This air fryer roast beef turns out tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked. Coated with Montreal steak spice and a light sprinkle of steak seasoning, it’s packed with flavor while remaining very simple to prepare. It’s an excellent option for holidays, special dinners, sandwiches, or a satisfying weeknight meal.
Make a classic roast beef in the air fryer in under an hour with this straightforward method. I was skeptical at first, but the air fryer delivers a beautifully cooked roast with a crisp exterior and a juicy center.
The flavor in this recipe comes primarily from Montreal steak spice, with a touch of powdered steak seasoning to ensure every surface is seasoned. A light brush of olive oil helps the spices adhere and promotes browning.
Why we love air fryer roast beef
- Quick and simple to make
- Requires just a few ingredients
- Ready in about an hour
- Full of robust flavor
- Versatile for meals, leftovers, and sandwiches
Ingredients and notes
What type of beef to use
Choose a tender roast with some marbling since the air fryer cooks relatively quickly. Tougher cuts that require long, slow cooking aren’t ideal. Good choices include:
- Prime rib
- Ribeye
- Strip loin
- Sirloin
- Topside
Confirm the roast will fit in your air fryer. If it’s too large, trim and use the extra pieces for steak bites.
Seasonings for roast beef
Montreal steak spice provides a robust, coarse blend of spices that forms a savory crust. Steak seasoning (a finer powdered mix) helps season areas not fully covered by the coarse spice—this is optional but recommended.
If you prefer to mix your own seasoning, try a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried rosemary, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Oil
Light olive oil is used here, but avocado, vegetable, or grapeseed oil all work well to promote browning and help spices adhere.
How to make air fryer roast beef
Scroll to the recipe card for exact measurements and the printable version.
STEP ONE: Remove the roast from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps the beef cook more evenly.
STEP TWO: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (199°C) for 10 minutes. Pat the roast dry with paper towels while the air fryer heats.
STEP THREE: Brush the roast all over with olive oil. Generously press Montreal steak spice into the surface, then sprinkle with steak seasoning to cover any remaining bare spots.
STEP FOUR: Place the seasoned roast in the air fryer basket. You can line the basket with foil or parchment beneath the roast to catch drippings. Roast at 390°F for 10 minutes to develop a crust.
STEP FIVE: Lower the temperature to 360°F (182°C) and continue air frying for about 30 minutes, turning the roast halfway through.
STEP SIX: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium, remove the roast when it reaches about 140°F (60°C), as it will rise a few degrees while resting. Adjust target temperature based on your preferred doneness.
STEP SEVEN: Transfer the roast to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil, and rest for 10 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain and serve.
Tips for success
- Bring the roast to room temperature before cooking for even results.
- If the roast is tied, keep the twine on while cooking and resting to help it hold shape while slicing.
- Pat the meat dry to ensure a good crust.
- Always check temperature in the thickest part of the roast with an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the roast a few degrees below the final target since carryover cooking raises the temperature while resting.
- Let the roast rest loosely covered before slicing to retain juices.
- Slice thinly against the grain for the most tender bites.
What temperature to cook roast beef in the air fryer
Start high to form a crust—390°F for about 10 minutes—then reduce to 360°F to finish cooking. For a tender cut around 2 pounds, 30 minutes at the lower temperature after searing typically brings the roast to medium when factoring in resting time.
Aim for a final resting temperature of about 145°F for medium. Use the chart below as a guide for target internal temperatures.
Roast beef temperature chart
| Rare | 125°F |
| Medium rare | 135°F |
| Medium | 145°F |
| Well done | 155°F |
How long to cook air fryer beef roast
A general guideline is about 20 minutes per pound, plus an initial 10-minute high-temperature sear. For a 2-pound roast, plan roughly 40 minutes total cooking time including the searing step. Times will vary by air fryer model and roast shape, so rely on internal temperature rather than time alone.
What to serve with air fryer roast beef
Let the roast rest 10 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute. Serve with mashed potatoes and gravy for a classic meal, or pair with air fryer potatoes or roasted vegetables for a low-carb option. Leftover slices are excellent in sandwiches or wraps for quick lunches.
How to store and reheat roast beef
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5–6 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 360°F for a few minutes until warmed through; brush with oil or add a splash of water to prevent drying. Freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 6 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture.
More air fryer recipes you’ll love
- Air Fryer Garlic Steak Bites
- Air Fryer Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Shrimp
If you tried this recipe, please leave a comment and rating. Tag @loveandotherspices on social media to share your results.
Recipe
Air Fryer Roast Beef
Pin Recipe
Equipment
-
Air Fryer
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Instant-read meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 pound beef roast
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3½ tbsp Montreal steak spice
- ½ tsp steak seasoning
Instructions
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Take the beef roast out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature, ideally about 30 minutes.
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Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 10 minutes. Pat the beef dry with paper towels.
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Brush the roast with olive oil. Press Montreal steak spice all over the roast and sprinkle steak seasoning to fully coat the surface.
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Place the seasoned beef in the air fryer and roast at 390°F for 10 minutes to form a crust.
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Reduce the temperature to 360°F and continue air frying for about 30 minutes, turning the roast halfway through.
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Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer and remove the roast about 4–5°F below your desired doneness to allow for carryover cooking.
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Remove the roast, tent loosely with foil, rest for 10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain and serve.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 5–6 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 360°F for a few minutes; brush with oil or add a splash of water to retain moisture.
- Freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 6 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.