer?
Very simply, an air fryer is a small convection (fan) oven. The benefit is that the hot air is circulated all around the food being cooked which speeds up the cooking time and cooks the food more evenly.
What are the Benefits of Using an Air Fryer?
Size, time and energy usage. Air fryers are ideal for cooking smaller quantities. Heating up a space that the food just fits into requires less energy and means that the heat source is much closer to the food. Combining these two things can speed up the cooking time.
Are all air fryers the same?
Nope! The term air fryer is now used very broadly. I consider there to be 4 main types:
Basket Air Fryers
These are what I would consider to be the most common, especially in the UK. A boxy type unit has a pull out drawer/basket. Food isn’t usually visible whilst cooking.
Some larger models have two drawers so different items can be cooked at different temperatures or for different times.
This is the type that you’ll see in the images in this recipe. I mostly use a Cosori Lite 3.8L (CAF-LI401S) with a 3.8 litre capacity. The square(ish) shaped basket is 21cm x 21cm and 24cm on the diagonal. It isn’t an overly expensive or fancy model.
I’ve also recommended to several friends and family the model with a slightly larger basket. This is the Cosori 4.7L (CAF-L501) with a 4.7 litre basket. The unit is no larger than the 3.8 litre model on the outside but does have a larger internal basket capacity. I’ve since bought this version to use for some recipes where my smaller model was just too small. I’ll always note this in the recipe.
Rotary Air Fryers
Round air fryers with a paddle in the centre that rotates to move the food. This is the type I used for years – the most common is a Tefal Actifry.
Rotary types are not usually good for recipes where the food is breaded, glazed, likely to break up or in a tray/container. They do however make the best chips and roasted veg.
My 2 in 1 version like the one I’ve linked also has a rotating tray for things that could be broken up by a paddle, but the height clearance with the lid isn’t deep enough to use it to cook some items like sausage rolls. I’ve now actually retired by Actifry in favour of having my two basket type fryers.
Mini Oven Air Fryers
These usually have a glass door, shelves and overall are really quite large. You can cook quite a decent quantity of food in them so are best if regularly cooking for multiple people. They often come with extra features like a rotisserie spit or kebab skewers.
Multicookers with Air Fryer Functions
Some like Ninja 11 in 1 and some of the earlier versions with a few less functions, have an air fryer option. They mostly operate the same as a basket fryer but the basket drops in the top rather than sliding in like a drawer.
Some electric pressure cookers like Instant Pots can also air fry when used with a specific lid.
Is an air fryer always better to use than an oven?
As much as I do love air frying, the honest answer to this is no. And the more detailed answer is that it will always depend on what you’re cooking, how much of it you’re cooking and what type and size of air fryer you have.
Once you need to cook in more than 2 batches, it often makes more sense to use an oven. If you already have the oven on to cook other items, it may make more sense to throw one more item in rather than using an additional appliance.
I don’t think either method is often necessarily better than the other. The important point to note is that there is absolutely no difference in the finished product.
Do Air Fryers Need to Be Pre-Heated?
The answer to this is rather annoying – it depends. It depends entirely on your model and type of air fryer. The best advice I can offer is to check your manual and follow their guidance. My Cosori models have a preheat function. I press a button and it heats at 205c/400f for 4 minutes.
It’s also worth noting that regardless of whether you are supposed to pre-heat or not, if you are cooking in batches, it is quite likely that anything after the first batch will cook a little quicker because of the retained heat. It is best to check on them before the cooking time is completed.
What is the best temperature to Air Fry at?
It will always depend on what you are cooking and from what state. All of my air fryer recipes don’t use temperatures above 200c/390f because many of the most common fryers in the UK don’t go above this. Mine goes to 230c/450f and I use this temperature a lot but it is no help for me to share recipes which many people can’t use.
What setting is best to use? Air fry, bake, dehydrate, etc…
Not all air fryers have different settings like this. When they do it usually relates to the fan speed. The default setting to use will always be “air fry” so unless something else is specifically stated in the recipe, always use the air fry option.
There are other air fryers that have an additional heating element which cooks from underneath rather than just the top. Just as with the other settings, unless you are using a recipe which states to use a second heating element, stick with just using the top down air fry option.
Of course if and when you become more confident with air frying, using recipes and the settings of your air fryer, you can start adapting them to suit.
