These air fryer lamb koftas are easy to make with lamb mince, a handful of spices and fresh herbs. They’re full of flavour, nicely browned on the outside and juicy in the middle.
What You Need
For exact quantities, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Lamb mince: Lamb has plenty of flavour and works really well with the spices in this recipe. You can use whichever fat percentage you prefer.
Onion: Adds flavour and moisture to the koftas. Finely grate or chop it and squeeze out the excess liquid before mixing it with the lamb.
Garlic: Freshly crushed garlic adds plenty of flavour, but you can use garlic paste if that’s what you have.
Ground cumin: Gives the koftas their lovely warm, earthy flavour.
Ground coriander: Works really well alongside the cumin and adds a subtle citrusy flavour.
Paprika: Adds a little colour and a gentle sweetness. You can use smoked paprika if you prefer.
Ground cinnamon: Just a small amount adds warmth without making the koftas taste sweet.
Salt and black pepper: To season the lamb.
Fresh parsley or mint: Either works well. Parsley gives a fresh, herby flavour, while mint is particularly lovely with lamb. You could also use a mixture of both.
How To Make Lamb Koftas In An Air Fryer
Making lamb koftas from scratch is surprisingly straightforward, and you don’t need any special equipment apart from your air fryer.
Start by preparing the onion. I like to grate it quite finely so that it mixes evenly through the lamb. The important thing here is to squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible, otherwise the koftas can end up a little too wet and struggle to hold their shape.
Add the onion to a mixing bowl along with the lamb mince, crushed garlic, spices, seasoning and chopped herbs.
Get your hands in and give everything a really good mix for a minute or two. You want the ingredients to be evenly combined and the mixture to start feeling slightly sticky. This helps the koftas hold together during cooking.
Next, divide the mixture into eight equal portions and shape each one into a short sausage.
If you’ve got time, pop them in the fridge for about 20 minutes before cooking. This isn’t essential, but it does help them firm up.
Preheat your air fryer to 190°C if required by your model, then arrange the koftas in the basket in a single layer. Leave a little space between each one so the hot air can circulate.
Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, turning them over halfway through.
They should be nicely browned on the outside and cooked all the way through. Check the centre of the thickest kofta with a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches 75°C for 30 seconds.
Once cooked, they’re ready to serve.
Tips For Making Air Fryer Lamb Koftas
- Remove the moisture from the onion. This is probably the most important tip for making sure the koftas hold their shape.
- Mix the lamb thoroughly. Spending an extra minute mixing everything together helps bind the ingredients.
- Keep them evenly sized. This makes it easier for all the koftas to cook at the same rate.
- Chill before cooking. If you have time, refrigerating the shaped koftas for 20 minutes can help them stay together.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if necessary so they brown evenly.
- Adjust the spices. For a little heat, try adding some chilli flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
What To Serve With Lamb Koftas
- I like to serve these air fryer lamb koftas with warm flatbreads or pitta bread, a fresh salad and a dip or sauce on the side. They’re perfect for a quick midweek dinner, but also work well as part of a larger Mediterranean-style spread.
- For a simple meal, tuck them into warm pitta bread or flatbreads with shredded lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and red onion.
- They’re also delicious with rice or couscous and a generous helping of salad.
- For sauces, try tzatziki, garlic sauce, hummus or a little chilli sauce if you prefer something with a kick.
- You could even make a kofta platter with a selection of dips, flatbreads and roasted vegetables for everyone to help themselves.
Can You Make Lamb Koftas Ahead Of Time?
Yes. You can prepare and shape the koftas in advance, then keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them. This makes them a handy option if you want to get dinner prepared earlier in the day.
You can also freeze the uncooked koftas. Arrange them on a lined tray until frozen, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
Defrost them thoroughly in the fridge before air frying.
How To Store And Reheat Leftover Koftas
Allow any leftover cooked koftas to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at around 180°C for a few minutes until piping hot throughout.
As with the initial cooking, make sure they’re thoroughly heated before serving.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you enjoyed these air fryer lamb koftas, have a look at my other air fryer recipes for more easy lunch and dinner ideas.
- Air Fryer Lamb Steaks
- Air Fryer Garlic and Herb Lamb Chops
- Garlic and Herb Air Fryer Roast Leg Of Lamb
- Air Fryer Gammon Steak
- Air Fryer Jerk Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan with Cherry Tomatoes
Air Fryer Lamb Koftas
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Liana’s Kitchen running.
Ingredients
- 500 g lamb mince
- 50 g onion (approx half a small onion), finely sliced
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley or mint
Instructions
- Finely chop or grate the onion, then squeeze it firmly in your hands or through a clean tea towel to remove as much liquid as possible.
- Put the onion in a bowl with the lamb, garlic, spices, seasoning and herbs. Mix thoroughly with your hands for a minute or two, until the mixture feels slightly sticky.
- Divide into eight portions and shape each into a short, even sausage. If you have time, chill them for 20 minutes to help them keep their shape.
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C if your model requires it. Arrange the koftas in a single layer with a little space between them.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway, until browned and cooked through. Check the thickest kofta with a thermometer: the centre should reach 75°C for 30 seconds. Minced meat needs to be cooked thoroughly.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an estimate.