Air Fryer Burger: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking burgers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a juicy burger without the mess of pan-frying or the hassle of grilling. Depending on your air fryer and the size of your patties, cooking times will vary, but on average, it takes around 10 minutes to cook a burger in an air fryer.

How to make a burger in an air fryer

Ingredients

To make four burgers, you will need:

• 1 pound of 80% lean ground beef
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 cup of barbecue sauce (optional)
• 4 hamburger buns
• Toppings of your choice

Method

• Combine the meat, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a medium-sized bowl.
• Form the mixture into four patties, each about 1/2 inch thick. Make a small indent in the middle of each patty with your thumb. This will help ensure the patties stay flat during cooking.
• Brush the patties with barbecue sauce, if using.
• Preheat your air fryer to 370°F.
• Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Cook for 6 minutes, then flip the burgers and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F for medium doneness. For well-done burgers, cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• If desired, add a slice of cheese to each patty and cook for 1 more minute.
• Remove the burgers from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute or two before serving on buns with your desired toppings.

Tips:

• For even cooking, it is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the burgers in batches if necessary.
• To add cheese to your burgers, turn off the air fryer once the patties are done and let the residual heat melt the cheese.
• If you are cooking frozen patties, simply add about 5 minutes to the cooking time.
• To prevent the patties from shrinking too much during cooking, form them slightly bigger than your buns.
• If excessive smoking occurs, add water to the bottom of the air fryer to prevent dripping grease from burning.

What temperature to cook a burger in an air fryer

The ideal temperature to cook a burger in an air fryer is between 370°F and 400°F (190°C and 195°C).

How to Cook a Burger in an Air Fryer:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 370°F or 400°F. Then, place your patties in the air fryer basket, preferably in a single layer to avoid overcrowding. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the patties in batches.

For medium doneness, air fry for about 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. For well-done burgers, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

If you're adding cheese, it's best to do so during the last minute of cooking to allow it to melt.

Tips for Cooking Burgers in an Air Fryer:

• Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your burgers. For ground beef, the internal temperature should reach at least 160°F (71°C).
• To prevent shrinkage, make the patties slightly bigger than your buns.
• To reduce smoke and help catch grease, add a small amount of water or a piece of bread to the bottom of the air fryer.
• Avoid overworking the meat when mixing or shaping the patties to ensure tender and juicy burgers.
• Create a small indent in the centre of each patty to prevent them from bulging during cooking.
• If cooking frozen patties, increase the cooking time by about 5 minutes.
• For rare burgers, cook for approximately 4 minutes and let them rest for 3 minutes. Medium-rare burgers will take around 5 minutes, while medium and medium-well burgers will take 6-8 minutes. Well-done burgers will require 10 or more minutes.

Air Fryer Burger Recipes:

• Simple All-Beef Patty: Use an 80/20 blend of ground beef for juicy patties. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. You can also add BBQ sauce for extra flavour and caramelization.
• Air Fryer Cheeseburgers: Top your burgers with cheddar, Swiss, or American cheese during the last minute of cooking.
• Spicy Burger: Add cayenne pepper to your seasonings and top the burger with pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick.
• Mediterranean Burger: Go for a fresh and tasty combination of sliced tomatoes, chopped red onions, and crumbled feta cheese.
• Mushroom and Onion Burger: Sauté mushrooms and onions to add a savoury twist to your burger.

Enjoy experimenting with different recipes and toppings to find your favourite air fryer burger creation!

How long to cook a rare burger in an air fryer

A rare burger is a thing of beauty—but it's important to get it right. You want to ensure the middle is still nice and pink, but the outside is cooked and crispy. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving that perfect rare burger in your air fryer.

Ingredients and Preparation:

First, gather your ingredients. For a truly juicy burger, opt for ground beef with an 80/20 blend, which means 80% muscle and 20% fat. You'll need about 1 pound of meat for four hamburger patties. For seasoning, you can use Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Combine the ground beef with your chosen seasonings in a bowl, and mix well with your hands, being careful not to overwork the meat to keep the burgers tender.

