Air-Fryer Chicken Burgers: Quick, Crispy Comfort Food

Chicken burgers are a quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer, taking between 8 and 20 minutes to cook depending on the recipe and your air fryer. They are a healthier alternative to traditional burgers, and can be made with ground chicken or chicken thighs. You can also toast the buns in the air fryer!

How to make chicken patties

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make chicken patties:

• Ground chicken
• Olive oil
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Onion powder (optional)
• Panko breadcrumbs (optional)
• Egg (optional)
• Mozzarella or any other melting cheese (optional)
• Onion (optional)
• Garlic (optional)
• Red bell pepper (optional)
• Brioche buns or any other alternative burger buns
• Mayonnaise
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Avocado (optional)
• Aioli (optional)
• Lime (optional)
• Cumin (optional)
• Paprika (optional)
• Lemon pepper seasoning (optional)
• Italian herbs (optional)
• Sundried tomatoes (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground chicken with other ingredients such as onion, spinach, dijon mustard, minced garlic, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper. Do not over-mix, or the chicken patties will become tough.
• Divide the mixture and form it into four burger patties about 1/2 inch thick.
• Lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil.
• Place the chicken patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not overlapping.
• Air fry for a total of 8 to 13 minutes, flipping the patties halfway through. The internal temperature of each patty should reach 165°F. Be careful not to overcook the chicken, as it will become dry.
• If you are adding cheese, place a slice on top of the chicken patty during the last minute of air frying.
• If desired, toast the burger buns in the air fryer, a toaster oven, or on the stovetop. Lightly butter them and air fry at 300°F for 3 to 4 minutes until golden.
• Assemble your chicken burgers by placing the patties on the buns and adding your choice of toppings, such as lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, or aioli.

Tips

• When mixing the ground chicken with other ingredients, do not overwork the meat. Simply combine the ingredients until they are just mixed to prevent the patties from becoming tough and dry.
• To add moisture and enhance the flavour of the chicken patties, you can add a bit of olive oil and Worcestershire sauce to the mixture.
• If you want to add more spice to your patties, include some garlic powder and onion powder in the mixture.
• For a crispy texture, coat the chicken patties with breadcrumbs before air frying.
• To check if the chicken patties are cooked through, use an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.

How to toast burger buns in an air fryer

Toasting your burger buns in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that will give your burgers an irresistible crunch. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect toasted bun:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to 340-380°F (171-193°C). The ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer model, but this temperature range should be suitable for most. Preheat for about 3-5 minutes to ensure the air fryer is sufficiently hot.

Step 2: Prepare the Buns

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your burger buns. Slice the buns in half, either completely or just enough to be able to open them like a sandwich. You can decide whether you want to keep the burgers intact or fully slice them in half.

Step 3: Butter the Buns

Spread a thin layer of butter on the top and bottom of the buns. You can use either salted or unsalted butter. Buttering the buns will not only add a rich flavor but also help prevent sticking and promote a crispy, golden texture. Make sure to spread the butter evenly to ensure uniform toasting.

Step 4: Place Buns in the Air Fryer

Place the buttered buns in the air fryer basket with the top side facing upward. If you have sliced the buns in half, place the halves with the buttered side facing up. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to toast the buns in batches to avoid overcrowding. Leave some space between the buns to allow for proper air circulation.

Step 5: Toast the Buns

Toast the buns in the air fryer for 2-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on them during this process to prevent burning. The buns are ready when they turn a light golden brown color and have a crispy texture. If you are toasting the buns in batches, be sure to repeat this step for each batch.

Step 6: Remove and Serve

Once the buns are toasted to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer using heat-safe tongs. Be careful, as the buns will be hot. Serve the toasted buns immediately with your freshly cooked burgers and desired toppings.

Tips for Toasting Buns:

• Always watch the buns while they are toasting to prevent them from browning too quickly or burning.
• If you have cut the buns in half, consider flipping them midway through the cooking process to achieve an even crisp on all sides.
• To add extra flavor, sprinkle your favorite seasonings, spices, herbs, or grated cheese over the buttered buns before placing them in the air fryer.
• For frozen buns, increase the cooking time to 3-5 minutes and monitor closely to prevent burning.

Chicken burger ingredients

Chicken burgers are a great alternative to traditional beef burgers and can be made in an air fryer in under 10 minutes. Here are some ingredients you can use to make delicious chicken burgers.

Meat

Ground chicken is the main ingredient for chicken burgers. You can use ground chicken breast to keep the burgers ultra-healthy, or ground chicken thigh for more calories and fat. If you can't find ground chicken, you can always pulse chicken breasts in a food processor to create your own.

Spices and Seasonings

Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cumin are commonly used to add flavour to chicken burgers. You can also add a kick of spice with cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.

Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs help hold the chicken patties together and add a subtle herby flavour. Italian breadcrumbs are a popular choice, but you can also use Panko breadcrumbs for a crispier texture. If you want a gluten-free option, gluten-free breadcrumbs, almond flour, or crushed gluten-free crackers can be used.

Vegetables

Grated onion is a key ingredient to keep chicken burgers tender and juicy. It adds moisture to the ground chicken and helps to keep the patties moist during cooking. Minced garlic is also commonly used, as well as diced red bell pepper.

Toppings

Chicken burgers can be topped with a variety of ingredients, such as lettuce, tomato, avocado, and aioli. You can also add sliced red onions, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, or cheese.

Buns

Brioche buns are a popular choice for chicken burgers, but you can use any type of hamburger bun that you prefer.

Chicken patty cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for chicken patties in an air fryer will depend on the type of patty you are making and your air fryer. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow to ensure your chicken patties are cooked properly.

Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer. Most recipes suggest preheating to a temperature between 360°F and 390°F for 3 to 5 minutes.

When cooking the patties, it is recommended to cook them for 8 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your patties and how well done you like them. For a medium burger, cook at 375°F for 15 minutes.

It is important to ensure that your chicken patties are cooked thoroughly. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 160°F to 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check that your patties have reached the correct temperature.

Some recipes suggest spraying the patties with oil before placing them in the air fryer to ensure they are crispy and extra crispy. You can also toast your burger buns in the air fryer!

Chicken patty cooking tips

Ingredients

Chicken burgers are usually made with ground chicken, although some recipes call for chicken breast or chicken thigh. You can also add ingredients like olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and breadcrumbs to your chicken mixture.

Preparation

Before cooking, divide your chicken mixture into four patties, making an indent in the centre of each. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent your burgers from shrinking.

Cooking

Grease your air fryer basket and preheat it to 360°F–390°F. Place your burgers in a single layer, leaving space between them, and cook for 4 minutes. Then, flip them over and cook for another 4–7 minutes at 400°F. The total cooking time should be around 8–13 minutes, but this may vary depending on the size of your air fryer and the thickness of your patties.

Temperature

The safe internal temperature for chicken burgers is 160°F–165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. If your patties haven't reached the safe temperature after 8 minutes, cook for another minute and check again.

Serving

You can toast your burger buns in the air fryer. Brush them with butter and place them in the air fryer for 2–5 minutes. Then, add your favourite toppings and condiments, such as lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese, bacon, ketchup, mustard, or BBQ sauce.

Storage and Reheating

Cooked chicken burgers can be stored in the fridge for 4–5 days or frozen for 2–3 months. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 375°F for 5–8 minutes, or until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions