Slow Roasting With An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people turning to them for quick and easy meals. While air fryers are typically used for crisping up food, some people are curious about whether they can be used for slow cooking.

In theory, it should be possible to slow cook in an air fryer by keeping the temperature low. However, there seems to be a lack of recipes available online for this type of cooking. This could be because air fryers are typically smaller than conventional ovens, and food may burn due to its proximity to the heating element.

Despite this, some people have experimented with slow cooking in their air fryers, using lower temperatures to gently cook the food while keeping it tender. For example, one person shared their plan to cook chicken legs in their air fryer at 120°C for 45 minutes and then finishing them in a cast-iron skillet for a crispy sear.

While there may be some challenges to using an air fryer for slow cooking, it is possible to experiment with lower temperatures and longer cooking times to achieve the desired results.

Choosing the right cut of meat

When selecting a cut of beef for air frying, opt for naturally tender cuts that can withstand quick cooking at high temperatures without drying out. Here are some recommended cuts to consider:

• Top Sirloin Roast: This cut is lean, flavourful, and more tender than tougher options like round roasts. It typically fits well in an air fryer and cooks beautifully to medium or medium-rare.
• Eye of Round Roast: This cut is economical and usually has a uniform shape, making it ideal for even cooking in an air fryer. However, as it is a leaner choice, take care not to overcook it to maintain tenderness.
• Beef Tenderloin: This cut is exceptionally tender and is ideal for air frying. However, it cooks quickly, so close monitoring is necessary to avoid overcooking. It is best served rare to medium.
• Top Round Roast: This cut is leaner and suitable for air frying, but it may require extra care to maintain tenderness.

When choosing a cut of meat, it is also important to consider the size of your air fryer. Select a roast that fits comfortably in the basket with a little space around it for air circulation. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to slice a larger joint in half.

Additionally, when selecting meat for air frying, look for a good-quality roasting joint with a little marbling of fat. This will ensure that your roast beef is succulent and juicy. Avoid cheaper cuts that require long cooking times, as they are more suitable for slow cooking methods.

In summary, for the best results when air frying roast beef, choose tender cuts like top sirloin, tenderloin, or top round roast, ensuring they fit comfortably in your air fryer with a little space for air circulation. Opt for good-quality roasting joints with a little marbling of fat for the most succulent and juicy results.

Cooking temperature and timing

The cooking temperature and timing for slow roasting in an air fryer will depend on the type of food being cooked, the desired level of doneness, and the specific model of the air fryer. Here are some general guidelines and tips for achieving the best results:

Preheating the Air Fryer

Before placing the food in the air fryer, it is important to preheat the appliance. This ensures that the air fryer is hot enough to create a searing effect and lock in the juices of the food. Most air fryers have a preheat mode, but if yours does not, simply set it to air fry for 3-5 minutes at the desired temperature.

Cooking Temperatures

The ideal cooking temperature for slow roasting in an air fryer will depend on the type of food. For meats like beef, a combination of high and low temperatures is often used to create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender. Here are some recommended temperatures for different types of meat:

• For beef roast, start at a high temperature of 400°F / 200°C for the first 10 minutes to sear the outside, then lower the temperature to 350°F / 180°C for the remaining cooking time.
• For chicken legs, a lower temperature of 120°C can be used for gentle cooking, followed by a higher temperature to create a crispy skin.
• For pork roast, a temperature of 300°F / 150°C is recommended after the initial searing at a higher temperature.

It is important to note that air fryers can vary in temperature by as much as 20 degrees, so it is always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the food and ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Cooking Times

The cooking time will depend on the size and type of food being cooked, as well as your desired level of doneness. Here are some general guidelines for different types of food:

• For beef roast, the cooking time will depend on the size of the joint and your desired doneness. A good rule of thumb is to estimate 13 minutes per pound for rare, 18 minutes per pound for medium, and 23 minutes per pound for well-done.
• For chicken legs, a cooking time of 45 minutes at 120°C should be sufficient to gently cook the meat through while keeping it tender.
• For pork roast, the cooking time will depend on the size of the roast and your desired level of doneness. A general guideline is to estimate 13 minutes per pound for rare, 18 minutes per pound for medium, and 23 minutes per pound for well-done.

It is important to monitor the food closely during the cooking process, especially towards the end, to avoid overcooking. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and remember that the temperature of the food will continue to rise slightly as it rests.

Resting Time

Allowing the food to rest after cooking is crucial to ensuring juicy and tender results. The resting time allows the juices to redistribute and the fibers to relax, making the meat more tender and moist. For beef and pork roasts, a resting time of at least 15-20 minutes is recommended. For chicken, a shorter resting time of 5-10 minutes is usually sufficient.

Resting the meat

Therefore, it is important to let the meat rest so that the muscle fibres can cool, relax, and reabsorb some of the moisture that was driven towards the centre during cooking. This will redistribute the juices more evenly throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and juicy cut. The resting period can vary depending on the size and type of meat, but a good rule of thumb is to let the meat rest for half the time it was cooked for. For example, if a rib-eye steak is cooked for 20 minutes, it should rest for 10 minutes. Larger cuts of meat, such as roast chicken or lamb roast, will need more resting time, typically between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the cooking time and size of the roast.

For thicker cuts of meat, such as prime ribs, the resting time may be even longer, up to 45-60 minutes. It is also important to note that meat cooked at higher temperatures will require a longer resting time than meat cooked at lower temperatures. This is because higher cooking temperatures generate more heat, resulting in a greater temperature differential between the surface and centre of the meat, which leads to increased carryover cooking.

