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!
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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
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Easy Air Fryer Roast Beef
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds roast beef top roast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
Instructions
- Take the roast beef out of the fridge then baste it with oil and season with sale and pepper.
- Let the beef roast sit out for about 30 minutes until it reaches room temperature.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Air fry the beef for 40 to 42 minutes, flipping it after about 15 minutes.
- 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!
Video
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes until warmed.
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.
Cooking roast in my air fryer seemed so daunting, but this couldn’t be easier and it was so good!
I love this!
My new favorite way to prepare roast beef!
I have a fairly large airfryer…what rack should I use and want to save drippings if possible.
The air fryer does a good job at keeping those drippings inside the roast beef to keep it moist and I’ve never had any drip down. I would use your usual air frying rack or the middle/lower rack to cook this.
Hello sounds great i have a standing rib that i will use . My question is when we cook in the oven we get wonderfull juices from the beef which makes an excellent jus or gravy with the air fryer we don’t get this do we. I’m wondering because I read the whole thing and nowhere does it say anything about gravy thank u for your time kim
Hi Kim, you are completely right that you don’t get that with the air fryer. You can always make a quick gravy or sauce to go with it.
I have frozen Chuck roast beef and I’m terrible at cooking so do I add any liquids before I start the air crisp?
Hi Misty! I would add the listed oil, salt, and pepper about 10 minutes into cooking on all sides. No other liquids or anything are needed!
I tried your instructions last night. When it came out-the inside was pink the way I want it. But the meat was tough. I put it back in for 20 minutes-now the meat was tender, but the inside was not pink anymore. What am I missing? thanks
Hi April, it sounds like the meat needed to go a little more time, but 20 minutes was a lot to add on. I typically recommend adding on about 5 minutes between checks as 20 can overcook the roast beef.
How would a Top Round London Broil do with this recipe?
If you’re using a London Broil cut, I recommend using my london broil recipe. Roast beef is meant to be cooked slower, while london broil can get cooked faster without making it too chewy. https://www.everydayfamilycooking.com/air-fryer-london-broil/
What is ” top roast” of beef. Is there another name? Thank you
Hi Diane, Yes, depending on where you live, this cut can have several names. It can be referred to as top round roast or London broil. I hope this helps!