Making Roast Beef In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can make roast beef in an air fryer! It's a quick and easy way to cook roast beef, with most recipes taking under an hour. The air fryer's high temperature creates a crispy crust on the outside of the beef, while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

To make roast beef in an air fryer, you'll need a few simple ingredients like olive oil, salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs or seasonings. You'll also want to use a good quality, tender cut of beef with a little marbling of fat.

Here's a step-by-step guide to making roast beef in an air fryer:

1. Take your beef out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.

2. Preheat your air fryer to a high temperature, usually around 400°F/200°C.

3. Brush the beef with oil and season generously with salt and pepper, and any desired herbs or seasonings.

4. Place the beef in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes at the high temperature to create a crust.

5. Reduce the temperature to around 350°F/180°C and continue cooking for 30-40 minutes, depending on your desired doneness.

6. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the beef. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of 130-135°F.

7. Remove the beef from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

So, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to make delicious roast beef, give your air fryer a try!

Choosing the right cut of beef

Marbling and Fat Content:

Look for a cut with a nice marbling of fat. This will help keep the meat moist and juicy during the cooking process. However, avoid overly fatty cuts as they may not be ideal for the air fryer. The fat cap on a ribeye roast, for instance, helps keep the meat moist and flavourful but may not be necessary in the air fryer due to its quick cooking time.

Tender vs. Tough Cuts:

Air fryers excel at cooking tender cuts of meat. Tougher cuts with lots of connective tissue, such as the rump or chuck roast, typically benefit from slower cooking methods like braising or low-and-slow roasting. These cuts can be used in the air fryer but may require additional preparation, such as browning or searing, to ensure they turn out tender.

Size of the Cut:

Consider the size of your air fryer when selecting a cut of beef. Larger cuts, such as a standing rib roast or a rolled rib roast, may not fit in a standard-sized air fryer. You may need to adjust the size of the roast or use the air fryer for searing before finishing the roast in the oven.

Popular Choices:

Some popular choices for roast beef include the sirloin, prime rib, and rump cap (or picanha). The top sirloin is a tender and flavourful option that won't break the bank. Prime rib is well-marbled and full of flavour and tenderness. The rump cap is an underutilised cut that delivers excellent flavour and doesn't take too long to cook.

Remember, when choosing a cut of beef for your air fryer roast, consider the marbling and fat content, the tenderness of the meat, the size of the cut, and your personal preferences for flavour and texture.

How to prepare the beef

Preparing roast beef in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tasty, juicy roast without drying out the meat. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Choosing the Right Beef

First, select a suitable cut of beef. Look for a tender cut with a bit of marbling, such as a top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, rump roast, or top-round roast. Avoid cheaper, tougher cuts that are better suited for slow roasting or cooking in a Crockpot or Instant Pot. The size of the roast should fit your air fryer, and you may need to slice larger joints in half.

Preparing the Beef

Take the beef out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Pat the beef dry with paper towels. If desired, brush or rub the beef with oil, such as olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, or onion powder to enhance the flavour. Make sure the seasonings coat the entire roast.

Cooking the Beef

Preheat your air fryer to a high temperature, around 400°F/200°C. Place the beef in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-15 minutes at this high temperature to create a seared crust. Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F/180°C and continue cooking for about 30 minutes for medium-rare beef. The total cooking time will depend on the size of your roast and your desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the beef, aiming for around 125°F-135°F for medium-rare.

Resting the Beef

Once the beef has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest. Cover the beef loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 10 minutes, or up to 30 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicier, more tender meat.

Carving and Serving the Beef

After resting, use a sharp knife to carve the roast beef against the grain into thin slices. Serve with your favourite side dishes, such as roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, green beans, or a salad. Enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer roast beef!

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time for roast beef in an air fryer depends on the size of your beef and your desired level of doneness. Here are some general guidelines for estimating cooking times:

• Rare: 13 minutes per pound or 15 minutes per 500 grams
• Medium: 18 minutes per pound or 20 minutes per 500 grams
• Well-done: 23 minutes per pound or 25 minutes per 500 grams

For a medium-rare roast, aim for an internal temperature of about 125°F or 52°C. For a medium roast, aim for an internal temperature of about 130°F or 55°C. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and ensure your desired level of doneness. The temperature of the meat will continue to rise slightly as it rests, so it is advisable to remove the roast from the air fryer a few degrees before reaching your desired temperature.

When cooking roast beef in an air fryer, it is important to preheat the air fryer to a high temperature to sear the outside of the meat and create a delicious crust. The temperature can then be lowered to cook the beef through slowly and ensure a juicy and tender result.

For a 2-3 pound roast beef, the total cooking time in an air fryer is typically around 40-45 minutes, which is significantly faster than traditional oven roasting.

When cooking, some air fryers require you to flip the roast halfway through the cooking process, while others do not. Be sure to check your air fryer's instructions for specific guidelines.

After removing the roast from the air fryer, it is crucial to let it rest for at least 10-30 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and the meat to finish cooking, resulting in a more tender and juicy roast.

Resting the beef

When you remove the beef from the air fryer, cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 10 minutes. If you are cooking a larger roast, it may need to rest for up to 20-30 minutes. This resting time will allow the meat to reach the desired internal temperature and ensure that the juices don't run out when you cut into the beef.

During the resting period, the internal temperature of the beef will continue to rise. For example, if you are aiming for a medium-rare roast, remove the beef from the air fryer when it reaches an internal temperature of 130-135°F, as it will continue to cook and rise in temperature while resting.

Once the beef has rested, use a sharp knife to cut thin slices against the grain. This will help ensure that the beef remains tender and juicy.

What to serve with roast beef

There are many side dishes that can accompany roast beef, here are some ideas:

• Yorkshire puddings
• Roast potatoes
• Roasted carrots
• Asparagus
• Green beans
• Mashed potatoes
• Mac and cheese
• Bread rolls
• Roasted vegetables
• Glazed carrots
• Salad
• Mushrooms
• Beetroot
• Creamed horseradish sauce

Frequently asked questions