Air Fryer Roasting: What Foods Work Best?

Air fryers are a great way to cook a variety of foods, from potatoes to chicken tenders. But what about roasting? The good news is that you can indeed roast in an air fryer, and it's a great way to cook foods like vegetables and meat.

Roasting in an air fryer works similarly to an oven, as heat is generated and circulated with the help of a fan. The compact size of air fryers means they can reach the desired temperature more quickly and efficiently. This makes the air fryer ideal for roasting foods like vegetables, with the likes of corn on the cob and Brussels sprouts coming out great. You can even roast a whole chicken in an air fryer, with the skin coming out golden and crispy, while the inside stays juicy and tender.

So, if you're looking to roast some veggies or meat, don't be afraid to give your air fryer a go! It might just become your new favourite way to cook.

Roast beef

Air Fryer Roast Beef

Ingredients:

• 2-3 pounds of roast beef (top roast, sirloin tip roast, or ribeye roast)
• Olive oil (or another high smoke point oil)
• Salt and pepper
• Optional seasonings: dried thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, mustard powder, or brown sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Take the roast beef out of the fridge and pat it dry. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Check if it fits into your air fryer; if not, you may need to slice it in half.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F for 10 minutes.
• Brush or baste the beef with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. You can also mix in other seasonings like thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder for extra flavour.
• Place a liner in the air fryer basket (optional). Put the beef in the basket and roast for 10-15 minutes at a high temperature to create a crust.
• Reduce the temperature to 350-360°F and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
• Check the internal temperature of the beef with a meat thermometer. For rare beef, aim for 125°F; medium-rare is 135°F; medium-well is 150°F; and well-done is 160°F.
• Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the beef from the air fryer and let it rest on a warm platter, loosely covered with foil, for 10-30 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender roast.
• Slice the beef against the grain and serve with your favourite sides.

Serving Suggestions:

Air fryer roast beef pairs well with a variety of sides, such as:

• Yorkshire puddings
• Roast potatoes
• Mashed potatoes
• Green beans
• Carrots and asparagus
• Sandwiches made with leftover beef slices

Reheating and Storage:

To reheat your roast beef, set your air fryer to 350-375°F and cook for 3-5 minutes until warmed through.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.

Pot roast

Air fryer pot roast is a quick and easy way to make a delicious roast beef dinner. Here is a guide on how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lb beef roast
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Mixed herbs
• Baby carrots
• Baby potatoes
• Onion
• Red wine or beef broth
• Soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Redcurrant jelly or cranberry sauce
• Brown sugar
• Bay leaves

Method:

• Take the beef out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and mixed herbs.
• Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
• Place the beef in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes at 350°F (180°C).
• Drizzle the vegetables (carrots, potatoes, and onion) with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and a beef stock cube.
• In a deep container, mix together red wine or beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, redcurrant jelly or cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and bay leaves.
• Place the seasoned vegetables in the container and add the beef on top.
• Cook for 20 minutes, then check with a meat thermometer to ensure the beef is cooked to your liking. Rare beef should be 125°F, medium-rare is 135°F, medium-well is 150°F, and well-done is 160°F.
• Remove the beef from the air fryer and cover loosely with foil to rest. Continue cooking the vegetables for another 20 minutes or until tender.
• Slice the beef and arrange with the vegetables on a platter. Drizzle with the gravy from the container and serve.

Tips:

• Check the beef early to avoid overcooking. You can always cook it for longer if needed, but you can't undo overcooking!
• The cooking time will depend on the size of the beef joint and the type of air fryer you use, so adjust accordingly.
• If your air fryer is not deep enough to cook the vegetables and beef together, cook the beef on top of the vegetables in a container.
• For a deeper crust, season the beef and let it rest in the refrigerator, uncovered, for 24 hours before air frying.

Vegetables

Air fryers are a great way to cook vegetables, and they can be roasted in a fraction of the time it would take in a conventional oven.

