Air-Fried Roast Beef: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Recipe

Making roast beef in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a tender roast with a crispy exterior. The process is simple: take your beef joint out of the fridge, rub it with oil and seasonings, and cook in the air fryer for around 40 minutes. You can then use the juices from the beef to make a gravy.

Choosing the right cut of beef

Type of Beef

For air frying, it is best to opt for naturally tender cuts of beef that can withstand quick cooking at high temperatures without drying out. Look for cuts with a little marbling of fat, as this will help keep the meat juicy. Avoid cheaper cuts that require long cooking times, as they are more suitable for slow cooking methods.

Some recommended options include:

• Top sirloin roast: This cut is lean, flavorful, and naturally tender. It typically fits well in an air fryer and cooks beautifully to medium or medium-rare.
• Eye of round roast: This economical cut is usually uniform in shape, which helps it cook evenly in an air fryer. Be careful not to overcook it to maintain tenderness.
• Beef tenderloin: Tenderloin is exceptionally tender and ideal for air frying, but it cooks very quickly, so close monitoring is necessary to avoid overcooking.

Size of the Cut

When selecting a cut of beef, ensure that it fits comfortably in your air fryer with a little space around it for air circulation. A roast weighing around 2-3 pounds is usually a good size. If you have a larger roast, you may need to slice it in half to fit in your air fryer.

Cooking Preferences

Consider your preferred doneness for your roast beef. If you like your beef rare to medium-rare, cuts like outside round (bottom round or rump roast) or beef tenderloin are good choices. For a medium or medium-well done roast, top sirloin or eye of round can be good options. Avoid tougher cuts like chuck roast or brisket, as they require slow cooking to become tender.

In summary, choosing the right cut of beef for your air fryer roast is crucial. Opt for naturally tender cuts with a little marbling of fat, ensuring it fits comfortably in your air fryer. Consider your preferred doneness and adjust your cooking time accordingly to achieve the perfect roast beef.

Preparing the beef for cooking

Firstly, select the right cut of beef. Opt for cuts such as top sirloin or tenderloin for the juiciest results. If you are looking for a more economical option, eye of round roast is a good choice, but it is important to not overcook it to maintain tenderness. Avoid tougher cuts like chuck roast or brisket, as they require slow cooking to become tender.

Once you have chosen the right cut, take the beef out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature. This step is important as it promotes even cooking. Allow the beef to sit out for around 20 to 30 minutes. You can also pat the beef dry with paper towels to help develop a crispy exterior.

Next, season the beef. Massage or rub the beef with oil, ensuring it is well coated. You can use olive oil or a neutral-flavoured oil. Then, season the beef with salt and pepper generously. You can also add additional seasonings such as onion granules, mustard powder, dried rosemary, garlic granules, or thyme to enhance the flavour.

After seasoning, it is important to preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to around 200°C or 400°F and preheat for about 5 to 10 minutes. Preheating ensures a good sear on the beef and helps lock in the juices.

Now, you are ready to place the beef in the air fryer. Use a liner in the air fryer basket if desired and position the beef on top. Ensure that the beef joint fits comfortably in the basket with some space around it for air circulation.

Roast the beef at a high temperature of around 200°C or 400°F for the first 10 to 15 minutes to create a crust and seal in the juices. Then, reduce the temperature to 180°C or 350°F and continue cooking for the desired doneness.

Remember to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the beef and adjust the cooking time accordingly. Rare beef is around 125°F, medium-rare is 135°F, medium-well is 150°F, and well done is 160°F. Aim to remove the beef from the air fryer when it is 5°F below your desired temperature, as the temperature will continue to rise while the beef rests.

Finally, let the beef rest. Transfer the cooked beef to a cutting board or warm platter and cover it loosely with foil. Allow the beef to rest for at least 10 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, before slicing and serving. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a tender and juicy roast beef.

Cooking the beef

Next, preheat your air fryer to between 380 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit (or 180 to 200 degrees Celsius). You should preheat it for about 10 minutes. While you're waiting, brush or rub the beef all over with olive oil or another high smoke point oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like dried rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, or mustard powder.

Now you're ready to cook the beef! Place the beef in the air fryer basket and roast for 10 to 15 minutes at the higher temperature to create a crust on the exterior. Then, remove the basket and turn the beef over. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 180 degrees Celsius) and cook for a further 30 to 40 minutes.

The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your beef joint and your desired level of doneness. For a rare or medium-rare finish, which is preferable for this cooking method, aim for an internal temperature of 120 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit (or 48 to 57 degrees Celsius). Use a meat thermometer to check, inserting the probe into the middle of the thickest part of the beef. Remember that the temperature will continue to rise slightly as the beef rests.

Once the beef is cooked to your liking, place it on a warm platter and cover it loosely with foil. Leave it to rest for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving.

Making gravy

Gravy is a crucial part of a roast dinner, and you can make a delicious gravy to accompany your roast beef in the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, you will need to gather your ingredients. For gravy, you will need butter, onion, flour, beef broth, fresh rosemary, whole peppercorns, and heavy whipping cream. You can adjust the quantities based on your preference and the number of servings.

Next, add the butter to a large saucepan and melt it over medium-high heat. You can adjust the heat setting as needed to avoid burning the butter. Then, add the onion and a small amount of salt to the saucepan. Cook this mixture until the onion is soft, which should take around 5 minutes.

Once the onions are soft, it's time to add the flour. Stir the flour into the butter and onion mixture and cook it until it turns a butterscotch colour. Be sure to stir frequently to avoid burning.

Now, carefully whisk in the beef broth. This will bubble up quickly, so add it slowly and be cautious to avoid any splatters or spills. Continue stirring to ensure a smooth consistency.

After adding the broth, stir in the rosemary and peppercorns. These ingredients add flavour and aroma to your gravy. Turn the heat down to low and let the mixture simmer gently.

To finish the gravy, whisk in the cream and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens, then turn off the heat and cover the pan. Let the gravy stand for about an hour to allow the flavours to infuse.

Before serving, reheat the gravy by returning it to a gentle simmer over low heat. For a smooth and elegant finish, strain the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve into a serving dish, discarding any solids.

Your gravy is now ready to be served alongside your air-fried roast beef!

Serving suggestions

There are many side dishes that go well with roast beef cooked in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:

• Yorkshire puddings
• Roast potatoes
• Mashed potatoes
• Scalloped potatoes
• Green beans
• Carrots
• Cauliflower cheese
• Gravy
• Peas
• Corn
• Mushy peas
• Glazed carrots
• Roasted parsnips
• Red cabbage
• Steamed broccoli
• Mac and cheese
• Stuffing
• Bread sauce
• Cranberry sauce

Frequently asked questions