Air-Fried Roast: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking a roast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious meal on the table in no time. Whether you're preparing a family dinner or a special occasion feast, air-fried roast beef is a foolproof way to achieve a juicy and succulent roast with a seared crust on the outside and a perfect cook in the middle. This method is not only faster than traditional roasting but also ensures consistent heat and even cooking, resulting in a tasty roast every time.

Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking a Roast in an Air Fryer

Choosing the right cut of beef

Cooking Time

Air fryers excel at cooking naturally tender cuts of beef that can handle quick cooking at high heat without drying out. Therefore, it is best to choose a cut that is suitable for faster cooking rather than cheaper, tougher cuts that require long cooking times to break down connective tissues.

Size

Select a roast that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket with a little space around it for air circulation. As a rule of thumb, a 2-3 pound roast is typically a good size for an air fryer, but the size and type of roast will impact the cooking time required. If you have a larger roast, you may need to slice it in half to fit in the air fryer.

Recommended Cuts

Now, let's explore some of the best cuts of beef for air fryer roasts:

• Top Sirloin Roast: This is an excellent choice for air frying. It is quite lean, very flavorful, and naturally more tender than tougher cuts. Its smaller size typically fits well in an air fryer, and it cooks beautifully to a medium or medium-rare doneness.
• Eye of Round Roast: This cut is economical and usually quite uniform in shape, which helps it cook evenly in an air fryer.
• Sirloin Tip Roast: A lean option that is well-suited for air frying.
• Top Round Roast: Also known as "topside" in the UK, this cut is lean and best served medium-rare.
• Prime Rib Roast: While this cut can be more expensive, it is a tender option that can work well in an air fryer.
• Rump Roast: This cut has a great beefy flavor but tends to be tough due to its lean texture. If using this cut in an air fryer, it is best to keep it rare to medium-rare and slice it thinly against the grain.
• Beef Tenderloin: This option is exceptionally tender, but it cooks very quickly, so close monitoring is required to avoid overcooking. It is best served rare to medium.

Remember, the key to choosing the right cut of beef for an air fryer roast is selecting a tender cut that fits well in your air fryer and suits your desired doneness level.

Preparing the beef

Firstly, select the right cut of beef. It is recommended to choose a naturally tender cut that can withstand quick cooking at high heat without drying out. Some good options include top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, and top-round roast. These cuts tend to be more tender and flavorful, perfect for air frying. If you prefer a leaner option, go for Sirloin Tip roast, top round roast, or ribeye roast.

Next, take your chosen cut of beef out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature. This step is important as it promotes even cooking throughout the roast. Allow the meat to sit out for around 20 to 30 minutes, or even up to an hour if time permits. This waiting period ensures that the juices redistribute and helps the meat cook evenly.

Once the beef is at room temperature, it's time to season it. Pat the surface of the roast dry with a paper towel. Then, rub a small amount of oil all over the roast. You can use cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or canola oil. As for seasoning, a simple combination of salt and pepper can be used, or you can get creative with herbs like thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder. Make sure to coat all sides of the roast evenly.

At this point, you can also prepare the beef by creating a nice sear on the outside. Preheat your air fryer to a high temperature, around 400°F (200°C), for about 5 to 10 minutes. Place the seasoned beef in the air fryer basket and cook for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. This step helps form a delicious crust on the exterior of the roast, sealing in the juices.

After achieving the desired crust, it's important to lower the temperature to avoid overcooking the beef. Reduce the heat to around 350°F (180°C) and continue cooking for about 30 minutes. During this time, you may need to flip the roast halfway through to ensure even cooking on all sides.

Lastly, use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the beef. The ideal temperature will depend on your preferred doneness, whether you like it rare, medium-rare, or well done. Once the roast reaches your desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest before slicing and serving.

Cooking the roast

Cooking a roast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious meal on the table in a fraction of the time it would take in a traditional oven. The key to success is choosing the right cut of meat and letting it come to room temperature before cooking.

First, select a tender cut of beef with a bit of marbling, such as a top sirloin roast, prime rib roast, or top-round roast. Avoid cheaper cuts that require long cooking times, as they are better suited for oven roasting or slow cookers. For a roast that fits comfortably in your air fryer, aim for a size of around 2-3 pounds.

Take your roast out of the fridge and pat it dry with a paper towel. Let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour. This step is essential, as it promotes even cooking and allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Next, preheat your air fryer. Brush the air fryer rack with a high smoke-point oil, such as vegetable, canola, or avocado oil. You can also use olive oil, but it has a lower smoke point, so be careful not to burn it. Place the roast in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes at a high temperature to create a lovely crust on the exterior.

After the initial sear, reduce the temperature to 350°F / 180°C and cook for an additional 30 minutes. For even cooking, flip the roast halfway through the cooking time. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the roast, aiming for your desired level of doneness. Rare to medium-rare is preferable for most cuts.

Once the roast is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a warm platter. Cover loosely with foil and let it rest for 10 to 30 minutes. This allows the muscle fibers to relax and the juices to redistribute, keeping the roast tender and moist. Finally, slice the roast and serve with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!

Cooking vegetables

To start, wash and peel your vegetables as needed. Cut them into uniform, bite-sized pieces, around 1-2 inch chunks. Soaking the vegetables in cold water for 5-30 minutes can help to remove excess starch and ensure even cooking, but this step is optional. Once your veggies are prepped, pat them dry with a clean cloth or kitchen paper.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 360°F/180°C. You can use a higher temperature of 400°F for a shorter cooking time, or a lower temperature of 190°C for a longer cooking time, depending on your preference. While the air fryer is warming up, add your vegetables to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, or another cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil. You can also use an oil spray to reduce the amount of oil used. Add your desired seasonings and toss to coat the vegetables well. Seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper can add lots of flavor to your veggies.

Once your air fryer is preheated, spray the basket insert with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Cook for 8-15 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable and your desired level of doneness. For firmer vegetables, you may want to start with a shorter cooking time of 5 minutes, then add your softer vegetables and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. It's important to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process and every few minutes thereafter to redistribute the veggies and ensure even cooking.

Your vegetables are done when they are tender and lightly charred or crispy at the edges. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese, a squeeze of lemon juice, or fresh herbs for extra flavor. Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried veggies!

Resting and serving

Resting the roast is an essential step in the cooking process. It allows the muscle fibres to relax and gives time for the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring your roast is tender and moist. It is recommended that you let your roast rest for at least 10 minutes, but for larger roasts, you may want to leave it for up to 30 minutes.

While the roast rests, cover it loosely with foil and place it on a platter or cutting board. This will keep it warm and allow you to retain those delicious juices. If you have cooked your roast with vegetables, now is the time to finish them off. Depending on the type of vegetable, you may want to cook them for a further 20 minutes or so until tender.

Once the roast has rested, it's time to slice it. For tougher cuts of meat, like chuck roast, you should slice thinly against the grain. For more tender cuts, you can slice to your preferred thickness. Arrange the meat and vegetables on a platter and drizzle with the meat juices.

Your roast is now ready to serve! Don't forget to save any leftovers, which can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Frequently asked questions