Air-Fried Hamburgers: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to grilling burgers, especially when there is bad weather or when you don't have the time to light charcoal and get the grill going. They are also healthier, faster, and easier to clean up. Air-fried burgers are also juicier because the circulating air and heat sear the outside of the burger, locking in the juices for super tender, delicious burgers.

How long to cook hamburgers in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to grilling, especially when it's too cold to grill outside. You can still get a juicy burger without the fuss of lighting charcoal or monitoring the heat.

The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your burgers, but most burgers will take around 8-12 minutes in the air fryer, depending on your desired level of doneness.

For a medium-rare burger (pink in the center), aim for an internal temperature of 130°F to 135°F. For a medium burger (slightly pink in the center), aim for 140°F to 145°F. A medium-well burger (with a very small amount of pink) should reach 150°F to 155°F, while a well-done burger should be cooked to 160°F to 165°F.

• Set the air fryer temperature to 370°F to 400°F.
• Cook the burgers for 5 minutes on each side for a total of 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• For a medium-rare or medium burger, this should be enough. For a more well-done burger, add an additional 2-5 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.
• Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the patty to ensure doneness.

Tips for Cooking Hamburgers in an Air Fryer:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the burgers in batches if needed, ensuring there is space for air circulation around each patty.
• Flip the burgers halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• Use your finger to press an indentation into the center of each patty before cooking to prevent them from plumping up into meatballs.
• If you're adding cheese, do so during the last minute of cooking so it melts nicely.
• If you're cooking frozen burger patties, increase the total cook time to 13-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Customization:

You can customize your burgers with various sauces, toppings, and cheeses. Here are some ideas:

• BBQ sauce
• Mayo
• Mustard
• Ketchup
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Onion
• Pickles
• Bacon
• Avocado
• Air fryer onion rings
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Fried egg
• And much more!

Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect burger!

What temperature to cook hamburgers in an air fryer

The ideal temperature to cook hamburgers in an air fryer is between 350°F and 400°F.

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Then, place your patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 7-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your patties and your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare burger, cook for around 5 minutes, and for a well-done burger, cook for 10 minutes or more.

Tips for cooking hamburgers in an air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer to ensure consistent cooking.
• Use a little water or a piece of bread at the bottom of the air fryer basket to catch grease and reduce smoking.
• Avoid overworking the meat to keep the burgers tender and juicy.
• Make a small indent in the centre of each patty to prevent the burgers from puffing up during cooking.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers and remove them from the air fryer when they reach your desired level of doneness.

Variations and serving suggestions:

• Experiment with different types of meat, such as ground turkey, chicken, or bison.
• Serve the hamburgers without a bun, in a lettuce wrap, or over a bowl of lettuce and toppings for a burger bowl option.
• Melt cheese on top of the burgers by turning off the air fryer and letting the residual heat melt the cheese for about 1 minute.
• Pair your air fryer hamburgers with sides such as tater tots, French fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, baked beans, or a salad.

Frequently Asked Questions:

An 80/20 ratio of ground beef to fat is ideal for juicy hamburgers, although you can also use leaner ratios like 90/10 if you prefer.

The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness. For a rare burger, cook for about 4 minutes, medium-rare for 5 minutes, medium for 6 minutes, medium-well for 8-12 minutes, and well-done for 10 minutes or more.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place the burgers in a preheated air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.

How to stop hamburgers drying out in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to grilling or pan-frying burgers, but it's important to follow a few key steps to ensure your burgers stay juicy and don't dry out. Here are some tips to help you achieve the perfect, juicy air-fried hamburger:

Choose the Right Meat and Fat Content

Selecting the right type of meat and fat content is crucial for keeping your hamburgers moist and juicy. Opt for ground beef with a higher fat content, preferably around 80% lean and 20% fat. This fat content helps to keep the patties moist and juicy during the air frying process. You can also use ground turkey or chicken, but these are leaner meats and may result in drier burgers. Adjust your cooking time accordingly and ensure they are cooked to a well-done temperature of 165°F.

Add Seasonings and Indentations

In addition to the fat content, you can also keep your hamburgers juicy by adding seasonings and creating indentations in the patties. Mix in seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, or Worcestershire sauce to enhance flavour. Then, use your thumb to make a small indentation in the centre of each patty, which helps prevent them from puffing up during cooking and ensures even cooking.

Preheat and Grease the Air Fryer Basket

Before placing the patties in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to around 360-370°F (182-190°C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with oil to prevent the patties from sticking.

Cook at the Right Temperature and Don't Overcrowd

Place the seasoned patties into the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each patty for proper air circulation. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your patties, but a good guideline is to cook medium-sized patties for around 8-10 minutes. For well-done patties, you may need to extend the cooking time by a few minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, ensuring it reaches at least 155-160°F (68-71°C) for food safety.

Flip Halfway Through and Add Cheese

To ensure even cooking, flip the patties gently with a spatula halfway through the cooking time. If you're adding cheese, this is the perfect time to do so. Place a slice of cheese on each patty and allow it to melt during the remaining cooking time.

Rest the Patties After Cooking

Once your hamburgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist, flavorful, and juicy hamburgers.

Toast the Buns

While your hamburgers are resting, use the air fryer to toast your buns. Brush the inside of the buns with a little butter, then add them to the air fryer basket, cut side up. Toast for 2-3 minutes until they are crispy on the outside but still soft on the inside.

Assemble and Serve

Now it's time to assemble your juicy air fryer hamburgers! Place the patty on the bottom half of the toasted bun, followed by your choice of toppings and condiments. Add the top bun, and your flavorful air fryer burger is ready to be devoured.

Can you cook frozen hamburgers in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen hamburgers in an air fryer!

If you're using frozen patties, there's no need to defrost them first. Simply season the patty to your taste preferences, place it in the air fryer, and you're good to go. You don't even need to flip it!

The cooking time will depend on how well-done you like your burger. As a guide, rare burgers will take around 13 minutes, medium-rare around 14 to 16 minutes, medium around 15 to 17 minutes, medium-well around 16 to 18 minutes, and well-done burgers will need 17 to 20 minutes.

For a burger that's medium-rare, you're looking at an internal temperature of 120°F to 125°F. For medium, you're aiming for 140°F to 145°F, and for well-done, you want the internal temperature to reach 160°F to 165°F.

If you're making cheeseburgers, add a slice of cheese to the patty after cooking and leave it in the residual heat of the air fryer to melt.

If you're making your own patties, shape them to be about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch thick, as they will shrink as they cook. Make them slightly larger than your buns, as they will also shrink in size.

When it comes to seasoning, you can't go wrong with salt and pepper, but you could also add some garlic powder and onion powder, or even a burger seasoning blend.

And if you're making a burger bar, don't forget to include toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and all your favourite condiments!

What to serve with air fryer hamburgers

There are many side dishes that can be served with air fryer hamburgers. Here are some ideas:

Crispy Sides

• Air fryer French fries
• Air fryer onion rings
• Air fryer tater tots
• Air fryer sweet potato fries
• Air fryer asparagus
• Air fryer corn on the cob
• Air fryer potato chips
• Air fryer cauliflower

Salads

• Caprese salad
• Watermelon salad
• Salad with avocado slices

Baked Goods

• Buns (brioche, pretzel, or regular)
• Lettuce wraps

Dips and Sauces

• BBQ sauce
• Guacamole
• Greek yogurt ranch dip
• Aioli
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayonnaise

Frequently asked questions