Air-Frying Hamburgers: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryers are a great alternative to grilling burgers, especially when there's bad weather or when you don't have the time to prep a grill. Air fryers are also a healthier option, as they require less oil, butter, and other fats. They are also faster, easier to clean, and help prevent overcooking.

When cooking burgers in an air fryer, it is recommended to set the temperature between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will depend on the desired doneness, but on average, it takes around 8-12 minutes to cook burgers in an air fryer. For a medium-rare burger, cook for about 4-5 minutes; for medium, cook for about 6 minutes; for medium-well, cook for about 8-12 minutes; and for well-done, cook for at least 10 minutes.

To make juicy burgers, create a dimple in the center of each patty before cooking to prevent the patties from puffing up. Also, be sure not to overwork the meat, as this can result in dry burgers.

How to get the best seasoning

A good seasoning is essential to a tasty burger. While some people like to keep it simple with just salt and pepper, others like to experiment with different spices and ingredients to create a unique flavour profile. Here are some tips to help you get the best seasoning for your hamburgers cooked in an air fryer:

Choose the Right Meat

The type of meat you use will affect the taste of your burgers. Most recipes recommend using ground beef with an 80/20 blend of muscle and fat. This ratio ensures that your burgers remain juicy without being too greasy. However, you can also experiment with other types of ground meat, such as turkey, chicken, or bison, which may require different cooking times.

Don't Be Shy with the Seasoning

When it comes to seasoning, it's important to be generous. A combination of Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper is a great place to start. You can also try adding other spices like cayenne pepper or paprika for a kick of heat. Don't be afraid to mix and match different seasonings to find your perfect blend.

Experiment with Different Toppings

Toppings can also enhance the flavour of your burgers. In addition to the classic toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion, you can try adding ingredients like sautéed mushrooms, bacon, or different types of cheese. Get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favourite.

Don't Overwork the Meat

When mixing the ground beef with the seasonings, be careful not to overwork the meat. Overworking the mixture can result in tough and dry burgers. Gently combine the ingredients using your hands or a spoon, and avoid packing the meat too tightly. This will help ensure your burgers have a better texture.

Let the Burgers Rest

After cooking your burgers in the air fryer, let them rest for a minute or two before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that every bite is juicy and flavourful.

Use a Meat Thermometer

To ensure your burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For ground beef, the recommended internal temperature is 160°F (71°C) to ensure food safety. However, you can cook them to a lower temperature if you prefer your burgers less done.

How to avoid overcooking

To avoid overcooking your burgers in the air fryer, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the burgers in batches if needed, ensuring there is some space around each patty for airflow. This will help them cook evenly and prevent overcooking.

Secondly, check for doneness early. Most burgers will only take around 8-10 minutes in the air fryer, depending on their size and thickness. For a medium-rare burger, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F to 135°F; for medium, 140°F to 145°F; for medium-well, 150°F to 155°F; and for well-done, 160°F to 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the patty to ensure it reaches the desired temperature without overcooking.

Additionally, be mindful of the type of meat you are using. Leaner meats are more prone to overcooking, so opt for a slightly higher fat content like 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for burgers. This will help keep the patties juicy. If using leaner meats, be extra cautious with cooking times to avoid overcooking.

Finally, when mixing and shaping the patty meat, handle the meat as little as possible and avoid compacting it too tightly. This will help ensure your burgers remain tender and juicy, rather than tough and dry.

How to get the right temperature

The temperature you cook your hamburgers at in the air fryer is crucial to achieving the perfect, juicy burger.

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for cooking hamburgers in an air fryer is between 370°F and 400°F. You can cook at a lower temperature, but this will increase the cooking time.

When cooking at 370°F, cook your burgers for 5 minutes on each side for a total of 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. At 375°F, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping after 6 minutes. If you like your burgers well done, add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

For a 4 oz burger, 12 minutes at 375°F will result in a dry burger, so this temperature and time combination is not recommended.

If you are cooking at 400°F, the burgers will be ready in under 20 minutes.

To check that your burgers are cooked to your liking, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For a medium-rare burger, the internal temperature should be 130°F to 135°F; for medium, 140°F to 145°F; for medium-well, 150°F to 155°F; and for well-done, 160°F to 165°F.

If you are adding cheese to your burgers, do so during the last minute of cooking so that it melts.

Now you know how to get the right temperature for cooking hamburgers in your air fryer!

How to get the right texture

The key to achieving the perfect texture for your air fryer hamburgers is to ensure that they remain juicy and tender. Here are some tips to help you get the right texture:

Choose the Right Type of Meat

Select ground beef with a slightly higher fat content, such as 80/20 or 85/15. Leaner meats can be used but carry a higher risk of drying out, so consider adding a little oil or butter to the mixture. Ground bison is a great healthier alternative, while ground turkey or chicken are also options, but cooking times will vary.

Handle the Meat Gently

When mixing and shaping the meat, be careful not to overwork or compact it too much. Overhandling the meat can lead to tough-textured burgers. Simply season the outsides of the patties instead of mixing the ingredients into the ground beef.

Create an Indentation

Use your thumb or fingers to press a small indent in the centre of each patty before cooking. This technique prevents the patties from puffing up into meatballs or shrinking too much during cooking, helping them maintain a more even shape.

Don't Overcook

Avoid drying out your burgers by keeping a close eye on the cooking time and using a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The ideal internal temperature for a medium-rare burger is 130°F to 135°F, while a well-done burger should reach 160°F to 165°F.

Let the Burgers Rest

After cooking, remove the burgers from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy bite.

How to reheat

Preparation

Before reheating your hamburger, it is important to prepare it properly. Start by removing the lettuce, as warm lettuce can ruin the taste of your burger. Other toppings like tomatoes, onions, and pickles can be kept, but it is recommended to remove them and add them back after reheating to avoid overcooking.

If your hamburger has been assembled, disassemble it by separating the buns and patties. You can keep the cheese on the patty, but it may burn or make a mess in the air fryer, so consider removing it and adding a fresh slice after reheating.

Air Fryer Settings

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (or 320°F if you prefer a lower temperature). Place the patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with no overlapping. If you are reheating multiple patties, you may need to do this in batches.

Reheating Time

For an average-sized patty, set the timer for 2-5 minutes. Flip the patty halfway through, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until heated through. The total cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your patty.

If you are reheating a thick patty, you may need to turn down the temperature to 300°F and cook for a few minutes longer to ensure the inside is warmed through without burning the outside.

Serving

Once the patties are heated through, remove them from the air fryer and serve with your favourite toppings and condiments.

Tips

• To avoid overcooking, do not leave the patties in the air fryer for too long after the timer goes off.
• For cheeseburgers, place the cheese on the top side of the patty for maximum melting.
• If you are reheating a bun, it is recommended to wrap it in foil to prevent it from getting overly crisp. Reheat the bun separately after the patty, or wrap the entire burger in foil and pop it into the air fryer.
• If you are reheating fast-food burgers, remove any toppings and heat the patties first, then add the toppings back after reheating.
• To add extra juiciness to your burger, try reheating with a little bit of butter or oil.
• Always ensure your leftovers are thoroughly reheated to avoid food poisoning.
• Reheating a burger in the air fryer more than once is possible, but it may affect the quality, making the patty drier. It is best to reheat it just once, within a day or two of the initial cooking.

Frequently asked questions