A Comforting, Flavor-Packed Family Meal
Hey food friends!
Let me tell you about one of my favorite dishes to make when I want something comforting, juicy, and packed with flavor slow-roasted lamb with crispy potatoes underneath. This dish smells amazing while it cooks, and the best part? The potatoes soak up all that rich lamb flavor as they roast underneath.
I used the Ninja FlexDrawer Air Fryer, which makes this meal faster and healthier, but don’t worry you can make it in a regular oven too! This is a great recipe for a family dinner, a special weekend treat, or even when you’re entertaining friends. Let’s get into it!
Method
Get the Garlic Mix Ready
First, let’s build the flavor base. Start by crushing your garlic cloves along with the coriander seeds. You can use a garlic press or a pestle and mortar for this step. Once crushed, mix them together in a bowl with olive oil, coarse sea salt, and dried oregano. This creates a rich, herby paste that will season the lamb beautifully.
Marinate the Lamb
Next, take your lamb leg steaks and rub that flavorful paste all over them top, bottom, and sides. Don’t be shy here! The more coverage, the more flavor. Once the lamb is fully coated, set it aside to let it soak up all that garlicky goodness while you get the potatoes ready. If you have time, letting it marinate for even 30 minutes can make the taste even better.
Prep the Potatoes
Now for the potatoes! Peel them and cut them into bite-sized cubes, about 3 cm each. Toss the pieces in a large mixing bowl with some cornflour, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. The cornflour is key it helps the potatoes turn out crispy and golden on the outside while staying soft on the inside.
Layer the Goodness
It’s time to build your tray. If you’re using an air fryer like the Ninja FlexDrawer, make sure to remove the divider so you get the full 10.4L space. If you’re using an oven, grab a large roasting dish. Spread the coated potato cubes out in a flat, even layer. Then, lay the marinated lamb steaks right on top of the potatoes. As the lamb cooks, its juices will drip down and flavor the potatoes this is where the magic happens!
Cook It Low and Slow (Oven) or Fast and Hot (Air Fryer)
Now it’s cooking time!
If you’re using the oven, cover the dish with foil and bake it low and slow at 300°F (150°C) for 4 to 5 hours. This gives you super tender lamb. For the last 30 minutes, take the foil off and increase the heat to 425°F (220°C) to get a crispy finish on both the lamb and potatoes.
If you’re using an air fryer, set the temperature to 180°C (350°F) and cook for about 55 to 60 minutes. Halfway through, give everything a little shuffle so the lamb browns evenly and the potatoes cook all around. You’ll know it’s done when the lamb is golden and the potatoes are crispy.
Make the Green Sauce
While the lamb is cooking, make the green sauce. In a small bowl, combine finely chopped fresh coriander and mint leaves with dried mint. Stir in pomegranate molasses, honey, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, pul biber (or chili flakes), and a pinch of sea salt flakes. Mix it all together until smooth and let it sit. The longer it rests, the better the flavor.
Serve and Enjoy
Once everything is cooked, remove the lamb and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes this keeps it juicy. Then, plate the crispy potatoes and place the tender lamb on top. Drizzle the green sauce over the top and add a scoop of hummus if you like. This dish is rich, vibrant, and sure to bring smiles to the table.
Necessary Tools
- Large mixing bowl
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Garlic press or pestle & mortar
- Air fryer (like the Ninja FlexDrawer) or a large oven-safe roasting dish
- Spoon or brush for oil
- Small bowl for the green sauce
Slow Roast Lamb with Potatoes Underneath
Cuisine: GreekDifficulty: Easy4-6
servings15
minutes5
hours5
hours15
minutesIngredients
For the Lamb & Potatoes:
6 large lamb leg steaks
1 kg Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes (peeled & cubed, about 3 cm pieces)
8 garlic cloves
2 tsp coriander seeds
4 tbsp olive oil
1 ½ tsp coarse sea salt
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tbsp cornflour
For the Green Sauce:
25g fresh coriander (finely chopped)
10g fresh mint leaves (finely chopped)
1 tbsp dried mint
2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
½ tsp pul biber (or chili flakes)
¼ tsp sea salt flakes
Extras:
Freshly made hummus (optional but delicious!)
Directions
- Get the garlic mix ready.
Crush the garlic and coriander seeds together. Mix with olive oil, salt, and dried oregano to make a flavorful paste. - Marinate the lamb.
Rub the paste all over the lamb leg steaks. Let it sit while you prep the potatoes. - Prep the potatoes.
Peel and cube the potatoes. Toss them in a bowl with cornflour, olive oil, and a little salt until they’re well-coated. - Layer the goodness.
In your air fryer (with the divider removed) or roasting dish, spread the potatoes out in a flat layer. Place the lamb steaks right on top. - Cook it low and slow (oven) or fast and hot (air fryer).
Oven: Cover with foil and roast at 300°F (150°C) for 4–5 hours, then uncover and roast at 425°F (220°C) for the last 30 minutes.
Air Fryer: Roast at 180°C (350°F) for about 55–60 minutes, or until golden and tender. - Make the green sauce.
Mix all the green sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Let the flavors blend while the lamb cooks. - Serve and enjoy!
Plate your crispy potatoes and juicy lamb, then drizzle with that sweet-tangy green sauce. Add a spoon of hummus on the side if you like!
Notes
- Don’t skip the cornflour on the potatoes it helps them get crispy.
- Make sure your lamb is in a single layer on top of the potatoes so it roasts evenly.
- If using an air fryer, check halfway through to move the lamb a bit for even browning.
- Let the lamb rest for 5–10 minutes after cooking this keeps it juicy!





Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a fresh cucumber and tomato salad
- Add warm pita or flatbread on the side
- A scoop of yogurt or tzatziki makes it extra creamy
- Pair with roasted carrots or green beans for more veggies
Fun Fact
Did you know slow roasting meat has been done for thousands of years? In many cultures, it’s how families gather and celebrate big days because the long cooking time makes everything super tender and flavorful!
Conclusion
This Slow Roast Lamb with Potatoes Underneath is a total crowd-pleaser. The meat is juicy, the potatoes are crispy, and the green sauce adds a fresh kick. Whether you’re using an air fryer or oven, the flavors are deep, herby, and satisfying.



