My air fryer roast beef turns out tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned every time. It’s made with just 4 ingredients and cooks up faster and juicier than using the oven!
My Favorite Way to Cook Roast Beef in the Air Fryer
I am always trying to find new ways to use my air fryer while it stares at me on the counter, and so I figured I just needed to try some air fryer roast beef.
I love to make my air fryer recipes easy, simple, but still flavorful and delicious. And, this one is no different. It’s made with just 4 ingredients and you can just plop the roast beef in the air fryer and prep there for an easier cleanup.
Plus, it’s done in almost half the time as roasting it in the oven. My husband Ben even realized how fast dinner was done that night!
For more air fryer beef recipes, be sure to check out my air fryer london broil, air fryer chuck roast, air fryer t-bone steak, air fryer tri tip, and air fryer flank steak!
Air Fryer Roast Ingredients
- Roast beef top roast – I like using a top round roast or sirloin roast because it’s lean but still full of flavor. The air fryer helps lock in all those natural juices.
- Olive oil – A quick drizzle helps the seasoning stick and gives the outside that perfect golden crust. I use just enough to lightly coat the roast.
- Salt and pepper – I keep it simple with classic seasoning. Salt brings out the beef’s natural flavor while pepper adds a subtle kick.
How to Cook Air Fryer Roast Beef
STEP ONE: Take the beef out of the fridge and baste it with some oil and season it with salt and pepper. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to come to room temperature. Then preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Air fry it for 40-42 minutes, flipping the beef after about 15 minutes. It’s done cooking when a meat thermometer shows the temperature about 5 degrees under the desired temperature.
STEP THREE: Let the beef rest for at least 10 minutes. Cut into thin slices and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- I always let the roast sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before air frying. This helps it cook much more evenly!
- I pat my roast dry before seasoning so the oil and spices can stick better.
- Flipping the roast at the 15-minute mark helps the roast get that golden crust on all sides. I try to do this step quickly so the air fryer maintains a high temperature.
- For a perfectly cooked roast, I use an instant read thermometer to check doneness. I like to cook mine to an internal temperature of 135 degrees F for medium rare beef.
- Letting the beef rest after cooking before I slice the roast makes all the difference! I tent the roast with foil so it doesn’t lose too much heat while it reabsorbs the juices.
Variations and Substitutions
- I sometimes toss onion, garlic, and veggies in the air fryer basket with the roast for a full one-basket meal!
- A sprinkle of steak seasoning adds bold flavor with almost no effort. If I have fresh or dried herbs like rosemary or thyme, those are great for getting bigger flavor as well.
- If I want a touch of smoky flavor, I’ll add some smoked paprika in with the salt and pepper.
- For a richer crust, I’ll baste the roast with a mixture of garlic and herb butter in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- I love saving leftover slices to make sandwiches. They’re incredible, especially with a little horseradish sauce!
What to Serve with Air Fryer Beef Roast
I’m a sucker for a meat-and-potatoes combination, so I love serving my air fryer roast with air fryer red potatoes, air fryer baked potato, or Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes.
If I want another veggie side, I’ll whip up my air fryer green beans, air fryer carrots, or roasted carrots and asparagus!
Air Fryer Roast Beef FAQs
What Kind of Beef Can I Roast in the Air Fryer?
I’ve had the best luck with top roast beef, but I’ve also used beef bottom round and tri tip roasts. They’re lean, affordable, and cook beautifully in the air fryer!
How to reheat roast beef in the air fryer
To reheat leftovers, I preheat my air fryer to 350 degrees F, then warm the slices for 3-4 minutes until heated through. It keeps the meat juicy and is way better than the microwave, which is notorious for drying out leftovers.
What internal temperature should I cook the roast beef to?
| Doneness | Internal Temperature |
| Rare | 120 –125 degrees F |
| Medium-rare | 130 – 135 degrees F |
| Medium | 140 – 145 degrees F |
| Medium-well | 150 – 155 degrees F |
| Well done | 160+ degrees F |
I use an instant-read thermometer and pull my roast out a few degrees early since the temperature will continue to rise slightly as the roast rests.
How should I store leftovers?
Once the roast has cooled, I wrap the slices in foil or store them in an airtight container. I keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air fryer brats
- Air fryer fried chicken
- Bone in chicken thighs in the air fryer
- Air fryer pork chops
- Air fryer tilapia
Easy Air Fryer Roast Beef
Ingredients
- 2 pounds roast beef , top roast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
Instructions
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Take the roast beef out of the fridge then baste it with oil and season with sale and pepper.
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Let the beef roast sit out for about 30 minutes until it reaches room temperature.
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Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
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Air fry the beef for 40 to 42 minutes, flipping it after about 15 minutes.
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Remove the roast beef from the air fryer when it hits 5 degrees under needed temperature, let sit for at least 10 minutes, then enjoy!
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
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