Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (2024)

This air fryer roast beef is simple to prepare, quick to cook, and results in tender and juicy beef with a beautifully caramelized crust. A quick rub of herbs and oil is all it needs. Rest, slice, and serve this showstopping beef – so easy yet so impressive!

Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (1)

Why you’ll love air fryer roast beef

This recipe takes the traditional roast beef and gives it a flavorful twist using an air fryer. The air fryer locks in the flavors and ensures even cooking, resulting in a perfectly cooked roast beef every time.

Air frying is a quick roasting method, so it’s ready in about half the time it would take in a regular oven. This stops the meat from drying out, and because the meat sits in a basket rather than in a pan of oil, it absorbs less oil but still retains the moisture, keeping it tender and juicy.

Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (2)

More air fryer roast recipes to try:

  • Roast lamb in the air fryer
  • Pork roast in the air fryer
  • Air Fryer Roast Chicken

Scroll down for the recipe card for this air fryer beef roast recipe, or read on for all the details!

What do you need?

Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (3)

Beef roast

Air frying is a quick roasting method, so you need to be picky about the beef joint you use. Tougher cuts need a long roasting time to get really tender, so when air frying it is best to choose a more tender cut.

The following cuts of beef roast will work for this recipe:

  • Rib eye roast, prime rib roast. rolled rib roast,
  • Cube roll, scotch fillet roast
  • Sirloin roast, striploin, top butt, rostbiff, picanha, sirloin cap, tri-tip roast
  • Round roast, topside, eye of round, top round roast, London broil

Tougher cuts like bottom round, silverside, bolar, and chuck roast are generally best suited to slow roasting as they can be tough and need moisture and longer cooking times to get really tender.

These cuts are more suited to this air fryer pot roast recipe, which is cooked lower and slower, or try slow cooker beef pot roast or Instant Pot chuck roast.

>> See more: The Best Cuts of Beef for Roasting

Herbs

The recipe below calls for rosemary and thyme, but you can go ahead and switch in any other herbs you like (try oregano, sage, parsley).

Fresh or dried herbs will work. If you are using fresh rosemary, pick the leaves off and chop them up quite finely before using.

Salt

It is also important to season the beef with salt to bring out the flavor of the meat. I prefer flaked salt or kosher salt. Use approximately half a teaspoon per pound/ 450g of beef.

Oil

I normally use light olive oil when cooking a roast in the air fryer, but you can use any cooking oil that you would usually use for a roast. Vegetable oil or avocado oil are good choices.

Tip

Choose a cooking oil with a high smoke point to reduce the chance of your air fryer smoking.

Onion (optional)

Another great way to add flavor to this dish is to add an onion to the air fryer basket with the beef. Cut it in half or into quarters.

How to roast beef in the air fryer

  1. Prepare and season beef roast. Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels before seasoning it. To season the roast, mix all the herbs and salt together with the oil on a plate and roll the beef in it. I find this helps to get it evenly covered with the seasoning.
Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (4)
  1. Sear the beef. To achieve a delicious crust, the beef roast needs to be cooked at a high temperature for around 5 minutes to sear the outside. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C/ 400°F, and then place the beef roast in the air fryer basket and cook for the first 5 minutes at this high temperature.
Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (5)
  1. Air fry roast beef to cook it through. Lower the temperature of the air fryer to 180°C/ 360°F, and air fry beef roast for 30 minutes, or until it is cooked to your liking. See below for more details on cooking times and doneness.
Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (6)
  1. Rest the beef roast. When the beef has finished roasting, you will need to let it rest for at least 10 minutes. Just transfer it to a cutting board and cover it loosely with tinfoil. This allows the juices to reabsorb into the meat and keeps it succulent.

When you are ready to carve, make sure you use a very sharp chef’s knife or carving knife and cut thin slices against the grain.

Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (7)

How long to cook roast beef in the air fryer

The exact cooking times for a beef joint in the air fryer depend on a few factors, including the exact size and shape of the beef joint you are using, as well as how efficient your air fryer is.

However, my rule of thumb to calculate beef roast air fryer cooking times is: 15 minutes per pound (450g) of beef for rare, then add five minutes for each degree of doneness that you like. Use this as a starting point, and monitor the internal temperature of the beef when it is close to the end of the cooking time until it is cooked to your liking.

Estimated roast beef air fryer cooking times

How well done?Time* (2lb roast)Internal Temp.
Rare30 mins52°C/ 125°F
Medium rare35 minutes57°C/ 135°F
Medium40 mins63°C/ 145°F
Medium well-done45 mins66°C/ 150°F
Well done50 mins71°C/ 160°F
*Including 5 minute sear

These cook times are usually exactly right for my Philips Airfryer. If you have another powerful brand of air fryer like the Nuwave or a Ninja Foodi, then expect cook times to be similar.

