Air-Fried Hamburgers: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Air fryers are a great alternative to grilling or pan-frying hamburgers. They are quick, convenient, and result in juicy patties with a deliciously crispy outside. The air fryer can also help prevent overcooking, as it’s easier to control the cooking time compared to other cooking methods. Plus, there's less mess and cleanup is a breeze!

How long to cook hamburgers in an air fryer

Cooking hamburgers in an air fryer is a quick and mess-free way to enjoy burgers at home. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the patty, the desired level of doneness, and the air fryer model. Here is a step-by-step guide on how long to cook hamburgers in an air fryer:

Preparing the Patties:

Before cooking, shape your patties to be slightly larger than your buns, as they will shrink slightly during cooking. For even cooking, make an indent in the center of each patty with your thumb or the back of a spoon. This prevents the patties from bulging in the middle.

Cooking the Patties:

Preheat your air fryer to 350-370°F. Place the patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not stacked or crowded. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to cook the patties in batches.

For medium-rare burgers, cook the patties for about 6 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. If you prefer your burgers well done, add another 2 minutes to the cooking time.

Adding Cheese:

If you want to add cheese to your burgers, do so during the last minute or two of cooking. The residual heat will melt the cheese perfectly without overcooking your burger.

Checking Doneness:

The best way to ensure your burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the center of the burger, aiming for an internal temperature of at least 160°F for ground beef.

Serving:

Let the burgers rest for a minute or two before serving. This allows the juices to settle, ensuring each bite is juicy. Serve your hamburgers on toasted buns with your favorite toppings and condiments.

Tips for Success:

• Always add water to the bottom of your air fryer basket when cooking fatty meats like hamburgers to prevent smoking.
• Season your burgers generously, and consider adding a sauce or butter mixture to enhance flavor and create a dark grilled color.
• For even cooking, flip your burgers halfway through the cooking process.
• If you're serving a crowd, cook your fries in the air fryer first and set them aside. Then, add the burgers. Finally, put the fries back in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes to reheat while you assemble your burgers.

How to prevent overcooking

To prevent overcooking, there are several steps you can take when making hamburgers in an air fryer. Firstly, it's important to preheat your air fryer. This ensures the burgers cook evenly from the inside out. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer is around 350°F to 370°F (175°C to 182°C).

Next, you'll want to prepare your meat mixture and form it into patties. The ideal fat content for your ground beef is around 80/20, as this keeps the burgers juicy. When shaping the patties, make a small indentation in the centre of each one—this will prevent the patties from puffing up during cooking. Also, ensure the patties are slightly larger than the buns to allow for shrinkage.

Now, you're ready to place the patties in the air fryer basket. Cook for around 7-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your patties and your desired level of doneness. For medium-rare burgers, aim for an internal temperature of 130-135°F (54-57°C). For well-done burgers, cook to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). It's important to use a meat thermometer to check the temperature, as relying solely on cooking time can lead to overcooking.

Finally, once your burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicy bite.

By following these steps and keeping a close eye on the temperature and timing, you can prevent overcooking and ensure your air-fried hamburgers are perfectly cooked every time.

What type of ground beef to use

When making hamburger patties in an air fryer, it is important to use ground beef with a little bit of fat to keep the patties juicy. An 80/20 blend of ground beef is ideal, as it has just the right amount of fat to keep the patties moist without too much grease. Leaner blends, such as 90/10, can also be used, but the patties may turn out drier, so consider adding a little oil or butter to the mixture. On the other hand, using a fattier blend like 70/30 may cause more shrinkage and produce more grease during cooking.

To make the patties, combine the ground beef with your choice of seasonings, such as salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. You can also add barbecue sauce to enhance the flavour and help with caramelization. Form the mixture into equally sized patties, making a small indent in the centre of each patty with your thumb to prevent swelling during cooking.

For best results, use cold meat straight from the fridge and make the patties slightly bigger than your buns to allow for shrinkage. Brush the patties with melted butter and beef soup base for added flavour and colour.

How to prevent smoke and grease splatter

Cooking hamburgers in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to get a tasty meal on the table. However, it can be a little messy, with smoke and grease splatter being common issues. Here are some tips to help you prevent smoke and grease splatter the next time you cook hamburgers in your air fryer.

Firstly, when preparing your meat, opt for a blend with the right amount of fat. An 80/20 blend of ground beef is ideal, as it keeps the patties juicy without too much grease runoff. Leaner blends may result in drier burgers, but you can add a little oil or butter to the mixture to keep them moist.

When shaping your patties, make a small indent in the centre of each one with your thumb. This will prevent the patties from swelling in the middle during cooking. Also, make the patties slightly larger than your buns to allow for shrinkage.

Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually around 350-400°F. Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the patties in batches.

To minimise smoke and grease splatter, pour a small amount of water—around two tablespoons—into the bottom of the basket. Alternatively, place a slice of bread in the bottom of the basket to soak up the grease.

Cook your patties for around 6-12 minutes, depending on thickness, flipping them halfway through. For food safety, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F.

Finally, if you want to add cheese to your burgers, do so after cooking. Place the cheese on the patties while they are still in the air fryer basket, and return the basket to the air fryer with the unit turned off. The residual heat will melt the cheese perfectly without overcooking your burgers.

How to make a burger patty

Making burger patties in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare juicy patties with a deliciously crispy outside. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the patties, you will need ground beef, and optionally, seasonings such as salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and barbecue sauce. You will also need hamburger buns and your desired toppings, such as lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and cheese.

Next, prepare the meat mixture. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with your desired seasonings. Mix well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat. You can also add an ice cube to the centre of each patty before cooking to keep them moist.

Then, shape the mixture into patties. Use your hands to form the mixture into equal-sized patties, about 1/2" to 3/4" thick and slightly larger than your hamburger buns to allow for shrinkage. Make a small indent in the centre of each patty with your thumb to prevent the patties from swelling during cooking.

Now, it's time to cook the patties. Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Place the patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to stack them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Cook for about 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the patties are browned and cooked to your desired level of doneness. For food safety, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the patties reaches 160°F.

Finally, add your cheese and toppings. If desired, add a slice of cheese to each patty and place the basket back in the air fryer with the unit turned off. The residual heat will melt the cheese perfectly without blowing it off. Serve the patties on toasted buns with your desired toppings, and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions