Emilie Meyer
Cooking roast beef in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious roast dinner. It's a great alternative to oven roasting, taking about 30 minutes less time. The air fryer's high temperature creates a crispy, caramelized crust on the outside of the beef, sealing in the juices, while the inside remains tender and perfectly cooked. With minimal effort, you can achieve a restaurant-quality roast beef with that perfect balance of flavours and textures. Whether it's a special occasion or a simple family meal, this method is sure to impress and satisfy your taste buds!
How to cook roast beef in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat type | Tender cuts with a bit of marbling such as top sirloin, prime rib, rump roast, top-round roast, ribeye roast, or sirloin tip roast |
| Meat weight | 2-3 lbs |
| Meat preparation | Pat dry, rub with oil, season with salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and/or steak seasoning |
| Air fryer preparation | Preheat to 380-400°F for 5-10 minutes, use a cooking oil spray |
| Cooking time | 10-15 minutes at high temperature, then 30-42 minutes at 350°F/180°C |
| Resting time | 10-30 minutes |
| Internal temperature | Medium rare: 130-134°F/55-57°C |
| Serving suggestions | Horseradish sauce, Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, green bean casserole, braised red cabbage, mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash salad |
| Leftovers | Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of beef
Tender cuts, like top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, ribeye roast, and top-round roast, are ideal for air frying because they are less likely to dry out during the high-heat cooking process. These cuts tend to be more expensive, but they yield juicy and tender results. Additionally, they require less cooking time, making them perfect for quick and convenient meals.
On the other hand, cheaper cuts with a lot of connective tissue, such as chuck roast, beef bolar blade, and rump roast, may be better suited for oven roasting or slow cooking methods. These cuts are more affordable but require longer cooking times to break down the connective tissues and achieve a tender texture. While they can be used in an air fryer, they may require additional preparation, like browning or slow roasting in the oven, to achieve the desired tenderness.
When selecting a cut of beef, it is also important to consider the size of your air fryer. Larger cuts, such as rolled rib roast or beef joint, may not fit properly in a smaller air fryer.
For air fryer roast beef, it is generally recommended to choose a tender cut with a bit of marbling, ensuring a juicy and flavourful roast. However, if you prefer a well-done roast without any pink or red in the centre, you may opt for cuts like chuck roast, which offer great beef flavour at a more affordable price.
Remember, when in doubt, your local butcher is always a valuable resource for recommendations and guidance in choosing the right cut of beef for your air fryer roast.
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Preparing the beef
Next, preheat your air fryer to a high temperature, around 380-400°F (some sources suggest 200°C). Preheating is essential as it helps to create a seared, caramelized crust on the outside of the beef. While the air fryer is preheating, season the beef. Brush or rub oil all over the beef, this can be olive oil or another cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado or vegetable oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over the beef, and add other seasonings like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, or steak seasoning to enhance the flavour. You can also add onion, garlic, and other vegetables to the air fryer with the beef for extra taste.
Once the air fryer is preheated, place the beef in the basket, ensuring it is lying on top of the liner (if using a liner). For the first 5-15 minutes, cook the beef at a high temperature to create a crust on the exterior, sealing in the juices. Then, reduce the temperature to around 350°F (or 180°C) and cook for a further 30-40 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness.
To check if the beef is cooked to your liking, use an instant-read thermometer to measure the internal temperature. Insert the probe into the middle and thickest part of the beef. For a medium-rare roast, aim for an internal temperature of 130-134°F (or 55-57°C). Remember that the beef will continue to cook slightly as it rests, so remove it from the air fryer a few degrees before your desired temperature is reached.
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Cooking the beef
Cooking roast beef in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving tender and juicy roast beef with a flavourful crust:
Choosing the Beef:
Select a good-quality, tender cut of beef with a little marbling of fat. Recommended options include top sirloin, prime rib, rump roast, top round, or ribeye roast. Leaner cuts, such as sirloin tip roast, are also suitable. Avoid cheaper cuts that require long cooking times, as they are better suited for slow roasting in an oven.
Preparing the Beef:
Take the beef out of the fridge about an hour ahead of cooking to allow it to reach room temperature. Blot the surface of the beef dry with paper towels. Then, rub or brush a small amount of oil all over the roast. For added flavour, season the beef with a mixture of herbs, salt, and pepper. You can use herbs like rosemary and thyme or choose your favourites. Make sure to coat all sides of the beef evenly.
Air Frying the Beef:
Preheat your air fryer to a high temperature, around 380-400°F (about 180-200°C). Some air fryers may not have a preheat setting, so you can simply run it on the \"air fry\" setting for 3-5 minutes. Place a liner in the air fryer basket (optional) and position the beef on top. Air fry the beef for 10-15 minutes at this high temperature to create a delicious, seared crust.
After the initial searing, reduce the temperature to around 350°F (about 180°C) and continue cooking for about 30-40 minutes. For a larger roast, you may need to increase the cooking time. Flip the beef over about halfway through the cooking process.
Checking Doneness:
To check if your roast beef is cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to gauge the internal temperature. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the beef. For a medium-rare roast, aim for an internal temperature of 130-134°F (55-57°C). Remember that the roast will continue to cook slightly as it rests, so remove it from the air fryer a few degrees before reaching your desired temperature.
Resting and Serving:
Once the roast beef is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a cutting board or warm platter. Cover loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes, up to 30 minutes for a large roast. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and juicy roast. Finally, slice the beef against the grain and serve with your favourite side dishes. Enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer roast beef!
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Resting the beef
After removing the roast from the air fryer, cover it loosely with a sheet of aluminium foil and leave it to rest on a cutting board or platter for at least 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to restabilize, preventing them from running out onto the cutting board when you cut into the meat.
The size of the roast will determine how long it needs to rest. For a large roast, it is recommended to let it rest for up to 30 minutes. During this time, you can use the drippings caught in the foil to make gravy.
While the beef is resting, it's important to remember that the internal temperature will continue to rise slightly. This means that when you remove the roast from the air fryer, it should be about 5–10° below your desired level of doneness.
Once the roast has rested, you can cut it into thin slices and serve it with your favourite side dishes.
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Serving suggestions
There are several ways to serve roast beef cooked in an air fryer. You can serve it with a side of roast potatoes, roasted carrots, asparagus, roasted fennel, green beans, or broccoli. You can also serve it with a side of crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, gravy, and steamed vegetables. Another option is to serve it with a mound of creamy mashed potatoes, a ladleful of mushroom gravy, and a side of green beans or Brussels sprouts.
If you want to add more flavour to your roast beef, you can serve it with creamy horseradish sauce, wholegrain mustard, or gravy. You can also use the leftover roast beef slices to make roast beef sandwiches with horseradish sauce, mayonnaise, and lettuce.
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