Unlock the secret to a perfect, holiday-worthy prime rib without heating up your whole kitchen using the air fryer! This Easy Air Fryer Prime Rib guarantees an unbelievably crisp, seasoned crust and a uniformly tender, medium-rare center in less time than traditional methods.

Juicy air fryer prime rib with crispy skin served on a white plate
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If you thought a perfectly cooked prime rib required hours in the oven and a fancy steakhouse chef, think again.

The air fryer is your secret weapon for creating a holiday-worthy Air Fryer Prime Rib that features an incredible, deeply seasoned crust while maintaining a consistently juicy and tender medium-rare center.

By utilizing the air fryer’s powerful, circulating heat for a specialized cooking method, you can achieve that sought-after “crust-to-tender-meat” ratio in a fraction of the time, making this premium roast a surprisingly simple, weeknight-friendly luxury.

Once you make this prime rib air fryer recipe, you’ll wonder why you ever cooked it any other way!

If you’re craving more Beef Air Fryer Recipes, be sure to check out my AIR FRYER BEEF TENDERLOIN, AIR FRYER BEEF STIR FRY, AIR FRYER QUICK BEEF TERIYAKI, AIR FRYER ITALIAN BEEF STROMBOLI, and AIR FRYER TRADER JOE’S ROAST BEEF SIRLOIN!

Sliced Air Fryer Prime Rib roast showing a perfect pink medium-rare center, a dark garlic-herb crust, and resting on a cutting board.

Why someone would use an air fryer for prime rib?

  • Superior air circulation guarantees a crisp, flavorful seasoned crust.
  • Achieve perfect, consistent edge-to-edge medium-rare doneness easily.
  • Dramatically reduces total cooking time compared to a conventional oven.
  • Avoid heating your entire kitchen when cooking a smaller roast.
  • Requires less energy, making the cooking process more efficient.

Ingredients Needed  

Ingredients needed for Air Fryer Prime Rib on kitchen table.
  • Prime Rib: Large bone-in beef roast, perfect for a special meal.
  • Olive Oil: Coats the roast, helping spices adhere and crisp.
  • Salt: Enhances the natural beef flavor, essential for seasoning.
  • Black Pepper: Adds a sharp, pungent kick to the crust.
  • Smoke Paprika: Provides a beautiful red color and smoky aroma.
  • Garlic Powder: Delivers consistent savory flavor deep into the meat.
  • Crushed Garlic: Creates an intense, aromatic punch in the rub.
  • Fresh Rosemary: Piney, woody herb providing classic holiday flavor.
  • Fresh Thyme: Subtle, earthy herb complementing the rich beef flavor

How To Make Easy Air Fryer Prime Rib

Preparing a prime rib roast by rubbing it with a savory mixture of olive oil, crushed garlic, rosemary, and seasoning.

Step 1: Pat the beef dry with paper towels. Generously rub it with olive oil, then season the top and sides with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Rub the crushed garlic over the surface and sprinkle the fresh rosemary and thyme evenly across the roast.

Step 2: Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes, at 390 degrees F. Once preheated, place the seasoned prime rib in the air fryer basket, fat side up.

Place your prime rib into the air fryer basket.

Step 3: Set cook time for 20 minutes to sear the meat and lock in the juices. After 20 minutes, reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F and continue cooking for about 55 minutes.

Prime Rib Doneness Chart

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature based on your preferred doneness:

  • Rare: 120-125 degrees F
  • Medium-rare: 130-135 degrees F
  • Medium: 140 degrees F
  • Well: 145-155 degrees F
  • Well-done: 155-165 degrees F

Once the beef has reached your desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 20 minutes. Slice, plate, and serve with your favorite sides.

Perfectly cooked air fryer prime rib with crispy exterior and juicy interior, served with sides."

Easy Air Fryer Prime Rib Recipe Tips

  • Pat the prime rib completely dry with paper towels. Moisture = sad, soggy crust. A dry surface means that rub sticks and forms that steakhouse bark.
  • Season the roast 12–24 hours ahead of time and leave it uncovered in the fridge. This dry brine pulls in flavor and sets you up for a next-level crust.
  • Brush the roast lightly with olive oil or melted butter before adding your rub. It acts like flavor glue, not a flavor blocker.
  • You’re not seasoning popcorn. Press the rub into the meat, especially the top cap and sides. That’s where the magic happens.
  • Big roast = big seasoning. Prime rib is thick and rich, so don’t play shy with the rub.
  • Let the roast sit on the counter for 60–90 minutes before roasting. Cold meat cooks unevenly. Nobody wants a gray ring of sadness.
  • Set the roast fat-side-up on a rack in the pan. Better airflow = better crust = more compliments.
  • Prime rib is not a wing-it situation. Pull it at: 120–125°F for rare, 130–135°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium. It keeps cooking while it rests.
  • Give it a solid 20–30 minute rest before slicing. Cutting too fast = all the good juice hitting the cutting board instead of your mouth.
  • That liquid gold turns into au jus and gravy. Do not throw it away. That’s a kitchen crime.
Slice of medium rare prime rib cooked in the air fryer, served on a white plate

