This easy air fryer rabbit recipe features a vibrant lemon garlic and herb marinade that perfectly tenderizes the meat so every bite is juicy, tender, and flavorful. Delicious and hearty rabbit cooks in only 20 minutes, and is great to enjoy with your favorite comfort food side dishes any night of the week!
Also try my rabbit recipe with creamy garlic sauce, rabbit stew or delicious rabbit soup. So good and easy to make!
Rabbit is a robust protein that's easy to cook in so many wonderful ways. It is popular around the world, but for whatever reason isn't readily available at most U.S. grocery stores. Thankfully, it is relatively easy to source rabbit from several types of reputable retailers… Which you are going to want to do ASAP to make this fantastic air fryer rabbit recipe!
For air fried rabbit meat that is juicy and flavorful, we first marinate pieces of a whole rabbit in a simple but bold combination of lemon, garlic, fresh rosemary and fresh thyme. This blend makes a marinade that is light and citrusy, and has a yummy punch of herbaceous taste that compliments the savory rabbit meat.
I suggest marinating the meat for at least an hour to really infuse the protein with flavor. Then the tenderized rabbit air fries golden brown in only 20 minutes for a quick, easy, and mouthwatering main dish. Bonus: The rabbit can be prepped ahead of time and marinated overnight. So cooking a scrumptious and satisfying dinner in the evening is a snap!
Recipe ingredients
Whole rabbit. Fresh or previously frozen and thawed. Clean and cut into pieces before cooking.
Garlic or garlic powder. Deliciously sharp flavor to enhance the savoriness of the rabbit. Here is the recipe of how to make garlic powder from scratch.
Fresh rosemary and thyme. These robust herbs make the meat super savory and cozy tasting.
Lemon. Both the juice and the zest.
Olive oil. Use a high-quality oil for the most rich and pleasant taste.
Salt and pepper. A bit of each to taste.
Red pepper flakes. Optional, but a great way to finish the dish with a kick of spicy flavor.
How to make air fryer rabbit
In a large bowl, mix together the garlic, rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Toss the rabbit pieces in this mixture, ensuring they are well coated.
Cover and let marinate for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight in the refrigerator.Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Remove the rabbit pieces from the marinade, shaking off any excess. Place the pieces on a tray or plate and allow them to come to room temperature (about 20 minutes).
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Place the rabbit pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the rabbit in batches. Fry the rabbit pieces for about 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the pieces and the make/model of your air fryer. You're looking for a golden brown exterior and an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
Storage suggestions
To store air fried rabbit, let it cool to room temperature first, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. For reheating, preheat your air fryer to 350°F, and warm the rabbit for about 4-5 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps maintain the rabbit's texture and flavor.
Frequently asked questions
Marinating the rabbit pieces for a minimum of one hour in a citrus-based marinade helps to tenderize the meat… The acidity of the lemon juice penetrates the flesh, which ensures that the air fryer rabbit meat is succulent and tender throughout.
And that's one of the many reasons we love the air fryer, right? With barely any oil - or effort! - it beautifully cooks proteins so they are practically guaranteed to not be tough or chewy.
The texture and flavor are very similar to savory dark meat chicken. To note, rabbit does taste a bit more earthy and gamey than chicken. These unique flavors are super delicious when paired with a bright lemon and garlic herb marinade.
In this recipe I recommend marinating the pieces of meat in the fridge for at least one hour, and up to overnight. You should not marinate the rabbit for any longer than 24 hours. After a day you run the risk of the protein becoming over-tenderized and mushy.
Like chicken, rabbit meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. I suggest using a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
More air fryer recipes
- Air fryer turkey cutlets
- Tyson Southern style chicken tenderloins air fryer
- Air fryer salmon belly
- Air fryer bison steak
- Checkers frozen fries air fryer
- Chicken lollipop air fryer
- Air fryer pork chop bites
Hope you will like this air fryer rabbit recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Air Fryer Rabbit
This easy air fryer rabbit recipe features a vibrant lemon garlic and herb marinade that perfectly tenderizes the meat so every bite is juicy, tender, and flavorful. Delicious and hearty rabbit cooks in only 20 minutes, and is great to enjoy with your favorite comfort food side dishes any night of the week!
Ingredients
- 1 whole rabbit, cut into serving pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes for some heat
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the garlic, rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Toss the rabbit pieces in this mixture, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and let marinate for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Remove the rabbit pieces from the marinade, shaking off any excess. Place the pieces on a tray or plate and allow them to come to room temperature (about 20 minutes).
- Place the rabbit pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the rabbit in batches.
- Fry the rabbit pieces for about 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the pieces and the make/model of your air fryer. You're looking for a golden brown exterior and an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 142Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 83mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 7g
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