Air fryer roast beef with dry rub cooking time at 300 is quite fast to medium rare. Sliced thin this comes out like our baked Melt in the Mouth Roast Beef but easier to cook to fork tender and delicious.
Have you tried making roast beef air fryer yet? Maybe you didn’t think it was possible but it really does turn out so good! Using our sweet and savory dry rub too the flavors are out of this world and the texture is perfect. Just one of our easy air fryer recipes everyone loves. (affiliate links present)
Air Fryer Roast Beef Recipe
You are looking at about 30 minutes depending on the weight and thickness of your piece of meat. Check often with a thermometer to get it to the ideal internal temperature of 135F by opening the basket. You may have tried our Instant Pot roast beef but this has an added layer of YUM on the outside and it gets crispy too. Just season, air fry, rest and slice thin to enjoy!
from frozen
You can actually cook this right out of the freezer too! It isn’t ideal but if yours wasn’t defrosted you can follow our air fryer frozen roast timing instead. Of course nobody is going to have the exact same shape and size of meat but with a 3 lb. roast 30 minutes is great for medium, 35 for closer to well done.
What is a good cut of meat for roast beef?
A top loin is the best but on the pricier side. If you want something cheaper you can opt for a chuck roast or the bottom, top or eye round. If you don’t see what you want you should always ask your butcher. Many times they have more cuts in the back that just hasn’t been packaged up yet that you can purchase. Tougher cuts like air fryer brisket would need more time.
Of course you can just opt for salt and pepper too if you’d rather or buy roast beef dry rub bottled but ours can be adjusted to make spicy or sweet and easy enough to throw together so just go with that.
Ingredient Notes
- Beef roast about 3 pounds works best so it will fit well in your air fryer basket. If using chuck, you can follow our air fryer chuck roast recipe instead as that is larger with more fat.
- Bottled or make your own with
- brown sugar will make it sweeter which make the kids happy, a sugar-free alternative would work too
- chili powder measurements below make it mild/medium, red pepper flakes would make it spicy
- garlic powder or onion powder is a great substitute, granulated garlic has larger granules.
- salt to taste, start out less and add more later when done and served
- paprika I add for a warm flavor to the rub, smoked works too
You can see our steak seasoning linked below or our tri tip rub recipe here . It is really good if you rub all over, then go for a second layer so it’s nice and thick. Then pick it up and allow excess to fall off before placing it inside a sprayed basket to cook.
What temperature should beef roast be in the middle? That depends on how well done, or not, you want it in the center. No matter what temp it is though just remember the ends will be much more done than the center. This actually works out great for us because I like my pieces really DEAD while my husband wants his still MOOOoooing. I am sure you know what I mean. 😉
The FDA does recommend that it reaches 145 degrees F in the thickest part (most prefer 135 though). Remember that it will increase 5-10 degrees while resting though so 140 when removed would be the minimum you should remember.
Ideal Internal Temperature
- 130-135 degrees F = medium rare
- 140-145 F = medium cook
- 150-155 Fahrenheit = medium well
- 155+ would get you a well done piece
For this cut you will want some pink, medium rare is ideal. Like I said, take out about 5 degrees before where you want it to be when serving and remember to put the thermometer in the thickest part. The outside 2″ or so will be much more done than the center will be.
Tips
Never use foil or parchment paper on the bottom to prevent it from sticking as it won’t allow it to cook correctly all the way around. You need the hot air to circulate properly so even the bottom gets browned. It is not necessary to flip this over halfway through, it will be fine as is.
Do not overcook this, it should be 135 degrees F inside. When it’s done and resting the temp. it will continue to increase 5-10 degrees so keep that in mind when taking the internal meat temperature. AND allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes, covered, before slicing and serving. If not you’ll release the juices and dry it out.
A great way to make this into a meal, cheap is to make roast beef sliders out of it on store bought rolls.
Air Fryer Beef Roast
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 3 lb beef roast
- 4 tbsp steak dry rub, click on link for that recipe, this is what we used, you can use your favorite bottled dry rub if you'd rather
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 300 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Pat roast with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Mix together dry rub ingredients together, or use already bottled, and rub on all sides of beef. Then go back and add a second layer.
- Lift meat up and allow excess seasonings to fall off. Spray inside of basket with non stick spray. Place inside basket and cook for 25 for medium rare, 30 for medium or 35 minutes for 3 lbs. to achieve a well done consistency. Take out 5 degrees under what you want it to be as it will rise while it rests.
- Remove from basket, cover with foil and allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing thin.
Notes
- 130-135 degrees F = medium rare
- 140-145 F = medium cook
- 150-155 Fahrenheit = medium well
- 155+ would get you a well done piece
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Most people will serve this with an au jus sauce. It is primarily drippings from the beef when it is cooked with a bit of sour cream, horseradish, salt and pepper in it. Served on hoagie rolls it’s usually served on the side instead of pouring it inside so the bread doesn’t get soggy.
You can jump to recipe below and even print it out if you want as well. But wait….you are going to need a side dish for this cut of beef too right? Give our roasted potatoes a whirl with it, or air fryer corn is always a winner during the summertime. Or throw in some air fryer baked potatoes first and let them sit while this is cooking.
If you have two machines you can cook your roast while cooking these in another device. OR if you are roasting meat in your Foodi you can make these in less than 20 minutes in your Cosori.
Other roast beef recipes you’ll love
Need to cook low and slow all day? Try slow cooker roast beef with gravy too. Want to use “the other meat” and make air fryer pork roast? It’s fantastic too with this same dry rub. We do have a separate recipe for Ninja foodi roast beef as well.
It depends. In a pressure cooker it is close to 60 minutes, or 25 minutes per pound for medium inside. This way if you air fry it and use a 3 lb. piece it will be done closer to 30 minutes total!
