Air Fryer White Castle Burgers: Quick, Crispy Treats

White Castle burgers are a popular fast-food treat, but what if you don't live near a restaurant? Well, you can buy them frozen and cook them at home in your air fryer. Many people prefer cooking these burgers in an air fryer to using a microwave, as it can make them soggy. Using an air fryer can also reduce the cooking time and give the burgers a crispy texture while keeping the insides juicy.

Preheat the air fryer for best results

Preheating your air fryer is a good idea if you want to achieve a crispy and crunchy texture on your food. This is especially useful for fried or breaded foods, such as White Castle burgers. Preheating will also decrease the cooking time as the cooking process will start at a higher temperature.

However, it's important to note that not all foods benefit from being cooked in a preheated air fryer. For example, if you're cooking something delicate like shrimp, garlic, or tomatoes, you don't want to burn or dry out the food, so a slower cooking process is better. Similarly, if you're cooking something for a long period, such as a whole chicken or a baked potato, you don't need to preheat the air fryer.

To preheat your air fryer for the best results, follow these steps:

• Check the operating manual for your specific air fryer model for preheating instructions. Some models have a preheat setting button, which is triggered by the amount of time needed to preheat, rather than the temperature inside the device.
• If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat button, set it to the temperature you plan to cook your food at, or the temperature recommended in the recipe. The temperature you set it to will depend on what you're cooking. For example, 370 degrees F (188°C) is recommended for White Castle burgers, while 400ºF is recommended for French fries, Brussels sprouts, and chicken.
• Turn on your empty air fryer and let it run for a few minutes. Smaller air fryers will preheat faster than larger ones, so a small air fryer may only need 2-3 minutes, while a larger model may need up to 5 minutes. Most air fryers preheat to 400° F in 3-5 minutes.
• Once the air fryer has preheated, place your food inside and reset it to cook for the desired amount of time.

Use cooking spray for extra crispiness

White Castle burgers can be cooked in an air fryer and, according to some, this is the best method to reheat them. Using an air fryer to cook these iconic mini burgers reduces the cooking time and gives them a crispy edge while keeping the insides juicy.

To get the best results, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to somewhere between 370 and 390 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact temperature and cooking time will depend on the model and brand of your air fryer, so you may need to experiment to find the perfect settings for your device. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should cook the burgers for around 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

To achieve an extra crispy exterior on your White Castle burgers, you can use a cooking spray. A light spritz of oil will help to ensure your burgers come out perfectly crisp. While the air fryer does a great job of crisping the burgers even without oil, using cooking spray can take your White Castle sliders to the next level.

In addition to using cooking spray, there are a few other tips you can follow to ensure your burgers come out crispy and delicious. Firstly, make sure to space out your burgers in the air fryer basket, giving them ample space to cook evenly. Secondly, while it's not mandatory, flipping the burgers or giving the basket a gentle shake midway through the cooking process can promote even cooking and crispiness. Finally, if you're cooking the burgers from frozen, don't thaw them before air frying as this can lead to an overly crispy bun.

Don't overcrowd the basket for even cooking

When cooking White Castle burgers in an air fryer, it is important to not overcrowd the basket. This is because the air fryer cooks with circulating hot air, and overcrowding the basket can restrict this airflow, leading to uneven cooking. By spacing out the burgers, you ensure that the hot air can reach all sides of each burger, resulting in a consistent crispy texture.

The number of burgers you can cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer basket. It is recommended to cook the burgers in a single layer, ensuring that they have ample space around them. If you are cooking for a larger group and need to make more burgers than your air fryer basket can accommodate in a single layer, it is best to cook them in separate batches. This may take a little longer, but it will ensure that all your burgers are cooked evenly and have that desirable crispy exterior.

To ensure even cooking and maintain the quality of your burgers, it is also important to not overcrowd your air fryer basket with other ingredients. While you can add ingredients like cheese, it is best to add these towards the end of the cooking process. For example, if you are making cheeseburgers, add the cheese slices on top of the cooked patties and air fry for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute to melt the cheese.

Additionally, if you are cooking fresh beef patties, it is important to not overcrowd the basket with too much meat. A good ratio for beef to fat is 80/20, which will result in juicier burgers. Leaner ground beef will cook drier, but it won't shrink as much. Fattier ground beef has more flavour but will shrink more. Regardless of the ratio you choose, make sure to not pack the patties too tightly, as this will result in dense burgers.

In summary, when cooking White Castle burgers in an air fryer, always remember to give them space. By not overcrowding the basket, you ensure even cooking and achieve that perfect crispy texture that makes air-fried burgers so delicious.

Flip the burgers for consistent texture

To ensure your White Castle burgers are cooked evenly, it is recommended to flip them halfway through the cooking process. This will ensure both sides of the burger are cooked to a perfect crispiness and heated all the way through.

While it is not mandatory to flip the burgers, doing so will promote even cooking and a consistent texture. By flipping the burgers, you can also avoid having one side of the burger overcooked or burnt while the other side remains undercooked. This is especially important if you are cooking multiple burgers in a single batch, as the air fryer's hot air circulation may cook the burgers unevenly.

To flip the burgers, use tongs or a spatula to handle them carefully. After placing the frozen burgers in the air fryer basket upside down and setting the timer for 10 minutes, you should flip them over to the other side halfway through, so they are right-side up. Then, return the basket to the air fryer and let the burgers finish cooking for the remaining 5 minutes.

It is worth noting that cooking times may vary depending on the model and brand of your air fryer, so it is recommended to keep an eye on your burgers during the first attempt to find the optimal cooking duration for your specific device. Additionally, ensure you do not overcrowd the air fryer basket and give the burgers ample space to allow for better airflow and even cooking.

By following these instructions, you can achieve consistently cooked White Castle burgers with a desirable crispy exterior and juicy interior, all prepared in the convenience of your air fryer.

Serve with your favourite toppings

White Castle burgers can be cooked in an air fryer and served with your favourite toppings. The air fryer is a great way to cook these burgers, as it gives them a crispy exterior while keeping the insides juicy.

To cook the burgers, first preheat your air fryer to 370-390°F (188-200°C) for 2-5 minutes. Place 2-4 frozen burgers in the air fryer basket upside down and set the timer for 10 minutes. After 5 minutes, flip the burgers and continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Remove the burgers from the air fryer and serve while hot.

Now, it's time to add your favourite toppings! For a classic burger, you can add toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. If you're looking for something more indulgent, you could add bacon, avocado, or a fried egg.

If you're a cheese lover, there are also several options to choose from. You can add a slice of cheese on top of the cooked patty and air fry for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute to melt the cheese. Then, cover the patty and let it rest for about 3 minutes for the best juiciness. You could also add sauces like ketchup, mustard, or BBQ sauce.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different toppings to find your favourite combination!

Frequently asked questions