Can You Put A Joint Of Beef In An Air Fryer? (read this first)
Cooking a joint of beef in the air fryer is a quick, convenient way to make a roast beef dinner. You get all of the flavour and juices without all of the mess. Plus it’ll use less energy because you don’t need to heat up a large oven for just a joint of beef.
Why Cook A Joint Of Beef In An Air Fryer?
After trying this once, we’re convinced that this is the only way you’ll want to cook beef. This is because;
- It’s healthier
As the beef is not sitting in a pan of oil or fat and is not covered in fat either, it is a far healthier way to cook it than in a conventional oven. - It cooks faster
Cooking times are reduced by at least 50% using an air fryer compared to a conventional oven. - It saves energy
As you are only heating up a small area and for much less time, you will use less energy roasting beef in the air fryer. - It’s easy to clean up afterwards
There are no oven trays or ovens to clean. All you need to do is wash the air fryer basket. Even cleaning the basket can be made easier by using an air fryer paper liner. These disposable reinforced parchment paper liners collect any oils, fats, juices from the meat and are easily removed once the beef is cooked.
How To Make Roast Beef In An Air Fryer
To make perfect roast beef in an air fryer time after time all you need to do is follow these simple instructions.
Ingredients
- 900g (2lb) beef joint
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt & pepper
Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 200 C (400 F)
- Rub the oil into the joint and season with salt & pepper
- Place the beef joint in the basket and air fry for 10 minutes
- Turn the joint over
- Set temperature at 180 C (350 F) and cook for 30 minutes
- After 30 minutes of cooking time, check the internal temperature of the beef using a meat thermometer.
- Compare the internal temperature with the chart below and keep cooking until the beef is cooked the way you like it.
- Approximate times are
- Rare 30 minutes
- Medium rare 35 minutes
- Medium 40 minutes
- medium/well done 45 minutes
- Well done 50 minutes
- Allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes
- Serve
| Level | Guide | Time For A 900g (2lb) joint (Approximate) | Internal Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | 15 minutes per 450g (1lb) | 30 minutes | 52 C (125 F) |
| Medium Rare | 15 minutes per 450g (1lb) + 5 minutes | 35 minutes | 57 C (135 F) |
| Medium | 15 minutes per 450g (1lb) + 10 minutes | 40 minutes | 63 C (145 F) |
| Medium/Well Done | 15 minutes per 450g (1lb) + 15 minutes | 45 minutes | 66 C (150 F) |
| Well Done | 15 minutes per 450g (1lb) + 20 minutes | 50 minutes | 71 C (160 F) |
All of the above timings exclude the browning or searing time of 10 minutes.
Cooking Tips To Ensure Perfect Results
To ensure you get the best from cooking roast beef in the air fryer you should;
- Always preheat the air fryer
To ensure that the joint is evenly cooked you should always preheat the air fryer before adding the beef joint. - Allow the beef joint to reach room temperature prior to cooking
Remove the beef joint from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before cooking. This helps the joint to cook evenly and helps to keep the meat tender. - Sear the joint on 200 C (400 F) for 10 minutes before cooking
This gives that brown crispy exterior to your beef and helps to seal in the flavour. - Allow the joint to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving
Allowing the joint to rest before serving allows the juices in the meat to spread evenly through the joint and also allows the muscle fibres to relax, making the meat more tender.
What Cut Of Beef Is Best For Air Frying?
Due to the speed beef gets cooked in an air fryer, you will want to buy the more tender cuts of beef. Tougher cuts take a long time to become tender which makes them unsuitable for air frying.
You should choose cuts like;
- Prime Rib
- Rolled Rib
- Sirloin
- Silverside
- Topside
Why You Should Eat Beef
For a perfectly balanced diet, you need to include beef and eating leaner cuts of beef plays a vital role in our well being.
Beef provides a good source of protein, iron as well as many more vitamins and minerals including vitamin B12 and is also naturally low in sodium.
SEE ALSO:
- What Is The Safe Internal Temperature Of Beef?
- Can You Put Battered Fish In An Air Fryer?
- Can You Put Broccoli In An Air Fryer?
- Can You Put Frozen Chips In An Air Fryer?
Frequently Asked Questions
You should turn a roasting joint over halfway through the cooking cycle.
You can cook a beef joint in an air fryer, it will take less than 1 hour to roast a 900g (2lb) joint of beef in an air fryer.
You should preheat the air fryer to 200 C (400 F) then cook at 180 C (350 F) for 30 minutes. This will cook your beef joint rare, add an extra 10 minutes for medium or 20 minutes for well done.
Whilst it’s not absolutely necessary to add oil, the joint will cook better if you rub around 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the joint before seasoning with salt & pepper.
Generally speaking, an air fryer is cheaper to run than an oven. This is because the air fryer has a smaller area to heat up than an oven and as it cooks food faster than in an oven, it uses less energy.
