A few years ago, my friend convinced me to ditch my old toaster oven and get an air fryer. This revolutionary countertop device is great at cooking a variety of meals, but my favorite thing to make with it is an air fryer roast. So, what is roast in air fryer terms, exactly? An example of this is an air fryer beef roast, which showcases the versatility of the air fryer.
Put simply, it’s a cooking method where you use the air fryer to create delicious and tender roasts that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Using an air fryer to roast is different from regular air frying, even if it sounds similar. Typically, your air fryer will have a specific roast setting that uses higher temperatures for a shorter time, almost like you’d do in a conventional oven.
But the beauty of an air fryer is its efficiency and size; your food roasts quickly because the air fryer heats up much faster than a large oven.
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Roast vs Broil in an Air Fryer
Many modern air fryers have additional functions like broil. But what is roast in an air fryer compared to broiling? Here’s a peek at the important differences between the roasting and broiling cooking methods so you can better select the appropriate feature.
Air Fryer Roasting
The roasting feature on air fryers like the Duo Crisp is meant for cooking larger cuts of meat and vegetables. The Duo Crisp’s roasting feature functions like a traditional cooker or range, but on a smaller scale. Roasting allows heat to gently penetrate the food from all sides for slow cooking, which gives you those melt-in-your-mouth results.
The roast function will automatically select a suitable temperature for this type of cooking. If your air fryer doesn’t have this preset, refer to your user manual. For example, you can cook a delicious air fryer roast beef in your air fryer.
Air Fryer Broiling
Broiling, on the other hand, involves intense, direct heat from a top-down element, meant for achieving a beautiful crust or crispy topping on your dish. Imagine getting that picture-perfect bubbly cheese finish on your mac and cheese or browning a juicy steak to perfection.
For melting cheese or browning a casserole, opt for an air fryer with a broiler feature, like the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, which will only use the direct, top-down heat to create a crisp, bubbly top on your dish.
Read more on air fry vs broil here: Air Fryer vs Air Broil: Learn The Differences For Crispy Perfection
Roast vs Air Fry in an Air Fryer
While both functions harness hot air to cook, roasting and air frying differ in temperatures, cook times, and even the type of food that works best with each. Let’s compare both roasting in an air fryer to just plain air frying.
When it comes to cooking in an air fryer, the terms "roast" and "air fry" are often used interchangeably, but they can imply slightly different cooking techniques:
Roast
In an air fryer, "roasting" typically refers to cooking larger pieces of food at a higher temperature for a longer period. It's akin to baking or traditional oven roasting, where you might cook meats, vegetables, or even certain desserts. Roasting in an air fryer often involves using the basket or tray accessory and may require flipping the food halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Air Fry
"Air frying" generally refers to cooking smaller, often breaded or lightly oiled items using rapid air circulation at high temperatures. This method is great for achieving crispy results with less oil than traditional frying. Foods like fries, chicken wings, or breaded fish fillets are classic examples of what you might "air fry."
In practice, many air fryers offer both functions and use similar principles of hot air circulation. The choice between "roast" and "air fry" settings often depends on the size of the food and the desired cooking outcome—whether you want a crispy finish (air fry) or a more tender, evenly cooked result (roast).
Key Considerations When Roasting in an Air Fryer
As you delve into air fryer roasting, it’s good to know about some crucial aspects that can dramatically improve your cooking game.
Choosing the Right Air Fryer
Not every air fryer is created equal. For optimal roasting results, opt for an air fryer that’s specifically equipped with a roast setting. Consider investing in a larger capacity model, especially if you frequently prepare food for more than two people.
Take a look at the Instant Omni Plus 19QT/18L Toaster Oven Air Fryer that broils too. Air fryers are versatile and can cook a variety of dishes, including fried foods.
Preheating Your Air Fryer
Just as with a conventional oven, preheating is critical in air fryer roasting. Give your air fryer about 5-10 minutes to reach the desired temperature for consistent and efficient cooking. By preheating, you're making sure your roast browns evenly and gets a crispier exterior.
Related: How To Preheat Air Fryer: Simple Steps & Guide
Seasoning and Marinating
Take the opportunity to marinate or season your meat and vegetables generously. This will give you tons of flavor and help tenderize the meat. Remember that an air fryer will cook food quicker than your conventional oven, so adjust the amount of marinating time accordingly to avoid overdoing it.
