Air Fryer Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding

Introduction & method

Air fryers are incredibly popular at the moment because they use so much less energy than conventional ovens. But it may surprise you how versatile they are. This meal, for example. The classic British Sunday roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, cooked in an air fryer and with some some luscious roast potatoes too.

Air Fryer Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding Recipe

Buy good quality beef for this - in the UK, roasting joints are generally topside, silverside or salmon cut. Try to get beef with some fat on it - this will help it baste it and keep the meat juicy. You need to heat your air fryer as high as it will go, maybe 220°C (428°F). If it only goes up to 200°C (392°F) that's fine. Generously season the meat with salt, pepper and mustard. Prepare a roasting tin by placing slices of onion, celery and carrot in a single layer, and then pop the beef on top. If your meat isn't very fatty, dribble a tablespoon or two of fat or oil over it. After 20 minutes, turn down the temperature to 160° C (320° F) for the remaining time and baste the meat with the cooking juices. The chart below is your cooking guide:

Rare - 11 mins per 450g / pound
Medium - 14 mins per 450g / pound
Well done - 16 mins per 450g / pound

To be sure your beef is cooked, use a digital thermometer.

Rare - out of the oven: 48 - 52°C (118 - 126°F). After resting: 55 - 60°C (131 - 140°F)
Medium rare - out of the oven: 55 - 59°C (131 - 138°F). After resting: 61 - 65°C (142 - 149°F)
Medium - out of the oven: 60 - 66°C (140 - 151°F). After resting: 66 - 70°C (151 - 158°F)

When the beef is cooked, transfer it to a warmed plate and tent it in foil. Turn the air fryer up as high as it will go.

For the Yorkshire Puddings

Mix the flour, salt and eggs, then gradually add the milk/water mix, and stir until you have a mixture the consistency of paint. Puddings can be made in one large tin, or individually in Yorkshire pudding tins or muffin tins. You should have enough batter to make 6 individual puddings. Grease the tin with duck or goose fat, lard or oil, and heat it until the fat is bubbling.
Spoon the mixture into the tin, and put in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Be aware that air fryer heating elements are generally in the top of the device, so don't put the puddings too close. You may also need to turn them over at the end of cooking to get the undersides done properly.

For the Gravy

Shortly before the puddings are finished, remove the foil from the beef and strain the liquid from the roasting tray. Discard the onion, celery and carrot. Stir in one or two spoonfuls of flour and whisk until smooth. Bring to almost boiling.