This Air Fryer Roast Beef recipe is guaranteed to give you a delicious, medium rare tender roast beef in just over an hour. This easy air fryer recipe with a flavorful herb rub on the outside of the roastforms a lovely crust while the inside remains moist and delicious.
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❤️ Why you'll love it
Quick and Easy Recipe: Air fryer recipes are incredibly fast and efficient, making this roast beef recipe a great option for busy weeknights. You can have a delicious dinner the whole family will love on the table in no time!
Healthy: An air fryer cooks food using much less oil than a traditional oven or deep fryer, so you can enjoy a delicious roast beef meal without worrying about all of the extra fat and calories.
Delicious: Air frying works by circulating hot air around the food, giving it a crispy, golden-brown finish that's sure to make your roast beef recipe a hit! And because air fryers can cook food quickly and evenly, the texture and flavor of the roast beef will be out of this world!
🥘 Ingredients
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Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for complete recipe and instructions.
Beef Roast: You want a tender cut of beef for roasting. Different cuts of beef you may want to use would be tenderloin, eye of round roast, sirloin tip roast, or a ribeye roast. The size will depend on the air fryer. I made a 2-pound roast beef in mine.
Spices: I used a blend of my favorite spices to make a dry rub for the roast. Garlic powder, onion salt, parsley, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper.
Olive oil: I use this because it has a higher smoke point. It is used to coat the roast beef before applying the dry rub.
🔪 Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer for 15 minutes at 390 degrees.
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion salt, parsley, thyme, and basil, salt, and pepper. Set aside
- Coat the roast with the olive oil then rub the herb mixture over the entire roast.
- Place the roast in preheated air fryer. Set timer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the basket and turn the roast over.
- Reduce the air fryer temperature to 360 degrees and return the roast to the air fryer. Cook for another 60 minutes, or until meat thermometer reaches desired degree of doneness.
- Let meat rest for 15 minutes before cutting.
🥄 Equipment
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Air Fryer: I have used both a basket air fryer and an air fryer with trays. Both work great but I do prefer the air fryer with trays.
Meat Thermometer: I always recommend using a meat thermometer when cooking meat. I love the instant-read digital thermometer.
🌡️ Degrees of Doneness
The official USDA temperature recommendation for roast beef is 145 degrees (medium - a warm pink center). Below are temperatures to follow to reach your desired level of doneness:
- 135 degrees (Rare)
- 145 degrees (Medium)
- 150 degrees (Medium well)
- 160 degrees (Well done)
⏲️ Cooking Time
Only you know your air fryer. Different size air fryers will have different instructions for temp and time. I cannot guarantee you will get the exact same results I received. My biggest recommendation is you always read your air fryer manual and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature periodically.
As a general rule of thumb for the cooking process:
- Air fry the roast at 390 degrees f for 15 minutes. This is the "searing" process that will seal the juices.
- Turn the heat down to 360 for the remainder of cook time.
- Roast the beef for 20 minutes per pound (for rare) or 25 minutes per pound (for medium-rare), checking the temperature of the meat periodically.
- For best results, to place the roast on the cutting board with tented foil to hold the heat in and allow it to rest at least 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
🥫Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days or in the freezer up to 3 months.
📖 Variations
- Any oil with a high smoke point can be used to coat the roast.
💭 Tips
- Use a tender cut of meat for this air fryer recipe. I have made this with a tenderloin, top loin, or ribeye.
- Line your air fryer basket with a basket liner or sheet of aluminum foil to catch drippings and minimize clean up.
- Spray the fryer basket with cooking oil spray to ease the clean up of the basket (if not using a liner)
- Preheat your air fryer on 390 for 15 minutes before cooking the roast.
🙋 FAQ's
Minutes per pound are to be followed after the 15 minute sear.
I recommend doing the hot sear at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then reduce the temp as directed after the sear.
