Air Fryer Burgers: Perfect Timing For Juicy Results

Cooking burgers in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to get a juicy burger without the mess of pan-frying. The cooking time will depend on the size of your air fryer, the thickness of your patties, and your desired level of doneness. As a general rule, it takes around 10 minutes to cook a burger in an air fryer, but this can vary from 6 to 12 minutes, depending on the above factors. For a well-done burger, you may need to add an extra 2 minutes to the cooking time.

How long to cook burgers in an air fryer for well-done

Cooking burgers in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to get a tasty, evenly cooked burger. The time it takes to cook burgers in an air fryer will depend on how well-done you like your burger and the thickness of your patties.

Air Fryer Temperature

First, preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature for cooking burgers is between 350°F and 400°F (175°C and 200°C).

Air Fryer Cooking Time

For a well-done burger, you are looking at a total cooking time of around 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your patty. A thinner patty of around 1/2 inch will cook quicker than a thicker patty of 3/4 inch or more.

Cooking Process

Place your patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between them. Cook for 6 minutes, then flip the burgers and cook for a further 3-5 minutes.

Checking for Doneness

The best way to check if your burgers are well-done is to use a kitchen or meat thermometer. Insert it into the centre of the burger and ensure it has reached an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Tips for Cooking Burgers in an Air Fryer

• Make a small indent in the centre of each patty before cooking to prevent the patties from bulging in the middle.
• Don't overcrowd the basket. Leave space between the patties to allow the hot air to circulate and cook the burgers evenly.
• Let the burgers rest for a minute or two after cooking. This allows the juices to settle, ensuring each bite is juicy.
• If you want to add cheese, place a slice on top of the patties during the last minute of cooking, or turn off the air fryer and let the residual heat melt the cheese.
• To prevent smoking, add a little water to the bottom of the air fryer, or place a piece of bread under the basket to catch any dripping grease.

Air fryer temperature for burgers

The ideal temperature to cook burgers in an air fryer is between 350°F and 400°F. The higher the temperature, the quicker the burgers will cook. However, it is important to note that the cooking time will also depend on the thickness of the patties and the size of the air fryer.

How to Cook Burgers in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F to 400°F.
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ground beef with your desired seasonings. You can use a fork or your hands to mix the ingredients, but be careful not to overwork the meat as it can make the burgers dry and tough.
• For juicy burgers, use ground beef with a higher fat content. An 80/20 blend is often recommended for the best flavor and texture.
• Divide the meat mixture into equal portions and shape them into patties. The thickness of the patties will depend on your preference, but they should be slightly larger than your buns to allow for shrinkage during cooking.
• Make a small indent in the center of each patty with your thumb or the back of a spoon. This will prevent the patties from puffing up or bulging in the middle during cooking.
• Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between them for even cooking. You may need to cook the burgers in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Cook the burgers for 6-10 minutes at 350°F to 400°F, flipping them halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the desired doneness and the thickness of the patties. For a medium-rare burger, cook for about 5 minutes. For a well-done burger, cook for 10 minutes or more.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers. For ground beef, the safe internal temperature is 160°F.
• Remove the burgers from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and flavorful burgers.
• Serve the burgers on buns or lettuce wraps with your favorite toppings and condiments.

Tips for Cooking Burgers in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer for consistent cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the burgers in batches if needed to ensure even cooking.
• Use a little water or a piece of bread at the bottom of the air fryer to catch the grease and prevent smoking.
• Check the burgers early to prevent overcooking, especially if your air fryer runs hot.
• For cheeseburgers, add a slice of cheese during the last minute of cooking or turn off the air fryer and let the residual heat melt the cheese.

How to stop burgers from sticking to the air fryer

If you're concerned about your burgers sticking to the air fryer, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent this from happening. Here are some tips to ensure your burgers come out perfectly every time:

Use Parchment Liners

One of the easiest ways to prevent sticking is to use parchment liners designed specifically for air fryers. These liners create a non-stick surface, making it easier to remove your burgers once they're cooked. They also make cleanup a breeze! Simply place the parchment liner in the air fryer basket before adding your burger patties.

Give Them Space

When placing the burger patties in the air fryer basket, make sure to leave some space between them. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly around each patty, preventing them from sticking to the surface and ensuring they cook uniformly. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and a less crispy exterior.

Shape and Size Matter

When shaping your burger patties, make them slightly larger than your buns. This is because burger patties tend to shrink a little during cooking. Also, try to make them about 1/2-inch thick, and don't forget to make a small indent in the centre of each patty with your thumb or the back of a spoon. This prevents the patties from bulging up in the middle as they cook.

Don't Overwork the Meat

When mixing the ground beef with your chosen seasonings, be careful not to overwork the meat. Over-mixing can lead to tough and dry burgers. Simply combine the ingredients until they are just mixed, and then shape your patties.

