Air-Frying A Sirloin Roast: Is It Possible?

Cooking roast beef in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal for any occasion. Air-fried roast beef is tender, juicy, and flavourful, with a beautifully browned crust and a perfectly pink and tender centre. It is also a great way to use up leftovers, as the meat can be used to make sandwiches, sliders, or even quiche. A variety of cuts of beef can be used for this method, but it is important to choose a tender cut of meat, such as a sirloin roast, to ensure the meat doesn't become tough.

Choosing the right cut of beef

Yes, you can cook a sirloin roast in an air fryer. In fact, cooking roast beef in an air fryer is much quicker than cooking it in the oven. The high temperature creates a crust on the outside, sealing in the juices, and then the roast continues to cook at a lower temperature, ensuring it remains moist and juicy in the middle.

When choosing the right cut of beef for your roast, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the cut of beef will impact the cooking time, as cheaper cuts with a lot of connective tissue will require a longer cooking time and may be better suited for oven roasting. For air frying, choose a tender cut of beef with a bit of marbling. A good-quality roasting joint with a little marbling of fat is ideal for this quick cooking method.

Some recommended cuts for air fryer roast beef include:

• Top sirloin roast
• Prime rib roast
• Rump roast
• Top-round roast
• Tri-tip
• Bottom round rump
• Chuck roast

The size and type of roast will also impact the cooking time, so it's important to keep an eye on the internal temperature of the roast and adjust as needed.

When selecting a sirloin roast specifically, opt for a top cut as it will be the most tender. If you're looking for a more affordable option, beef bolar blade is a great choice that delivers on both flavour and tenderness.

In addition to the cut of beef, you'll also want to consider the size of your air fryer. Some roasts, like rump roast or rolled rib roast, may be too big for certain air fryers, so you may need to slice them in half or use the air fryer to sear the meat before slow-roasting in the oven.

Lastly, remember that personal preference plays a role in choosing the right cut of beef. Some people prefer a tender, rosy slice of meat, while others might like their roast to be so tender that it's almost falling apart. Cuts vary in price and how they're best prepared, so take your budget and desired cook time into account when making your selection.

Preparing the roast

First, take your sirloin roast out of the fridge and pat it dry with paper towels. Leave it to come to room temperature for around 30 minutes to an hour. Make sure to check whether your roast fits into the air fryer—you can always slice a larger joint in half. Preheat the air fryer to between 380 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes.

Next, brush or rub the roast with oil and season it. You can use olive oil or another type of cooking oil with a high smoke point. For seasoning, salt and pepper are essential. You can also add an herb mix, such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, or parsley. Roll or rub the beef in the seasoning until it is evenly coated.

Now you're ready to cook the roast. Place it in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 to 15 minutes at a high temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit to create a nice crust on the outside. Then, reduce the temperature to between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for another 30 to 40 minutes, or until it is cooked to your liking. Check the internal temperature of the roast with an instant-read thermometer, inserting the probe into the middle, thickest part. Remember that the temperature will continue to rise slightly as the roast rests.

Finally, remove the roast from the air fryer and place it on a cutting board. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures the roast stays juicy and tender.

Cooking the roast

Cooking a sirloin roast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a roast dinner. It is a convenient method that can save you around 30 minutes compared to cooking it in an oven.

Firstly, take your roast out of the fridge and pat it dry with paper towels. Leave the roast to come up to room temperature for around 30 minutes to an hour. This is an important step as it will help the meat cook more evenly.

Next, preheat your air fryer to a high temperature of around 400°F / 200°C. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the meat by brushing it all over with olive oil or another type of cooking oil with a high smoke point. Season the meat with salt and pepper, and, if desired, add some extra flavour with herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, or parsley.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the roast in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-15 minutes at this high temperature. This will allow the outside of the meat to sear and form a lovely crust, sealing in the juices.

After this initial blast of heat, reduce the temperature to around 350°F / 180°C and cook for a further 30-40 minutes. During this time, the inside of the roast will cook slowly, retaining its tenderness and flavour.

When the roast is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a cutting board. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for 10-30 minutes. This resting time is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it succulent. Finally, slice the roast and serve it with your favourite side dishes.

Resting the roast

When resting a roast, it is best to let it sit in a warm area, such as the top of the stove. Larger cuts of meat, such as roasts, should be covered with foil to prevent the heat from escaping. Smaller cuts, on the other hand, should not be covered, as this will trap the heat and continue the cooking process.

The amount of resting time depends on the size of the roast and the cooking time. A good rule of thumb is to let the meat rest for half the time it took to cook. For example, if a roast took 20 minutes to cook, it should rest for 10 minutes. Larger cuts of meat, such as a sirloin roast, will need more resting time, typically between 15 and 30 minutes.

It is also important to note that the internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise slightly during the resting period. This carryover cooking is due to the latent heat that is travelling through the meat towards the cooler centre. Therefore, it is crucial to remove the meat from the heat source prior to reaching its target doneness temperature to avoid overcooking.

By following these guidelines for resting the roast, you will ensure that your sirloin roast is juicy, tender, and full of flavour.

Serving suggestions

A sirloin roast cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of side dishes and sauces. It is recommended to serve the roast with a creamy horseradish sauce, which pairs wonderfully with the beef and eliminates the need for gravy.

Simple side dishes that can be cooked in the time it takes to cook the roast include roast potatoes, roasted carrots, asparagus, roasted fennel, green beans, broccoli, and roasted butternut squash salad. If you have space in your air fryer, you can cook the roast potatoes alongside the beef, leaving them to cook for approximately 20 minutes.

Alternatively, you can serve the roast beef cold on a steak salad or in a wrap with some fresh vegetables. Leftover roast beef slices can also be used to create delicious sandwiches.

When cooking a sirloin roast in an air fryer, it is important to choose a tender cut of beef with a bit of marbling, such as a top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, or rump roast. The size and type of roast will impact the cooking time required. It is recommended to cook the roast at a high temperature first to create a seared crust, and then lower the temperature to ensure the meat remains moist and juicy.

Frequently asked questions