📚 Related Recipes
Holiday Prime Rib Roast with Pan Gravy
Sirloin Roast with Red Wine Onion Gravy
Sweet Chili Braised Beef Short Ribs
Sweet Black Pepper Whole Beef Tenderloin Roast
🍽 Serve with...
This recipe makes the perfect Sunday roast with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, gravy, and a green side salad.
🏫 The last word
My main method of making a roast been has been either in the oven or a slow cooker. However, once I made this Air Fryer Roast Beef, I knew I would never cook a roast beef any other way again.
Are you new to using the air fryer? If so, then be sure to read this post on How To Use an Air Fryer to learn the best one to buy, air fryer cooking tips, cleaning tips, and more!
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Roast Beef with Herb Crust
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 2 pound beef roast
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion salt
- 2 teaspoons parsley
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- 2 teaspoons basil
- ½ tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer for 15 minutes at 390 degrees.
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion salt, parsley, thyme, and basil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Coat the roast with the olive oil then rub the herb mixture over the entire roast.
- Place the roast in preheated air fryer. Set timer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the basket and turn the roast over.
- Reduce the air fryer temperature to 360 degrees and return the roast to the air fryer. Cook for another 60 minutes, or until meat thermometer reaches desired degree of doneness.
- Allow the roast to set for 15 minutes before cutting.
Video
Notes
Tips and Recommendations for Air Frying Roasts
- Use a tender cut of meat for this air fryer recipe. I recommend a tenderloin, top loing, or ribeye.
- Line your air fryer basket with foil to catch drippings and minimize clean up.
- Spray the fryer basket with cooking spray to ease the clean up of the basket.
- Preheat your air fryer on 390 for 15 minutes before putting the roast in.
- Air fry the roast at 390 for 15 minutes, then turn the heat down to 360 for the remainder of cook time. This is the "searing" process that will seal the juices.
- Roast the beef for 20 minutes per pound (for rare) or 25 minutes per pound (for medium-rare), checking the temperature of the meat periodically.
- Be sure you allow the roast to rest at least 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
Carla M Gardner
The seasoning was amazing but it was way over cooked, Followed directions to a T . 2 lb roast
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Carla, I'm happy you tried it, thanks for stopping by. I do want to point out that I indicate that it is important to check the temperature of the meat as it is cooking. Each air fryer will cook differently and you need to make sure you are checking the internal temperature of the meat and remove it when it meets the desired temp. Shelby
Patsy
I didn't feel like waiting for my Prime Rib Roast to cook in the oven, so I thought what the heck I'll try cooking it in the Air Fryer. Boy, am I glad I did!! It was delicious, tender and ready in 1/2 the time. Now I can relax and enjoy my evening!!
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Patsy, so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
Shelby
Lorna Mongan
Turned out Excellent
Shelby Law Ruttan
Great to hear! Thank you!
JaneDoeExperience
Just finished making mine. Turned out beautiful. I added red wine to mine. Rosemary, garlic, garlic powder, garlic paste. Splash of Mc Cormick steak season, Salt and pepper. I turned my up 400 for 15 mins. Then followed the 360 for 40 mins. Everyone loved it.
Shelby Law Ruttan
So happy to hear how you made this your own recipe and that it turned out beautiful!
Kathleen A Crumpler
New air fry user here.
Delicious recipe and beautifully done roast! I will never roast in the crockpot or oven again!
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Kathleen! So happy it worked for you 🙂 Thank you for stopping by to review! ˜Shelby
Taylor Rhonda
Gonna try tonight. Should be good.
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hope it turned out great! Thanks for letting me know. Shelby
Jenny Q.
Great! I’m always afraid to cook roast beef for fear of overcooking. I used a toaster oven/air fryer so it’s a smaller appliance and seems to cook faster. My roast was also 2.65 lbs, so a meat thermometer was a must. I cooked on high for the 15 minutes, then I cooked for another 30 minutes at 360F, as listed in the instructions which was way less than the instructions indicated. We like our meat medium, so took it out at 140F. Let it rest for 20 minutes. It was perfect ... a little cooked on the edges but perfectly pink in the middle. The crust was perfectly seasoned and crispy. Served with roasted potatoes and corn. Definitely a hit, will make again.