Best Rub for Prime Rib

  • Herb-Crusted Prime Rib: Add chopped parsley, sage, or oregano to the seasoning mix for extra flavor.
  • Garlic Butter Prime Rib: After cooking, spread softened garlic butter over the meat for a rich, savory finish.
  • Spicy Prime Rib: For extra heat, mix cayenne pepper or red chili flakes into the seasonings.
  • Mustard Coating: Brush Dijon mustard over the meat before adding the herbs to create a tangy, flavorful crust.
Sliced Air Fryer Prime Rib roast showing a perfect pink medium-rare center, a dark garlic-herb crust, and resting on a cutting board.

Easy Air Fryer Prime Rib Recipe Faqs

What size prime rib works best in the air fryer? Small roasts are ideal. Aim for a 2 to 4-pound roast that is 2 to 3 ribs wide. Larger roasts (5+ pounds) may require a larger air fryer oven model and much longer cooking times.

Why is the reverse-sear method recommended for the air fryer? The reverse-sear ensures success! You cook the roast low and slow first for consistent doneness edge-to-edge, then finish with high heat to create a perfect, crackling crust without burning the exterior.

How long does it take to cook a prime rib in the air fryer? A 3-pound roast typically takes about 60-80 minutes total for medium-rare, depending on the air fryer model and starting temperature. Always use a thermometer, not just the clock!

What is the most important tool for this recipe? An instant-read meat thermometer is non-negotiable. Prime rib is expensive, and an accurate temperature check is the only way to guarantee your desired internal doneness.

How long should I rest the prime rib after air frying? Resting is crucial! Let the roast rest tented with foil for 15 to 20 minutes after removing it from the air fryer. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.

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Juicy air fryer prime rib with crispy skin served on a white plate

Easy Air Fryer Prime Rib

4.37 from 50 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
Servings: 16 Servings
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Description

Forget the oven! Get a perfect, tender Air Fryer Prime Rib every time. This easy recipe uses a garlic-herb rub to create an incredible crust and a consistent medium-rare center, making this premium roast simple enough for any night

Ingredients 

  • 6 pounds prime rib
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoke paprika,
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup crushed garlic
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, diced

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F, air fryer setting.
  • Remove the prime rib from the packaging.
  • Rub the prime rib with the olive oil generously.
  • Then sprinkle the top and sides with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
  • Cover it with the crushed garlic.

Finally, add the the Rosemary and Thyme all over the meat.

  •   Place prime rib in your air fryer basket.
  • Air fry meat for about 20 minutes at 390 degrees. Then turn the air fryer temperature down to 325 degrees. Continue cooking for about 55 minutes.
  • Use a meat thermometer to temp it and judge the doneness of the inside.
  • For a medium rib roast you want the temperature to reach about 135 degrees internally.
  • If the temperature inside is too low, continue cooking for an additional ten minutes and check again. Once you’ve reached your desired doneness remove it from the air fryer and allow it to rest for about 20 minutes before slicing!

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Notes

Recipe Notes:
My air fryer will fit up to about an 8 lb rib roast. Make sure to take into account how big your air fryer is when you buy your meat ( and what size piece of meat it will hold). You can always cut the meat down a little as well or ask the butcher for a specific size. 
When you remove the prime rib from the packaging if it’s tied with any strings you can take those off. You can see lines on the meat where this piece in the picture had strings from the store but it’s not necessary for cooking it in the air fryer, it’s better to remove them.
Most prime ribs are cooked medium to medium-rare. This would mean your thermometer should read somewhere in between 115-135 degrees depending on how much “pink” or “red” you like!
Allow the meat to stand for about twenty minutes before slicing it. This helps ensure that the juices stay in the meat more and don’t just immediately leave after cutting. This helps give you a nice moist and tender piece of meat and prevents dryness. 
As with any meat – always cut against the grain!
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 536kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 23gFat: 48gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 258mgPotassium: 396mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.04gVitamin A: 91IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 3mg

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