Air-Fryer Pot Roast: Tender, Flavorful, And Quick

Air fryer pot roast is a quick and easy way to cook tender beef with vegetables and gravy. The beef is cooked on its own first to create a crust that seals in the juices, then the vegetables are seasoned and cooked in a container with a braising liquid, such as red wine, and the beef is placed on top. The beef can be cooked rare, medium or well done, depending on your preference. The whole meal cooks in under an hour and is a great way to get a delicious roast without having to use your oven.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for an air fryer pot roast will depend on how well done you like your beef.

First, preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Then, place the beef joint in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes at 350°F (180°C). After 10 minutes, you can add your vegetables to the air fryer basket and continue cooking for another 20 minutes. Check the beef with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached your desired temperature. For a medium-rare roast, the USDA suggests cooking to 145º Fahrenheit (63º Celsius). For a medium-well roast, the temperature should be 150º Fahrenheit (65º Celsius).

Once the beef has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and cover it loosely with foil to rest. Continue cooking the vegetables for another 20 minutes, or until they are tender.

Preparing the beef

Take the beef out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Drizzle with olive oil and season well with salt, pepper and mixed herbs. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Place the beef joint in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes at 350°F (180°C). This creates a lovely crust that will seal in the juices.

You can then place the beef on top of the vegetables in a cake pan and place it in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes and then start checking with a meat thermometer that it has cooked to your liking. The USDA suggests roasts be cooked to 145º Fahrenheit (medium-well). I took my beef out once it reached 150°F (65°C).

Cover the beef loosely with foil and leave it to rest.

Cooking the vegetables

First, season the vegetables. You can use carrots and potatoes. Place the beef joint on top of the vegetables in a cake pan or deep cake tin. Place the pan in the air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes. Check with a meat thermometer to see if the beef has cooked to your liking. Once the beef is done, remove it from the air fryer and cover it loosely with foil to rest. Continue cooking the vegetables for another 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Strain the juices from the pot roast into a gravy boat.

Cooking the beef and vegetables together

First, take the beef out of the fridge for 20 minutes before cooking. Drizzle with olive oil and season well with salt, pepper and mixed herbs. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Place the beef joint in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes at 350°F (180°C). This will create a lovely crust that seals in the juices.

Next, season the vegetables and place them in a container. A deep cake tin works well for this. Place the beef joint on top of the vegetables and return the pan to the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes, then start checking with a meat thermometer that it has cooked to your liking. The USDA suggests roasts be cooked to 145º Fahrenheit (medium-well). When the beef is done to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and cover loosely with foil to rest.

Continue to cook the vegetables for a further 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Strain the juices into a gravy boat and serve with the sliced beef and vegetables, drizzled with gravy.

Resting the beef

During the resting period, the juices redistribute throughout the meat, preventing them from escaping when the beef is sliced. This results in a juicier, more succulent roast.

To rest the beef, remove it from the air fryer and cover it loosely with foil. This will help to retain some heat while allowing the meat to breathe.

While the beef is resting, you can continue cooking the vegetables and preparing the gravy. This ensures that your meal is ready to be served together once the resting period is complete.

The resting time can vary depending on the size of your roast and your personal preference. For larger roasts, you may consider increasing the resting time to 5-10 minutes. This will give the juices more time to redistribute and result in an even more tender roast.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure your air-fried pot roast is juicy, flavourful, and cooked to perfection.

Frequently asked questions