Air Fryer Roast: Cooking Time Perfection

Cooking roast beef in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious roast dinner. It takes much less time than cooking it in the oven, and you can cook the roast and vegetables together in under an hour. The cooking time depends on the size and type of roast, but it typically takes around 30 minutes. To cook a roast in an air fryer, you need to preheat the air fryer, season the beef, and then cook it at different temperatures for a set amount of time.

Choosing the right cut of beef

Cooking roast beef in an air fryer is much quicker than using an oven, taking about 30 minutes less time. The high temperature of the air fryer creates a crust on the exterior of the beef, sealing in the juices, before the temperature is lowered to ensure the beef doesn't dry out.

When choosing the right cut of beef, it is recommended to go for a tender cut with a little marbling of fat, such as a top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, rump roast, top-round roast, or ribeye roast. These cuts are ideal for the quick cooking time of the air fryer. Cheaper cuts with a lot of connective tissue will require a longer cooking time and are better suited for oven roasting.

The size of the roast will also impact the cooking time, with larger roasts requiring more time. It is important to ensure that the roast fits into the air fryer, and if not, it can always be sliced in half. A 2-3 pound roast is recommended, and the cooking time will need to be adjusted for larger sizes.

Some specific cuts that can be used for air fryer roast beef include:

• Chuck roast: This is a favorite for many, and it can be used to make smoked pot roast burnt ends, Mississippi pot roast, and shredded beef. A 3-pound chuck roast is an average size.
• Top roast: This cut is also known as top round roast or London broil. It cooks faster than a traditional roast beef and is less likely to become chewy.

Preparing the beef

Next, you'll want to season the beef. Drizzle or brush olive oil or avocado oil all over the surface of the beef. You can also use vegetable or canola oil. Then, season the beef with salt and pepper, ensuring an even coating. For added flavour, you can also add herbs such as thyme, rosemary, onion granules, garlic powder, or a steak seasoning mix.

At this point, you should preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature will depend on the desired doneness of your beef and may vary slightly between air fryers, but generally, you'll want to heat it between 380-400°F (190-200°C). Some sources recommend preheating for about 5-10 minutes.

Once your beef and air fryer are ready, it's time to place the beef in the air fryer basket. If you're cooking vegetables with the beef, you can place the beef on top of the vegetables in a separate container, such as a cake tin, which will be added to the air fryer basket. This container can also be used to catch the beef's juices for gravy.

Now, you're ready to start cooking your roast beef in the air fryer!

Cooking the beef

First, take the beef out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature before cooking (20-30 minutes). Pat the surface of the roast dry with a paper towel and rub a little bit of oil all over the roast. You can use avocado oil, olive oil, or vegetable or canola oil. Then, preheat the air fryer for 5-10 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

Next, place the beef in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes at 350°F (180°C). You can also add some onion, garlic, and vegetables to the mix and cook them at the same time as your air fryer beef. Then, reduce the air fryer temperature to 325°F and continue to cook the roast for another 20-30 minutes. If you are cooking vegetables with the roast, check that they are tender with a fork. If they are not fully tender at this point, air fry them for a few minutes longer after removing the roast.

The cooking time will depend on the size of the beef joint and the type of air fryer you use, so it's important to keep an eye on the meat. Use a meat thermometer to gauge the roast beef temperature. When the internal temperature hits about 5 degrees under your desired level, transfer the air fryer roast beef to a cutting board to rest. The beef can be cooked rare, medium-rare, medium, or well done depending on how you like it.

Once the beef is cooked to your liking, place it on a warm platter and cover loosely with foil. Leave it to rest for 20-30 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving with your favourite side dishes.

Cooking vegetables

While cooking a roast in an air fryer, you can also cook the vegetables in the same way. Here is a detailed guide on how to cook vegetables in an air fryer.

Firstly, select your choice of vegetables. All types of vegetables can be roasted in an air fryer. Hearty root vegetables are a good option, as are carrots, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and peppers. Soft vegetables with high water content, like zucchini, can also be roasted but will take less time.

Next, prepare the vegetables. Wash and rinse the vegetables, then chop them into evenly-sized cubes. Try to cut the pieces into similar sizes so they roast evenly. You can also leave baby carrots whole, but cut baby potatoes in half lengthwise so they cook at the same rate. If you don't have baby potatoes, cut larger potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Soak the vegetables in cold water for 30 minutes, then drain and pat them dry with a clean cloth.

Now, add the vegetables to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, avocado oil, or another type of cooking oil. You can also add crushed garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper, or your choice of seasoning. Toss the vegetables to ensure they are evenly coated.

Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the fryer basket. Cook, stirring halfway, for around 10 minutes or until tender and crispy. For four cups of vegetables, check after five minutes and then continue roasting in five-minute intervals. For a smaller amount of vegetables, reduce the time.

Resting the beef

When you remove the beef from the air fryer, cover it with foil and let it rest for at least 10 minutes. Some sources suggest resting the beef for 20-30 minutes, which will allow the protein fibres to relax for slicing. This is a crucial step, and if skipped, you will be left with tough, chewy meat.

The roast will continue to cook during the resting time, and the temperature will continue to rise slightly. This is an important factor to consider when deciding how long to cook the meat for, especially if you like your beef well-done. The USDA recommends a safe minimum internal temperature of 145°F (62.8°C) for all cuts of beef, with a 3-minute rest. This temperature would result in medium to medium-well done beef as it rests.

If you are aiming for a medium-rare roast, the internal temperature should be about 125°F (51.7°C). For a medium roast, the temperature should be 130°F (54.4°C). It is important to check the temperature of the beef towards the end of the cooking time, and remember to remove it from the air fryer a few degrees early as it will continue to cook while resting.

Allowing the beef to rest will also give you time to prepare any side dishes. Air-fried roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables are all great options to serve with your roast beef.

Frequently asked questions