Air-Frying Hamburgers: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to make hamburgers, and they come out juicy and full of flavour. They are also less messy than traditional frying methods, as there are no grease splatters, and clean-up is easy. You can even toast the buns in the air fryer!

How long to cook hamburgers in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook hamburgers in an air fryer. Here's a guide on how long to cook them for.

Preparation

Before you start cooking, there are a few things you can do to prepare your hamburgers. Firstly, make sure you're using cold meat straight from the fridge for the best results. It's also recommended that you use meat with a little bit of fat, such as an 80/20 blend of ground beef, to keep the patties juicy.

When shaping your patties, make them slightly larger than your buns to allow for shrinkage. You should also make a small indent in the middle of each patty with your thumb or a spoon to prevent the patties from bulging up in the middle as they cook.

Cooking Time

Now, for the cooking! Preheat your air fryer to between 370°F/190°C and 400°F/195°C. Place your patties in the 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 hamburgers in batches.

For medium doneness, air fry your hamburgers for around 7 minutes, flipping them halfway through. If you prefer your burgers well done, cook them for an additional 2 minutes.

However, it's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and brand of your air fryer, as well as the thickness of your patties. So, it's a good idea to keep an eye on your burgers to ensure they don't overcook.

Finishing Touches

If you want to add cheese to your burgers, turn off the air fryer once the patties are done and let the residual heat melt the cheese. You can also toast your hamburger buns in the air fryer for a minute or two until they're golden and crispy.

And that's it! You now have juicy, air-fried hamburgers ready to serve.

What temperature to cook hamburgers in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook hamburgers in an air fryer. It's a fast way to get a quick meal on the table and a great alternative when it's too cold to grill.

To cook hamburgers in an air fryer, you should preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 400°F. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer and the level of doneness you prefer. For medium doneness, you can air fry at 375°F for 8 minutes, flipping the patties halfway through. For well-done patties, you can air fry at 400°F for 7 minutes, flipping halfway through, and then air fry for an additional 2 minutes.

It's important to note that air fryer sizes, brands, and models can vary, so you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time accordingly. Additionally, it's recommended to add some water to the bottom of the air fryer basket when cooking fatty meats like ground beef to catch the dripping fat and prevent excessive smoking.

To make juicy hamburgers in your air fryer, you can use an 80/20 blend of ground beef, which means 80% muscle and 20% fat. This blend will keep the patties moist without too much grease. You can also add your preferred seasonings, such as salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, or Worcestershire sauce.

Once you've shaped your patties, cook them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to ensure even cooking. After cooking, you can top your hamburgers with cheese and let the residual heat melt it.

How to store and reheat air fryer hamburgers

Air fryer hamburgers are a quick and easy meal to make, and they're even faster to reheat! Here's a guide on how to store and reheat your air fryer hamburgers to perfection:

Storing Air Fryer Hamburgers:

It is best to store leftover air-fryer hamburgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to two to four days. To prevent the patties from sticking to each other, separate them with parchment paper.

You can also freeze your cooked hamburgers. To do this, place a piece of parchment paper between each patty and store them in a freezer-safe container. Frozen hamburgers will stay good for up to four months.

Reheating Air Fryer Hamburgers:

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover hamburgers, follow these simple steps:

• Take the hamburgers out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
• Place the patties in the air fryer basket or on a tray, ensuring they are in a single layer with some space around them for even cooking.
• Reheat the hamburgers in the air fryer at 300°F (or 350°F) for 2-3 minutes, or until they are heated through.
• Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
• If you're reheating cheeseburgers, add a slice of cheese before reheating, and it will melt by the time the patty is warmed through.
• If you want to reheat the buns, place them in the air fryer for the last minute or so of cooking. This will give them a light, crispy texture.
• If you're reheating fast-food burgers with toppings such as lettuce and tomato, you may want to remove these before reheating, as they will get slightly cooked.
• If you find any cold spots in your burger after reheating, simply put it back in the air fryer for an additional minute or two.

And that's it! You can now enjoy your air fryer hamburgers as if they were freshly made.

Can you cook frozen hamburgers in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen hamburgers in an air fryer. It is a quick and convenient way to make juicy burgers with minimal prep and cleanup. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Take the desired number of frozen hamburger patties straight from the freezer.
• Season the patties generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Worcestershire sauce.
• Preheat your air fryer to 370°F to 390°F.
• Place the seasoned patties into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping.
• Cook the hamburgers for 8 to 12 minutes for medium-rare to well-done. For medium-rare, check the internal temperature after 8 minutes; it should be between 120°F and 125°F.
• For cheeseburgers, add a slice of cheese on top of the patties and cook for an additional minute to melt the cheese.
• Remove the hamburgers from the air fryer and serve on toasted buns with your choice of toppings and condiments.

Note: It is recommended to add about a cup of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent smoking and catch any dripping grease.

What to serve with air fryer hamburgers

Air fryer hamburgers are a fast and easy way to get a tasty meal on the table. But what to serve with them? Here are some ideas for sides and toppings to go with your air fryer burgers.

Sides

If you're looking for something to go alongside your burger, why not try air fryer french fries? You can cook these in the air fryer first and then add the burgers. Alternatively, oven-baked fries go well too. For something a little lighter, you could try a corn salad, a watermelon and feta salad, or a macaroni salad.

Toppings

When it comes to toppings, the sky's the limit! You could go for a DIY burger bar with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and pickles, or get creative with some of these options:

• Zesty: Jalapenos, green chilies, sauerkraut, chipotle aioli, or homemade garlic aioli
• Savory: Roasted red bell peppers, fried egg, bacon, sautéed or air-fried mushrooms
• Traditional: Cheese, lettuce, tomato slices
• Standard condiments: Barbecue sauce, mayo, mustard, ketchup
• Air fryer add-ons: Air fryer pickles, air fryer bacon, air fryer onion rings
• Next-level flavor: Pickled onions, roasted red peppers, Greek yogurt ranch dip, sautéed mushrooms, refrigerator pickles
• Avocados: Guacamole, avocado slices

Frequently asked questions