Control the Fat Content

The type of ground beef you use can impact how your burgers cook and whether they stick to the air fryer. Leaner ground beef, with a higher muscle-to-fat ratio, tends to shrink less during cooking. On the other hand, fattier blends (such as 70/30 or 80/20) may cause more shrinkage and grease, which can contribute to sticking.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Always preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature before adding your burger patties. This ensures that your burgers cook evenly and helps to prevent sticking. For most recipes, preheat your air fryer to around 370°F/190°C.

By following these simple tips, you can minimise the chances of your burgers sticking to the air fryer and enjoy perfectly cooked, juicy burgers every time!

How to stop burgers from shrinking in the air fryer

While it's impossible to prevent shrinking entirely, there are several steps you can take to minimise it. Here are some tips to ensure your burgers stay as close as possible to their original size:

Make a Dimple

Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small indentation or dimple in the centre of each patty before cooking. This will help the burgers cook evenly and prevent them from shrinking too much. It also prevents the patties from bulging up in the middle as they cook.

Avoid Over-Handling

Don't over-mix or knead the burger mixture, as this can make the burgers tough and more likely to shrink. Just mix the ingredients until they're combined, and then form them into patties.

Don't Compress

When forming the patties, use a light touch so as not to compress the mixture too much. This will help keep them from shrinking during cooking.

Use a Higher Fat Content

A higher fat content in your burger mix will help keep the burgers moist and prevent them from shrinking too much. A mixture of 80% lean meat to 20% fat is best. You can add some extra ground beef or substitute in some ground pork or lamb for a higher fat content.

Start with Cold Meat

If you start with cold meat, straight from the fridge, it will help to keep the burgers from shrinking as the heat will not penetrate the centre of the patty as quickly.

Make the Patties Bigger

As burgers tend to shrink during cooking, make the raw patties slightly bigger than your bun. That way, when they're cooked, they should be just the right size.

Keep the Temperature Low or Medium

Cooking at the right temperature is crucial. If you cook at too high a temperature, the patty will puff up and shrink unevenly. Keep the temperature low or medium to avoid this.

Don't Overwork the Meat

If you're using leaner ground beef, it's important to keep the patties moist. To do this, keep the meat cold until cooking and don't move the patties around too much once they're on the grill. Also, be sure not to overwork the meat when mixing.

Use the Right Type of Meat

While fatty burgers are more prone to shrinking, you also don't want your patties to be too dry. Aim for a balance between fat and lean. Look for meat with no added salt or water, as these can increase shrinkage. A blend of 80% lean meat to 20% fat is generally recommended.

Flatten the Patties

When cooking burgers in an air fryer, it's best to make the patties as flat as possible and bigger than your bun. If you want to keep your patties thick, use the thumb method and dimple the burgers instead of flattening them.

How to reheat burgers in an air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the burgers

Before reheating, it's best to take the burgers out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for around 10 minutes. This will help them reheat more evenly. It's also important to separate the burgers into their individual components, removing the lettuce and any other toppings that you don't want to be heated.

Step 2: Preheat the air fryer

For optimal results, preheat your air fryer to a temperature of around 350°F.

Step 3: Place the burgers in the air fryer

Place the patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with no overlapping. If you're reheating cheeseburgers, it's best to remove the cheese beforehand to avoid a gooey mess. You can always add a fresh slice of cheese during the last minute of cooking.

Step 4: Reheat the burgers

Set the timer for 2-5 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your burgers. For thinner fast-food burgers, 2-3 minutes should be sufficient. For thicker patties, you may need up to 5 minutes. Flip the burgers halfway through cooking to ensure even heating.

Step 5: Reheat the buns

There are differing opinions on whether to reheat the buns in the air fryer. Some sources suggest wrapping the buns in foil and placing them in the air fryer for around 3 minutes at 300°F. However, others argue that the buns may become overly crispy, and it's better to reheat them separately in a pan or oven.

Step 6: Assemble and serve

Once the patties are heated through, remove them from the air fryer and assemble your burgers, adding your preferred toppings and condiments.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Reheat one burger at a time to maintain proper airflow.
• Avoid overcooking by keeping the heating time short.
• For cheeseburgers, place the cheese on the top side of the patty for maximum melting.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the burgers are heated through to an internal temperature of 160-165°F.
• If you're reheating fast-food burgers, you may want to scrape off any cheese and toppings beforehand to avoid a mess.

Variations:

• For a low-carb option, skip the bun and wrap your reheated patty in lettuce leaves.
• If you like your buns extra crispy, toast them separately for that authentic fast-food experience.
• You can also add extra cheese or toppings during the reheating process to create a fresh, juicy burger.

Safety:

• Always ensure that reheated burgers are piping hot all the way through before serving, especially if they are fast-food burgers.
• Be cautious of food poisoning when reheating cooked burgers.
• Avoid reheating a burger that has been left out at room temperature for too long.
• It's best to reheat burgers only once, as multiple reheatings can affect the quality and increase the risk of food safety issues.

Frequently asked questions