Air-Fryer Magic: Frozen Hamburger Patties, Anyone?

Yes, you can cook frozen hamburger patties in an air fryer. It's a quick and convenient way to make hamburgers without the need to defrost the patties first. The air fryer's convection technology cooks frozen meat evenly, resulting in juicy hamburgers with a crispy exterior. The cleanup is also minimal, as any grease splatter is contained inside the air fryer basket.

How to cook frozen burgers in an air fryer

Cooking frozen burgers in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to satisfy your burger craving. It's super fast, with most burgers taking around 15 minutes to cook, and there's minimal cleanup as you avoid the grease splatter from frying in a skillet. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you cook delicious frozen burgers in your air fryer.

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Patties

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, which can range from 350°F to 390°F depending on your preference. While the air fryer is heating up, take your frozen burger patties out of the freezer. You can use any type of frozen patty, whether it's beef, turkey, chicken, or plant-based. If your patties are stuck together, carefully separate them.

Step 2: Season the Patties

Before placing the patties in the air fryer, it's time to season them. Lightly spritz or spray both sides of the patties with cooking spray, water, or oil. This will help the seasonings stick to the meat and promote browning. Sprinkle both sides of the patties generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or steak seasoning to amp up the flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Frozen Hamburgers

Arrange the seasoned patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping or stacked, as this will ensure even cooking and proper browning. Close the air fryer and cook the patties for the desired amount of time, which will depend on the doneness you prefer. For a medium-rare burger, cook for about 8-13 minutes. For a well-done burger, you'll need about 17-20 minutes. You can flip the patties halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on both sides.

Step 4: Add Toppings and Serve

Once the patties have reached the desired internal temperature, remove them from the air fryer. It's best to add any toppings after removing the patties from the air fryer to avoid making a mess inside the basket. Place the cooked patties on a bun and add your favorite toppings, such as cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, or mustard. If you want melted cheese on your burger, add it right after removing the patty from the air fryer, cover it with a plate, and let the residual heat melt the cheese.

Tips and Variations:

• Thicker burgers will require more cooking time than thinner patties, so adjust the timing accordingly.
• If you're cooking multiple patties, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.
• To prevent your air fryer from smoking, turn down the heat, line the drip pan with foil or parchment paper, or place slices of bread in the basket to absorb drippings.
• You can also cook frozen veggie burgers in the air fryer by following similar steps. Adjust the cooking time as needed, aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F for non-beef patties.
• For best results, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your burgers. A safe internal temperature for cooked burgers is 160°F for beef and 165°F for non-beef options.

Enjoy your juicy and tender air-fried burgers!

The benefits of cooking frozen burgers in an air fryer

No thawing required

Air fryer frozen burgers are incredibly convenient. You can take your frozen patty straight from the freezer, season it, and place it in the air fryer. There's no need to defrost the patty beforehand, saving you time and effort.

Quick and even cooking

Air fryers use convection technology to circulate hot air around the frozen meat, thawing and browning it evenly. This results in juicy, tender burgers that cook quickly and evenly, without the harsh heat of a grill that can burn the outside before the inside is cooked.

Easy cleanup

With an air fryer, you don't have to worry about grease splatters on your countertops. The cleanup is contained inside the air fryer basket, making it a breeze to clean up after cooking.

Versatile cooking

The air fryer is versatile and can cook various frozen burger types, including beef, turkey, chicken, and plant-based patties. You can also get creative with seasonings and toppings to suit your taste preferences.

Minimal prep required

Aside from seasoning the patty, there's minimal prep work involved. You don't need to worry about flipping the burger constantly, as air fryers cook the patty evenly without the need for frequent flipping.

Consistent results

Air fryers provide consistent results, ensuring your burgers are cooked to your desired doneness every time. Whether you prefer your burger rare, medium, or well done, you can easily adjust the cooking time and temperature to achieve the perfect cook.

How to prevent your air fryer from smoking

Yes, you can cook frozen hamburger patties in an air fryer. It's a convenient alternative to recipes that include deep-frying, grilling, or baking—especially when it comes to frozen food. Here's a simple recipe to try:

Air-Fryer Frozen Hamburgers

Ingredients:

• Frozen raw beef patties (store-bought or homemade)
• Cooking spray
• Hamburger buns (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• Toppings of your choice (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Spray both sides of the frozen patties with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper.
• Place the patties in a single layer in a greased air fryer basket.
• Cook for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until a thermometer inserted into the center of the patties reads 160°F.
• Serve the burgers on buns with your desired toppings.

