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My air fryer roast beef recipe is tender, juicy, flavorful, and cooked to the perfect medium-rare. Learn how to pick the best cuts of beef for roast beef (such as the sirloin tip roast). No air fryer spit is needed for this main course ideal for a holiday or a special Sunday dinner. I think you’re going to be amazed at the delicious magic you can create with a roast beef, air fryer, and a little time.
Omg!! My roast beef (sirloin tip) turned out AWESOME using this method! Thanks so much!
– Tracey
🥩 Air Fryer Roast Beef Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make roast beef in the air fryer:
- 2-2½ lb beef roast appropriate for air frying (907-1134g)
- 1 tablespoon oil (I used olive oil)
- Steak seasoning
Get a printable recipe card at the end of the post, or keep reading for step-by-step directions (including the best types of beef to use). Keep in mind the size and shape of the piece of beef you use will impact the air frying time.
You also need an air fryer, kitchen twine, and a meat thermometer for this recipe. Every air fryer cooks a bit differently, and the brand of air fryer you use can also impact the cooking times. The first time you make this recipe, it is important to keep a close eye on the roast to ensure you do not overcook it.
A meat thermometer will help you determine when it’s reached the perfect level of doneness. It’s not optional here!
Best Cuts of Beef for Roast Beef
Knowing which cuts of beef are best for air fryer roast beef is essential for success with this recipe. Only certain cuts of beef are best for oven roasting and air frying. Others are better for slow cooking.
In short, you want tender cuts, not tough cuts for this recipe. Here are cuts of beef that would work well for air fryer roast beef (source):
- Chateaubriand Tenderloin Roast: The beef tenderloin roast is the most tender beef roast, lean, and succulent. The major disadvantage is that it’s extremely expensive, so not a good choice for cost savvy shoppers.
- Ribeye Roast: A classic choice for roast beef. This one is not as lean as the tenderloin, with lots of marbling throughout.
- Shoulder Petite Tender: Is smaller than the Chateaubriand (and generally more affordable). You can air fry it in a short amount of time since it is small.
- Tri-tip Roast: Tri tip is not as tender as the cuts mentioned above, but can still work as an air fryer roast. It’s delicious and full of flavor.
- Sirloin Tip Roast and Top Sirloin Petite Roast (top loin): These lean cuts are budget-friendly and work for roasting and air frying.
- Rolled Rib Roast: Also known as boneless prime rib, this tender cut is a fine choice for air frying.
- Top Round Roast: Some say top round and eye of round are best for slow cooking, but I tested them in this recipe and they came out great.
Here are cuts that are NOT ideal for air fryer roast beef:
- Rump Roast
- Bottom Round Roast (Save it for slow cooking!)
- Chuck Roast (Chuck roast is a classic choice for pot roast. I would save it for that purpose.)
- Brisket (Use it for corned beef and pastrami!)
Beef Grades
Another thing to consider if you’re after the best roast beef ever are the USDA beef grades. There are two ways beef is graded:
- Quality: Flavor, juiciness, tenderness
- Yield: Amount of meat on the carcass
Here are the grades of beef:
- Prime Beef: This is the top grade of beef. Prime cuts of beef have lots of marbling and are a great choice for air fryer roast beef if they fit your budget.
- Choice Beef: Choice is another high-quality option, though it has less marbling than prime cuts. Choice cuts of beef would also work for this recipe if you don’t want to spend the money on prime.
- Select Beef: Select is a grade below choice beef, and has less marbling. I would not use it for this air fried roast beef recipe. Select beef is best marinated before cooking to give it more juiciness and flavor.
- Standard Beef and Commercial Beef: These are typically sold ungraded, as they are lower grades of beef. I would not use these for air fryer beef roast.
- Utility Beef, Cutter Beef, Canner Beef: These are typically used for ground beef and hidden in highly processed foods. You probably can’t find beef roasts with these quality grades. If you could, you would definitely not want to use them for this roast beef air fryer recipe.
🐄 How to Make Air Fryer Roast Beef
Here’s how to air fry roast beef:
First, let the roast rest at room temperature for about an hour. This will help it brown more quickly.
Tie the roast with cooking twine about every 1-inch (2.54cm) to make it more compact. Rub the tied roast on all sides with oil. Sprinkle the roast on all sides liberally with the steak seasoning.
Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (200C) for 5 minutes. Air fry roast beef for 15 minutes in the air fryer preheated to 390F (200C), then flip it and cook in 10-15 minute increments at 325F (160C) until done. (Use my temperature guide below to know when roast beef is done.)
