Emilie Meyer
Air fryer beef sliders are a quick and easy meal to make for any occasion. They are versatile, customisable, and can be made in under 30 minutes. The air fryer's hot circulating air cooks the mini burger patties to perfection, and you can cook multiple patties at once if you have a large enough air fryer. The sliders can be made with various toppings, sauces, and cheeses, and the patty size can be adjusted to your preference. The cooking time for the beef sliders in an air fryer is between 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time | 8-10 minutes |
| Temperature | 350-390°F |
| Patty thickness | 1/2 inch |
| Patty size | Wider than the bun |
| Patty indent | Small indent in the centre |
| Patty seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder |
| Patty toppings | Cheese, onions, arugula, sauces |
| Bun | Toasted |
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What You'll Learn
Beef slider ingredients and prep
Ingredients
To make beef sliders, you will need slider buns, ground beef, butter, olive oil, cheese, and various seasonings.
For the buns, you can use your favourite kind of soft roll, such as soft Hawaiian rolls, or make your own homemade dinner rolls.
For the beef, it is recommended to use ground beef with an 80/20 or 90/10 fat ratio for juicy burgers. Leaner meats will cook faster and shrink less, so you may need to adjust your cooking time and patty size accordingly.
For the cheese, you can use any type you like, such as cheddar or blue cheese.
For seasonings, you can use common ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. You can also add in a bit of liquid smoke to give the burgers a hint of smoky flavor.
Preparation
To prepare the beef sliders, start by cutting your onions into thin slices and heating a skillet with butter and olive oil. When the butter foams, add the onions and cook until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Next, mix your ground beef with the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Use your hands to combine the mixture.
Divide the meat into 6-8 equal-sized balls and lightly flatten each one to form a patty. The patties should be slightly larger than your buns, as they will shrink during cooking.
Lightly spray the patties with oil and season with salt and pepper.
Cooking
Arrange the patties in a single layer in your air fryer basket and cook at 350-380 degrees F for a total of 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness. For well-done burgers, cook to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
Once the burgers are cooked to your liking, add a slice of cheese to each patty and place the air fryer basket back in the air fryer with the heat turned off for about 1 minute to melt the cheese.
Toast your buns in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes, if desired.
Finally, assemble your sliders by placing the patties on the bottom bun and adding your desired toppings and sauce. Enjoy!
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Air fryer settings
To cook beef sliders in an air fryer, you should set the temperature to between 350°F and 390°F. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness. For a well-done burger, cook to an internal temperature of 160°F. This should take around 8–10 minutes.
Step 1: Prepare the air fryer
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. If you are making caramelized onions to go with your sliders, you can cook them in the air fryer while it is heating up.
Step 2: Preheat the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. If you are not making caramelized onions, you can preheat the air fryer to 350°F or 375°F.
Step 3: Cook the patties
Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes. Then, flip the patties and cook for another 1–3 minutes, or until the center is cooked to your desired level of doneness. For a well-done burger, cook to an internal temperature of 160°F.
Step 4: Melt the cheese
If you are making cheeseburger sliders, add slices of cheese on top of the cooked patties and place them back in the air fryer. Air fry at 380°F for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the cheese has melted.
Step 5: Toast the buns
If desired, you can toast the buns in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes.
Step 6: Assemble the sliders
Place the cooked burger patty with cheese on the bottom bun, then add your desired toppings and the top bun. Serve warm.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for beef sliders in an air fryer depend on the number of patties being cooked, the fat content of the beef, and the desired level of doneness. It is recommended that you cook the sliders at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8–10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. However, some recipes suggest cooking at 380–390 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes, flipping the patties, and then cooking for an additional 1–3 minutes.
When cooking beef sliders in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the patties are arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If you are cooking a large batch of sliders, you may need to work in batches or alternate the racks halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. The fat content of the beef will also impact the cooking time, as higher-fat beef will shrink more during cooking. If you are using 85% or fattier beef, it is recommended to make the patties wider to accommodate for shrinkage.
To achieve the desired level of doneness, you can use an internal thermometer to check the temperature of the patties. For well-done burgers, cook until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If you prefer your burgers less cooked, adjust the cooking time accordingly. It is also important to note that leaner meats will cook faster, so if you are using lean ground beef, you may need to reduce the cooking time.
Additionally, the temperature and cooking time of the air fryer may vary depending on the model and brand. It is always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer's instructions or guidelines for specific information about your air fryer. Some air fryers may require preheating, while others can cook from start to finish without any preheating.
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Melting cheese on the sliders
When making beef sliders in an air fryer, it's important to consider the type of cheese you're using, as well as the desired level of doneness for your patties. Here's a step-by-step guide to melting cheese on your beef sliders:
Selecting the Right Cheese
Choose a cheese that pairs well with beef and has a good melting texture. Cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack are great options, but you can also get creative with other varieties like blue cheese or any other flavorful cheese of your choice.
Preparing the Beef Patties
Before cooking, bring the beef to room temperature by removing the patties from the fridge about an hour beforehand. Form the beef mixture into balls, then flatten them into patties that are slightly larger than your slider buns to account for shrinkage during cooking. Place the patties in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer.
Cooking the Beef Sliders
Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically around 350°F to 380°F, and cook the patties for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For well-done burgers, cook them to an internal temperature of 160°F. Use a meat thermometer to check if they're cooked to your preference.
Melting the Cheese
To melt the cheese over the patties, turn off the air fryer when the patties are almost done to your liking. Place half a slice of cheese (or a full slice, depending on your preference) on each patty, then put the air fryer basket back into the air fryer. The residual heat will melt the cheese in about a minute or two. If you prefer a more browned, toasted effect on your cheese, you can leave the air fryer on for a shorter duration instead of turning it off completely.
Serving Suggestions
Once the cheese has melted, it's time to assemble your sliders. Place the patties on the bottom buns, add your desired toppings and sauces, and then top with the bun. You can serve these sliders as-is or with a side of air-fried fries or roasted vegetables. Enjoy your juicy, cheese-topped beef sliders!
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Toasting the buns
There are a few ways to toast your buns. One way is to butter the insides of the buns and toast them on a pan on the stove. This method allows you to have more control over the browning process and ensures even toasting. You can also add a bit of garlic butter to the insides of the buns for some extra flavour.
Another way is to use your air fryer. After your patties are done cooking and resting, you can add the buns to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes. This method is quick and convenient, as you don't need to wash any extra dishes, and it makes use of the residual heat from cooking the patties. However, depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to toast the buns in batches.
If you're making a large batch of sliders, you can also use your oven to toast the buns. Simply arrange the buns on a baking sheet and toast them under the broiler for a few minutes, keeping a close eye on them to ensure they don't burn.
No matter which method you choose, toasting your buns is a quick and easy step that can elevate your sliders and make them even more delicious.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you cook beef sliders in an air fryer for 8-10 minutes at 350°F, flipping halfway through.
To make beef sliders in an air fryer, you will need to shape the meat into patties, season them, and cook them in the air fryer. First, bring the meat to room temperature by removing the raw patties from the fridge about an hour before cooking. Then, mix your ground beef with seasonings like Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 6-8 balls and flatten them into small patties. Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes at 350°F, flipping halfway through. For cheeseburger sliders, add cheese slices on top of the cooked patties and air fry for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute to melt the cheese.
Beef sliders are versatile and can be served with a variety of toppings and sides. You can serve them with traditional toppings such as tomato, lettuce, and ketchup, or get creative with sauces like gochujang, BBQ sauce, or aioli. If you're looking for a low-carb option, you can wrap the slider in lettuce instead of using a bun. For sides, you can serve beef sliders with French fries or onion rings.