Now, onto the main concern: preventing your air fryer from smoking. Here are some tips to help you avoid this issue:

• Keep it clean: This may seem obvious, but it's essential. Clean your air fryer as often as possible, especially after cooking greasy or oily foods. Leftover residue can smoke when heated again, affecting the taste of your food negatively.
• Use slices of bread to catch grease: Place bread at the bottom of your air fryer to soak up any dripping grease. This works for various air fryer designs, including those with baskets and shelves.
• Use water to diffuse grease: If your air fryer has a basket design, add a tablespoon or two of water to the outer basket when it starts to smoke. This helps prevent the grease from burning and smoking. Be cautious, as too much water can create a steaming effect and make your food mushy.
• Choose the right oil: Different oils have different smoke points. Since air fryers operate at high temperatures (up to 400°F), use an oil with a smoke point above that, such as avocado oil, peanut oil, extra light olive oil, rice bran oil, or safflower oil.
• Avoid overcrowding: Overcrowding the basket can lead to smoking. Ensure there's enough space for proper air circulation.
• Use parchment paper: When cooking fatty foods, consider using parchment paper or another cover to catch grease and make cleanup easier.
• Regular deep cleaning: In addition to cleaning after each use, perform a deeper clean regularly. Disassemble the components and soak them in warm soapy water. Scrub with a soft sponge, rinse, and wipe with a paper towel. Also, clean the inside of the air fryer with a soft sponge and a mild soap and water solution.
• Use a fat reducer accessory: Some air fryers, like Philips models, have a fat reducer accessory that helps prevent grease from forming smoke.
• Prevent food from falling into the heating coil: Ensure that small or thin pieces of food are secured and don't fall into the heating coil, as this can cause smoke and damage the coil.
• Ensure herbs and breading stick to food: Moisturize the surface of the food with sauce, marinade, or water before adding herbs or breading to prevent them from falling into the heating coil and causing smoke.

How to reheat frozen burgers

If you have frozen burgers, you can reheat them in an air fryer to make them juicy and tasty. Here's how to do it:

First, preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 390°F. While you're waiting for it to heat up, take your frozen patties out of the freezer and season them generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper if you want to give your burgers an extra kick.

Once your air fryer is ready, place the patties inside, making sure they're in a single layer and not overlapping. Overlapping patties won't cook evenly. Depending on how well-done you like your burgers, cook them for 8 to 12 minutes for rare, 13-15 minutes for medium-rare, 15-17 minutes for medium, 16-18 minutes for medium-well, and 17-20 minutes for well-done. You can also use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the patties has reached 160°F for beef or 165°F for other types of meat.

When the patties are done, take them out of the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes. If you want to add cheese, now is the time! Just place the cheese on top of the patties and cover them with a plate or foil to help the cheese melt.

Finally, assemble your burgers by placing the patties on toasted buns and adding your favorite toppings and condiments. Enjoy!

If you have any leftover burgers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat them, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F until they're heated through.

How to make frozen burgers juicy

Air-frying frozen burgers is a convenient way to make juicy hamburgers without the need for defrosting the patties beforehand. Here are some tips to ensure your frozen burgers turn out juicy and delicious:

Choose the Right Frozen Patties

Select frozen burger patties with a good ratio of meat to fat. For instance, ButcherBox Frozen Burgers offer 80% meat and 20% fat, resulting in juicy and flavourful burgers.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350°F and 390°F. This step ensures even cooking and helps achieve the desired level of doneness for your burgers.

Season the Patties

Although seasoning is optional, it can enhance the flavour of your burgers. Sprinkle both sides of the frozen patties with kosher salt, or a simple combination of salt and pepper. You can also experiment with other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or steak seasoning.

Cook the Burgers

Place the seasoned patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your patties, but generally, it takes around 15-20 minutes for well-done burgers. For rarer burgers, adjust the cooking time accordingly, aiming for an internal temperature of 120-125°F for rare and 130-135°F for medium-rare.

Flip and Season Again

Halfway through the cooking time, flip the patties and season the other side. This ensures even cooking and allows the seasonings to penetrate the meat.

Add Cheese (Optional)

If you're a cheese lover, now is the time to add a slice on top of your burger. Place the cheese on the still-hot burger and cover it to help melt the cheese evenly.

Assemble and Serve

Once your burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness, it's time to assemble them. Place the patty on a toasted bun and add your favourite toppings and condiments. Serve your juicy air-fried burgers with a side of French fries, onion rings, or potato chips for a complete meal.

Frequently asked questions