Can Food Be Cooked From Frozen In An Air Fryer?
Absolutely! To cook from frozen you usually will need to reduce the cooking temperature and increase the time to make sure your food is cooked right through to the middle.
It is best to check my individual recipes for cooking from frozen advice as some items are a little different. And there are occasionally exceptions to the rule.
Can I Reheat Food In An Air Fryer?
Yes. As a general rule I reheat food for roughly 1/3 of the original cooking time at the same temperature. Or at 10 degrees lower for half the time for larger items.
Are Air Fryer Liners a Good Idea?
Unless otherwise stated, I do not use liners when air frying. Basket and rotary type air fryers are designed to be used without liners. Mini oven types will generally require some kind of tray like with a regular large oven although most come with crisper racks to use.
There are many air fryer liners available including quite thick silicone ones. These will affect the cooking times and possibly temperatures of your cooking/baking. I also don’t like how cooking juices are prevented from dripping through the basket rack. This can stop food from crisping all the way around.
When I do want to collect the juices, I mostly use some foil, or occasionally a foil tray which can be washed and reused.
If you do prefer to use them, once you have got a feel for how they affect your cooking and baking, you may need to make adjustments to the recipe accordingly.
More Air Fryer Recipes
All my recipes with instructions for how to cook or bake them in the air fryer can be found in my Air Fryer Recipe Index.
Don’t forget to let me know in the comments if you try making this recipe – I want to know what you think and if you made any substitutions, how did it turn out?
Still Have Questions?
Simple! Just contact me and I will do my best to help as quickly as I am able. Head over to my Contact Me page, any of my social media channels or post a comment at the bottom of this page and I’ll see what I can do.
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The Recipe
Air Fryer Barnsley Lamb Chops – Saddle Chops Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Barnsley Lamb Chops/Double Chops - around 300g/11oz each
- 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil - see notes
- 1½ tsp Seasoning - see notes
Instructions
- If your air fryer requires pre-heating, start this setting now.
- Thoroughly dry 2 Barnsley Lamb Chops.
- Drizzle over 1 tbsp Oil and 1½ tsp Seasoning and toss to thoroughly coat the lamb.
- Place the chops into the air fryer basket. Leave a little space between each so the air can circulate.
- Cook for 10 minutes at 200c/390f.
- If you want to turn them after 5 minutes, you can do – I don't need to using the rack in my air fryer.
- Check the lamb is cooked to your liking. If you prefer it more cooked, put it back in for 2 minutes at a time.
- Allow to rest for at least 3 to 4 minutes before tucking in. Spoon over juices that have collected in the bottom of the air fryer for extra flavour.
To Cook From Frozen
- Cook for 12 minutes at 200c/390f.
- Check that the lamb is sufficiently cooked in exactly the same way as if cooking from fresh!
Notes
- Oil – Choose your oil to match your flavouring. For example use garlic, salt and rosemary with olive oil or for a more neutral flavour, sea salt and black pepper with vegetable oil.
- Seasoning – Choose any seasoning mix, spices or dried/fresh herbs. Make sure that salt is included in the mix. You can also add a little citrus juice.
- I used vegetable oil with a 2:1 mix of garlic salt and paprika.
- The air fryer version of this recipe is tested in a Cosori Lite (CAF-LI401S) with a 3.8 litre capacity. The square(ish) shaped basket is 21cm x 21cm and 24cm on the diagonal.
- Not all models advise preheating is required. Please follow the recommended instructions for your model. Mine has a specific preheat setting which is 4 minutes at 205c.
- For this recipe, I can just fit 2 300g/11oz chops in the basket at a time. This gives plenty of room to allow air to circulate.
- As all air fryer models are a little different, you may find that you can fit more or less in at a time. Some models include stacking shelves which will increase capacity.
- Required cooking times and temperatures can also vary between models and brands. If you know that your air fryer runs a little hotter than most recipes suggest, use a lower temperature. And vice versa. Equally if you find that food cooks more quickly in your machine than instructions usually state, reduce the cooking time (or check it earlier) and vice versa.
Jen says
This recipe was straight forward and easy to follow I really enjoyed my chop, it was perfectly cooked.
Dave says
It’s been years since I had one of these chops and it was good to have the air fryer instructions because the chops turned out perfectly.