Air-Fryer Lamb Kofta
I used to make lamb kofta on the grill, balancing skewers on bricks to avoid flare-ups. The hardest part was turning them over—sometimes the meat would even fall through the grates. When I discovered that you could get the same charred flavor using an air fryer, I never looked back. The process is simple, quick, and foolproof. In just ten minutes, you’ll have perfectly cooked kofta that tastes every bit as good as grilled.
These lamb koftas are versatile—you can serve them as a flavorful appetizer or as a hearty main dish. For a full meal, simply cut each pita in half and fill the pockets with kofta, cucumber, tomato, and onion. Finish with a drizzle of yogurt-lime sauce (recipe is given below).
Ground lamb is available in most grocery stores, but if you prefer, you can grind your own at home. This way, you’ll have control over the fat content. Just be sure to include enough fat to keep the kofta moist and juicy.
Cooking time: 1 hour
“Hi, I’m Aswathy! Cooking has always been a passion of mine, and I love exploring new recipes from different corners of the world. While I can’t say I enjoy the cleaning up as much, the joy of creating and sharing delicious dishes makes it all worthwhile. On this blog, you’ll find a collection of recipes, stories, and flavors that inspire me—and I hope they inspire you too! Feel free to try out the recipes, share your thoughts in the comments, and let me know how they turn out in your kitchen.”
Ingredients and Instructions
- Ground lamb 1lb
- Red onion, chopped 1 cup
- Ginger, chopped 1.5 tbsp
- Garlic, chopped 2 tbsp
- Green chili, chopped 3 tbsp
- Cilantro, chopped 4 tbsp
- Coriander powder 1 tbsp
- Cumin powder 1 tsp
- Table salt 1 tsp
- Black pepper powder 2 tsp
In a large bowl, combine the ground lamb with all the other ingredients. Lightly mix using your fingers until well combined. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Divide the mixture into twelve equal parts. Lightly oil your palms to prevent sticking, and shape each portion into a 4-inch cylinder.
Place the koftas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spaced apart. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Set the air fryer to 400°F. Cook for about 10 minutes, flipping after 7 minutes, until the koftas are lightly browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Let the koftas rest for 5 minutes. Serve as a main dish by halving the pita and tucking in kofta, cucumber, tomato, and onion, then adding a splash of yogurt-lime sauce on top.
For an appetizer, cut the kofta in half and thread each piece onto a skewer. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with the lime-yogurt sauce (recipe below).
Lime Yogurt Sauce
Recipe adapted from Christoper Kimball’s Milk Street
- 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Mix all ingredients until smooth. Chill before serving.