Nothing compares to a tender, flavorful air fryer roast beef with the perfect medium-rare interior. A perfectly cooked roast beef is always a must for Sunday family gatherings, holiday dinners, and parties. Just something so special about hearty home-cooked meals makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

But while I love its flavor, preparation has always been a fuzz. Thankfully, I found a way to speed up the cooking process without compromising quality. And you know me, I love my air fryer, so I couldn’t help but turn to my kitchen superhero for this recipe.

So, if you’re looking for a simple yet spectacular dish to satisfy your guests’ taste buds, this one’s for you. You can kiss goodbye to dry roast meat and welcome the deliciously crispy, juicy, and mouthwatering beef that feels like a warm hug. And the good news is that you’ll only need 4 ingredients for this recipe, so let’s jump right in!

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Long are the days when you had to sear your beef in the pan before baking it in the oven for hours. For all my practical home cooks out there, this recipe is hassle-free and ensures a succulent roast with minimal effort.

The magic is in the simple ingredients - herbs, oil, and the star of the show, the air fryer beef roast. If you cook traditionally, here are more reasons to use an air fryer for making beef roast.

To have the best and most tender roast beef, think about the USDA beef grades that classify beef using two important factors.

Outlined below are the different grades of beef and their suitability for creating air fryer roast beef:

To have the best roast beef in an air fryer, choose prime or choice grades for great flavor and juiciness.

Cheaper cuts, such as stewing beef, are better for soups and stews since their fats take longer to break. However, it's important to splurge a little bit on quality when preparing your air fryer roast beef.

The air fryer's shorter cooking times will only bring out the flavors of higher-quality cuts. Here are my go-to’s for this recipe:

Always look for roasts that fit in your air fryer, are even in size, and have marbling. Now, let’s jump into the nitty-gritty.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious air fryer beef roast:

Bring your beef to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking to help cook more evenly.

Start by preheating the air fryer to 400°F/200°C. This will allow the beef to sear quickly, lock all the juices, and form the crust. If you don’t have a preheating setting, just run your air fryer for 5 minutes.

Mix sea salt, rosemary, and olive oil in a bowl.

Pat dry the beef with paper towels and coat it with the oil-herb mixture by rolling it on the plate.

Put the beef roast in the air fryer basket, adjust it to 360°F/180°C and start the air fry for 5 minutes.

Flip the roast halfway through if your air fryer model requires it and continue cooking the beef for 30 more minutes for medium-rare.

Use a meat thermometer to check its doneness, and extend the cooking in 5-minute increments for more well-done meat.

After cooking, wrap the roast beef in kitchen foil and let it sit for a minimum of 10 minutes before slicing. This step helps the meat finish cooking and reabsorb its juices. I do not recommend slicing the beef right after you finish cooking.

Serve the thinly sliced roast beef against the grain, accompanied by roasted or steamed veggies, wholegrain mustard, and gravy.

TIP: During cooking, some air fryers need you to turn over the food, while others don't. If you are unsure if this is required, check your manual.

Here are the most important beef temperature levels to adjust your cooking time:

The USDA recommends a safe minimum internal temperature for all cuts, 145 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 3-minute rest. This temperature would cook the roast to a medium or medium well-done level as it rests and gets hotter inside.

This guideline is important for deciding how long to cook meat, especially for those who like it well-done.

And now for the fun part. Air fryer roast beef and vegetables or potatoes is just a much made in heaven. But here are a few more side dish ideas that go well with this recipe:

To store extra air fryer roast beef, put it in a plastic bag or airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for a maximum of 5 days. Once it has thoroughly cooled, you can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to defrost it in the fridge before using it again.

To reheat your beef roast in the air fryer, make sure to splash some beef broth to keep it nice and moist. Then, you should place it in your air fryer at 380°F for 3-5 minutes or until it warms. You can use leftovers in beef sandwiches, fajitas, or salads.

Our above recipe calls for rosemary and thyme, but you can play with any other herbs you like. Feel free to go heavy on the flavors you enjoy and leave out the rest with your herb crust.

Here are more seasonings to consider:

If you’re using fresh rosemary, make sure to collect the leaves and chop them up finely before using them. Also, remember that salt and pepper are your best friends for bringing out the meat’s flavor. I use 1 teaspoon of sea salt for 2 lb of beef.

As for the oil, my personal preference is olive oil, but you can use any cooking oil you have. Vegetables and avocado oil are always good choices. You can optionally add an onion cut in half into the air fryer’s basket to bring out the meat’s flavors.

Of course, if you're in a hurry, you can always use your favorite instant steak seasoning.

Finally, I would discourage you from putting gravy or a sauce on your roast. Keep those for your air fryer roast beef and potatoes.

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If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to hear how you enjoyed it! Pop a comment and a star rating below! 

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