Air Fryer Roast: Perfect Timing For Tender Meat

Cooking roast beef in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, juicy, and tender roast. The cooking time will depend on the size of the beef joint, the type of air fryer used, and the desired level of doneness. On average, it takes about 40 to 50 minutes to cook a roast in an air fryer, including prep time, for a medium-rare to medium result. This is significantly faster than cooking a roast in a conventional oven, which can take over an hour.

Choosing the right cut of beef

Cooking roast beef in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. The cooking time will depend on the size of the beef joint and the type of air fryer used. A good rule of thumb is to cook the roast beef for 10-15 minutes initially at a high temperature to create a crust, and then lower the temperature and cook for an additional 30 minutes or so. The roast should be removed from the air fryer when the internal temperature is about 5 degrees lower than your desired level of doneness, as the temperature will continue to rise while the meat rests.

Now, choosing the right cut of beef is crucial for a successful air fryer roast. It is generally recommended to opt for a tender cut with a bit of marbling, such as a top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, or top-round roast. These cuts have the perfect balance of fat and lean meat, ensuring that your roast is juicy and flavorful. Leaner cuts, such as sirloin tip roast or ribeye roast, are also suitable options. However, it is best to avoid cheaper cuts with a lot of connective tissue, as they require longer cooking times and are more suitable for oven roasting or slow cookers.

When selecting a cut of beef for your air fryer roast, it's important to consider the size of your air fryer. Larger cuts, such as rump roast, rolled rib roast, or beef joint, may not fit properly in a smaller air fryer. In such cases, you might need to slice the joint in half or use the air fryer to sear the meat before finishing it in the oven. It's always a good idea to check the size of your air fryer and the dimensions of the beef cut to ensure they are compatible.

Additionally, the desired doneness of your roast beef will also influence your choice of cut. For instance, the top round beef joint, also known as topside in the UK, is a lean cut that is best suited for medium-rare doneness. On the other hand, if you prefer your roast beef rare or medium-rare, a cut like the chuck roast, which has a crispy exterior crust, could be an excellent choice.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that the cooking time and temperature settings provided in this article are meant to serve as a general guide. The specific settings may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size and type of roast you choose. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your air fryer and use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of your roast beef to ensure it reaches your desired level of doneness.

Preparing the beef for cooking

Firstly, select the right cut of beef. The cut you choose will impact the cooking time and overall taste of your roast. For an air fryer, it is recommended to opt for a tender cut with a bit of marbling such as a top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, rump roast or top-round roast. If you're cooking for a special occasion and want to splurge, prime or choice grades of beef will reward you with great flavour and juiciness. However, if you're working with a tighter budget, select grade beef can be used, but make sure to marinate it beforehand to enhance its flavour and texture.

Once you've chosen your cut of beef, it's important to bring it to room temperature. Take the roast out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to start cooking. This step is important because it helps the beef cook more evenly. While the beef is coming to room temperature, you can prepare the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to a higher temperature than you'll cook the roast at—this will help create a nice seared crust.

Before placing the beef in the air fryer, pat its surface dry with a paper towel. Then, brush the air fryer basket with oil or, if your recipe doesn't include oil, you can brush the beef itself with oil. This step will help achieve that mouth-watering, crispy exterior crust that air-fried roasts are known for.

Next, season your beef. A simple combination of salt and pepper is a classic, but you can also experiment with herbs like thyme, rosemary, or garlic powder. Create a herb mixture and sprinkle it generously over the roast, ensuring all sides are well-coated. This is also the step where you can add other ingredients to the mix, such as onion, garlic, or other vegetables, if you wish to cook them alongside the beef.

Finally, place the beef in the air fryer basket. If you're cooking the beef on its own, set the temperature to around 380°F (190°C) and cook for about 40-42 minutes for a 2-3 lb roast, flipping it halfway through. If you're cooking the beef with vegetables, you'll first cook the beef on its own for about 10 minutes to create a crust, and then add the vegetables and continue cooking.

Cooking the roast

The first step is to select the beef. The cut of beef will impact the cooking time, as cheaper cuts with a lot of connective tissue will take longer to cook and may be better suited for oven roasting. For the air fryer, choose a tender cut of beef with a bit of marbling such as a top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, rump roast, or top-round roast. Prime or choice grades of beef are recommended for great flavor and juiciness.

Next, prepare the beef. Take the roast out of the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature. Preheat your air fryer to a higher temperature than the cooking temperature. Pat the surface of the roast dry with a paper towel and rub a little oil all over the roast. Season the roast with salt, pepper, and herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder. Make sure the seasonings are well distributed on all sides of the roast.

Now, it's time to cook the roast. Place the roast in the air fryer basket and air fry for the recommended time, which can range from 40 to 56 minutes, depending on the size and type of roast. For a 1.5-pound roast, cook for around 40 minutes at 320°F (160°C) until the internal temperature reaches 122-125°F (50-52°C) for medium to medium-rare. For larger roasts, adjust the cooking time accordingly. It is important to keep an eye on the roast to avoid overcooking it. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the roast, and remove it from the air fryer when it reaches about 5 degrees below your desired level.

Finally, let the roast rest. Transfer the roast to a cutting board, cover it with foil, and let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This allows the roast to finish cooking from residual heat and lets the protein fibers relax for easier slicing. The temperature will continue to rise during this time, so take that into account when checking the internal temperature. After resting, slice the roast thinly and serve.

Cooking the vegetables

When making a roast in an air fryer, you can cook the vegetables at the same time as the meat. The exact cooking time will depend on the type of vegetables you are using and the size of your air fryer. Root vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and shallots, are good options for an air fryer roast. You can also add onion and garlic to the mix.

To cook the vegetables, first season them with salt, pepper, and mixed herbs. You can also add a beef stock cube or bouillon for extra flavor. If you're cooking potatoes, you'll need to cut them into small enough pieces to ensure they cook through. Place the vegetables in a container, such as a deep cake tin, and add a braising liquid. Red wine is a good option, but if you don't want to use alcohol, you can replace it with beef broth.

Place the beef joint on top of the vegetables and put the container in the air fryer basket. For a pot roast, cook the beef and vegetables together for 20 minutes and then start checking the temperature of the beef with a meat thermometer. For a roast beef dinner, cook the beef on its own first for 10-15 minutes to create a crust, and then add the vegetables to the container and continue cooking.

The total cooking time for the vegetables will depend on the size of your air fryer and the type of vegetables you are using. Check the vegetables regularly to ensure they don't overcook. They should be tender when pierced with a fork. If they're not quite done when you remove the roast, you can continue cooking them in the air fryer for a few extra minutes.

Resting and serving the roast

Once your roast is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a cutting board. Cover the roast with foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes and up to 30 minutes. This step is important, as it allows the roast to finish cooking from residual heat, and lets the protein fibres relax for easier slicing. The roast will also continue to cook during this time, as the temperature will rise by about 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit (2-3 degrees Celsius).

While the roast is resting, you can use the juices that have collected in the foil to make a gravy. You can also continue cooking any vegetables that may not be tender yet.

After resting, use a sharp knife to slice the roast across the grain into thin slices. The roast is now ready to be served! Check that your vegetables are tender, and serve them alongside the roast with your chosen side dishes.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, place the slices in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 1-2 minutes, or in the microwave in 30-second increments, until heated through.

Frequently asked questions