However, the best way to tell whether your beef roast is cooked is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium-done roast beef, it should be 63°C/ 145°F. Or, for medium-rare roast beef, with a little pink in the center, you are aiming for an internal temperature of about 57°C/ 135°F.

Tip

Remember that the temperature of the meat will continue to rise a few degrees while it rests.

Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (8)

Serving ideas

It’s hard to beat a classic British Sunday roast beef dinner with crispy roasted potatoes, fresh vegetables like carrots and peas, and rich brown gravy ladled over the top. But roast beef is also delicious served open-faced on fresh bread with horseradish sauce. Sliced thinly while still warm, it makes incredible sandwiches.

Here are some tasty side dishes that go well with this recipe:

  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (no-drain recipe)
  • Steamed Microwave Carrots
  • Microwave Green Beans
  • Gravy from stock cubes
  • Air fryer roast potatoes
  • Air fryer roasted vegetables

Also want to air fry a side dish?

If you also want to cook side dishes in the air fryer, you can pre-cook them for part of the cooking time before the beef, then put them back in the air fryer to finish cooking for 10 minutes while the beef is resting. For more details, check out my guide on how to cook a meal in the air fryer here.

Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (9)

Air Fryer Roast Beef

4.5 from 622 votes

This air fryer roast beef is simple to prepare, quick to cook, and results in tender and juicy beef with a beautifully caramelized crust. A quick rub of herbs and oil is all it needs. Rest, slice, and serve this showstopping beef – so easy yet so impressive!

PrintAir Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (10) Save

Prep TimePrep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook TimeCook Time 35 minutes mins

Total TimeTotal Time 50 minutes mins

ServesServes 6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 2 lb / 900 g beef roast
  • 1 tablespoon light olive oil
  • 1 medium onion (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons rosemary and thyme (fresh or dried)

Directions

  • Preheat air fryer to 200°C/ 400°F.

  • Mix salt, rosemary and oil on a plate.

  • Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels.Place beef roast on plate and turn so that the oil-herb mix coats the outside of the beef.

  • If using, peel onion and cut it in half, place onion halves in the air fryer basket.

  • Place beef roast in the air fryer basket, and set to air fry for 5 minutes at 200°C/ 400°F.

  • When the time is up, change the temperature to 180°C/ 360°F. Set the beef to cook for an additional 30 minutes [Note 1]. This should give you medium-rare beef. Though is best to monitor the temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure that it is cooked to your liking. Check it early, and cook for additional 5 minute intervals if you prefer it more well done.

  • Remove roast beef from air fryer, cover with kitchen foil and leave to rest for at least ten minutes before serving. This allows the meat to finish cooking and the juices to reabsorb into the meat.

  • Carve the roast beef thinly against the grain and serve with roasted or steamed vegetables, wholegrain mustard, and gravy.

Notes

  1. Flip the beef roast over half way through the cooking time if required by your air fryer. Check your manual if you are unsure if this is required for your air fryer.

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal Carbohydrates: 2g Protein: 33g Fat: 7g Saturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 83mg Sodium: 282mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 1g

Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.

Save this recipe for later!Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save this recipe, Pin, or share on socials!

FAQs & Tips

What is the difference between roast and air fry?

Roasting is a way of cooking meat at high temperature. You can use an air fryer to roast meat and vegetables, or anything you might roast in an oven.
Some air fryers have different settings for air fry and roast. With some brands, there is no difference between the settings other than the starting temperature (which you can adjust), but with some air fryers the ‘roast’ setting operates the fan at a lower level which will require different cooking times. If in doubt, use the air fry setting for this recipe.

How long does it take to roast beef in an air fryer?

My rule of thumb for cooking beef is 15 minutes per lb, and then an additional 5 minutes for how well you want it done. Use the table above to estimate cooking times.

How do I cook roast beef without it drying out?

Roast beef needs to be cooked at a high temperature to get a tasty crust on the outside. To prevent it from getting dry on the outside before the center is cooked, I reduce the temperature to cook the beef through after the initial 5 minutes. This allows the outside to sear, so the moisture is retained while it cooks. It is also important to rest beef well after cooking to allow the moisture to reabsorb into the meat before you cut it.

Can you roast in an air fryer?

Roasting food means cooking at a high temperature, usually with oil. To roast in an air fryer I would recommend cooking at least 180°C/ 360°F. You can roast without oil, but I find you get tastier results if you use at least a spray of oil.

More recipes you’ll love

Air Fryer Pork Belly

Air Fryer Pot Roast

Air Fryer Steak

Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin

Air Fryer Roast Pork

Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (16)
Air Fryer Roast Beef - Simple Recipe | Love Food Not Cooking (2024)

FAQs

How do you make roast more tender after cooking? ›

Simmering in a little bit of liquid or broth is a great way to tenderize. Acidity can also be your friend here. A little bit of vinegar and lemon juice in the liquid can help you tenderize the meat. It adds moisture, but it also cooks the meat.

