Air-Fried Hamburgers: Nuwave's Quick, Crispy, Tasty Treats

Yes, you can make hamburgers in a Nuwave air fryer. There are several recipes available online for hamburgers and cheeseburgers that can be cooked in a Nuwave air fryer, with cooking times ranging from 8 to 12 minutes.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature and timing for cooking hamburgers in an air fryer will depend on the type of burger you want to cook, the size of your air fryer, and your personal preferences. However, here is a general guide for cooking hamburgers in a NuWave air fryer:

Preheating the Air Fryer

Before cooking your hamburgers, it is important to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to between 370°F and 390°F and preheat for about 5 minutes. This will ensure that your burgers sizzle when they hit the air fryer basket and cook evenly.

Cooking the Hamburgers

Place the hamburger patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket. For a 1/4-pound patty that is about 1/2 inch thick, cook at 375°F for about 8 minutes. If you are cooking thicker patties or prefer your burgers well done, you may need to cook them for a few minutes longer.

Adding Cheese

If you are adding cheese to your hamburgers, do so during the last minute of cooking. This will allow the cheese to melt and get slightly bubbly. You can place a wire rack on top of the burgers to prevent the cheese from flying away.

Cooking Frozen Patties

If you are cooking frozen patties, you will need to increase the cooking time by about 4 to 5 minutes. Cook the patties for a total of 12 to 15 minutes, depending on their thickness and your desired level of doneness.

Customizing Your Burgers

Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and ingredients to customize your hamburgers. You can also adjust the cooking time to suit your preferences. For example, if you like your burgers rare, you may want to cook them for a shorter amount of time. On the other hand, if you prefer them well done, you may need to cook them for a few minutes longer.

Cooking the Buns

In addition to cooking the hamburger patties, you can also use your air fryer to warm and crisp the burger buns. Simply place the buns in the air fryer for about 1 minute, adjusting the time as needed to achieve your desired level of crispiness.

Patty preparation

The first step in making hamburgers in an air fryer is preparing the meat mixture. For a classic hamburger, combine ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl. You can also add other seasonings like white pepper or steak seasoning blends to enhance the flavour. It is important not to overwork the meat, so gently mix the seasonings until they are well distributed throughout the beef.

Once the meat mixture is ready, it's time to form the patties. For a standard-sized patty, divide the mixture into four equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball and then flatten it into a patty shape, about ½" thick. Remember to indent the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.

If you want to get creative, you can make stuffed burgers. To do this, divide the meat mixture into eight thinner patties. Prepare a filling of your choice, such as blue cheese, green onions, parsley, and mustard. Spoon the filling onto the center of four of the patties and top them with the remaining four patties. Seal the edges by pressing them together firmly.

Before cooking, it is recommended to chill the patties in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. This helps control the melting of the fat and moisture content, resulting in juicier and more tender burgers.

Patty seasoning

There are many ways to season your hamburger patty, and the best way is to use a combination of herbs and spices that complement the flavour of the meat. Here are some suggestions for seasoning blends to take your homemade hamburgers to the next level.

Spicy Seasoning Blend

For a spicy kick, you can use a blend of paprika (both smoked and sweet), onion powder, garlic powder, freshly cracked black pepper, salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. This blend will add depth of flavour to your patty without overwhelming the taste of the meat. Simply sprinkle a light layer of this seasoning on the outside of your formed burger patties before cooking. You can adjust the amount of seasoning to your taste, but a good rule of thumb is to use about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning per side of a 1/4 lb burger patty.

Savory and Smoky Seasoning Blend

If you're looking for a savory and smoky flavour profile, try combining smoked paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, kosher salt, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. This blend will give your patties an extra special touch that your taste buds will surely appreciate. Use 2-3 teaspoons of this seasoning blend per pound of ground meat and mix it directly into the raw meat so that the flavour permeates throughout the patty.

Mediterranean Seasoning Blend

For a Mediterranean twist, replace the smoked paprika with regular paprika and add some dried thyme, rosemary, and lemon zest to the above Savory and Smoky Seasoning Blend. This combination will transport your taste buds to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean.

Southwestern Seasoning Blend

If you're craving a Southwestern flavour, swap out the smoked paprika for chipotle powder and add some ground cumin and chili powder. A touch of lime zest will also brighten up the flavours in this blend.

BBQ Seasoning Blend

For a BBQ-inspired patty, mix in some brown sugar and ground mustard to the Savory and Smoky Seasoning Blend. This combination will have your taste buds doing a happy dance.

Mushroom Seasoning Blend

And last but not least, for all the mushroom lovers out there, try mixing in some powdered shiitake mushrooms or mushroom seasoning to the Savory and Smoky Seasoning Blend. Your patties will take on a whole new dimension of flavour.

Patty size

The size of your patty will depend on the type of burger you want to make. For example, if you want to make sliders, you would form the ground beef into smaller patties than you would for a regular-sized burger. For sliders, a common patty size is around 3-4 ounces. For a regular-sized burger, a 1/4 pound patty is typical, which would be about 4 ounces.

If you're making stuffed burgers, you'll need to shape the mixture into thin patties, as you'll be doubling up the patties to seal the stuffing inside. For a stuffed burger, 4 ounces is also a good amount per patty, so you'd use 8 ounces of beef in total for each burger.

You can also make larger patties, such as 1/3 or 1/2 pounders, if you're a fan of bigger burgers or want to impress your guests. However, keep in mind that larger patties will take longer to cook and may require a lower cooking temperature to ensure they cook evenly.

When forming the patties, it's important not to overwork the meat, as this can result in a tough, rubbery texture. Gently shape the meat into balls, then flatten them into patties. It's also a good idea to indent the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent them from puffing up during cooking.

For a 1/4 pound patty, a thickness of about 1/2 inch is standard. This thickness will give you a nice, juicy burger that cooks evenly. If you prefer your burgers on the thinner side, you can go for a thickness of around 1/4 inch. Conversely, if you like your burgers on the thicker side, you can go up to 3/4 of an inch, but be mindful of the increased cooking time.

Once you've formed your patties, it's a good idea to chill them in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before cooking. This helps control the melting of the fat and moisture content, resulting in a juicier burger.

Bun preparation

While the hamburgers are cooking, it's a good idea to prepare your hamburger buns and any toppings you might want. A classic American burger usually includes fresh iceberg lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and raw onions. You can also add ketchup and mustard, or try something different like mayo or Thousand Island Dressing. Don't forget the pickle slices!

When your hamburgers are almost done cooking, place the buns into the air fryer basket and crisp them up. This should only take about a minute, but you can adjust the time depending on how crispy you like your buns.

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