You can roast a wide variety of vegetables in an air fryer, including:

• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Shallots
• Corn on the cob
• Brussels sprouts
• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Fennel

How to Roast Vegetables in an Air Fryer

The process for roasting vegetables in an air fryer is simple:

• Drizzle or spritz your chosen vegetables with a little oil.
• Season with salt and pepper, or your choice of herbs and spices.
• Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket and set the temperature and time according to your air fryer instructions and the type of vegetable.
• Shake the basket periodically to ensure even cooking.

Tips for Roasting Vegetables in an Air Fryer

• Leave enough space around each piece of food to allow the hot air to circulate.
• Preheat your air fryer for best results.
• Different air fryers may vary in temperature by as much as 20 degrees, so it's a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check if your vegetables are cooked to your liking.
• You can roast vegetables on their own or alongside meat, as in a pot roast.

Chicken

Air fryers are a great way to cook a whole chicken, achieving crispy skin and juicy meat. Here are some tips and steps to help you roast chicken in your air fryer.

Preparation:

First, ensure your chicken is thawed, clean, and patted dry with paper towels. This step is important for achieving crispy skin. Next, season your chicken. You can use basic seasonings like salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or get creative with a Mediterranean herb mix, a spicy rub, or your own blend of spices. Don't forget to rub the seasoning under the skin for better flavour infusion.

Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to around 360-400°F (182-200°C). Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, breast side down, and start cooking. For the first half of the cooking time, avoid opening the air fryer to allow the heat to build.

Flipping and Checking:

After about half of the estimated cooking time, carefully flip the chicken. This helps ensure even cooking and browning. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken, aiming for at least 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the thigh, without touching the bone.

Resting and Serving:

Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat stays moist and flavourful. Serve your roasted chicken with side dishes like steamed vegetables, potatoes, or salad.

Tips for Success:

• Always thaw your chicken before air frying to avoid uneven cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation.
• Preheat your air fryer for optimal cooking and to achieve crispy skin.
• Use a marinade or experiment with different seasonings to enhance flavour and tenderness.
• Baste the chicken with olive oil or butter for extra flavour and crispness.
• If your air fryer allows, use a trivet or rack to elevate the chicken and improve air circulation.

Cooking Times:

Cooking times will vary based on the size of your chicken. A good rule of thumb is approximately 15-20 minutes of cooking time per pound, or 30 minutes per kg. For a 4-pound chicken, expect a cooking time of around 60 minutes. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature.

Enjoy your perfectly roasted air fryer chicken!

Cinnamon rolls

Ingredients:

You will need a can of cinnamon rolls, such as Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, and some heavy cream. You can also use other brands of pre-made cinnamon rolls. For a slightly healthier option, you can make cinnamon rolls from scratch using self-rising flour, vanilla yoghurt, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, cream cheese, and powdered sugar.

Method:

First, line the air fryer basket with aluminium foil or parchment paper and preheat to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the cinnamon rolls in the basket and spread a little heavy cream on top. Cook for around 8 minutes, checking after 6-7 minutes to ensure they don't burn. While the cinnamon rolls are cooking, heat the icing in the microwave for around 15 seconds until it is pourable. Once the cinnamon rolls are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and spread the icing on top.

Tips:

• If you want to make the cinnamon rolls extra decadent, you can make your own cream cheese frosting instead of using the icing provided.
• You can also use bigger Pillsbury Grands cinnamon rolls. Just increase the cooking time to 10-12 minutes and add more heavy cream.
• It is best to line the basket of the air fryer to avoid a mess, especially if you are using heavy cream.
• Check on the cinnamon rolls during cooking to ensure they don't burn.
• The heavy cream helps to keep the cinnamon rolls moist and gives them a more homemade feel.
• Warming the icing before spreading it on the cinnamon rolls helps it to spread more evenly.
• Keep the air fryer temperature low to ensure the cinnamon rolls get crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Storage:

Leftover cinnamon rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

Enjoy your freshly made cinnamon rolls!

Frequently asked questions