A delicious keto lamb kofta recipe, made extra easy in your air fryer. Great Middle Eastern flavor for a simple low carb dinner in minutes.
If you’re looking for more easy, flavorful keto dinners, look no further than this lamb kofta recipe.
I made mine in the air fryer, which made it quickly and with minimal clean up. But this is a versatile recipe and it can be done on a grill, a grill pan, or even baked in the oven.
And if you don’t happen to be a lamb fan, then you can make it with beef instead, in exactly the same way. Whatever you do, make it. Because this keto kofta recipe is juicy and delicious, with that unique combination of Middle Eastern spices.
Cinnamon, coriander, and cumin, oh my!
Inspiration for Air Fryer Lamb Kofta
I will admit that the inspiration for this keto recipe was my desire to play with my new toy, the Air Fryer Lid from Instant Pot.
Yes, you read that correctly. There is now a new lid that turns your Instant Pot into an air fryer, and these keto lamb kofta are proof that it works astonishingly well.
So if you already have an Instant Pot and you just don’t want another small kitchen appliance cluttering up your space, this might be something to consider.
Not only is it something to consider but I am actually giving one away! Scroll down to check out the giveaway.
Is kofta keto-friendly?
Whether or not kofta can be considered keto depends a great deal on what you add to it.
I researched a number of recipes and I came across that contained bread crumbs or milk-soaked bread, and some that contained copious amounts of onion. Neither of these options are particularly keto friendly.
I also saw a few that were mostly ground meat and spices, with a little garlic or grated onion. These easily could fit into a keto diet.
I decided to skip both the bread and the onion, to make a truly keto lamb kofta. Each serving has only 1.8 total carbs, and is as full of flavor as anything you might get for takeout.
How to make keto lamb kofta
Kofta is really quite similar to meatballs or hamburger patties, so it’s very simple to make. It can be served on skewers, which is fun but not necessary. And it can be grilled, pan-fried, or baked.
And of course you can easily cook it in an air-fryer too. Here are my best tips for making keto lamb kofta:
- Use lamb or beef, or even ground turkey, as you prefer. I love lamb, but I know not everyone agrees with me.
- Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl by hand. Yes, this means getting your hands dirty, but your mixture will be much more cohesive if you do it with your hands. Plus you need to form them by hand anyway!
- Make sure your spices are fresh so the best flavor comes through. Conventional wisdom says that you should only keep ground spices around for 6 months but I extend that to about 1 year.
- Kofta can be formed into patties, balls, or longer oval shaped logs. I like the oval logs for their more traditional shape, but it all tastes the same!
- Bamboo skewers are fun, but they don’t necessarily fit into every air fryer so you can skip them if you want. I did a few in my bigger Cuisinart air fryer with the skewers. Remember to soak them in advance if you do use them!
What to serve with keto lamb kofta?
Traditional kofta is served with pita bread, yogurt sauce, and sometimes rice. But for keto, we need to skip the bread and the rice.
I decided to serve mine very simply, with some cauliflower rice, fresh vegetables, and a little feta. It makes a wonderful keto dinner. And the leftovers make a great lunch the next day, too.
Easy Lamb Kofta
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground lamb (can sub beef)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- If you plan to use bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 1 hour.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and use your hands to mix well. Form into 12 oval shaped logs about 1 inch wide and 4 inches long. If using skewers, thread the logs onto the skewers.
- Air fry at 400F for 10 to 12 minutes, until nicely browned and the center of the kofta reaches at least 135F for medium. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
- You can also grill the kofta over medium heat, turning to brown all over, or bake at 375F.
Kathy-Jo says
I would love to try the air fryer lid with my instant pot, as I definitely don’t have room for another appliance!
Tory says
I’ve been looking at air fryer recipes for ages but didn’t want another appliance. The Instant Pot lid is a genius solution I can really get behind. Opens up all sorts of recipe options to try!
Tara H says
I haven’t ever used an air fryer before, but I’ve heard great things about them!
Susan Rankin says
My kids have air fryers. I would like to cook with one. Great recipe for lamb, my personal excuse for mint jelly 😉
Bonnie says
I have an instant pot but not an air fryer so am very interested in trying one. I just recently learned there was such an item. Would definitely make meals healthier. Can’t wait to try this kofta recipe. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Pan says
I loved cooking in my friend’s air fryer! I didn’t want an extra bulky appliance in my kitchen so I’ve been considering an air fryer lid for my Instant Pot for a long time.
Jeanne says
I have an instant pot but no air fryer. The lid looks great!
Tracey says
this one looks delish!!
Thank you for sharing!!
Judy says
Thank you for sharing!!
Denise M says
I tried once without much success- i think I overfilled it
Sara Zielinski says
Yes I have tried cooking in an air fryer, its pretty cool.
Marguerite says
Oh yum! This recipe looks fabulous. And what a great giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win.
Linda Reilly says
I’ve had my eye on this lid for awhile but am on a budget. Can wait to try the lamb.
Linda Steiner says
I’ve never really used an air fryer. Bought an air fryer oven but it scared me. Would love to try the lid on my IP!
Beth says
I have cooked in an air fryer, crispy and quick.
Christine Mayfield says
Not yet, but I hope to soon.
Jennifer Eastman says
There are too little lamb recipes out there. So happy to receive this one – thank you!
Carolyn says
I agree, I adore lamb! 🙂
c says
Not yet, but I hope to soon.
Kim says
I’ve never used an air fryer…I haven’t even tasted anything that came out of an air fryer, but I would love to change that!! And I don’t have Easy Keto Dinners yet!
Thanks Carolyn for all your excellent recipes. Your site is the first place I go when looking for a recipe!!
Michelle says
I’ve never used an air fryer. I’ve wanted one and even researched them, but I just don’t have the space for another small appliance. This Instant Pot lid is the perfect solution.