Beef Air-Fryer Cooking: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a convenient and easy way to cook beef, whether it's a roast, steak, or steak bites. Cooking beef in an air fryer can result in a juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked centre with a herby or crispy crust on the outside. The key to cooking beef in an air fryer is to preheat the air fryer, season the beef, and adjust the cooking time according to the desired doneness.

Cooking times for different cuts of beef

When cooking beef in an air fryer, it's important to choose the right cut of meat. Tougher cuts with minimal fat, like chuck roast or brisket, are not ideal for air frying as they require long, slow cooking to break down connective tissues. Instead, opt for naturally tender cuts that can handle quick cooking at high heat without drying out, such as top sirloin, eye of round roast, or beef tenderloin.

For a steak, choose a cut that is at least 1 inch thick, as thinner steaks are prone to overcooking quickly. Good options include New York strip, ribeye, T-bone, top sirloin, filet mignon, or porterhouse. Season the steak with oil, salt, and pepper, and optionally, a dry rub. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C and cook the steak for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steak and your desired doneness. For a medium-rare steak, cook for 10 minutes, flipping at the five-minute mark. For a medium steak, cook for 12 minutes, flipping at the six-minute mark.

For a roast, choose a joint that has a little marbling of fat and will fit comfortably in the air fryer basket with some space around it for air circulation. Take the roast out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C and cook the roast for 10-15 minutes to create a crust, then reduce the temperature to 350°F/180°C and cook for an additional 30 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on the size of the roast and your desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, aiming for 130-134°F/55-57°C for medium-rare.

After cooking, it is important to let the beef rest. Place the steak or roast on a platter and cover loosely with foil. Let it rest for 10-30 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving.

How to get a good sear on your beef

To get a good sear on your beef, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure your beef is at least 1 inch thick. Thinner cuts will cook too quickly and won't have the chance to brown. Next, rub the beef with oil and seasonings. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice. This will help the beef develop a nice sear and crispiness. For seasonings, you can keep it simple with salt and pepper, or try a combination of garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. You can also add dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil to your rub.

Now, preheat your air fryer. It's important to preheat at a higher temperature than you'll cook the beef at, to get a good sear. Aim for around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and preheat for about 4 minutes. Once preheated, place the beef in the air fryer basket. For a good sear, cook at a high temperature for a shorter time. As a guide, cook a 1-inch steak for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping halfway, for a medium-rare steak with a nice sear. Adjust the cooking time according to the thickness of your steak and your desired doneness.

Finally, when your steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest. Loosely cover it with foil and leave it to rest for 5-30 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure your steak is juicy and tender.

How to season beef before air frying

When seasoning beef to cook in an air fryer, it is important to consider the type of beef you are using, as different cuts and shapes of beef may require different seasonings and cooking times. For example, a round roast or rump roast can be used for Air Fryer Roast Beef, whereas a steak bite or steak piece is better for Air Fryer Steak.

For Air Fryer Roast Beef, it is recommended to use a dry rub or seasonings such as salt and pepper, or dried rosemary, thyme, or basil. You can also coat the meat with olive oil before applying the seasonings. The beef should then be cooked at a high temperature to create a crust on the exterior, sealing in the juices.

For Air Fryer Steak, it is suggested to use a combination of garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper for seasoning. Avocado oil or olive oil can also be used to help the steak stay lubricated during the cooking process and to ensure the seasonings stick to the beef.

Additionally, when preparing beef to cook in an air fryer, it is important to bring the meat to room temperature before cooking, and to preheat the air fryer. This helps to ensure even cooking and prevents the beef from drying out.

How to rest your beef after air frying

When cooking beef in an air fryer, it is important to let the meat rest after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish. The resting time will vary depending on the cut and thickness of the beef, as well as the desired doneness.

For steaks, it is recommended to let the meat rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Remove the steaks from the air fryer and place them on a plate, loosely tented with foil to prevent continued cooking. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute and the steak to reach the desired doneness.

For roast beef, a longer resting time is suggested. It is recommended to let the roast beef rest for a minimum of 10 minutes, up to 20-30 minutes, before slicing. Wrap the roast beef in kitchen foil or place it on a warm platter and cover loosely with foil. This helps the meat finish cooking, reabsorb its juices, and rest before serving.

During the resting period, the internal temperature of the beef will continue to rise slightly. Therefore, it is important to remove the beef from the air fryer a few degrees before reaching the desired doneness temperature. A meat thermometer can be used to check the internal temperature and ensure the beef is cooked to your preference.

Additionally, it is important to note that different air fryer models may have varying cooking times and temperatures. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with your specific model and adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.

How to reheat leftover air-fried beef

Reheating leftover air-fried beef in an air fryer is a great way to ensure maximum flavour and texture. It is also a quick and easy method to reheat your beef.

First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). If you are reheating something smaller, like thin slices of beef, you can reheat at a higher temperature. For thicker cuts of meat, reheat at a lower temperature to avoid drying out the beef.

Next, place your leftover beef in the air fryer basket. Spritzing the beef with a little oil can help it get crispy again, but this is optional. Reheat for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your beef. A thinner cut of beef will reheat faster, so check on it after about 3 minutes to make sure it doesn't overcook.

Finally, remove the beef from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions