Air Fryer Hack: Can You Cook Burgers?

You can definitely cook burgers in an air fryer, and it's a great way to get that juicy, crispy texture without the mess of pan-frying. The air fryer method is also much faster than grilling, and you can even toast your buns in the machine at the same time! The key to success is to use meat with a little fat—an 80/20 blend is often recommended—and to add a little water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to catch the fat and prevent smoking. You should also make a small indent in the middle of each patty to stop it from bulging up during cooking. Depending on your air fryer and how well you like your burger cooked, they should take around 6–10 minutes to cook, and you can add cheese during the last minute or two.

How to cook a frozen burger in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen burgers in an air fryer. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the patties

Take your frozen patty out of the freezer. Spritz or brush both sides of the patty with cooking spray, butter, or oil. Season generously with salt and pepper, and any other seasonings you like. You can use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce.

Step 2: Air-fry the frozen hamburgers

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Place the patty in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 to 12 minutes for a medium-rare burger. For a well-done burger, you may need to cook it for up to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the patty. Flip the patty halfway through cooking for even cooking.

Step 3: Assemble your burger

Once the patty is cooked, place it on a bun and add your desired toppings and condiments. You can stick to the classics like ketchup, mustard, cheese, lettuce, and tomato, or get creative with toppings like fried egg, bacon, or sautéed mushrooms.

Tips:

• You can cook multiple patties at the same time, but make sure they are in a single layer in the air fryer basket and not overlapping, so they cook evenly.
• If you are making a cheeseburger, add the cheese after removing the patty from the air fryer. Cover the burger with a plate to help the cheese melt.
• You may need to season the burger again after cooking, as the seasoning may not penetrate the frozen meat.
• To freeze your own burger patties, form the patties, place a piece of parchment paper between each patty, and freeze for up to four months.

How to make a chicken burger in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook burgers in an air fryer! Here's a detailed guide on how to make chicken burgers in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Mustard and mayonnaise
• Seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, lemon pepper seasoning)
• Italian-style breadcrumbs

Method:

• Blend the chicken and seasonings in a food processor. Place the chicken breast in a large bowl of cold water with distilled white vinegar, lemon juice, and salt. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Then, pat the chicken dry and cut off any excess fat. Cut the chicken into chunks and place them in the food processor along with the seasonings, mustard, mayonnaise, olive oil, and breadcrumbs. Pulse a few times to mix and chop the chicken, but be careful not to overmix.
• Form the chicken mixture into patties. Place the mixture onto a sheet tray lined with parchment paper or foil and form it into patties. Don't compress the mixture too much. Place the tray in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to let the patties cool.
• Cook the chicken burgers in the air fryer. Brush the patties with olive oil or melted butter and place them in the air fryer set to 360°F. Cook for 6 minutes, then flip the patties and cook for another 3 minutes. Move the patties to the top rack and cook for a further 3 minutes. Remove the patties from the air fryer and season with salt and pepper. Let the burgers rest for 10 minutes before serving.
• Assemble the chicken burgers. Toast brioche buns in butter and oil, and spread mayonnaise on both halves. Place the cooked chicken patty on the bottom half, and add ketchup and red onion. Put some coleslaw on the top bun and cover the burger.

Tips:

• You can also cook the chicken burgers on a stovetop, in an oven, or on a grill.
• These chicken burgers can be frozen and cooked later. Simply place the patties in a storage bag with parchment paper in between and freeze for up to a few months.

How to make a cheeseburger in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or fattier)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 slices of cheddar cheese (or American cheese or your choice)
• 1/4 yellow or white onion, chopped
• 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
• A little bit of Thousand Island dressing, Worcestershire sauce or BBQ sauce
• Hamburger buns
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional:

• Breadcrumbs
• Tomato paste (concentrated purée)
• Sea salt and cracked black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
• Whole-egg mayonnaise, butter lettuce, store-bought tomato chutney, sliced dill pickles and potato chips, to serve

Method

• Divide the ground beef into three equal parts. Mold and pound the beef into hamburger patties, ensuring they are about 1/2" thick and that the center is thinner than the edges for even cooking.
• Season both sides of the patties evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Place the patties in the air fryer basket. If you prefer, line your air fryer with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup and to keep the patties juicy.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
• Cook for 10 minutes for a medium-well hamburger. Adjust the time by two minutes more or less for your preferred doneness.
• Once cooked, remove the patties and place cheese slices on each. Set aside to let the cheese melt slightly.
• Prepare the toppings by slicing the tomato and chopping or slicing the onion.
• Assemble the cheeseburgers by placing a patty on each bottom bun. Add lettuce, tomato, and onion, and spread Thousand Island dressing on the top bun.

Tips

• Choosing fattier meat helps keep the hamburger patties from falling apart and makes juicy air fryer hamburgers.
• You can also add mayonnaise, onion powder, liquid smoke, mustard, or ketchup.
• Optional toppings include pickles, a fried egg, maple bacon bourbon jam, pickled red onions or avocado slices.

How to make a juicy burger in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) of ground beef with an 80/20 blend of muscle and fat
• Seasoning (e.g. salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce)
• Optional: barbecue sauce, cheese, and/or burger buns and toppings

Method

• Combine the ground beef with your chosen seasonings in a bowl. You can also add barbecue sauce for extra flavour and to help with caramelisation.
• Mix the ingredients together with your hands or a spoon. Be careful not to overwork the mixture, as this can result in tough and dry burgers.
• Shape the mixture into four even-sized patties, each about 1/2-inch thick.
• Make a small indent in the centre of each patty with your thumb or the back of a spoon. This will prevent the patties from bulging in the middle as they cook.
• Preheat your air fryer to 370°F/190°C.
• Place the patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Leave space between the patties to allow the air to circulate.
• Cook the patties for 6 minutes, then flip them and cook for a further 3-5 minutes.
• If desired, add a slice of cheese to each patty during the last minute or two of cooking, allowing it to melt.
• Remove the burgers from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute or two. This allows the juices to settle, ensuring each bite is juicy.
• Assemble your burgers with your favourite condiments and toppings.

Tips

• Use a kitchen thermometer to check the burgers are safely cooked. For ground beef, the internal temperature should be at least 160°F/71°C.
• If you're making cheeseburgers, you don't need to flip the burgers during cooking, as the air fryer will cook them evenly.
• To prevent mess, use parchment or air fryer liners.
• If you're cooking from frozen, add an extra 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
• You can also use the air fryer to cook toppings like bacon and mushrooms, and sides like French fries.

How to make a burger in an air fryer without it smoking

Yes, you can cook a burger in an air fryer! Here are some tips on how to do it without causing excess smoke.

Firstly, it is recommended to use cold meat straight from the fridge. Form the beef into patties, making them slightly bigger than the buns to allow for shrinkage. You can add your choice of seasonings, but fresh onion and garlic don't have enough time to cook, so it's best to opt for powders.

Next, preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F (175-200°C). Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to allow the air to circulate. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the burgers in batches.

Cook the burgers for 6-7 minutes, then flip them and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of your patties and your desired level of doneness. For medium doneness, air fry for a total of 9-12 minutes. For well-done, add an extra 2 minutes.

To prevent excessive smoking, add a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer. This will help prevent dripping grease from burning. You can also place a piece of bread under the air fryer basket to catch the grease and reduce smoke.

Finally, remove the burgers from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute or two before assembling with your favourite toppings and condiments.

Enjoy your juicy, crispy air-fried burger!

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