Air-Fryer Cheeseburger: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

The air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of dishes, including cheeseburgers. It is a convenient and quick way to prepare a meal with minimal cleanup required. By using hot air circulation, air fryers ensure even cooking and a juicy, delicious burger. This method is perfect for busy individuals and families who want a tasty, classic meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. With an air fryer, you can achieve the perfect medium or medium-rare cheeseburger with a crispy exterior and juicy interior, all while avoiding the mess and smoke of traditional pan-frying.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cheeseburger-making process. It ensures your burgers cook evenly and consistently from the inside out. To preheat your air fryer, simply set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) or 400°F and let it heat up for at least 3 minutes.

If you're using a leaner cut of ground beef, you may want to stick to the lower temperature of 350°F (175°C) to prevent overcooking. However, if you're short on time, setting the temperature to 400°F will speed up the cooking process. Just be sure to keep a close eye on your burgers to avoid overcooking.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your beef patties. Combine the ground beef with any desired seasonings or ingredients, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, liquid smoke, or Worcestershire sauce. Then, divide the mixture into four even portions and shape them into patties. Make a small indent in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent the patties from puffing up or swelling during cooking.

Once the air fryer has preheated, you can place the patties in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with enough space around each patty for proper air circulation. Now, you're ready to start cooking your cheeseburgers!

Prepare the meat

Preparing the meat is the first step in making cheeseburgers in an air fryer. Start by placing the ground beef in a bowl. You can use any type of ground beef, but an 80/20 blend is recommended for juicier patties. If you want to reduce the amount of smoke produced during cooking, opt for a leaner cut of meat, as it will drip less.

Once you have your ground beef in a bowl, it's time to season it. You can use a variety of seasonings, but salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder are common choices. You can also add Worcestershire sauce or liquid smoke for extra flavour. Mix the seasonings and meat together until they are well combined.

Now it's time to form the patties. Divide the seasoned meat into four equal portions and shape them into round, flat patties. Each patty should be about 5 inches across and 1/2 inch thick. It's important to make a dimple or indent in the centre of each patty with your thumb to prevent the meat from swelling or balling up during cooking.

Finally, while the air fryer is preheating, let the patties rest. This will help the juices redistribute and ensure your burgers are juicy and tender.

Form the patties

Forming the patties is an important step in the cheeseburger-making process. Start by placing the ground beef in a bowl. If you're using frozen beef, make sure it's fully thawed before forming the patties. You can add other ingredients to the beef at this stage, such as Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix the ingredients together until they are fully combined.

Once you have a homogeneous mixture, it's time to divide it into portions. For a standard-sized cheeseburger, divide the mixture into three or four equal parts. Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten it into a patty shape. The patties should be about 1/2 inch thick and roughly 5 inches across. It's important to make the centre of the patty thinner than the edges to ensure even cooking. Use your thumb to make a small indent in the centre of each patty, which will prevent the meat from swelling during cooking.

If you prefer thinner patties, you can try dividing the mixture into six portions and making two patties per cheeseburger. This will give you a total cooking time of around six minutes for a medium doneness.

After forming the patties, place them in the preheated air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. You can cook the patties in batches if they don't all fit in a single layer.

Seasoning

A classic approach is to use salt, which helps bring out the natural flavour of the beef. You can also add black pepper, which pairs well with the salt. The amount of salt and pepper you use can vary depending on your taste; some recipes suggest using half a teaspoon of each, while others recommend simply seasoning "generously".

You can also add garlic powder to your beef mixture. Fresh garlic doesn't have enough time to cook, so it's best to opt for the powdered form. You can also add onion powder for the same reason.

If you want to add a little extra something to your cheeseburger, you can try adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce to your beef mixture. You can also experiment with other seasonings, such as Montreal steak seasoning or liquid smoke.

If you're looking for a more well-done burger, you can try using lean ground beef, which has less fat and will result in less grease and smoke.

Cooking time

For a medium-well hamburger, it is recommended to cook the patty at 350°F for 10 minutes. Adjusting the time by two minutes in either direction will make the patty more or less done. For a medium-rare burger, aim for an internal temperature of 145-150°F after 8-10 minutes. If you prefer your burger more well-done, increase the cooking time until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

When cooking frozen patties, add about 5-7 minutes to the cooking time, depending on the thickness of the patty. For a 1/2" thick patty, cook for 6 minutes, then flip the patty and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the beef reaches 160°F.

If you are adding cheese, place a slice on top of the patty with about 2 minutes of cooking time remaining so that it has time to melt. If you are toasting the buns, add them to the air fryer for the final minute of cooking or for 2-3 minutes at 380°F after removing the patties.

Frequently asked questions