Air-Fryer Hamburgers: Quick, Easy, And Delicious?

Yes, you can cook hamburger patties in an air fryer. In fact, it's a quick and easy way to get a juicy burger without the fuss of grilling or pan-frying. The air fryer method is also said to be healthier, as you can use less oil and butter. It's also convenient, as there's little to no preheat time and cleanup is easy.

Air fryer hamburger patties: cooking time and temperature

Air-fried hamburgers are a quick and convenient way to get a juicy burger without the mess of pan-frying or the hassle of grilling outdoors. They're fast, easy to make, and can be tailored to your preferred level of doneness. Here's a guide to help you cook delicious hamburger patties in your air fryer.

Choosing the Right Ground Beef

For juicy and flavourful hamburger patties, it's recommended to use ground beef with an 80/20 blend, which means 80% muscle and 20% fat. This ratio keeps the patties moist without too much grease. You can also experiment with other blends, such as 90/10 or 70/30, but be aware that leaner blends may result in drier patties.

Seasoning and Forming the Patties

Seasoning is key to enhancing the flavour of your hamburger patties. You can use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Some recipes also suggest adding barbecue sauce or Dijon mustard for extra flavour. Combine the ground beef with your choice of seasonings, being careful not to overwork the mixture, as this can result in tough and dry burgers.

Form the seasoned beef into evenly sized patties, making them slightly larger than your buns to allow for shrinkage. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small indent in the centre of each patty; this prevents the patties from bulging up during cooking.

Cooking Temperature and Time

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend cooking hamburger patties at around 370°F to 400°F (190°C to 204°C). The exact temperature and cooking time will depend on your preferred level of doneness and the thickness of your patties. As a guide, for medium doneness, cook the patties for about 6-7 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For well-done patties, add an additional 2-3 minutes to the cooking time.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, as well as the thickness of your patties. Always check the doneness of your hamburgers by using a kitchen thermometer inserted into the centre of the patty. For ground beef, the recommended internal temperature is at least 160°F (71°C).

Cheese and Toppings

If you want to add cheese to your hamburger patties, place a slice on top during the last minute or two of cooking to allow it to melt. As for toppings, the options are endless! You can go for a classic combination of cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion, or get creative with sauces, bacon, fried egg, sautéed mushrooms, and more.

Tips for Perfect Hamburger Patties

• Use parchment liners designed for air fryers to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
• Leave space between the patties in the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Let the burgers rest for a minute or two after cooking to allow the juices to settle back into the patties, ensuring each bite is juicy.
• If you're cooking frozen patties, increase the cooking time by about 5-10 minutes, depending on thickness.

How to make air fryer hamburgers juicy

Air fryers are a great way to make hamburgers that are juicy and full of flavour. Here is a guide on how to make the perfect air fryer hamburger.

Ingredients

To make four hamburgers, you will need:

• 1 pound of 80% lean ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• Onion and garlic powder
• Barbecue sauce (optional)
• 4 hamburger buns
• Toppings of your choice

Method

• Combine the meat, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a bowl. You can also add barbecue sauce to this mixture if you like.
• Form the mixture into four patties, each about 1/2 inch thick. Make a small indent in the middle of each patty with your thumb to prevent them from swelling during cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to 370°F.
• Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 6-7 minutes.
• Flip the patties and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
• If desired, add cheese to the patties and cook for an additional minute.
• Serve on buns with your desired toppings.

Tips for Juicy Hamburgers

• Using meat with a little bit of fat (an 80/20 blend) will help keep the patties juicy.
• Don't overwork the meat mixture when combining the ingredients, as this can make the burgers tough and dry.
• Let the burgers rest for a minute or two after cooking to allow the juices to settle back into the patties.
• If you like your burgers rare or medium-rare, cook them to an internal temperature of 120-135°F. For medium, cook to 140-145°F, and for well-done burgers, cook to an internal temperature of 160°F.

Enjoy your juicy air fryer hamburgers!

Air fryer hamburger toppings and condiments

There are endless possibilities when it comes to topping your air-fried hamburger. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Classic Hamburger Toppings

The sky's the limit when it comes to topping your burger, but some classic options include:

• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Cheese
• Condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise

DIY Burger Bar

Why not set out a variety of toppings and condiments and let everyone build their own burger? In addition to the classics mentioned above, you could include:

• Pickles
• Bacon
• Jalapenos
• Green chilies
• Sauerkraut
• Chipotle Aioli or Homemade Garlic Aioli

Other Topping Ideas

If you're feeling adventurous, try one of these unique topping combinations:

• Mediterranean: Sliced tomatoes, chopped red onions, and crumbled feta cheese
• Mushroom and Onions: Sautéed mushrooms and onions
• Cheeseburger: Cheddar, Swiss, or American cheese
• Bacon Cheeseburger: Crisp up some bacon in the air fryer before adding it to your burger
• Spicy: Cayenne pepper and pickled jalapenos
• BBQ: Brush the burger with BBQ sauce

Hamburger Sauce

For a sweet and tangy sauce to top your burger, mix together:

• 1/4 cup mayo
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 teaspoon sweet relish
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

No matter what toppings you choose, the key to a great air-fried hamburger is not to overwork the meat when forming your patties and to cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F/71°C. Enjoy experimenting with different toppings and sauces to find your favorite combination!

Air fryer hamburger seasoning

Yes, you can cook hamburger patties in an air fryer. Here are some tips and tricks for seasoning your hamburgers to make them extra tasty.

Firstly, when it comes to the beef, it's recommended to use an 80/20 blend of ground beef, which means 80% muscle and 20% fat. This will ensure your patties stay juicy without too much grease.

Now, onto the seasoning. Don't be afraid to be generous when seasoning your meat! You can use salt and pepper, with a dash of onion and garlic powder. Fresh onion and garlic don't have enough time to cook, so it's best to opt for powders. You could also try Worcestershire sauce, which gives the burgers a deliciously deep and slightly salty flavour. If you want to add a little extra fat and flavour, brush the patties with melted butter.

If you want to add a bit of a kick to your burgers, add some cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix. You can also brush the burgers with BBQ sauce to add a sweet and smoky flavour.

• Mediterranean: Top your patties with sliced tomatoes, chopped red onions, and crumbled feta cheese.
• Mushroom and Onions: Sauté some mushrooms and onions and top your patties for more flavour.
• Easy hamburger sauce: Mix together mayo, ketchup, sweet relish, apple cider vinegar, honey, and ground black pepper.
• Zesty: Top your burger with jalapenos, green chillies, sauerkraut, or Chipotle Aioli.

Happy cooking!

Reheating and storing air fryer hamburgers

If you want to freeze your cooked patties, separate them with parchment paper and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy them again, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as mentioned above.

For uncooked patties, you can shape and prep them up to a day in advance. Store them in the freezer with parchment paper between each patty, and they'll last for about a month. When you're ready to cook them, there's no need to thaw; simply add a few minutes to the cooking time.

Frequently asked questions