Air-Fried Roast: Easy, Quick, And Delicious

Cooking a roast in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare a roast dinner. Air fryers are perfect for cooking roast beef, pot roast, and chuck roast, and can be served with a variety of side dishes and vegetables. This guide will show you how to cook a roast in an air fryer, including the best cuts of meat to use, the ideal cooking temperatures, and the importance of resting the meat.

Choosing the right cut of beef

When selecting a cut of beef for your roast, it is best to avoid cheaper cuts that require long cooking times. Instead, opt for a tender cut of beef with a bit of marbling, as this will result in a juicy and flavourful roast. Good options include a top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, rump roast or top-round roast. If you're looking for a leaner cut of meat, a sirloin tip roast, ribeye roast or top round roast are great choices.

If you're working with a tighter budget, don't fret! You can still make a fabulous roast with a cheaper, tougher cut of meat. These cuts, which include the chuck, brisket, and round, have more muscle and connective tissue, which makes them extremely flavourful. The key to preparing these cuts is to cook them slowly at a low temperature, allowing the connective tissue to break down into natural gelatin, which moistens the meat.

When in doubt, don't hesitate to ask your local butcher for a recommendation. They will be able to advise you on the best cut of beef for your roast and may even have some helpful cooking tips!

Preparing the beef

Firstly, choose the right cut of beef. For air frying, it is best to opt for a tender cut of beef with a bit of marbling. Some recommended options include top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, rump roast, top-round roast, or ribeye roast. If you are looking for a more economical option, go for the eye of round roast, which is usually quite uniform in shape and cooks evenly in an air fryer. However, keep in mind that cheaper cuts with a lot of connective tissue may be better suited for oven roasting as they require longer cooking times.

Next, take your roast out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature. This step is crucial as it helps the beef cook more evenly. Allow the beef to sit out for at least 30 minutes to an hour before cooking.

Before placing the beef in the air fryer, pat the surface dry with a paper towel. Then, rub a little oil all over the roast to moisten it. You can use light olive oil or any cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or avocado oil.

Now, it's time to season the beef. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt and pepper all over the meat. You can also add other seasonings like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, or steak seasoning to enhance the flavour. Make sure all sides of the roast are well coated.

Once your beef is prepared, it's ready to be placed in the air fryer. Follow the cooking instructions according to your air fryer model and the desired doneness of your roast beef. Remember to monitor the internal temperature of the beef with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches your desired level of doneness.

Cooking the beef

First, take the beef out of the fridge and let it sit out for 20 to 60 minutes to bring it to room temperature. This promotes even cooking throughout the roast. Pat the beef dry with a paper towel and rub a little oil all over it. You can use avocado oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or olive oil. Then, season the beef with salt and pepper. You can also add herbs like thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder.

Preheat your air fryer to 380 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the beef in the air fryer basket and roast for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 325 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for another 30 minutes. If you are cooking vegetables with the beef, add them now.

Check the internal temperature of the beef with a meat thermometer. The temperature will continue to rise slightly as the beef rests, so factor that into your desired level of doneness. Rare or medium-rare is preferable for this cooking method. Once the beef is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 to 30 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the beef moist and tender. Finally, slice the beef and serve.

Cooking vegetables

When cooking a roast in an air fryer, you can cook the vegetables in the same way. This method works for potatoes and carrots, and you can also cook other vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and green beans.

First, remove the roast from the fridge and leave it to come to room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour. Pat the surface dry with a paper towel, then rub a little oil all over the roast. You can use extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.

Next, season the roast. You can use salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder, or your favourite steak seasoning. Make sure the seasoning covers all sides of the roast.

Now you can add the vegetables. Drizzle them with oil and ensure they are nicely coated. You can also add herbs and seasoning. Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you are cooking a large batch, you may want to use an oven.

Cook the vegetables for 10-20 minutes, tossing halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the quantity and how crispy you want them. If you are cooking potatoes and carrots, they may need a little longer. Test with a fork to make sure they are tender.

Once cooked, transfer the vegetables to a serving dish and squeeze with lemon juice. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Resting and serving the roast

Resting the roast is an essential step in the cooking process. It allows the muscle fibres to relax and gives time for the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it tender and moist. This is especially important if you are cooking a tough cut of beef at a fast pace, as is the case with an air fryer. The resting time will vary depending on the size of the roast, with a minimum of 5 minutes for a small steak, and up to 30 minutes for a large roast.

For an air fryer roast, it is recommended to let the roast rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking. This will ensure that the juices have time to restabilize before cutting the meat into thin slices. Covering the roast with foil will help to keep it warm during the resting process.

If you are cooking an air fryer pot roast, you will need to take into account the cooking time of the vegetables. While the roast is resting, continue to cook the vegetables until they are tender. Once the vegetables are cooked, strain the pot roast juices into a gravy boat. Then, slice the roast and arrange it with the vegetables on a platter. Serve with a generous drizzle of the gravy.

It is important to note that the roast will continue to cook and increase in temperature while it is resting. This is known as carryover cooking and is more prominent when cooking with higher heat. For an air fryer, you can expect the roast's temperature to increase by about 10-15°F as it rests. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the roast from the air fryer a few degrees below your desired temperature.

Additionally, to ensure a tender and juicy roast, it is beneficial to let the roast rest before placing it in the air fryer. This allows the juices that have coagulated during refrigeration to redistribute throughout the meat. For the best results, let the seasoned roast rest for at least one hour, uncovered, at room temperature. If time allows, two hours is even better.

Frequently asked questions