Additionally, different types of meat may require different resting times due to variations in their structure and composition. For example, beef may require more resting time than pork as it carries more residual heat. When resting meat, it is recommended to place it in a warm area, such as the top of the stove. Smaller cuts should not be covered with aluminium foil, as this will trap the heat and accelerate the cooking process. However, larger cuts, like roasts, should be covered with foil.

Cooking other dishes in the air fryer

Air fryers are not just for greasy snacks. You can cook a variety of dishes in an air fryer, including vegetables, chicken, fish, and even cakes. Here are some ideas for cooking other dishes in your air fryer:

Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are a fantastic option for air frying. Try broccoli or cauliflower florets, Brussels sprouts, cubed butternut squash, or sweet potato fries. You can also make air-fried vegetable dishes like air fryer mozzarella sticks or air-fried crab cakes.

Chicken

Air fryers are great for cooking chicken. You can make air fryer chicken tenders, chicken thighs, chicken sandwiches, or even a whole roast chicken. Just remember not to overcrowd the basket and work in batches if needed.

Fish and Seafood

Air fryers are perfect for cooking fish and seafood, such as coconut shrimp, crispy salmon, or breaded fish fillets. Just be sure to flip or shake the basket periodically to ensure even cooking.

Meat

In addition to roast beef, you can cook other meats in your air fryer. Try making meatballs, pork tenderloin, or turkey meatloaf. Just remember that certain cuts of meat that require slow cooking, such as chuck roast or brisket, are not ideal for air frying.

Reheating Food

Your air fryer can also be used for reheating food. It's like a turbo toaster oven that won't make your food mushy like a microwave. So, if you have any leftovers, you can pop them in your air fryer to reheat and crisp them up.

Recipes for side dishes

Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

• Wash and slice 1 1/2 lbs of baby potatoes (yellow or red) in half. There is no need to peel them.
• Add them to a large bowl with 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese, 3 tbsp of olive oil, 1/2 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried parsley, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/4 tsp of ground black pepper.
• Toss the potatoes with the seasonings.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes.
• Add the potatoes in a single layer and cook for 15-18 minutes, tossing halfway through.
• Cook until the edges are brown and crispy, and the potatoes are tender.

Air Fryer Carrots

• Wash, peel, and chop 1 lb of carrots into similar-sized pieces.
• Add them to a large bowl with 2 tbsp each of olive oil and grated parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp each of garlic powder, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/4 tsp of ground black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 2 minutes.
• Add the carrots and bake for 16-18 minutes at 390°F, tossing halfway through.
• Carrots are done when they are tender and charred on the outside.

Air Fryer Broccoli

• Cut 12 oz of small broccoli florets into similar-sized pieces. Wash and dry with a towel.
• Add the broccoli to a large bowl with 3 tbsp of olive or vegetable oil, 2 tbbs of grated parmesan cheese, 1/2 tbsp of garlic powder, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/4 tsp of ground black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer to 320°F for 2 minutes.
• Add the broccoli in a single layer and cook for 8 minutes.
• Poke the broccoli with a fork; it should be crisp-tender. If not, cook for another 1-2 minutes.
• Increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 2-4 minutes, or until the desired crispness is achieved.
• Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and serve immediately.

Air Fryer Baked Potato

• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
• Prick 4 medium russet potatoes with a fork multiple times. Drizzle with olive or vegetable oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and bake at 375°F for 35 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Potatoes are done when they are tender when poked with a fork.
• Transfer to a plate, let cool, slice open, and add your favourite toppings such as butter, sour cream, salsa, cheese, chives, or bacon.

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

• Wash and slice 1 lb of Brussels sprouts in half, removing the stems. Pat dry with a towel.
• Add to a large bowl with 3 tbsp of olive or vegetable oil, 1 tsp each of garlic powder and onion powder, 1/4 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of ground black pepper, and 2 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese. Toss to mix evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer to 325°F for 2 minutes.
• Add the Brussels sprouts and cook for 7-10 minutes, or until tender.
• Increase the temperature to 350°F and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes for crispy edges.

Air Fryer Cauliflower

• Remove the stem from 32 oz of cauliflower florets and chop into small bite-sized pieces. Wash and pat dry with a towel.
• Add to a large bowl with 2 tbsp of olive oil, 1/2 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, 1/2 tsp each of salt, and 1/4 tsp of ground black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 2 minutes.
• Place the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer and cook for 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Cauliflower is done when it is tender when poked with a fork.

Air Fryer Green Beans

• Wash and trim the ends of green beans.
• Add to a large bowl and drizzle with 3 tbsp of olive or canola oil. Add 2 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, and 1/4 tsp of salt. Toss to coat evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 2 minutes.
• Add the green beans and cook for 14 minutes, tossing and shaking the basket halfway through.

Air Fryer Zucchini

• Slice 2 medium zucchinis into 1/4-inch sticks or bite-sized pieces.
• Add to a large bowl with 2 tbsp of olive oil, 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese, 1 tsp of chili powder, 1/2 tsp each of garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 2 minutes.
• Add the zucchini in a single layer and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until tender.

Other side dish ideas for the air fryer include:

• Air Fryer French Fries
• Air Fryer Roasted Green Beans
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Air Fryer Okra with Smoked Paprika
• Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
• Air Fryer Hash Browns
• Air Fryer Honey Sweet Potatoes
• Air Fryer Latkes
• Air Fryer Plantains
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Frequently asked questions