April 1, 2026, 10:23 am | Read time: 8 minutes

Lamb Chops in the Air Fryer–Juicy and Surprisingly Good if Done Right

Lamb is a staple for many at Easter, and I was honestly skeptical whether the air fryer could really keep up. My impression after the test: The crust works surprisingly well. The fat melts easily, and the surface becomes aromatic.

From a nutritional perspective, lamb has a lot to offer: It provides high-quality protein and essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, which contribute to muscle building and support the immune system. Additionally, lamb contains conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), which have been shown to improve blood fats in animal studies. The effect has not yet been proven in humans.¹ Moreover, the fat content varies depending on the cut—those who want to eat more consciously should opt for lean cuts like leg or fillet.²

What is often overlooked: The heat comes strongly from the outside—inside, the meat can remain raw longer than expected, especially with thicker chops. With the right timing, the result can be truly convincing—it’s just important to keep an eye on the cooking point.

What You Should Specifically Watch Out For

Chops should be as evenly thick as possible to ensure even cooking. The meat should come to room temperature for about ten to 15 minutes before cooking. It’s also important not to overload the air fryer, as this can hinder air circulation. The chops should definitely be turned halfway through the cooking time. In the end, it’s always advisable to cut the meat or measure the core temperature rather than relying solely on time.

Ingredients (for 2 servings)

• 4 lamb chops
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic
• Rosemary
• Salt, pepper

Preparation

1. Rub chops with oil, garlic, and spices
2. Let sit for ten to 15 minutes
3. Cook in the air fryer at 200°C (about 392°F) for eight to 12 minutes
4. Turn halfway through
5. Definitely check: cut or measure core temperature

Reality Check: Shorter cooking times often lead to a still pink result, while longer times tend to result in well-done meat—though this depends on thickness. The only truly reliable method is checking with a thermometer.

Deviled Eggs–Classic and Good, a Practical Alternative in the Air Fryer

Without deviled eggs, Easter would be incomplete for me. That’s why it was one of the first tests. Deviled eggs are an absolute Easter classic—creamy, spicy, a bit nostalgic.

From a nutritional standpoint, eggs are very interesting: They contain highly digestible protein that the body can almost completely utilize. Most of the nutrients are in the yolk—including fat and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, with vitamin A playing an important role in vision. Additionally, there are water-soluble B vitamins like B1 and B2, which are involved in energy production and cellular respiration, as well as folic acid, which is needed for blood cell formation. Eggs also provide minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron in the yolk, as well as sodium and potassium in the egg white. Cholesterol is also present in the yolk, which should be considered in the overall diet.³

Eggs can actually be cooked in the air fryer. However, the results vary more than in a water bath. Some turn out perfect, others slightly rubbery. This is because the heat is drier and more direct.

Ingredients (for 2 servings)

• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• Salt, pepper
• Paprika powder

Preparation

1. Cook eggs in the air fryer at 160°C (about 320°F) for 11 to 14 minutes
2. Cool, peel, and halve
3. Mix yolk with mayo and mustard
4. Fill the mixture back into the eggs

Reality Check: For consistent texture, the classic preparation in a pot is more reliable. The air fryer is mainly worthwhile if it’s already in use.

Mini Easter Bread from the Air Fryer–Better Than Expected

I was most skeptical about the yeast bread, and this is where the air fryer shows its weaknesses. Yeast dough loves even heat—but the air fryer can only provide this to a limited extent.

The key is: Not all yeast serves the same purpose. While baking yeast is used for traditional pastries to loosen and raise the dough, nutritional yeast or yeast flakes are inactive and therefore unsuitable for baking. Instead, they impress with their valuable ingredients, including B vitamins, high-quality protein, and minerals like zinc and iron, which can support metabolism.⁴

Yeast dough primarily serves as a quick energy source: It mainly provides carbohydrates and can—depending on the recipe—also contain sugar and fat. Especially during holidays, consumption is unproblematic but should be seen as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of the daily diet.

The typical problem: quickly brown on the outside, not quite done inside. For small portions, it works well, although a traditional oven is still advantageous for larger quantities.

Ingredients (for 2 servings)

• 150 g flour
• ½ cube of yeast
• 50 ml milk
• 20 g sugar
• 20 g butter
• 1 egg yolk

Preparation

1. Dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk
2. Knead into dough with flour, sugar, and butter
3. Let rise for 45 minutes
4. Form a small braid, brush with egg yolk
5. Bake in the air fryer at 160 to 170°C (about 320 to 338°F) for 12 to 15 minutes

Reality Check: If the braid gets too dark on top, it should be loosely covered with aluminum foil. If in doubt, bake a little longer and use a skewer test to check if the dough is done inside.

Potatoes with Herbs–Where the Air Fryer Shines

If there’s one dish where I would say without reservation “this works really well,” it’s potatoes.

Their reputation is worse than it should be: Potatoes are almost fat-free and instead provide starch, fiber, and high-quality protein.⁵ Additionally, they contain valuable nutrients: Besides vitamin C and various B vitamins, they also provide minerals and secondary plant compounds. This composition makes them a sensible addition to a balanced diet. Especially colored varieties bring additional secondary plant compounds like anthocyanins, which can have antioxidant effects.

The hot air in the oven ensures the desired result: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside—just as you would expect from a classic Easter side dish. Moreover, the preparation is relatively uncomplicated and usually succeeds without any issues.

Ingredients (for 2 servings)

• 400 g small potatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Rosemary or thyme
• Salt

Preparation

1. Halve potatoes
2. Mix with oil and spices
3. Cook in the air fryer at 190°C (about 374°F) for about 20 minutes
4. Shake occasionally

Reality Check: If the cooking basket is too full, the potatoes will be more soft than crispy. In this case, it’s better to work in two batches.

More on the topic

Simple and Fast Healthy Meal Prep with the Air Fryer: Cook for the Week in Just 2 Hours

FITBOOK Editor My 3 Favorite Summer Recipes – Healthy and Refreshing from the Air Fryer

The 3 Most Important Air Fryer Rules for Easter

Anyone using the air fryer for an Easter meal should not rely blindly on time specifications. In practice, it quickly becomes apparent that devices work differently and foods are not always cut to the same thickness or evenly. A quick visual check during cooking is therefore crucial.

It’s also important not to overload the cooking basket. Only when the hot air can circulate will the typical crispy surface form. If the basket is too full, many foods will be more soft than crispy.

Especially with meat, it’s also worth consciously checking the degree of doneness. Particularly with lamb, it can otherwise happen that it appears done on the outside but is still too raw inside. A quick cut or a thermometer provides safety here.

Conclusion

Regarding the recipes and their execution, I thought long and hard. In retrospect, I would say: The confidence was there—the details were missing. Simply put: The thought counted. The potatoes were pretty much the only part that didn’t cause me any problems. With the lamb, however, it was a different story. I was constantly worried about whether the meat was cooked or not—which led to me standing like a stalker in the hallway, peeking into the kitchen. As if my gaze could somehow influence the cooking process.

The eggs run alongside but aren’t a highlight. And with the yeast bread, it depends on how much patience you have. My honest conclusion after the test: The air fryer can deliver a really good Easter meal—just not on autopilot. Once you understand how it works, it functions surprisingly well.