Air-Fryer Beef Burgers: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook beef burgers, and they come out juicy and tender. You can use fresh or frozen beef, and there are various ways to season the meat to your taste. The cooking time depends on how well-done you like your burger, but it usually takes less than 15 minutes.

How long to cook beef burgers in an air fryer

Cooking beef burgers in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to get a delicious meal on the table. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer, the thickness of your patties, and how well you like your burgers cooked. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook beef burgers in an air fryer:

Preparing the Beef Mixture:

Start by combining the ground beef with your desired seasonings and mix until well combined. You can use ingredients such as Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. It is best to use your hands to mix the ingredients, but you can also use a wooden spoon or spatula. Be careful not to overwork the mixture as it can result in tough and dry burgers.

Shaping the Patties:

Divide the beef mixture into equal portions and shape them into patties. Make the patties slightly larger than your buns, as they will shrink slightly during cooking. The ideal thickness for the patties is about 1/2 inch. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small indent in the center of each patty. This helps prevent the patties from bulging up in the middle as they cook.

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer between 350°F and 400°F. You can also add about 1 cup of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent smoking and catch any dripping grease.

Cooking the Burgers:

Place the patties in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to allow proper air circulation. The cooking time will vary depending on your desired doneness. For a medium-rare burger, cook for about 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. For a well-done burger, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. If you are cooking frozen burger patties, the cooking time will be longer, ranging from 10 to 15 minutes.

Adding Cheese and Toppings:

If you want to add cheese to your burgers, place a slice of cheese on top of the patties during the last minute or two of cooking to allow it to melt. You can also add your desired toppings, such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, or pickles.

Resting and Serving:

Let the burgers rest for a minute or two after cooking to allow the juices to settle back into the patties. Then, serve the burgers on toasted buns with your favorite condiments and sides.

Safety Tips:

Always remember to use cold meat straight from the fridge for the best results. Additionally, adding water to the bottom of the air fryer basket when cooking fatty meats like ground beef is essential to prevent smoking and catch any dripping grease.

What temperature to cook beef burgers at

Yes, you can cook beef burgers in an air fryer. The cooking time and temperature will depend on the size of your air fryer, the thickness of your patties, and how well done you like your burgers.

As a general rule, you should preheat your air fryer to between 350˚F and 400˚F. Place the patties in the basket, ensuring they don't touch, and cook for 6 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. For a well-done burger, you may need to cook for an additional 2 minutes.

To check if your burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a kitchen thermometer. For ground beef, the internal temperature should reach at least 160°F/71°C.

• Rare: 120-125°F (52°C)
• Medium-rare: 130-135°F (57°C)
• Medium: 140-145°F (63°C)
• Medium-well: 150-155°F (68°C)
• Well done: 160°F (71°C)

Can you cook frozen beef burgers in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen beef burgers in an air fryer. It's an easy and quick way to cook burgers without the need to defrost them first.

To cook frozen beef burgers in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to between 370°F and 390°F. Season the frozen patties with salt and pepper, and possibly other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. Then, place the patties in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 to 12 minutes for medium-rare, or 15 to 17 minutes for medium. There's no need to flip the burgers while they're cooking.

If you want to add cheese to your burgers, open the air fryer after cooking and place a slice of cheese on each patty. Close the air fryer and let the residual heat melt the cheese.

You can also cook fresh beef burgers in an air fryer. To do this, form the beef into patties and season them as desired. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F to 400°F, and cook the patties for 6 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

How to stop beef burgers from sticking to the air fryer

Yes, you can cook beef burgers in an air fryer. However, to prevent them from sticking to the air fryer, there are several steps you can take:

Firstly, when shaping the patties, lightly wet your hands with cold water to prevent the beef from sticking to your hands. This will also help ensure that the patties hold their shape without needing to be squashed or pressed together.

Secondly, make sure to preheat the air fryer before placing the patties inside. The ideal temperature seems to be around 350°F/175-190°C, though this may vary depending on your air fryer model.

Thirdly, ensure that the patties are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket. Leave enough room between them to allow the air to circulate. This will help the burgers cook evenly, and prevent the outsides from becoming soggy.

Finally, you can use parchment liners designed specifically for air fryers, which will make cleanup easier and help prevent sticking. Alternatively, you can spray the basket with cooking oil before placing the patties inside.

How to reheat beef burgers in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to reheat your leftover beef burgers and get them tasting almost as good as new. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F/175°C-177°C. This is a good temperature to aim for, but you can go up to 400°F/200°C if you want to sear the burgers a little more.

Step 2: Prepare the Beef Burgers

Take your leftover burgers out of the fridge and let them sit for 30 minutes to come to room temperature. This will help them heat through more evenly.

Step 3: Reheat

Place the burgers in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to allow the hot air to circulate. Reheat for 3-4 minutes at 350°F/175°C, or 5-6 minutes at 400°F/200°C. If your burgers are frozen, you will need to reheat them for 10-15 minutes at 400°F/200°C.

Step 4: Serve

Once the burgers are heated through, they are ready to serve. You can also add cheese to the burgers in the final minute of cooking if you want it melted.

Tips:

• If you are reheating from frozen, there is no need to defrost the burgers first.
• It is recommended to flip the burgers halfway through reheating to ensure they cook evenly.
• You can also reheat the buns in the air fryer. Simply place them in the basket for a minute or two until they are lightly toasted.
• If you want to add extra toppings to your burgers, try bacon, fried egg, sautéed mushrooms, or jalapenos for a spicy kick.

Frequently asked questions