Tillie Doyle
Cooking a rib roast in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare a tender, juicy, and flavourful roast. The air fryer circulates hot air around the meat, cooking it evenly and quickly, while also creating a beautiful crust on the outside. This method of cooking a rib roast is perfect for special occasions and holiday meals, as it frees up your oven for other dishes. In this article, we will take you through the steps to cook a mouth-watering rib roast in an air fryer, from preparing the meat and the rub to cooking and serving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of roast | Prime rib |
| Cut of beef | Boneless or bone-in |
| Weight | 1.3 kg, 3 lbs, 3.3 lbs, or 6 lbs |
| Temperature | 315-400°F |
| Resting time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking time | 55-75 minutes |
| Cooking method | Air fryer |
| Seasonings | Olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, mustard, paprika, cayenne, horseradish, Italian seasoning, parsley, brown sugar, mixed herbs |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of meat
Bone-in or Boneless
The first decision to make is whether to go for a bone-in or boneless rib roast. A bone-in rib roast, also known as a standing rib roast, is a classic option that offers maximum flavour. It can contain up to seven ribs, providing a generous portion for a special occasion. However, due to the size and shape of an air fryer, it is recommended to opt for a boneless rib roast, also called a rib-eye roast, to ensure it fits comfortably in the appliance. A boneless cut also simplifies the slicing and serving process, making it a more convenient choice.
Marbling and Fat Distribution
When selecting your rib roast, look for a well-marbled cut with a good amount of intramuscular fat distributed evenly throughout the meat. This fat, known as marbling, adds flavour, tenderness, and juiciness to the roast. A prime grade, such as the USDA Prime grade, will have the highest amount of marbling, but it can be harder to find and more expensive. Choice grades, such as USDA Choice, offer a moderate amount of marbling and are more readily available in supermarkets.
Colour and Appearance
The colour of the meat and fat is an important indicator of freshness and quality. Look for a rib roast with cherry-red flesh and creamy white or milky white fat. Avoid any dull-coloured meat or meat with yellow fat. If the roast is vacuum-sealed, the meat may appear brown due to lack of oxygen, but it will turn red again once exposed to air. Also, ensure there is a good layer of fat around the ends of the roast, as this adds flavour and moisture during cooking.
Size and Weight
Consider the size and weight of the rib roast in relation to the capacity of your air fryer and the number of people you plan to serve. A larger roast may take up too much space in the air fryer, affecting even cooking. A 2-3 rib joint will typically serve 6-8 people, while a smaller roast from the small end can be requested from your butcher if needed.
Thawing and Temperature
It is recommended to thaw a rib roast before cooking it in an air fryer to ensure maximum flavour and even cooking. Starting with a frozen roast may lead to an overcooked exterior and undercooked interior. Allow the roast to reach room temperature before cooking, and use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature during cooking, aiming for a final temperature of 125°F for medium-rare.
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Preparing the rib roast
Firstly, select the right cut of meat. Prime rib is a speciality cut of beef that comes from the primal rib section of a cow. It is known for its superior marbling, which gives the meat a tender texture and a rich flavour. You can choose either a bone-in or boneless prime rib roast, but keep in mind that a boneless option is easier to manage and cook in an air fryer due to space constraints.
Next, remove the prime rib from its packaging and allow it to rest uncovered at room temperature for at least an hour before cooking. This step is crucial, as it helps the roast cook more evenly. While the meat is resting, you can prepare the seasoning.
For the seasoning, you can use a premade steak seasoning or create your own rub. To make your own, combine olive oil with ingredients such as garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and other herbs and spices of your choice. Mix these ingredients well to form a paste.
Once the meat has rested, pat it dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts in a diamond pattern on the fat cap of the roast. This step will help the seasoning penetrate the meat and enhance its flavour. Rub the spice paste all over the prime rib, ensuring it gets into the cuts you made.
Your rib roast is now ready to be placed in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer for about 5 to 10 minutes, and brush the tray and basket with oil to prevent sticking. Place the prime rib in the basket with the fat cap facing up, and you're ready to start cooking!
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Making the rub
Firstly, remove the prime rib from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before cooking. This is an important step, as it will help the roast cook more evenly and allow the rub to be more easily absorbed.