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Jenny! Thank you for coming back to review the recipe. So happy it turned out perfectly for you. This is our favorite way to make roast beef!
Tracie McKee
OMG
I have never cooked a roast in the oven but have done many pot roasts. I was scarred to try this but OMG this was amazing. Cooked by your recipe to med rare next time will cook to rare. Thank you soo much for sharing thins YUMMY
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Tracie! Thank you so much for letting me know you tried the recipe and how it turned out. I'm so happy the end results were great for you and that you make your roasts this way often! ˜Shelby
Im
Thank you look forward to cooking it slower lol and trying your other recipes
Gerry
Im
hi when you refer to 390 and 360 degrees do you mean degrees Fahrenheit or ceIsius im in scotland and my Ninja only goes too 200
Shelby Law Ruttan
The temps in my recipe are in Fahrenheit.
Janet
So easy and so good,taste was like my mom’s roast. Saving this recipe
Shelby Law Ruttan
So happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Elaine
Just cooked this absolutely yum beef in a Ninja Foodie, went down an absolute bomb 👌
Ruthanne
Elaine didu do yours in the ninja duel 2 drawer
Lisa
Chuck roast must not be a good idea for this recipe. I followed recipe to the letter and the roast was entirely too done. I should have checked temp more frequently than every 15 minutes. I used drippings and added butter to serve over roast, it still could have been a lot better if air fryer temp was set at 320 15 minutes per pound after searing phase
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Lisa, Chuck roast is best for braising and roasting in a pot. It's not a real tender cut of meat. I recommend a tenderloin, top loin, or ribeye in the post.
Molly
Thanks so much for your tip! Turned out perfect at the 320 for my 4 pound chuck roast cooked for 60 minutes after searing. 😁
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Molly, Glad it turned out perfect for you! Shelby
Leigh
Hi Shelby,
I bought a bottom round. Will that work? I don't know the difference.
Thanks,
Leigh
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Leigh, I think it would work! Good luck!
Tamsie Bingham
Hi can this beautiful roast beef be done in a Tefal 2 in 1 air fryer?
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Tamsie, I am not familiar with the Tefal 2 in 1, it would probably depend on the size and power of your airfryer. I would refer to the booklet that came with the airfryer to see what it says you can make in it. ˜Shelby
Debra
Is your cooking time correct...I cooked a 3 lb roast and it was like a hard boulder. Totally ruined it. Had to throw it away.
Shelby Law Ruttan
There could be many factors involved. The temperature setting is one. It should only sear at 390 for 15 minutes. Then, depending on the size of your roast, the rule of thumb is 360 degrees with 25 minutes per pound. I check with a thermometer while the roast is cooking as well and check after the first 25 minutes is up. Also, I had a round roast. The type of roast you used could make a difference. In any case, the best way to be sure your roast is not overcooking is to check the internal temperature of the roast periodically.
Carol L Orzechowski
I just put mine in the air fryer. But your directions don’t say anything about oil or pepper, only your ingredients do!
Shelby Law Ruttan
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I corrected the recipe card. I hope you enjoyed the roast!
Angela
I've made this twice so far and both times it was to die for! It's also super easy to make.
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Angela, so happy to hear it! Thank you for coming back and reviewing the recipe. Shelby
Ken sheeley
Hi Shelby, I made this recipe 3 months ago in my air fryer. Wow! It was stupendous! Now I’m doubling the size to 4.4 lbs for mt poker group on Thursday. I m obviously making modifications but that crust was awesome. If it doesn’t come out out well, I will serve more Alcohol! Thanks for a great recipe!
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Ken, thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience! Shelby