Air Fryer Pot Roast: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great alternative to cooking a pot roast in the oven. They can cook the roast and vegetables in under an hour, resulting in a juicy roast with a crispy exterior crust.

To make a pot roast in an air fryer, you'll need to first season the beef and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. Then, preheat the air fryer to a high temperature to sear the beef and create a nice crust. After 10–15 minutes, lower the temperature and cook until the beef is done to your liking.

You can also make gravy with the drippings from the roast.

Choosing the right cut of beef

Pot roast refers to the process of braising beef in a pot with liquid at a low temperature for a long time. This method is ideal for tougher, cheaper cuts of beef with more muscle tissue and connective tissue. These cuts are usually affordable, convenient, and versatile.

• Chuck Roast: Cut from the shoulder and neck region, chuck roast is slightly fattier and has a richer taste than brisket or round. It's hard to slice neatly due to the different directions of the shoulder muscles. Look for labels such as shoulder steak, boneless chuck roast, or chuck shoulder pot roast.
• Brisket: Cut from the breast or lower chest, brisket is leaner and tougher than chuck. It's a large, rectangular cut often split into the flat cut (leaner) and the point cut (more fat). Brisket may require more time to tenderize, but it holds together well, even after a long braise. Slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.
• Round Roast: Sourced from the hind legs and rump, round is the leanest of the three most common pot roast cuts. It lacks the beefy flavour of chuck or brisket but is pretty inexpensive. Look for rump roast, round roast, bottom round roast, or outside round. Avoid top round, as it's better suited for roast beef.

When choosing a cut of beef for pot roast, go for a sizable chunk of meat, as larger roasts withstand the cooking process better without drying out. Bone-in roasts are ideal for a juicy, flavourful roast, but they require more time to cook and rest. Look for vibrant, ruby-red meat to ensure peak freshness.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for an air fryer pot roast will depend on the size of the beef joint, the type of air fryer being used, and how well-done you like your meat.

As a general rule of thumb, allow 13 minutes per pound for rare, 18 minutes per pound for medium, and 23 minutes per pound for well-done. However, it's important to use a meat thermometer to check that the meat has reached the desired internal temperature. For a medium-rare roast, aim for an internal temperature of 125°F, and for a medium roast, aim for 130°F.

• One recipe suggests preheating the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F, then placing the beef joint in the air fryer basket and cooking for 10 minutes at 350°F. The temperature is then lowered to 325°F and the beef is cooked for a further 20-25 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 125-130°F.
• Another recipe recommends preheating the air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes, then searing the beef at this temperature for 15 minutes. The temperature is then lowered to 325°F and the beef is cooked for a further 30-40 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F.
• A third recipe suggests cooking the beef at 380°F for 40-42 minutes, flipping it after 15 minutes. The beef is then removed from the air fryer when it reaches 5 degrees below the desired internal temperature and allowed to rest for at least 10 minutes.
• A final recipe recommends cooking the beef at 360°F for around 40 minutes, flipping it halfway through, until it reaches an internal temperature of 125°F for medium-rare.

Cooking oil

When making a pot roast in an air fryer, you will need to use cooking oil to prepare the beef and vegetables.

The type of cooking oil you use is important, as it needs to have a high smoke point. This is because the air fryer cooks at a high temperature, and you don't want the oil to start smoking and affecting the flavour of your food.

Some good options for cooking oils with high smoke points include:

• Avocado oil
• Olive oil
• Vegetable oil
• Canola oil
• Grapeseed oil

You can also use cooking oil spray, which is a convenient way to ensure an even coating of oil on your food.

When preparing the beef, take it out of the fridge around 20 minutes before cooking and drizzle with your chosen cooking oil. Massage the oil into the beef and season with salt, pepper and mixed herbs. Leave the beef to rest so that it reaches room temperature before placing it in the air fryer.

For the vegetables, drizzle with oil and season with salt, pepper and a beef stock cube. You can use any root vegetables you like, such as carrots, potatoes, shallots, or baby potatoes.

Once you have prepared and seasoned the beef and vegetables, you are ready to start cooking your pot roast in the air fryer!

Seasoning

• Let the beef come to room temperature before seasoning and cooking. Taking the beef out of the fridge about 20-30 minutes before cooking will help it reach the desired temperature. This step helps the beef cook more evenly.
• Pat the beef dry with paper towels before seasoning. This step helps the seasonings adhere better to the meat's surface.
• Use a combination of herbs, salt, and oil to season the beef. You can use fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, or parsley. Mix them with salt and oil on a plate, then roll the beef in the mixture until evenly coated.
• For the salt, it is recommended to use fine ground sea salt or kosher salt. Use approximately half a teaspoon per pound (or 500 grams) of beef.
• When it comes to oil, choose an option with a high smoke point. Light olive oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, or canola oil are good choices.
• You can also add some flavour by including an onion in the air fryer basket with the beef. Cut the onion in half or into quarters.
• If desired, experiment with additional seasonings. You can use steak seasoning or add garlic powder, smoked paprika, and/or onion powder.
• For a crispier exterior, season the roast with steak seasoning and let it rest in the refrigerator, uncovered, for 24 hours before air frying.
• Don't forget to season your vegetables as well! Drizzle them with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with a beef stock cube or bouillon.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve a pot roast cooked in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:

Side Dishes

You can serve the roast with roasted carrots and potatoes, either cooked in the oven or air fryer. If you want to cook them in the air fryer, you can add them to the basket surrounding the roast. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time or cook them separately. Other side dish suggestions include:

• Mashed potatoes
• Scalloped potatoes
• Green beans
• Steamed baby carrots
• Air fryer broccoli parmesan
• Brussels sprouts with bacon

Gravy

You can make gravy to go with your roast by melting butter in a saucepan and adding onions and salt. Then, stir in flour and slowly whisk in beef broth. Add rosemary, peppercorns, and heavy whipping cream, and let the mixture thicken. Finally, strain the gravy into a serving dish.

Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, use your air fryer and set the temperature to 350-375°F. Place the leftover slices in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions