My Prime Rib Air Fryer recipe is an easy way to make a juicy, flavorful roast without the fuss. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll end up with a prime rib that’s tender on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside!
Prime Rib Air Fryer Recipe
Cooking prime rib doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. This air fryer recipe simplifies the process, making it easy to serve up a restaurant-quality roast at home.
Making prime rib in air fryer not only saves time but also delivers consistent, delicious results. No need to worry about complicated oven settings or constant monitoring — the air fryer does the work for you. It’s the perfect solution for holiday meals, celebrations, or whenever you want something special without the hassle.
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!
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Prime Rib
- So easy to make
- Juicy and tender
- Crispy, golden crust
- Super flavorful
- Quicker than oven roasting
Ingredients Needed to Air Fry Prime Rib
This prime rib air fryer recipe uses just a few basics — a prime rib, olive oil, fresh herbs, and simple spices. You might already have everything you need in your kitchen! If not, the list below makes it easy to grab what you need.
For complete ingredients and quantities, as well as nutritional information, keep scrolling until you reach the bottom where you will find a printable recipe card.
- Prime Rib: The star of the show! A 6-pound roast works best for this air fryer prime rib recipe, but you can adjust the size to fit your needs.
- Olive Oil: Helps create a crispy, golden crust and adds a nice richness. I recommend using olive oil spray for an easy, even coat.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor and a hint of color to the crust.
- Garlic Powder and Crushed Garlic: Add a rich, savory depth that perfectly complements red meat.
- Fresh Rosemary: This classic herb brings a warm flavor and fresh aroma that pairs perfectly with prime rib. It’s a go-to for a reason!
- Fresh Thyme: With its mild, earthy taste, thyme helps balance out the richness of the beef. Plus, its subtle flavor won’t overpower the other seasonings.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of any dish.
How to Cook Prime Rib in the Air Fryer
Learning to air fry prime rib is easier than you might think! Below, you’ll find my step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process.
Step 1: Prepare the prime rib
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 the air fryer
Set your air fryer to 390 degrees F and allow it to preheat for 5 minutes. A hot air fryer ensures a better sear on the meat.
Once preheated, place the seasoned prime rib in the air fryer basket, fat side up.
Step 3: Air fry
Air fry the prime rib 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.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature based on your preferred doneness:
- Rare: 120-130 degrees F
- Medium-rare: 130-135 degrees F
- Medium: 135-145 degrees F
- Well: 145-155 degrees F
- Well-done: 155-165 degrees F
Step 4: Rest and serve
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.
Prime Rib Air Fryer Variations
- 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.
Air Fryer Prime Rib Pro Tips
- Check Your Air Fryer Size: Most air fryers can fit up to an 8-pound roast, but double-check your model’s capacity before buying your meat. If needed, you can trim the roast or ask your butcher for a smaller size.
- Remove Strings: If your prime rib has any strings or ties, just take them off before cooking. It’s not necessary for the air fryer, and the meat will cook better without them.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: For the best results when making prime rib in an air fryer, cook to medium-rare (130-135 degrees F) or medium (135-145 degrees F). This keeps the meat juicy and tender with a hint of pink.
- Let It Rest: Let air fryer prime rib rest for about 20 minutes after cooking. This helps keep all the juices inside, making the meat tender.
- Slice Against the Grain: Always cut against the grain of the meat. This helps break down the muscle fibers, making each slice tender and easy to chew.
- Season Well: Don’t be shy with the seasoning! The herbs and spices on the outside make all the difference in flavor.
Prime Rib Air Fryer Faqs
Both come from the rib section of the cow, but they’re not the same. Prime rib is a larger roast, typically cooked whole and sliced into portions, while ribeye is a steak cut from that roast. Ribeye steaks are usually cooked individually in a pan or on the grill, whereas prime rib is often slow-roasted or air fried for a tender, juicy result.
Yes, you can. While the cooking itself is quick, you can season and prep the prime rib the night before. Remove from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before air frying.
You can, but fresh herbs offer a better flavor. If you’re using dried herbs, reduce the amount to one-third of the original.
You can cook the prime rib in a regular oven. Follow the same seasoning steps and roast at 350 degrees F for about 60-75 minutes, or until it reaches your desired doneness.
Prime rib goes great with creamy mashed potatoes for a rich, indulgent meal. If you’re looking for something lighter, roasted vegetables or a simple coleslaw are the perfect complements.
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat slices in the air fryer at 300 degrees F for about 5 minutes, or until heated through.
More Air Fryer Recipes
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Prime Rib in Air Fryer Recipe
Description
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
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
Nutrition
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Donna Zimmerman
It was my first time ever making prime rib in air fryer. This recipe was by far the easiest and delicious tasting one. I will always use this for a delicious tasting no fuss prime rib. Followed directions and used meat thermometer and presto PERFECT!