Blade Roast In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Cooking a roast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. It's a convenient method that requires minimal preparation and clean-up, making it ideal for busy cooks. Air fryers are known for their consistent heat and even cooking, resulting in juicy and succulent roast beef. The high temperature of air fryers creates a seared crust on the exterior of the meat, sealing in the juices, while the inside remains perfectly cooked. By choosing the right cut of meat, such as a blade roast, and following simple steps, you can achieve a mouth-watering roast that's perfect for any occasion.

Recommended cuts of beef

Air fryers are a great way to cook beef quickly and easily. When selecting a cut of beef to cook in an air fryer, it is important to consider the size of your air fryer basket and choose a cut that fits comfortably with a little space around it for air circulation. Generally, roasts weighing 2-3 pounds are a good size for air fryers.

Top Sirloin Roast

This is a lean, flavorful, and naturally tender cut of beef that is perfect for air frying. Its smaller size typically fits well in an air fryer, and it cooks beautifully to medium or medium-rare.

Eye of Round Roast

This cut is economical and usually quite uniform in shape, making it ideal for even cooking in an air fryer. It is also a leaner cut, which is recommended when making beef jerky in the air fryer.

Beef Tenderloin

Beef tenderloin is exceptionally tender and is the cut from which filet mignon is derived. It cooks very quickly, so it requires close monitoring to avoid overcooking. Tenderloin is best served rare to medium-rare.

Ribeye

Ribeye is a popular cut of beef known for its rich, buttery flavor. It is a fattier cut, which tends to produce better results in an air fryer than leaner cuts, which can become tough and dry.

Cube Steak

Cube steak is a lean and sometimes tough cut of beef that benefits from being marinated before air frying. The acidic components of a marinade, such as balsamic vinegar or Dijon mustard, help to tenderize the meat. Cube steak should not be cooked past medium-rare to prevent it from drying out.

Flank Steak

Flank steak is an extremely lean and tender cut of beef that comes from the loin primal section of the cow. It is best cooked rare, medium-rare, or medium, as it can become chewy if overcooked.

Porterhouse Steak

Porterhouse steak is a popular and reputable cut of beef that is usually quite thick. It is best cooked with a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and olive oil to let the meat's flavors shine.

When air frying beef, it is important to bring the meat to room temperature before cooking to promote even cooking and prevent the outside from burning before the inside is cooked. Using a meat thermometer is also recommended to ensure the desired internal temperature is reached.

How to prepare the roast

Preparing a blade roast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to cook a roast dinner. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare and cook a blade roast in an air fryer:

Firstly, take your blade roast out of the fridge and pat it dry with a paper towel. Leave the blade roast to reach room temperature for around 20 to 30 minutes. This is an important step as it promotes even cooking throughout the roast.

Next, you will want to season the blade roast. Drizzle or brush the blade roast with oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add extra herbs and spices such as thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, or a herb seasoning mix. Ensure the blade roast is well coated.

Now, preheat your air fryer. The temperature and time will depend on your desired level of doneness. Rare or medium-rare is preferable for blade roasts. For a rare roast, aim for an internal temperature of 130-134°F (55-57°C). For a medium-rare roast, the internal temperature should be 140-150°F (60-65°C). Preheat the air fryer for around 5 to 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the blade roast in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. This will create a lovely crust on the exterior of the blade roast, sealing in the juices. Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F (180°C) and cook for a further 30 minutes.

To check the level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to gauge the internal temperature of the blade roast. Insert the thermometer into the middle, thickest part of the roast. Remember that the temperature will continue to rise slightly as the roast rests.

Once the blade roast has reached your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest. Cover the roast loosely with foil and leave it to rest for at least 10 minutes. For larger roasts, up to 30 minutes of resting time is recommended. This allows the muscle fibres to relax and the juices to redistribute, keeping the roast tender and moist.

Finally, slice the blade roast and serve with your favourite side dishes. Enjoy!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for a blade roast in an air fryer will depend on the size of the roast and the type of air fryer you are using. It is recommended to use a leaner, tender cut of meat, such as a 2-3 pound sirloin tip roast, top round roast, or ribeye roast.

Before cooking, it is important to bring the beef to room temperature. This usually takes around 30 minutes but can be longer, up to 60 minutes. This promotes even cooking throughout the roast.

When cooking, start by preheating your air fryer to a high temperature of around 380-400°F (200°C). Then, place the roast in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-15 minutes to create a crust on the exterior. After this initial searing, reduce the temperature to around 350°F (180°C) and cook for a further 30 minutes.

The total cooking time will depend on the desired level of doneness. For rare or medium-rare, cook for around 40-42 minutes. For a well-done roast, you will need to cook it for longer. Check the internal temperature of the roast with a meat thermometer, removing it from the air fryer when it reaches around 5°F below your desired level.

Once the roast is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures the roast remains moist and tender.

Resting the meat

When air-frying meat, it is important to let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes, and up to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the cut. A good rule of thumb is to rest the meat for half the time it took to cook. For example, if a rib-eye steak took 20 minutes to cook, it should rest for 10 minutes. For thicker cuts of meat, such as pork chops or lamb shoulder, 10-15 minutes is a good resting time. For larger cuts, such as a roast chicken or lamb roast, the resting time should be increased to 15-30 minutes.

It is also important to remember that the temperature of the meat will continue to rise while it rests, so it is a good idea to take the meat off the heat a few minutes before it reaches the desired temperature. This is especially important when using an air fryer, as they cook at very high temperatures, and the internal temperature of the meat can rise by 10-15°F after cooking.

There are a few other things to consider when resting meat. Firstly, it is best to rest the meat on a warm platter or piece of aluminium foil and cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm. Secondly, it is important to let the meat come to room temperature before cooking, as this promotes even cooking throughout the roast. Finally, some people like to marinate their meat before cooking, which can help to tenderise and add flavour.

What to serve with the roast

There are a variety of side dishes that you can serve with a blade roast cooked in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:

Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are a great option to serve with your blade roast. You can choose from a variety of veggies such as broccoli, green beans, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or a combination of these. You can also try roasted cauliflower with smoked Spanish paprika, or roasted okra. If you want something fresher, a salad with sugar snap peas and a tangy dressing could be a good choice.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a classic side dish that goes well with roast beef. You can prepare them in a variety of ways, such as mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, sweet potato casserole, or roasted potatoes. If you're looking for something quicker, you can try microwave mashed potatoes. For a more indulgent option, you could make goose fat roast potatoes, air fryer roast potatoes, or sweet potato fries.

Bread

Yorkshire puddings are a must-have for some when it comes to roast beef. You can also try dinner rolls, which can be used to soak up the juices or gravy from your roast.

Other Options

Some other side dishes that could complement your blade roast include mac and cheese, polenta with a glaze, or a potato casserole with cheese. If you're looking for something lighter, a simple side of rice could work.

Remember, when choosing your side dishes, consider the flavors and textures that will complement your blade roast and create a well-rounded meal.

Frequently asked questions