Whether you’re looking for an easy holiday meal that doesn’t take up oven space or aiming to impress your friends with a Sunday feast that will have them begging for seconds, this air fryer roast beef recipe is exactly what you’re looking for. It comes out of the air fryer perfectly tender in under an hour!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
- Ready in under an hour. Forget about preheating the oven. This air fryer method cuts down cooking time significantly.
- Save oven space. Think of all the side dishes you’ll be able to fit without a roast in there!
- Tender and Juicy. No dry beef here; each slice melts in your mouth.
Discover the Rump Roast Recipe That’s Breaking All the Rules
Roast beef holds a cherished spot in the heart of family gatherings for its simplicity and grandeur.
A beautiful roast can be intimidating and traditionally requires hours of slow roasting (I can never make one without recalling the scene from Gilmore Girls when Lindsay makes one for Dean), but you don’t need a culinary degree or years of kitchen toil under your belt to master this recipe.
The air fryer cooks the roast from the outside in, sealing the juices under a delicious herb crust. The meat comes out so tender and juicy! And even better, air fryer roast beef is ready to eat in just about an hour.
Arm yourself with a good-quality roast (I use bottom round), your favorite seasonings, and your air fryer basket and you’ll be ready to male this classic recipe any night of the week!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Bottom round roast. Look for a 3-4 pound roast good marbling for the best flavor and tenderness. For the best quality beef at an affordable price, choose a Certified Angus roast. These cuts are selected from the top third of choice cuts (ie above average) with marbling that can be similar to a prime roast.
Dried spices. I use a mix of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and my personal secret weapon: Penzy’s mignonette pepper, a blend of black and white pepper and coriander that makes everythingtaste incredible.
Olive Oil.
You’ll also need a roasting pan that’s large enough to fit your roast. A meat thermometer is also helpful for ensuring your roast is cooked perfectly.
How to make a tender beef roast in the air fryer
Combine the oil and herbs in a small bowl.
Massage the herb rub into the beef, ensuring it’s thoroughly coated. This not only infuses the meat with flavor but also guarantees a gorgeous brown crust forms on the exterior of the roast.
Air Fry the beef for 15 minutes plus an additional 10 minutes per pound for medium rare. That means a 3 pound roast would take 45 minutes. For a medium well roast, cook 15 minutes plus an additional 13 minutes per pound (about 55 minutes total) and for well done, cook an additional 17 minutes (65 minutes total).
Rest the beef for 15 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. This will keep them from running all over the place when you slice into the meat and will ensure it stays deliciously juicy.
Pro tips for the best oven beef roast
- Preheat your air fryer. Just like your oven, preheating helps to cook your roast evenly. It only takes a few minutes. I turn my air fryer on when I start putting the herb rub together.
- Let It Rest. Always let your roast beef rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Please don’t skip this step if you want a tender roast beef!
- Invest in a Meat Thermometer. The perfect medium rare is achieved at an internal temperature of 130°F (54°C). Take it out of the air fryer at 125°F — the temperature will continue to rise after you stop cooking it.
- Cut across the grain into thin slices.
Commonly asked questions
Do I need to let the roast come to room temperature before cooking it?
Not for this recipe! You can cook it straight from the fridge. If you’re using a room temp roast, you’ll need to shorten the cooking time.
How to store leftovers
Store leftover roast beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Leftovers make a delicious roast beef sandwich! I also love it on garlic bread topped with melted white cheddar cheese.
Dietary Considerations
As written, this recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and low carb.
What to serve with It
This is great with so many side dishes! Try it with Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Broccoli Casserole, Utica Greens, or a salad tossed with Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing. And don’t forget a side of gravy or au jus!
More delicious main course recipes for special occasions
- Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
- Classic Rump Roast
- Baked Crab Cakes
- Slow Cooker Red Wine Beef
- Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
- Baked Ham with Apricot-Mustard Glaze
- Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Crust
Air Fryer Roast Beef
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound bottom round beef roast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon mignonette pepper or black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- In a small bowl, combine the oil, salt, Italian seasoning, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Rub the beef all over with the spice rub.
- Air fry the beef for 15 minutes, plus an additional 10 minutes per pound for medium rare, to an internal temperature of 125℉)
- Let the beef rest on a cutting board tented with foil for 15 minutes.
- Slice the beef thinly against the grain.
