Air Fryer Roast Beef and Potatoes

Air fryer roast beef and potatoes are the perfect match for a hearty meal. An air-fried roast beef recipe featuring tender beef with crispy potato wedges, this simple meal is undeniably delicious and satisfying!

Who here loves roast beef? I know this is a blog post, but I can imagine that if we were all sitting in a room together, I'd see lots of hands. That's because roast beef is such a classic dish. Almost everyone has had it at one point or another in their life, and most of us have had it quite frequently. It's a family classic that almost all of us grew up on. I was no exception!

Growing up, my mother made roast beef and potatoes at least once a month. It was a great dish that we could all enjoy as a family for at least a couple of days. It was always delicious from the first day she made it until the last bite was gone, and it saved her a ton of work because she didn't have to cook for a day or two afterward.

I saw the wisdom of making something delicious that could be enjoyed for a few days, and when I was all grown up and on my own, roast beef was a big part of my recipe rotation, as well. It was so delicious and made life so much easier. When I got married and had my son, I continued to make this dish. In fact, I made it even more often because it was perfect for feeding an army. Well, at least three people who ate like an army!

After I discovered the air fryer, I began making everything I could think of in it, and roast beef was no exception. I've found that this air fryer roast beef always comes out perfectly tender, and the potatoes are always absolutely delicious. It's such an easy, fool-proof recipe that is just so good I decided to share it with all of you!

History of Roast Beef

Roast beef, called Sunday roast then and still today in many places, first came on the scene during the reign of King Henry VII in 1485. Back in that time, the British ate a lot of beef. In fact, the Yeomen of the Guard - the royal bodyguards - have been known as Beefeaters since the 15th century because they consumed so much roast beef.

Roast beef was cooked over a sizeable fireplace on a spit, served hot on the same day, and then subsequently used in stews and pies and served as cold cuts throughout the week, as well. Roast beef became known as Sunday lunch because for those who weren't wealthy, large fireplaces were a luxury that they didn't have. Instead, a smaller roast would be dropped off at the local baker while on the way to church and cooked in the bread ovens, as bread wasn't baked on Sunday. This allowed broad access to roast beef, and thus, the Sunday roast got its name.

Roast beef is absolutely synonymous with England. There doesn't seem to be an official jumping-off point for roast beef the way that there is for other recipes, but as far back as the 1731 ballad, "The Roast Beef of Old England", roast beef has been an important part of British culture. It's believed to have originated there, but that's about all we know for sure. In fact, England is so closely associated with roast beef that the French actually have a nickname for the English - "les Rosbifs", or the roast beef.

Air Fryer Roast Beef

Air fryer roast beef is one of the easiest, most flavorful, and most classic dishes you'll ever make in your air fryer. A modern twist on a classic recipe, this air fried roast beef comes out juicy and tender every time, and the potatoes are always cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It's the perfect dish for a weeknight meal that will last for at least a couple of days, and it's always beloved by the whole family.

I've been making roast beef for decades, and I've been making this air fryer version for years. In fact, it's become my go-to method of making roast beef. It's fast, efficient, and absolutely delicious.

There's not a better combo than that if you asked me. Because this recipe is so easy and delicious, it's perfect for any time of the week, even busy weeknights! If you have a hankering for beef, this recipe satisfies it, and you don't have to stay in the kitchen for hours!   

Ingredients

It doesn't take much to make this delicious air fried roast beef. Just like its traditional counterpart, this air fryer roast beef is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. Here's what you'll need.

• 3 pound beef top sirloin roast OR SUBSTITUTE top round, chuck, blade roast, tri tip roast top or bottom round (rump)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ¾ pound pearl onions, unpeeled, halved
• ¼ cup whole grain mustard, if desired or another kind of mustard
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey, if desired
• 2 pounds potatoes unpeeled and cut into wedges
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or fresh oregano leaves (use a teaspoon of dried as a substitute, if desired)
• Store bought beef gravy for serving if you're not using honey or maple mustard. Store bought beef gravy can dilute and ruin the honey mustard or maple mustard flavor. There are also usually enough beef juices that you can make your own homemade gravy if desired.

