Welcome to your new favorite way to prep roast beef! When oven space is at a premium around the holidays, this air fryer recipe comes to the rescue. It’s just perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any time you want a hearty, steakhouse-style dinner without monopolizing the oven.

We’re working with an eye of round roast (also known as silverside) — a lean, budget-friendly cut that shines when treated right. The air fryer gives it that gorgeous caramelized crust on the outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender. A quick rub of garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, and steak seasoning packs in plenty of flavor without complicating things.

The result is a roast that’s simple enough for a weeknight, but special enough to carve up for a holiday feast. Slice it thin, serve it with all your favorite sides, and don’t forget to stash a little away for leftover sandwiches the next day — they’re just as good as the main event!

Ingredients

Prefer a printable recipe card? No worries, you’ll find one at the bottom of this post! In the next few sections, I’m sharing more about the recipe, including ingredients, process, and extra tips and guidance.

Eye of round roast – A lean, budget-friendly cut that transforms beautifully in the air fryer. Slice it thin after resting and it’s surprisingly tender. You could also swap in top round or sirloin tip if that’s what you’ve got.
Oil – Helps the seasoning stick and gives you that nice crust on the outside. Any neutral oil works here.
Garlic salt – Adds savory depth without being overpowering. If you only have garlic powder, use that plus an extra pinch of salt.
Black pepper – Freshly cracked is best for a steakhouse vibe.
Montreal steak seasoning – My go-to blend for big, bold flavor, but any steak seasoning you love will work.
Onion powder – A little sweetness that rounds out the savory flavors.
Paprika – Regular or smoked both work; smoked adds a subtle BBQ-style flavor that’s delicious with roast beef.

How To Make Air Fryer Roast Beef

Pat the roast dry with paper towels and rub it all over with a little oil so the seasoning sticks.
In a small bowl, stir together the garlic salt, black pepper, steak seasoning, onion powder, and paprika. Rub this mixture all over the roast, pressing it in so it really clings.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for about 3–5 minutes.
Place the roast in the basket and cook at 375°F for 15 minutes to sear the outside.

Drop the temp to 325°F and keep cooking for another 20–25 minutes, or until the roast hits your perfect doneness:
• 125°F for rare
• 135°F for medium rare
• 145°F for medium
Carefully remove the roast from the air fryer, tent loosely with foil, and let it rest for 10–15 minutes. This keeps all those juices where they belong.

Slice thinly against the grain, serve it up, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Pat the roast dry first – Moisture is the enemy of a good crust. Drying the beef helps the oil and seasoning cling and gives you that beautiful sear.
Use a meat thermometer – Eye of round is lean, so it can overcook quickly. Pull it when it’s just shy of your target temp since it will rise a few degrees as it rests.
Rest before slicing – A loose foil tent and 10–15 minutes of rest time keep all those juices locked inside instead of running onto your cutting board.
Slice against the grain – Essential with eye of round. It shortens the muscle fibers and makes the beef much more tender.
Don’t skip the high-heat start – That initial blast at 375°F is what creates the crust that tastes like it came straight out of a steakhouse.
Leftovers tip – If you want deli-style thin slices for sandwiches, chill the roast first. It slices like a dream once it’s cold!

Variations

Herb-Crusted Roast – Add dried rosemary, thyme, or even Italian seasoning to the spice rub for an herby twist.
Garlic Lover’s Roast – Mix a little fresh minced garlic into the oil before rubbing it over the beef for extra punch.
Spicy Roast – A pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes in the seasoning mix brings some heat.
Butter-Basted Roast – Brush the roast with melted butter halfway through cooking for a richer, steakhouse-style finish.
Roast & Veggies – If your air fryer has room, toss carrots, potatoes, or onions in a little oil and seasoning and roast them right alongside the beef for a one-pan meal.

Serving Ideas

This air fryer roast beef is versatile enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough for the holiday table!

Slice it thin and serve with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, or a big pile of garlic butter carrots. It makes a stunning centerpiece for Christmas or Thanksgiving if you’re looking for an alternative to turkey or ham.

Leftovers? Pile slices onto crusty rolls with horseradish cream or turn them into next-day steakhouse-style sandwiches.

It’s also great over salads, grain bowls, or even tucked into wraps for easy lunches. Basically, you’ll want to make enough for both the big meal and the days after!

Print Recipe

Air Fryer Roast Beef

This Air Fryer Eye of Round Roast is the easiest way to turn a budget-friendly cut of beef into a tender, flavorful dinner. The air fryer creates a gorgeous crust on the outside while keeping the inside juicy and perfectly cooked. Seasoned with garlic, onion, paprika, and steak seasoning, it tastes like a steakhouse classic made right at home. Slice it thin and serve with mashed potatoes, veggies, or pile the leftovers into sandwiches the next day.

Prep Time10

Cook Time35

Total Time45

Course: Main Course

Servings:

Ingredients

2-3 lb eye of round roast
2 tablespoons oil
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon Montreal steak seasoning or your favorite steak seasoning blend
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon paprika regular or smoked

Instructions

Pat the roast dry with paper towels and rub it all over with a little oil so the seasoning sticks.
In a small bowl, stir together the garlic salt, black pepper, steak seasoning, onion powder, and paprika. Rub this mixture all over the roast, pressing it in so it really clings.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for about 3–5 minutes.
Place the roast in the basket and cook at 375°F for 15 minutes to sear the outside.
Drop the temp to 325°F and keep cooking for another 20–25 minutes, or until the roast hits your perfect doneness: 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium rare. 145°F for medium.
Carefully remove the roast from the air fryer, tent loosely with foil, and let it rest for 10–15 minutes. This keeps all those juices where they belong.
Slice thinly against the grain, serve it up, and enjoy!

Since I discovered this method, it’s my favorite way to prep roast beef, especially when I’m cooking for special occasions! Give it a try yourself and let me know what you think. You can leave your thoughts in the comment section below. It helps others who might be thinking about making the recipe, and it makes my day!