Shape the mixture into four even-sized patties, each about 1/2-inch thick. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small indent in the center of each patty; this prevents the burgers from bulging up during cooking.

Air Frying Instructions:

Preheat your air fryer to 370°F/190°C. Place the patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have a little space between them for even cooking. For a rare burger, air fry for approximately 4 minutes. Then, carefully flip the burgers and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. This should give you a beautifully rare burger with a temperature of around 120-125°F (52°C).

Serving Suggestions:

Remove the rare burgers from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute or two. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is juicy. You can serve these rare burgers on buns or lettuce wraps, with your favorite toppings and condiments.

Tips:

• Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your burgers. For a rare burger, aim for an internal temperature of 120-125°F (52°C).
• If you like your cheese melted, add a slice on top of the burgers during the last minute of cooking. The residual heat should be enough to melt it.
• To prevent the patties from sticking, you can use parchment paper designed for air fryers, making cleanup easier.
• If you want to cook frozen burger patties in the air fryer, simply add about 5 minutes to the total cooking time.

Now you're ready to cook a delicious, juicy rare burger in your air fryer!

How to make a well-done burger in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 pound of 80% lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter
• 1 tablespoon of beef base (such as Better than Bouillon®)
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Salt
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Barbecue sauce (optional)
• 4 hamburger buns
• Toppings of your choice

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (195°C).
• In a bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well.
• Form the mixture into 4 patties, approximately 1/2" thick and 4 1/2" in diameter. Make the patties slightly bigger than your buns to allow for shrinkage.
• Create a small indent in the centre of each patty with your thumb to prevent swelling during cooking.
• Brush the patties lightly on both sides with a mixture of melted butter and beef soup base.
• Place the patties into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Air-fry the patties for 7 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
• For well-done burgers, continue air-frying for an additional 2 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
• Remove the patties from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute or two.
• Serve on buns with your desired toppings, such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, cheese, bacon, or sauces.

Tips:

• If you want to add cheese to your burgers, turn off the air fryer after the patties are done and let the residual heat melt the cheese.
• Use cold meat straight from the fridge for the best results.
• If excessive smoking occurs, add water to the bottom of the air fryer to prevent dripping grease from burning.
• To check if your burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the patty, and it should reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) for ground beef.

What to serve with a burger cooked in an air fryer

So, you're making a burger in the air fryer? Great choice! Now, let's talk about what to serve with it.

First and foremost, the classic choice to accompany a burger is a pile of golden, crispy French fries. You can cook these in your air fryer, too, for maximum convenience and minimum mess. Sweet potato fries are also a tasty option, and they're super easy to make in the air fryer.

If you're looking for something a little lighter, how about a refreshing coleslaw or a Greek salad? Both options provide a nice contrast to the hearty burger and can be easily prepared ahead of time.

For a real summery vibe, try air fryer corn on the cob with butter and salt. It's a delicious and unexpected side that your guests will surely enjoy.

And don't forget the toppings! The sky's the limit when it comes to burger toppings, but here are some ideas to get you started:

• Lettuce, onion, tomato, and pickles: the classic combo that never gets old.
• Bacon: crisp it up in the air fryer for added smokiness.
• Sautéed mushrooms and onions: these add a savory, umami flavor to your burger.
• Cheese: cheddar, Swiss, or American cheese melted on top of the patty is always a winning choice.
• Spicy kick: add some cayenne pepper to the seasonings and top it off with pickled jalapeños.
• Mediterranean twist: sliced tomatoes, chopped red onions, and crumbled feta cheese for a fresh, tangy bite.

Now, let's talk about the bun. Toasting your bun can take your burger to the next level. Simply spread a little butter on the split bun and place it in the oven or toaster oven on broil for a couple of minutes. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.

There you have it! You now have a whole range of options to serve with your air fryer burger. Get creative, and most importantly, enjoy your meal!

Frequently asked questions