Air Fryer · fresh
How long to cook tri-tip in an air fryer
At 380 °F (193 °C) for 22 minutes, flip once at 11 minutes.
At-a-glance cooking parameters
- Temperature
- 380 °F
- 193 °C
- Total time
- 22 min
- per single layer
- Flip at
- 11 min
- flip once
- Internal temp
- 130 °F
- 54 °C
A tri-tip roast (1.5–2 lb) air-fries at 380 °F (193 °C) for about 22 minutes, flipping once halfway, to a medium-rare 130 °F (54 °C) center. Season it with a Santa Maria-style salt-pepper-garlic rub, cook it fat-side up, and rest it before slicing — the grain changes direction in this cut, so slice each section separately against its grain.
Per serving
Approximate values for a single portion of tri-tip (USDA baseline, cooked, includes light air-fryer oil spray).
- Calories
- 260 kcal
- Protein
- 30 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Carbs
- 0 g
Tri-Tip in popular air fryer brands
Adjusted for how each brand actually heats. Tap a brand name to see every food we calibrate for it.
| Brand | Temp | Time | Flip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosoribasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 22 min | flip at 11 min |
| Ninjabasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 20 min | flip at 10 min |
| Instant Vortexbasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 22 min | flip at 11 min |
| Philips Airfryerbasket | 370 °F(188 °C) | 22 min | flip at 11 min |
| PowerXLbasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 21 min | flip at 10 min |
| Brevilleoven | 365 °F(185 °C) | 23 min | flip at 12 min |
| Cuisinartoven | 370 °F(188 °C) | 23 min | flip at 12 min |
| Chefmanbasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 22 min | flip at 11 min |
| GoWisebasket | 375 °F(191 °C) | 22 min | flip at 11 min |
How to tell it’s done
Pull at 130 °F (54 °C) for medium-rare; the crust should be browned and the interior rosy. The temperature climbs a few degrees while it rests.
Internal temperature: 130 °F / 54 °C. Always verify with an instant-read thermometer.
Step-by-step method
- 1
Prep
Bring ingredients close to room temperature. Lightly oil the surface so the rub forms a crust.
- 2
Season
Season with kosher salt, coarse black pepper, garlic powder, rosemary.
- 3
Load
Arrange one 1.5–2 lb tri-tip, serving 4–6. for best convection airflow.
- 4
Cook
Set the air fryer to 380 °F (193 °C) and cook for 22 minutes total, flipping once at 11 minutes.
- 5
Check & rest
Verify the internal temperature reaches 130 °F / 54 °C and rest 2–3 minutes before serving.
- 6
Store
Refrigerate sliced tri-tip up to 3 days; excellent cold in sandwiches.
Watch out for
- The grain changes direction — find the dividing line and slice each section against its own grain.
- Rest 10 minutes before carving so the juices stay in.
- Pull at 130 °F; tri-tip dries out quickly past medium.
- Bring it to room temperature first for an even cook.
FAQ about tri-tip in an air fryer
- What temperature should I cook tri-tip at in an air fryer?
- Cook tri-tip at 380 °F (193 °C). The convection air at this temperature cooks the centre evenly while still browning the surface.
- How long does tri-tip take in an air fryer?
- Tri-tip takes 22 minutes total at 380 °F (193 °C). Flip the food once at 11 minutes so both sides cook evenly.
- Do you need to flip tri-tip in an air fryer?
- Yes — flip tri-tip once at 11 minutes. The side touching the basket grate develops a darker, more crusted surface; flipping evens out the cook so both sides match.
- Do you need to preheat the air fryer for tri-tip?
- Preheating is optional for tri-tip — most modern air fryers reach temperature in under 2 minutes and the food's total cook time already accounts for the ramp-up. If you do preheat, reduce the total time by 1–2 minutes and check earlier than usual.
- What internal temperature is tri-tip safe to eat?
- Tri-tip should reach an internal temperature of 130 °F (54 °C) measured at the thickest point with an instant-read thermometer. Visual checks alone are not a reliable substitute for protein — always confirm with a probe.