These boneless Air Fryer Lamb Leg Steaks are a quick, easy, and seriously tasty alternative to beef steak. Lamb leg is often overlooked as a fast-cooking cut, but it’s packed with flavour and perfect for a speedy meal.
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Lamb leg steaks are something that I’ve bought from the butchers for years. As with most boneless lamb cuts, I find that they are very versatile and really stand up to being heavily seasoned. Lamb steaks might not be the most economical of all the cuts, but they are quick and simple to cook on occasion.
Because these steaks are boneless, that makes them especially versatile, They’re easy to carve and serve in other dishes in slices, or served simply with a regular steak.
How to Serve
As I mentioned, these lamb steaks are incredibly versatile and can be used in any manner of dishes and cuisines.
I love to use lamb in middle Eastern Inspire dishes and meals. You can’t go wrong with a base of Turkish rice with vermicelli noodles, some grilled Mediterranean vegetables like courgettes and peppers, a good yogurt sauce and some salad leaves. That’s exactly how I’ve served the lamb steaks in this post
I also find lamb to be a really nice alternative to pork or chicken when making Asian style dishes like ramen or rice bowls. Of course lamb is also a natural bedfellow of Indian style cookery with tandoori spices being especially complimentary. Air fryer cooking really is the next best thing to tandoor cooking at home and so this is something I do a lot.
But you can also keep things very simple by serving lamb steaks like you would any other roast meat on a British style roast dinner. Sometimes you may not want to cook an entire joint of meat and have leftovers if you are cooking for a smaller crowd. Using steaks instead is a really great alternative.
When saving like this is nice to add traditional flavourings like garlic and rosemary or other herbs like oregano or thyme. Minted lamb is also very traditional here in the UK and you can add mint sauce either before or after cooking if you like this.
Ingredients
Lamb Leg Steaks
Lamb leg steaks are readily available in supermarkets. Although I have to admit I do prefer to buy them from the butchers. This is because you can ask them to cut them nice and thick. I find that the supermarket options can often be quite thin which makes cooking them rare, medium rare or even medium quite tricky. So wherever you buy them from do try to look for the thickest steaks that you can .
The steaks that I used were lovely and large – around 300h/11oz each. They were a good 2cm/1″ thick. These are easy to give a really nice char on the outside while still cooking them to medium rare. Which is how I prefer them.
As these boneless steaks are cut from the lamb leg, you will find that they are often basically a horseshoe shape rather than a whole round.
You can of course also buy a whole or half lamb leg, remove the bone yourself and then cut it into steaks. Or buy a boneless lamb leg joint and cut that.
Oil
I usually use either a neutral vegetable oil or olive oil when cooking lamb. For this recipe I just used regular vegetable oil. You can use any oil that you prefer but it is important to make sure that if it has a distinct flavour that this will marry with the rest of your meal and ingredients.
Although lamb leg can have a little fat marbling, they are generally on the lean side. The added oil helps the lamb to get a nice char on the outside without drying out. It also gives the seasoning something to stick to. So please don’t skip this step.
Seasoning
I used a mixture of garlic salt and paprika to season my lamb. This is one of my go-to simple seasonings for air fried meats.
You can use any seasonings you like which will pair with the rest of your meal. Or, if you just want to keep things neutral, simply use sea salt flakes. Speaking of salt, it is important that whatever blend of seasonings you do use, that it does include salt.
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 Boneless Lamb Leg Steaks
Exactly how long you cook the lamb will depend on how you like it to be cooked. It is also important to note that the cooking time will vary depending on how thick your steaks are. I’ve written this for decently thick, 2cm/1″ steaks. So if your steaks are thinner you may want to reduce the cooking time. And vice versa for even thicker steaks.
I don’t find that you need to turn the lamb as it cook but you can do it the midway point if you prefer.
To cook the lamb steaks to medium-rare they need around 8 minutes. For medium cook for around 10 minutes and around 12 minutes for well done. Much less than medium rare and I find that the lamb steaks can be a little on the tough side. So for this cut I would encourage you to aim for at least medium-rare.
How to Air Fry Lamb Leg Steaks From Frozen
Whilst it is totally possible to cook lamb leg steaks from frozen, I really do prefer not to. This is because it is very difficult to ensure they’re properly cooked in the centre of the steaks.
if you freeze steaks in a single layer in a bag, they will defrost quite quickly. So it really is worth rate waiting if possible.
If you simply must cook them for a frozen, then you should make sure to rinse off any ice crystals from the surface of the lamb. Dry the steaks thoroughly and then oil and season as normal.
Leftovers – Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for several days. If possible try to store any leftover meat unsliced. This is for two reasons. Firstly it will be easier to keep it nice and moist when reheating. Secondly, if you do wish to slice the steak, it is also easier to cut very thin slices when the meat is cold.
I like to use the microwave to reheat previously cooked meats. I add a little drop of water and this helps to keep the meat very moist as it effectively steams it. If you prefer to reheat in the air fryer, you can recreate this environment by loosely wrapping the meat in foil along with a little drop of water. Air fry on high until the meat is piping hot throughout.
You can also freeze any leftovers either as a full steak or pre-sliced. You should be able to add slices of frozen meat directly to some meals like soups, stews, stir fries etc. Otherwise simply allow it to thaw before using.
You can eat leftover lamb cold rather than reheating it, but it honestly isn’t my favourite meat to eat cold due to the way that the lamb fat hardens.
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 Lamb Leg Steaks Recipe (Boneless)
Ingredients
- 2 Boneless Lamb Leg Steaks - 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 Boneless Lamb Leg Steaks.
- Drizzle over 1 tbsp Oil and 1½ tsp Seasoning and toss to thoroughly coat the lamb.
- Place the lamb steaks into the air fryer basket. Leave a little space between each so the air can circulate.
- Air fry at 200c/390f for: 8 minutes for medium-rare – 10 minutes for medium – 12 minutes for well done.
- If you want to turn them midway through cooking, 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
- Air fry at 200c/390f for: 10 minutes for medium-rare – 12 minutes for medium – 14 minutes for well done
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 leg steaks in the basket at a time. This gives just enough 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.
Hazel says
I love lamb but hadn’t thought about cooking it like this in the air fryer. It was so easy and I’ll definitely be making it again. Thanks for the recipe.
Jen says
This is such an easy way to cook lamb, and I liked the seasoning blend, I added a little ground cumin too.