Next, make the rub by combining the following ingredients in a small bowl: olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (optional). Mix these ingredients well to form a paste. You can also add horseradish, Italian seasoning blend, and mustard powder to the mix for an extra kick of flavour. Alternatively, you can use a pre-made steak seasoning blend.
Once you have made the paste, use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts in a diamond pattern on the fat cap of the roast. This will help the rub penetrate the meat and enhance the flavour.
Pat the prime rib dry with paper towels, and then generously rub the paste all over the meat, ensuring that it gets into the cuts you have made. You can also sprinkle the rub onto the exterior of the roast and press it firmly on, stuffing some into the slits.
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Cooking the roast
First, remove the roast from the refrigerator and let it sit uncovered at room temperature for about an hour before cooking. This is an essential step as it helps the roast cook more evenly. Next, make the rub. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, mustard powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (optional). Mix well to form a paste.
Pat the roast dry with a paper towel. Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts in a diamond pattern on the fat cap of the roast. This will help the seasoning penetrate the meat and enhance the flavor. Rub the paste all over the roast, making sure to get it into the cuts. You can also make small slits on the top of the roast and push pieces of garlic into each slit for extra flavor.
Preheat your air fryer for about 5-10 minutes. Place the roast in the air fryer basket with the fat cap facing up. Start cooking at a higher temperature (around 390-400°F) and then reduce the heat to around 315-350°F. For a 6-pound roast, cook for about 55-70 minutes for medium-rare, flipping halfway through. The total cooking time will depend on the size of your roast and your desired level of doneness.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the roast. For medium-rare, the temperature should reach 120-125°F. Remove the roast from the air fryer when the temperature is about three degrees lower than your desired level of doneness, as it will continue to rise while resting. Let the roast sit on a cutting board for 20-30 minutes, covered with foil, to allow the juices to redistribute and the meat to relax.
Finally, carve the roast across the grain into slices and serve with your favorite sides and sauces, such as horseradish cream, roast potatoes, or Yorkshire puddings.
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Resting and serving the roast
Resting the roast is a crucial step in the cooking process. Once the roast is cooked, it should be removed from the air fryer and set aside to rest for 20-30 minutes. During this time, the roast will continue to cook and the internal temperature will rise by about 5-10 degrees. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a tender and juicy final product.
While the roast is resting, you can prepare any side dishes or sauces that you plan to serve with it. For example, you could make a simple horseradish cream sauce by whisking together sour cream, horseradish, chives, salt, and black pepper. Alternatively, you can serve the roast with a side of Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, garlic bread, or garlicky vegetables cooked in the air fryer.
When the resting time is complete, it's time to carve the roast. Use a sharp knife to slice the meat against or across the grain, ensuring that you cut against any natural lines in the meat to maximise tenderness. Aim for slices that are about 1/2-inch thick.
Finally, plate the roast and serve it with your chosen sides and sauces. Enjoy the delicious, juicy and tender air-fried rib roast!
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the size of the roast and your desired level of doneness. A 6-pound roast will take about 75 minutes to cook in total. A 1.3 kg roast will take about 70 minutes to reach a temperature of 125°F for medium-rare. A 3-pound roast will take just over an hour. As a rule of thumb, a well-rested prime rib will take approximately 15-20 minutes per pound to cook.
First, remove the roast from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour. Then, preheat your air fryer to 390°F or 400°F for 10 minutes. Next, rub the roast with olive oil and seasonings. Place the roast in the air fryer basket with the fat cap facing up, and cook at a high temperature for 20 minutes. Finally, reduce the temperature and cook until the internal temperature reaches 120-125°F for rare or medium-rare.
The cooking temperature will depend on your desired level of doneness. For rare, cook at 390°F for 20 minutes, then reduce to 275°F and cook for 6 minutes per pound. For medium-rare, cook at the same initial temperature for 20 minutes, then reduce to 275°F and cook for 8 minutes per pound. For medium, follow the same process but cook for 10 minutes per pound.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the roast. For rare, the temperature should be 120-125°F. For medium-rare, the temperature should be 125°F. Remove the roast from the air fryer when the temperature is about three degrees lower than your desired target temperature, as it will continue to rise as it rests.