Can you fix a tough roast? ›

Thick-slice the roast (1/4 in thick or so), then cut the slices into bite-sized cubes. Put these in a deep pan and add a can of beef broth (about a cup), a cup of water, and a half-cup of red wine. Heat this to a simmer over low heat and cover the pan, stirring occasionally.

Why is my roast beef tough and dry? ›

If it's a good cut of beef, that means you cooked it too long or at too high of a temperature. If it started as a tough cut of beef, it means you didn't cook it long enough at a low temperature. For tough cuts cooked relatively quickly, you always have to cut it thinly against the grain.

How long does it take to cook a roast beef? ›

How long to cook roast beef. Roast beef cooking time: 50 minutes to 1 hour 20, depending on how well done you like it. Roast beef temperature: Heat the oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 9 for the first 20 minutes of cooking, then lower it to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 for the remainder.

How do you fix undercooked roast beef? ›

Obviously, all you have to do is cook it some more. The trick is in how to do so on the double, and without drying out your cut of meat. Don't just put the cut back into the oven or pot as-is; cut down on cooking time by slicing it into smaller pieces.

Why is my roast still tough after 6 hours? ›

Notv enough liquid or meat that is too lean. Cooking it at too high a temperature can also cause a tough roast.

What to do with roast beef that is tough? ›

Put leftover roast beef to good use and make slow cooker beef stroganoff, as cooking tough meat slowly in liquid tenderizes the tough fibers. To make beef stroganoff, place the tough roast beef in a slow cooker.

How do you soften tough beef? ›

8 Simple Ways to Make Tough Meat Tender
  1. Physically tenderize the meat. ...
  2. Use a marinade. ...
  3. Don't forget the salt. ...
  4. Let it come up to room temperature. ...
  5. Cook it low-and-slow. ...
  6. Hit the right internal temperature. ...
  7. Rest your meat. ...
  8. Slice against the grain.
Jan 26, 2018

Why did my roast turn out tough? ›

There are several reasons why this could have happened even after so much cooking. First, your choice of a rump roast could be a factor since cuts from the hind quarter are very muscular and, since muscles are the most resistant to breaking, this cut is quite stubborn when it comes to becoming tender.

Do you cook roast beef covered or uncovered? ›

Don't crowd your meat in the pan – leaving some space around and under the meat allows it to heat evenly. To give your meat a flavourful crispy exterior, cook uncovered on a rack set in a shallow roasting pan. Don't add water!

How to make beef tender and soft? ›

The most important thing about keeping meat soft and tender in a stew is to never let it actually boil, you cook it very low and slow. If you do that, you shouldn't even need tenderizer, you just need patience.

Does roast beef get softer the longer you cook it? ›

The simple answer is that first it becomes tougher then it becomes tender. At first the heat makes the muscles contract, making it tougher. But after time the collagen will break down making it tender, especially if the meat is cooked with moisture.

What is the best temperature for roast beef? ›

While you're waiting, preheat your oven to the recommended temperature. You'll notice our chart selects low to moderate heat, in the range of 325 or 350 degrees, for larger roasts and higher heat, above 400 degrees, for smaller, tender roasts to produce the best results.

Is it better to cook a roast at 325 or 350? ›

When roasting meat and poultry, set the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) or higher. Explore the charts below to learn how to get great results every time you cook.

What temperature should I cook roast beef at? ›

Brown at 375°F, then lower the heat to 225°F: Cook the roast initially at 375°F (190°C) for half an hour, to brown it. Then lower the heat to 225°F (107°C). The roast should take somewhere from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours more to cook.

How do you tenderize a tough roast? ›

Find out how below, and don't forget to ask your butcher about these cuts.
  1. Physically tenderize the meat. ...
  2. Use a marinade. ...
  3. Don't forget the salt. ...
  4. Let it come up to room temperature. ...
  5. Cook it low-and-slow. ...
  6. Hit the right internal temperature. ...
  7. Rest your meat. ...
  8. Slice against the grain.
Jan 26, 2018

How do you moisten a dry roast? ›

Here are some methods to moisten a dry roast: Broth or Stock: Adding a flavorful broth or stock to the dish is an excellent way to introduce moisture. Choose a broth that complements the flavors of your roast. You can gradually add small amounts and taste as you go to achieve the desired level of moisture.

How do you make a tough roast moist? ›

A surefire way to make a tender, juicy pot roast is through braising; that is, cooking the meat in a small amount of liquid in a tightly covered pot at low temperature. Stove top roast recipes can be customized with your choice of herbs, vegetables, potatoes, and liquid braising mixtures.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6025

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.