Air Fryer Eye Of Round Roast
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 gives the outside a gorgeous crust while keeping the inside juicy.
Seasoned with garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, and a good shake of steak seasoning, this roast comes out tasting like something you’d get from a steakhouse, but right at home with hardly any effort.
Slice it thin and serve with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or even pile it onto crusty rolls for leftover sandwiches the next day.
Serves: 4-6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
How To Make Air Fryer Eye Of Round Roast
Ingredients
- 2–3 pound 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)
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Pat the roast dry with paper towels, then rub it all over with oil.
2. In a small bowl, mix garlic salt, black pepper, steak seasoning, onion powder, and paprika.
3. Rub the seasoning evenly over the roast, pressing it in well.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3–5 minutes.
5. Place roast in the air fryer basket.
Cook at 375°F for 15 minutes to sear the outside.
6. Reduce heat to 325°F and cook for another 20–25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches
- 125°F for rare
- 135°F for medium rare
- 145°F for medium
7. Remove roast from the air fryer, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
8. Serve!
Tips & Tricks
- Pat the roast dry first: This helps the oil and seasonings stick better and ensures a good crust.
- Use a meat thermometer: Eye of round can go from perfectly tender to overcooked quickly. Aim for your preferred doneness and pull it a few degrees early since it will rise while resting.
- Rest before slicing: Letting the roast sit under foil for 10–15 minutes locks in the juices.
- Slice against the grain: This is key with eye of round, it makes the meat more tender and easier to chew.
- Don’t skip the high-heat start: That first 15 minutes at 375°F gives the roast its caramelized crust.
- Leftovers tip: Chill before slicing for the thinnest slices (perfect for sandwiches or wraps).
Substitutions
- Garlic salt → use plain salt + garlic powder if that’s what you have.
- Montreal steak seasoning → swap with any steak rub or a mix of coarse black pepper, salt, and paprika.
- Olive oil → canola, vegetable oil, or even melted butter will work.
- Onion powder → onion salt (reduce other salt), or leave it out if you don’t have any.
- Paprika → smoked paprika for a deeper flavor, or chili powder if you want a mild kick.
Variations
- Herb-Crusted Roast: Add dried rosemary or thyme to the seasoning mix if you like herbs.
- Garlic Lover’s Roast: Rub the roast with fresh minced garlic along with the olive oil before seasoning.
- Spicy Roast: Add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.
- Butter-Basted Roast: Brush the roast with melted butter halfway through cooking for extra richness.
- Roast & Veggies: Place seasoned carrots, potatoes, or onions in the bottom of the air fryer (if it’s large enough) to cook along with the roast.
Air Fryer Eye Of Round Roast
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-3 pound 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, then rub it all over with oil.
- In a small bowl, mix garlic salt, black pepper, steak seasoning, onion powder, and paprika.
- Rub the seasoning evenly over the roast, pressing it in well.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3–5 minutes.
- Place roast in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F for 15 minutes to sear the outside.
- Reduce heat to 325°F and cook for another 20–25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches, 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium rare or 145°F for medium.
- Remove roast from the air fryer, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
- Serve!
Notes
Tips & Tricks
- Pat the roast dry first: This helps the oil and seasonings stick better and ensures a good crust.
- Use a meat thermometer: Eye of round can go from perfectly tender to overcooked quickly. Aim for your preferred doneness and pull it a few degrees early since it will rise while resting.
- Rest before slicing: Letting the roast sit under foil for 10–15 minutes locks in the juices.
- Slice against the grain: This is key with eye of round, it makes the meat more tender and easier to chew.
- Don’t skip the high-heat start: That first 15 minutes at 375°F gives the roast its caramelized crust.
- Leftovers tip: Chill before slicing for the thinnest slices (perfect for sandwiches or wraps).
Substitutions
- Garlic salt → use plain salt + garlic powder if that’s what you have.
- Montreal steak seasoning → swap with any steak rub or a mix of coarse black pepper, salt, and paprika.
- Olive oil → canola, vegetable oil, or even melted butter will work.
- Onion powder → onion salt (reduce other salt), or leave it out if you don’t have any.
- Paprika → smoked paprika for a deeper flavor, or chili powder if you want a mild kick.
Variations
- Herb-Crusted Roast: Add dried rosemary or thyme to the seasoning mix if you like herbs.
- Garlic Lover’s Roast: Rub the roast with fresh minced garlic along with the olive oil before seasoning.
- Spicy Roast: Add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.
- Butter-Basted Roast: Brush the roast with melted butter halfway through cooking for extra richness.
- Roast & Veggies: Place seasoned carrots, potatoes, or onions in the bottom of the air fryer (if it’s large enough) to cook along with the roast.
