Emilie Meyer
Air Fryer Prime Rib is a delicious and juicy meal that is perfect for holidays and special occasions. It is surprisingly easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients. The air fryer cooks the meat evenly and quickly, resulting in a tender and flavourful dish with a beautiful crust on the outside. This guide will teach you how to cook a prime rib in an air fryer, so you can impress your guests and family with a restaurant-quality meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Meat | Prime rib |
| Type of Dish | Roast |
| Main Ingredient | Beef |
| Cooking Appliance | Air fryer |
| Cook Time | 70-75 minutes |
| Rest Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Temperature | 375-400°F |
| Seasonings | Salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic, olive oil, paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper, onion powder, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, chives, butter |
| Doneness | Rare, medium-rare, medium |
| Internal Temperature | 125°F-145°F |
| Weight | 1.3-6 lbs |
| Serving Size | Serves 5-8 people |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Nutritional Information | 787kcal, 1g carbohydrates, 34g protein, 70g fat |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of meat
Bone-in or Boneless
You can choose between bone-in and boneless prime rib roasts. A bone-in prime rib has the bone attached, while a boneless option has the bone removed. The bone-in variety is said to have more flavour and produce tender results as the bone insulates the meat during cooking. However, a boneless roast is easier to carve and is a better option for air fryers due to space constraints. If you opt for a bone-in roast, you can ask your butcher to remove the bones and tie them back onto the roast, allowing for easier carving while still benefiting from the insulation during cooking.
Grade
The USDA grades beef as Select, Choice, and Prime, with Prime being the highest grade. Prime rib, however, is a marketing term and does not necessarily indicate the grade. Prime rib can be any grade, and you can choose based on your preference and budget. Higher grades generally have better fat marbling and better cuts, but also come with a higher price tag.
Cut
The prime rib can be cut from the chuck end (ribs 6-9) or the loin end (ribs 10-12). The chuck end has more fat around and between the central meat, while the loin end has less fat and a larger, leaner central eye of meat.
Size
Consider the size of the roast and how many people you need to serve. A general rule of thumb is to allow for 1 lb (455g) per adult. Also, ensure that your roast fits in your air fryer basket. If necessary, trim the roast slightly to make it fit.
Marbling
Look for a roast with good fat distribution, also known as marbling. Strong marbling in the rib cap and thin, spider-webbed fat marbled into the centre eye cut are ideal. A uniform and relatively thick fat cap will protect the meat during cooking and enhance its flavour.
Uniformity
Choose a roast that is similar in size on both ends, avoiding those that taper. Uniform roasts will cook more evenly, ensuring a consistent doneness throughout.
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Preparing the rub
Firstly, take the prime rib out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before cooking. This will ensure the beef cooks evenly all the way through.
To make the rub, combine olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, kosher salt, black pepper, Dijon mustard, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (optional) in a small bowl. Mix these ingredients well to form a paste.
Pat the prime rib dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts in a diamond pattern on the fat cap of the roast. This will help the rub penetrate the meat more effectively.
Now, rub the paste all over the prime rib, ensuring it gets into the cuts you made. You can also customise the rub to your taste preferences by adjusting the amount of salt, pepper, and other seasonings as desired.
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Preheating the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in cooking your prime rib to perfection. It ensures that your meat cooks evenly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for the best results:
Firstly, ensure your air fryer is clean and dry. If needed, spray the air fryer tray with oil to prevent sticking and enhance the flavour of your prime rib.
Next, set the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for cooking prime rib in an air fryer is between 375-400°F (190-200°C). Depending on your desired level of doneness, you can adjust the temperature slightly. For a rare prime rib, aim for 390°F, and for a medium-rare prime rib, 375-390°F is ideal.
Now, let's preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to your chosen setting and allow it to heat up for approximately 5 minutes. This duration ensures that the air fryer reaches the desired temperature and maintains a consistent heat level for cooking.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your prime rib. Remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. This step ensures that your meat cooks evenly. Pat the prime rib dry with paper towels, and if desired, sprinkle it with a generous amount of seasoning, such as salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic powder, or other herbs and spices of your choice.
Once the air fryer is preheated, you can proceed to the next step of cooking your prime rib to perfection! Place the prime rib in the air fryer basket, ensuring that it fits properly, and you're on your way to a delicious meal.
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Cooking the prime rib
First, ensure your prime rib will fit in the air fryer basket. A boneless prime rib is the best option as it fits better in the basket and cooks more evenly. Trim any excess fat from the prime rib and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before cooking.
Next, make the rub. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, kosher salt, black pepper, Dijon mustard, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if you like spice). Mix well to form a paste. Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts in a diamond pattern on the fat cap of the roast. Rub the paste all over the prime rib, making sure to get it into the cuts.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F–400°F for 5 minutes. Place the prime rib in the air fryer basket with the fat cap facing up. Cook at the higher temperature for 15 minutes to sear the outside of the meat, then reduce the temperature to 315°F. Continue air frying for another 45–55 minutes.
Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the roast. It is done when it reaches 130°F–140°F internally, depending on how well you like your meat cooked. If it has yet to reach your desired temperature, continue cooking for another 5–8 minutes, then check again.
Once the desired temperature is reached, take the meat out of the air fryer and let it rest, tented with foil, for 15–30 minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a juicier and more tender prime rib.
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Resting and serving the prime rib
Once the prime rib is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest, tented with aluminium foil, for 15 to 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a juicier and more tender prime rib. The prime rib should be taken out of the air fryer when the temperature is about three to ten degrees lower than the desired target temperature to allow for it to rise slightly as it rests.
While the prime rib is resting, you can swap out the silicone liners or parchment rounds and cook a side dish in the air fryer. Some side dishes that go well with prime rib are roasted or mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, a fresh salad, Yorkshire pudding, and roast potatoes.
After it finishes resting, slice the prime rib against the grain and serve.
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Frequently asked questions
First, check that your prime rib will fit in the air fryer basket. Boneless prime rib is usually the best option as bone-in roasts are often too large. Then, preheat your air fryer to 375°F-400°F for 5 minutes. While it preheats, pat the prime rib dry with paper towels and season generously on all sides with salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic powder, olive oil, paprika, and/or mustard powder. Place the prime rib in the air fryer basket with the fat cap facing up and cook at the higher temperature for 15 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 315°F and cook for another 45-55 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the roast. It is done when it reaches 130°F-140°F internally.
It takes about 70-75 minutes in total to cook a prime rib in an air fryer. This includes 15 minutes at a higher temperature to sear the outside of the meat, and 45-55 minutes at a lower temperature. After cooking, it is recommended to let the prime rib rest for 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving.
You should preheat your air fryer to 375°F-400°F. Then, when you put the prime rib in the basket, reduce the temperature to 315°F. The prime rib is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 130°F-140°F.
You should use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the prime rib. Pull the prime rib out of the air fryer when it's 3°F-10°F lower than your desired doneness, as it will continue to cook while it rests.