Choosing the Right Cut
Certain cuts are ideal for roasting, such as beef chuck roast, pork loin, and leg of lamb. When buying any of these meats, consider portion size too – you'll want to make sure the piece can comfortably fit in your air fryer basket with some room for air circulation.
If your roast is larger, you’ll need to cook for a longer time and might not get the same crispy crust. It’s also best to season it, we use Weber Steak Seasoning on the roast and it was wonderful.
Meat Thermometers
A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure you’ve cooked a roast to perfection. They remove any guesswork by instantly showing you the internal temperature.
My favorite model is a ThermoPro instant-read thermometer (UK) but the MEATER Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer (UK) has some great features too. Remember that beef roast, depending on your preferences for rareness, can range anywhere from 125°F (rare) to 160°F (well done). Use a meat thermometer to gauge the roast beef temperature.
Using Aluminum Foil
Although some advocate against it, using aluminum foil strategically in the air fryer basket for roasting is fine and might even enhance the final result. Laying foil at the bottom catches juices for making delicious gravy later and prevents messy cleanup.
Wrapping your roast partially in foil can ensure even cooking too. This is particularly useful for leaner meats, such as pork loin, or tougher roasts that may take longer in the air fryer. To maintain airflow and avoid hindering cooking though, make sure you don’t cover the meat entirely.
It’s always a good idea to check your air fryer manual before using aluminum foil as well. You can often find specific recommendations on using foil for roasting based on your device’s design and functionality.
Resting the Roast
Once the cooking process is complete, don’t be too quick to slice your roast. Allow your meat to rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes. This allows those flavorful juices to redistribute inside the roast. Letting the roast sit also makes carving easier.
Also read: Power XL Vs Emeril Air Fryer: Which One To Choose?
What Are the Advantages of Air Fryer Roasting?
If you haven’t made up your mind about using the air fryer roast function just yet, take a look at its advantages compared to oven roasting.
Faster Cooking Time
Thanks to the concentrated hot air flow inside, the roast setting cooks much quicker than a regular oven. That means you’ll have your meal ready sooner, which is great for weeknight dinners when you need to cook faster.
Since you can cook faster in an air fryer, this also means you will save on energy. Rather than running your oven for an hour, you can cook your meal in under 30 minutes. If your air fryer takes longer to cook, be sure to check if your heating element is working properly.
Also read: Farberware Air Fryer: How To Use Guide
Crispier Results
If you love the beautiful, crunchy outer layer on your roasts, air fryers are your friends. Because air circulation is better than inside an oven, roasts cooked this way consistently come out with crispy exteriors while remaining tender on the inside.
Air fryers cook by circulating hot air around the food, and it creates a crispy, browned exterior due to the high heat. This is similar to how fryers cook, except you are using rapidly circulating hot air instead of oil. Think golden crispy chicken wings. Delicious, right?
Convenience
The compact size and efficiency make the whole process easy and stress-free. Preheat times are shorter too. So if you’re juggling multiple things and prefer a streamlined cooking process, consider air fryer roasting.
You’ll have a delicious, impressive roast dinner on the table with far less work than before. Be sure to always use oven mitts when handling anything hot out of the air fryer, such as the stainless steel basket.
Related: How Many Watts Does an Air Fryer Use? Energy Facts Revealed
FAQs
To roast beef in an air fryer, season it with your choice of spices, lightly coat with olive oil or cooking spray, and cook at a high temperature. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it’s cooked to your preference.
Yes, you can use air fryer recipes for roasting chicken wings. They turn out crispy and delicious with less oil than traditional frying.
For a crispy exterior, lightly coat the food with olive oil or olive oil cooking spray. Ensure there’s enough space in the air fryer basket for proper air circulation.
Season the round roast, optionally use beef broth for added flavor, and cook at a high temperature. Monitor the cooking time and internal temperature for best results.
To achieve a tender roast beef, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, avoid overcrowding the basket, and let the beef rest before slicing.
Yes, you can use a convection oven for roasting. It provides similar results but may take longer compared to the quick, efficient cooking of an air fryer.
Conclusion
Understanding what roasting is in an air fryer adds an invaluable technique to your arsenal. This feature makes preparing delectable roasts incredibly easy and time-efficient.
From crispy chicken to succulent prime rib, the possibilities are almost endless with an air fryer, giving you that delightful crunch and succulent juiciness with minimal effort. Just remember that knowing when to air fry vs. roast ensures you're always choosing the most appropriate setting. Happy cooking!
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