Welcome to your new favorite way to cook a classic roast beef! If you have ever thought that making a tender, succulent roast beef required hours of slow roasting in a conventional oven, this air fryer recipe is about to change your mind. By harnessing the circulating convection heat of your air fryer, you get a gorgeous, deeply browned crust on the outside while locking in all the natural juices, keeping the inside perfectly tender and pink. Whether you are preparing a cozy Sunday family dinner or meal-prepping sliced beef for gourmet sandwiches throughout the week, this method is remarkably fast, mess-free, and delivers restaurant-quality results every single time.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds Beef Roast (Top Round, Sirloin Tip, or Eye of Round)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 tablespoon Black Pepper (freshly cracked coarse)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried Rosemary (crushed)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- Take the beef roast out of the refrigerator 30 to 45 minutes before cooking to let it sit at room temperature. Pat the roast completely dry with paper towels.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, kosher salt, coarse black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and smoked paprika. Stir well until it forms a fragrant, cohesive paste.
- Rub the herb and spice mixture all over the entire surface of the beef roast, pressing the spices firmly into the meat so that every square inch is thoroughly coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Place the seasoned roast directly into the air fryer basket, fat-side up if there is a distinct fat cap. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes to create a crust.
- Reduce the temperature to 360°F (180°C) and continue cooking for an additional 25 to 35 minutes, depending on the weight of your roast and your preferred level of doneness.
- Monitor with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the roast. Pull the beef out when it is 5°F below your target temperature (Rare: 120°F, Medium-Rare: 130°F, Medium: 140°F, Well-Done: 155°F+).
- Transfer the cooked roast onto a warm cutting board or serving platter and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest undisturbed for 15 minutes.
- Using a sharp carving knife, slice the roast beef against the grain into thin, tender portions. Serve alongside your favorite sides.
Notes
Prep time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 35 to 45 minutes. Resting time: 15 minutes. Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes. Servings: 6 to 8 servings. Pro Tips: Ensure your roast comfortably fits inside your air fryer basket without touching the heating element, leaving at least an inch of space around the sides. Do not skip the resting period. Save the drippings to create a quick gravy or drizzle over your sliced beef. Nutritional Information (per serving based on 8 servings): 285 kcal, 12g Total Fat, 4g Saturated Fat, 95mg Cholesterol, 480mg Sodium, 1g Total Carbohydrates, 0g Dietary Fiber, 0g Sugars, 41g Protein.