Making Air Fryer Roast Beef

Making this air fried roast beef is as simple as the shopping list for it. You'll basically just be putting the beef into the air fryer and cooking it and then cooking the potatoes. It all comes together incredibly quickly and easily. In fact, the longest part of the recipe is simply waiting for it to finish cooking! You'll find the complete recipe along with amounts and times in the recipe card below, but the overview that follows will give you an idea of how easy this recipe is. It's just too simple!

• Tie beef up using string every inch to make it compact. no matter what kind of roast you decide to use.
• Preheat 5 or 6-quart air fryer at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.
• Brush with a few tablespoons of oil and sprinkles of salt and pepper.
• Place beef and onions in the basket prepared with cooking spray.
• Cook for 45 minutes flipping at the 20 minute mark for medium.
• In a small bowl combine maple and mustard. Taste mixture to see if you prefer more or less maple syrup. if using at all. Otherwise a can of beef gravy or there is enough juices you could make a quick gravy by turning element up to high making a slurry out of cornstarch and water. Gravy made.
• Transfer beef to plate and brush with maple and mustard if using. Sometimes we only use mustard.
• Cover loosely with foil for 20 minutes.
• Brush potatoes with oil and sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook in the basket for 20 minutes or until tender.
• Serve with sliced beef, onions, potato wedges, and gravy.
• Squeeze the pearl onions out of their peel when serving just like you would with roasted garlic.

Tips

This air fryer roast beef is incredibly simple to make, but there are a few things to remember to ensure that you make the absolute best roast possible. These are simple things to remember that will help you get this roast to the exact doneness that your family loves.

Times

When cooking your air fried roast beef, the rule of thumb for cooking to your desired doneness is time. Using the following times, you'll be able to gauge just about how done your roast beef will be. When cooking your roast beef in the air fryer at 350 degrees:

• 15-20 minutes is rare
• 20-25 minutes is medium
• 25-30 minutes is well done.

Use a Meat Thermometer

The best way to know if your air fried roast beef is cooked to your preferred doneness is to use a meat thermometer. Measure the temperature of your roast beef at the thickest part of the meat, pushing the thermometer as close to dead center as possible. Doneness temperatures are as follows:

• Rare: 130-140 degrees.
• Medium rare: 140-145 degrees.
• Medium: 150-160 degrees.
• Medium well: 160-170 degrees.
• Well done: Over 170 degrees.

Variations

This air fryer roast beef recipe is the perfect canvas for getting creative. While this recipe only calls for potatoes and pearl onions, you can use any of the classic vegetables that we associate with roast beef to create the perfect meal for your family. Some great vegetable options include:

• Carrots
• Parsnips
• Celery
• Turnip
• Sweet Potatoes

You can also choose to change up how you season your roast. I go very lightly on the seasoning with mine as you can see from the recipe list above. However, feel free to spice things up as you see fit. Great spices for pairing with roast beef include:

• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Pepper
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Rosemary

Serving Air Fryer Roast Beef

Serving this delicious air fried roast beef couldn't be simpler. Simply cut it up into slices and serve them on a plate with the potatoes. That's all there is to it. With a simple, rustic recipe like this, there's nothing fancy going on. It's just good food with the family. There's something really beautiful about that, I think.

It's so delicious, it's perfect for a Sunday dinner, and it's so easy, it's a quick, hearty weeknight meal. It's the perfect choice for pretty much anytime you get the urge to enjoy some delicious, beefy goodness!

As far as serving goes, every meal should be served with a side that elevates the dish. To check out many side dish ideas, go to What to Serve With Beef Bourguignon or What to Serve with Beef Wellington.

Storing Air Fryer Roast Beef

This air fried roast beef will keep well in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for about four days, although it will probably be gone well before then. During that time, you can eat it just as you cooked it, or you can opt to slice up the roast beef and serve it on bread with a side of potatoes that you've crisped up on the stove top. It's so good.

For longer storage, you can freeze this pot roast for up to a month in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. To defrost, simply place your roast portions in the refrigerator overnight and then heat it up in the microwave.

Try This Air Fryer Roast Beef for Yourself

This air fried roast beef is so tender and delicious, and the potatoes are always cooked to perfection. It's the perfect meal for a special Sunday treat or just a weeknight dinner. Whether you're serving it up special or just making it for a random Monday, one thing is for sure. Everyone in the family is going to love it. You'll love how quickly it comes together, too. With a combo like that, it's an absolute winner and a recipe that you must try. Give it a whirl, and I know you'll love it as much as my family does.