
Cooking roast beef in a power air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a tender, juicy roast with a seared finish. It is perfect for busy at-home chefs and can be used to cook a roast for holiday dinners, special occasions, or a meaningful family meal. The air fryer seals in the juices and flavours of the beef, resulting in a delicious and hearty meal. By following a few simple steps, such as preheating the air fryer, seasoning the beef, and adjusting the cooking time based on your desired level of doneness, you can enjoy a perfectly cooked roast beef that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat type | Beef |
| Cut | Top round, sirloin, ribeye, rump roast, rolled rib roast, or beef joint |
| Weight | 2-5 lbs |
| Temperature | 380-400°F (190-200°C) |
| Cook time | 35-42 minutes |
| Rest time | 10-30 minutes |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic, rosemary, thyme, onion granules, mustard powder, steak seasoning, or a herb seasoning mix |
| Sides | Yorkshire puddings, potatoes, roasted carrots, green bean casserole, braised red cabbage, creamy sprouts with bacon, roasted butternut squash salad |
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What You'll Learn

Choosing the right cut of beef
Type of Roast
The type of roast you want to make will dictate the best cut of beef to choose. For example, a prime rib roast is a popular choice for a traditional Sunday roast, while rump roast, rolled rib roast, or beef joint can also be good options. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider cheaper cuts like rump roast, which can be slow-roasted to tender, juicy perfection.
Marbling and Fat Content
Look for a nicely marbled piece of beef with an outer layer of fat. This helps to baste the meat as it cooks, keeping it moist and flavourful. However, if you prefer your roast without too much fat, consider a leaner cut like the bottom round rump or top round roast. Just remember that leaner cuts may require slower cooking at lower temperatures to prevent dryness.
Cooking Method
The cooking method you plan to use can also influence your choice of beef cut. For example, if you're using an air fryer, choose a cut that fits your fryer basket and adjust the cooking time accordingly. Some cuts, like the beef bolar blade or chuck roast, benefit from slow cooking methods to break down connective tissues and create a tender, flavourful roast.
Taste and Texture Preferences
Your personal preferences for taste and texture will also play a role in choosing the right cut. If you prefer a tender, rosy slice of meat, opt for a top sirloin cut or tri-tip. If you're open to something different, chuck roast offers great beef flavour at an affordable price point, though it may not be to everyone's taste due to its higher fat content.
Budget
Budget is an important consideration when choosing a cut of beef. Some cuts, like the butt fillet, are more expensive but offer a decadent, rich flavour. Weigh your budget against the desired cook time, as some cheaper cuts may require longer cooking times to achieve optimal tenderness.
In summary, selecting the right cut of beef for your roast involves considering the cooking method, your taste preferences, and your budget. Don't be afraid to ask your local butcher for recommendations if you're unsure. With the right cut and some careful preparation, you'll be well on your way to a delicious roast beef meal!
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Preparing the beef
Next, you'll want to season the beef. Brush or rub the beef all over with olive oil or another cooking oil spray. Then, season the beef with salt and pepper, and perhaps an herb seasoning mix or onion granules and mustard powder. You can also use a French Onion Soup Mix to season the outside of the roast beef.
Once your beef is prepared, it's time to preheat your air fryer. Preheating is crucial as it ensures the cooking chamber is hot and ready to sear the beef nicely from the start. Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400°F (around 200°C).
Now you're ready to place the beef in the air fryer basket. It's a good idea to use a liner in the basket, although this is optional. Position the beef on top and roast for 10-15 minutes. This high temperature will create a lovely crust on the exterior, sealing in the juices.
After this initial searing, you'll want to turn the beef over and reduce the temperature to 350°F (180°C). Now it's time to cook the beef to your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare roast, cook for around 30 minutes, and for medium-well done, cook for 40 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the beef. Rare beef should be around 130°F, medium is 150°F, and well-done is 170°F. Remember that the temperature of the joint will continue to rise slightly as it rests, so factor that into your cooking time.
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Cooking the beef
Next, preheat your air fryer to a high temperature of around 380-400°F (190-200°C). You can also spray the air fryer with cooking oil spray, such as olive oil or grapeseed oil, to prevent sticking. Once preheated, place the roast in the air fryer basket and roast for 10-15 minutes to create a nice seared exterior. Then, reduce the temperature to around 350°F (180°C) and cook for a further 30-40 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare roast, cook for 30 minutes, and for medium-well done, cook for 40 minutes.
To check the level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to gauge the internal temperature of the beef. Insert the probe into the middle and thickest part of the roast. For rare, the internal temperature should be 130°F, for medium, 150°F, and for well-done, 170°F. When the roast is 5°F-10°F below your desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute and prevents them from drying out.
You can also add vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, to the air fryer for a complete meal. Simply place them in the air fryer with the roast, or cook them separately after removing the beef to utilize the drippings for extra flavor.
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Resting the beef
During the resting period, the temperature of the beef will continue to rise slightly, so it's important to factor that into your cooking time. The resting time also gives you the opportunity to prepare any side dishes or make gravy using the drippings from the foil.
For a medium-rare roast, aim for an internal temperature of 130-134°F (55-57°C) or 130°F (54.4°C) for a rare roast. If you prefer your beef more well done, you can cook it to an internal temperature of 150°F (65.5°C) for medium or 170°F (76.6°C) for well done.
The resting time will also depend on the size of your roast beef. A larger joint may require a longer resting time, up to 20-30 minutes, to ensure that the juices redistribute evenly throughout the meat.
After the resting period, you can slice the roast beef against the grain and serve it with your favorite side dishes, such as Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, or a vegetable side dish. Enjoy your perfectly cooked and rested air fryer roast beef!
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Serving suggestions
There are a variety of ways to serve roast beef cooked in a power air fryer. The beef can be sliced thinly and served with a range of side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, potatoes, and gravy made from the beef drippings. You can also use the beef slices to make sandwiches, which can be reheated in the air fryer.
For a classic roast dinner, serve your air fryer roast beef with a side of Yorkshire puddings and one potato side dish, such as goose-fat roast potatoes, air fryer roast potatoes, lazy slow cooker mashed potatoes, or quick smashed Greek potatoes.
You could also serve the roast beef with a veggie side dish, such as classic green bean casserole, braised red cabbage, creamy sprouts with bacon, or roasted butternut squash salad.
If you're looking for a more substantial meal, consider pairing the roast beef with air fryer roasted carrots and potatoes, or even adding bacon to your meal, which can be cooked to a crispy texture in the air fryer.
Don't forget to make the most of those beef drippings! Place a sheet of aluminum foil under the beef while it cooks to catch the drippings and use them to make gravy.
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Frequently asked questions
First, take your roast beef out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature. Baste it with oil and season with salt and pepper, or a herb mix. Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Place the roast in the fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F and cook for another 30 minutes. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer and cook for longer if needed.
It takes around 40-45 minutes to cook roast beef in a power air fryer. This is a significant reduction in time compared to traditional recipes, which can take an hour or more.
You should initially set your power air fryer to a high temperature of around 380-400°F to create a crust on the exterior of the beef. Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F for the remainder of the cooking time.
Top round is a good choice for a lean, flavoursome roast. Sirloin is a good option if you don't want too much fat. For a richer roast, choose ribeye.










































