
There are so many amazing ways to use your air fryer, but I bet you’ve never considered cooking a roast! But once you try this simple air fryer roast beef recipe, you won’t want to cook your roasts any other way. You’ll love the tender meat with a crispy crust around the outside. And thanks to the flavorful rub made with olive oil and seasonings, you don’t have to worry about your roast drying out as it cooks!
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What Do I Need to Air Fryer Roast Beef?
The best beef recipes are made with just a handful of ingredients. Using a simple combination of seasonings allows the flavor of the meat to shine through. And with this easy recipe, you can enjoy a flavorful roast for dinner with just a few minutes of prep work. To make roast beef in the air fryer, you’ll need:
- Roasting beef
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried thyme
- Steak seasoning
- Olive oil
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How Do I Make Roast Beef in the Air Fryer?
Making a traditional beef roast in the oven or slow cooker often takes hours. But with the help of your air fryer, you can speed up the cook time, allowing to roast your beef in a fraction of the time. And since this simple recipe can be made in just four steps, you won’t have slave away in the kitchen to prepare this main dish, either.
Step One: Let the Beef Rest
Before cooking your roast in the air fryer, it’s important to give the meat time to rest at room temperature. Take the meat out of the refrigerator 30 minutes to one hour before cooking. Allowing the roast to sit at room temperature ensures even cooking in the air fryer.
Step Two: Prepare the Seasoning
While the meat rests, prepare the seasoning by stirring together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and steak seasoning. Add the olive oil and stir until the oil is well combined with the seasoning mixture.
Step Three: Coat the Roast
Use a sharp knife to poke holes in all sides of the beef roast to allow the marinade to coat the inside and outside of the roast. Pour the marinade over the top of the beef and massage it into the holes. As you work the seasoning into the beef, make sure to completely cover all sides of the roast.
Step Four: Place the Roast in the Air Fryer
Transfer the seasoned roast to the basket of your air fryer and cook at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. After 35 minutes of cooking, remove the basket from the air fryer and flip the roast. When the cook time is up, use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of the roast.
How Long Does It Take to Cook a Roast in the Air Fryer?
The amount of time it takes to cook your roast will depend on two factors: the size of the roast and how done you prefer your beef. Follow these guidelines when setting the timer on your air fryer:
- Rare: 15 minutes per pound
- Medium rare: 15 minutes per pound plus 5 minutes
- For Medium: 15 minutes per pound plus 10 minutes
- Medium well: 15 minutes per pound plus 15 minutes
- Well done: 15 minutes per pound plus 20 minutes
What is the Best Cut of Meat for a Roast?
With so many different types of beef to choose from, it can be difficult to know what cut is the best for roasting. When using your air fryer to cook your roast, it’s important to choose a tender cut of meat to keep your roast fry drying out as it cooks.
When roasting your beef in the air fryer, try using one of these beef cuts:
- Prime rib roast
- Rolled rib roast
- Eye of round roast
- Tri-tip roast
- Sirloin roast
How Do I Know My Roast is Finished Cooking?
It can be difficult to know exactly when a beef roast is done. That’s why it’s important to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your roast after the cook time is up on your air fryer. The temperature of the inside of your roast will depend on how done you want your meat to be. Use these guidelines to help you know when your roast is ready:
- 125 degrees (Rare)
- 135 degrees (Medium Rare)
- 145 degrees (Medium)
- 150 degrees (Medium-well)
- 160 degrees (Well-done)
Can You Cook a Frozen Roast Beef in an Air Fryer?
While cooking a beef roast in the air fryer is a great way to heat up your meat, it’s important that you use a fresh roast. Heating a frozen roast isn’t a good idea because you run the risk of undercooking your meat. While the outside of your roast may appear to be done, the internal temperature may still be cold.
Instead of heating a frozen roast in the air fryer, make sure to thaw your meat before cooking. Transfer your frozen roast to the refrigerator at least 24 hours before you plan to cook the beef to ensure it’s thoroughly thawed. One hour before you’re ready to cook your roast, take the meat out of the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature.

Air Fryer Roast Beef
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3-3.5 lbs roasting beef choose a tender cut like ribeye roast, tenderloin, top round
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon steak seasoning
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Take out the beef roast 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking, this is to ensure even cooking.
- Rinse and pat dry the beef roast.
- Add salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme and steak seasoning to a small bowl and mix together.
- Pour the extra virgin olive oil into the bowl with herbs and mix until well combined.
- Pierce the beef roast on all sides with a sharp knife so that the marinade can get into the holes.
- Pour the marinade over the beef, massaging it into the whole cut of meat, ensuring all areas are covered.
- Place the beef into the air fryer on 350°F for 50 to 55 minutes turning over at 35 minutes onto the other side. When you turn the meat, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to get an idea of how warm the meat is, so it does not get overcooked.
- After 50 minutes, use a meat thermometer to check temperature. If it has reached 140 degrees Fahrenheit at this point, remove it from air fryer and place it on a cutting board. Allow to rest with meat thermometer inserted in center of roast. The temperature will continue to rise and when it has reached 145 degrees Fahrenheit the meat will be medium done and it is time to slice an serve it.
Rae
Sunday 6th of February 2022
I just did a 5 lbs rib roast and it was delicious. I think i should have just selected air fry instead of steak airfrye. Since i could not see beef i. Hose steak. It all came out delicious anyway. Thanks for the recipe..