Use a meat thermometer to guide when you’ve reached the right level of doneness. Here’s a quick guide to beef doneness levels, so you can adjust the cooking times to meet your preferences:
| Doneness | Color in Center | Temp (Fahrenheit) |
|---|---|---|
| Rare | Warm, red center | 120-125F |
| Medium Rare | Red with some pink | 130-135F |
| Medium | Pink | 140-145F |
| Medium Well | A little pink | 150F |
| Well Done (AKA Over Done lol) | No pink | 160F (just say no) |
It required a cook time of 40-50 minutes to get my roast to 130F (54C).
After the beef reaches the desired internal temperature , cover it in foil, and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature. This resting period helps ensure the roast will achieve maximum juiciness.
After air frying and resting, you can remove the twine from the roast and unroll it. It’s very important to shave roast beef against the grain into the thinnest slices you can. Enjoy!
Safe Temperature for Roast Beef
The USDA recommends that all cuts of beef are cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and given a 3-minute rest time. Using our chart above, this temperature would give us a roast that is between medium and medium-well done. (A roast’s internal temperature increases during rest time, so the temp will be higher than 145F when rested.) 
IMVHO, cooking a roast to that temperature is overcooking it. However, I want you to be fully informed about the food safety guidelines so you can make an educated decision. If you are at a higher risk of severe effects from food poisoning, it’s probably smart to stick to the guidelines.
Air Fryer Roast Beef Storage
Keep leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It also freezes well.
Roast beef leftovers can be used in salads, fajitas, or you can make a superb air fryer roast beef sandwich. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, I promise you’ll be looking forward to lunch!
Watch How to Make It!
Air Fryer Roast Beef Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-2½ lb beef roast (907-1134 grams; see article above for tips on choosing the right beef roast for roast beef)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- steak seasoning (to taste)
Instructions
- Important! Please read the article above before beginning this recipe! It contains information critical to recipe success.
- Allow the thawed roast rest at room temperature for about an hour.
- Tie the roast with cooking twine about every 1-inch (2.54cm) to make it more compact. Rub the tied roast on all sides with oil. Sprinkle the roast on all sides liberally with the steak seasoning.
- Preheat your air fryer to 390℉ (200°C) for 5 minutes. Air fry roast beef for 15 minutes in the air fryer preheated to 390°F (200°C), then flip it and cook in 10-15 minute increments at 325°F (160°C) until done. Use the temperature guide provided in the article to get your preferred level of doneness. It required a cook time of 40-50 minutes to get my roast to an internal temperature of 130°F (54°C), which is medium-rare.
- After the beef reaches the desired internal temperature , cover it in foil, and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature. This resting period helps ensure the roast will achieve maximum juiciness.
- After air frying and resting, you can remove the twine from the roast and unroll it. It's very important to shave roast beef against the grain into the thinnest slices you can. Enjoy!
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 2 recipe (transition or weight maintenance). Roast beef is an entree that is packed with high-quality protein. In addition, you are getting a plethora of other essential nutrients such as riboflavin, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. It’s nutritious and I consider it a healthy part of my diet. Choose cuts of beef with “loin” or “round” in the name if you want a lean beef option. If you have a weight loss goal, you can make your meal lower in calories by modifying your side dish choices. Instead of buttery mashed potatoes, biscuits, and Yorkshire puddings, pile on the non-starchy veggies. Additionally, this air fried roast beef is low carb, keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. It’s not appropriate for vegetarians (of course), but nearly everyone else can enjoy this main dish. Nutrition information is for one serving of the recipe and depends on the the cut of beef and your portion size. Sodium content depends on the amount and type of steak seasoning used.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
🥗 Roast Beef Side Dishes
I like to serve roast beef as part of a roast dinner, with carrots and broccolini, plus horseradish mashed potatoes and brown gravy. YUM!
Here are a few more sides for air fryer roast beef and gravy:
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe
- Air Fryer Radishes
- Yorkshire Pudding
- Biscuits
- Your favorite steamed and roasted vegetables
- Air Fryer Potatoes
- Kale Apple Slaw
👩🏻🍳 More Air Fryer Beef Recipes
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
I can’t wait to try this
Enjoy! I’d love to hear how it goes 🙂
Omg!! My roast beef (sirloin tip) turned out AWESOME using this method! Thanks so much!
Hi Tracey, love to hear that!!! Thank you so much for the feedback! 😀
I recently purchased my air fryer a few months ago. It is now my favorite and most used kitchen gadget. Never taught to cook beef in my airfryer. Thanks for sharing such great cooking tips
You are welcome! I hope you enjoy this as much as we do! 🙂