If you're looking to impress this holiday season without spending all day in the kitchen, Chef Kristel's Air Fryer Boneless Prime Rib is the perfect centerpiece. It delivers that classic prime rib flavor — tender inside, beautifully crusted outside — with half the effort and all the taste. An overnight dry brine and a quick air fryer sear lock in the juices, while garlic, thyme, and paprika add deep, savory warmth to every bite.
Ingredients
- 4 lb boneless prime rib roast (trimmed, fat cap on)
- Yellow mustard: 2 tbsp (binder)
- Kosher salt for dry-brining overnight: 2-3 tsp
- Ground black pepper: 2 tsp
- Garlic powder: 1½ tsp
- Dried thyme: 1 tsp
- Ground paprika: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Pat the roast dry, sprinkle salt evenly all over, place on a rack uncovered in the fridge 12-24 hours (dry-brine).
- 60-90 minutes before cooking, take the roast out to take the chill off.
- Mix pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and paprika. Rub roast lightly with mustard, then coat evenly with the spice mix. Place fat cap up.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5-10 minutes.
- Sear: air fry at 400°F for 15-20 minutes to set the crust.
- Roast: reduce to 300-325°F and continue cooking until target internal temperature is reached (about 10-14 minutes per pound after the sear; for a 4 lb roast, start checking at 40-45 minutes).
- Rest: transfer to a board, tent loosely with foil, rest 20-30 minutes before slicing.
- Remove twine if used. Slice across the grain into ½-inch slices. Spoon over resting juices — fantastic with simple jus or horseradish.