Air Fryer Cheeseburger Magic: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Cooking cheeseburgers in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy a classic favourite. It takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy families. Air fryers use hot air to cook food evenly, ensuring every bite of your burger is perfectly cooked. The burgers are juicy and crispy, with minimal cleanup required. You can also cook frozen patties in the air fryer, although the cooking time will need to be adjusted.

Cooking time and temperature

Cooking cheeseburgers in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy a delicious meal. The cooking time and temperature for air fryer cheeseburgers may vary depending on your preferred level of doneness and the specific model of your air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect cheeseburger:

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking. Set the temperature to 400° Fahrenheit or 370° Fahrenheit, depending on your preference. Allow the air fryer to heat up for at least 3 minutes.

Cooking the Beef Patties:

Place the seasoned beef patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between them for even cooking. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness and the thickness of the patties. For a medium-rare burger, cook the patties for about 5 minutes on one side, then flip them over and cook for an additional 3 minutes. If you prefer your burgers well-done, add a minute or two to the cooking time.

Melting the Cheese:

Once the patties have reached your desired level of doneness, it's time to add the cheese. Place a slice of cheese on each patty and return the air fryer basket to the unit. Cook for an additional minute to allow the cheese to melt. If you prefer your cheese fully melted, you can let it melt for a little longer.

Final Assembly:

Remove the cheeseburgers from the air fryer and prepare your burger buns and toppings. You can toast the buns in the air fryer for a few seconds if desired. Assemble your cheeseburger by placing the patty on the bottom bun and adding your favourite toppings, such as lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, or sauce.

Checking Doneness:

It is important to ensure that your cheeseburgers are cooked to a safe internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the patty, which should reach at least 160° Fahrenheit to ensure any harmful bacteria are eliminated.

Air fryer cheeseburgers offer a convenient and tasty option for busy individuals and families, providing a juicy and delicious meal in under 20 minutes.

Meat and ingredients

The most important ingredient for your cheeseburger is, of course, the meat. For the perfect patty, you'll want to use ground beef with an 80/20 blend of meat to fat. This will ensure your patty stays juicy without being too greasy. If you prefer a leaner burger, you can use a blend with less fat, but be aware that it may drip less and produce less smoke.

When it comes to seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or you can add some extra flavour with garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or Worcestershire sauce. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add some liquid smoke to give your burger that grilled flavour.

To form the patties, divide your ground beef into three or four equal portions. You can also add some sandwich bread, torn into small pieces and mixed with milk, to the beef mixture. This will help bind the patties together. Form the beef into round, flat patties, making sure the centre is thinner than the edges to ensure even cooking. Use your thumb to make a small indent in the centre of each patty—this will prevent the patty from swelling during cooking.

You can cook your patties from fresh or frozen. If cooking from frozen, you'll need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Place the patties in a single layer in your air fryer basket, being sure to leave space between them to allow the air to circulate. Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F, and cook for around 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your patties and your desired level of doneness.

Once your patties are cooked to your liking, it's time to add the cheese. Place a slice of cheese on each patty and return to the air fryer for another minute or so, until the cheese has melted.

Toppings and sauces

When it comes to toppings and sauces, the sky's the limit! You can stick to the classics or get creative with new favourites. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Vegetables

Any vegetables you enjoy can be added to your cheeseburger. Some popular options include lettuce, tomato, red onion, grilled onions, mushrooms, and pickles. You can also try something spicy like jalapeños, green chillies, or sauerkraut.

Cheese

Of course, cheese is a must for a cheeseburger! You can use any type of sliced cheese, such as American, cheddar, or Swiss. If you want a more indulgent option, try using multiple types of cheese or adding extra slices.

Sauces

There are endless sauce options to choose from. You can go for a simple option like ketchup or mustard, or get creative with something like homemade garlic aioli, chipotle aioli, or even a Mediterranean twist with crumbled feta cheese. If you want to make your own burger sauce, you can mix mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet relish, apple cider vinegar, honey, and ground black pepper.

Seasoning

Don't forget to season your cheeseburger! Salt and pepper are essential, but you can also experiment with other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or Worcestershire sauce. If you want a smokier flavour, try adding liquid smoke to your cheeseburger mixture.

Sides

While not exactly a topping, don't forget to choose some sides to go with your cheeseburger! Air fryer French fries are a perfect match, and you can even cook them in the air fryer alongside your burgers. Other options include sweet potato fries, creamy coleslaw, or potato salad.

Shaping and seasoning patties

Shaping and seasoning the patties is an important step in making cheeseburgers in an air fryer. Here is a guide to help you get started:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the patties, you will need ground beef, with an 80/20 blend of meat and fat recommended to keep the patties juicy. You can also add crushed crackers or breadcrumbs as binders, as well as an egg to bind the ingredients. For seasoning, you can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and other spices of your choice. Some recipes also suggest adding Worcestershire sauce, milk, and liquid smoke to the beef mixture for extra flavour.

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to start shaping the patties. Place the ground beef and any other ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until the mixture is smooth and even. Be careful not to overmix, as this can create a dense texture. Next, press the meat down into an even disk in the bowl. Use a knife to divide the disk into portions, then shape these portions into patties. The number of portions will depend on how many burgers you want to make and how large you want them to be. Aim for a thickness of about 1/2 inch. It is recommended to make the centre of each patty slightly thinner than the edges to ensure even cooking and prevent swelling during cooking. You can also make a small indent in the centre of each patty with your thumb.

Now it's time to season your patties. A simple seasoning blend of salt and pepper will bring out the natural flavour of the meat. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and other herbs and spices for extra flavour. Mix your chosen seasonings in a small dish or jar, then use 2-3 teaspoons of the blend per pound of ground meat. Mix the seasoning directly into the raw meat so that the flavour penetrates all the way through.

By following these steps, you will have well-shaped and seasoned patties ready for cooking in your air fryer. Remember to adjust the seasoning quantities and cooking times based on your preferences and the number of patties you are making. Enjoy making your juicy and delicious cheeseburgers!

Clean-up and prep tips

Air fryers are a great way to cook cheeseburgers with minimal cleanup. The cooking process is mess-free, and the fryer itself is easy to clean.

To start, you can line your air fryer with aluminium foil or parchment paper. This will make cleanup even easier and help keep the patties juicy. Just be sure to roll up the sides of the foil to allow for proper air circulation. You can also spray the foil with a non-stick cooking spray, although some sources advise against using cooking spray in an air fryer.

Once your cheeseburgers are cooked, you can quickly wipe and clean the grease from the air fryer. If you want to make fries to go with your burgers, you can do this in the same air fryer with minimal extra cleanup. Simply wipe out the grease, spray the basket again, and add your frozen fries.

Frequently asked questions