Air-Frying Veggie Burgers: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryers are a great way to cook veggie burgers, whether you're making them from scratch or using store-bought patties. They're quick, easy, and produce a nice, crispy texture. The cooking time will depend on the type of air fryer you have and the thickness of your burgers, but on average, it takes around 10-12 minutes to cook veggie burgers in an air fryer, flipping them halfway through.

How long to cook frozen veggie burgers in an air fryer

The cooking time for frozen veggie burgers in an air fryer depends on the type of air fryer you have, the thickness of the burgers, and the desired level of crispiness. On average, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes to cook frozen veggie burgers in an air fryer, but the timing can vary between different brands of air fryers and types of veggie burgers.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Before cooking your frozen veggie burgers, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to ensure the best results. Set your air fryer to around 350°F to 390°F (177°C to 200°C) and preheat for about 3 to 5 minutes.

Cooking the Veggie Burgers

Place the frozen veggie burgers in a single layer at the bottom of the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded, as this can affect cooking time and evenness. Depending on the size and thickness of the burgers, set the timer for 10 to 15 minutes.

For most veggie burgers, flipping them halfway through cooking is recommended. After about 5 to 8 minutes, gently flip the burgers using a spatula and continue air frying for another 5 to 8 minutes.

Checking for Doneness

To ensure your veggie burgers are cooked properly, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check their internal temperature. Veggie burgers should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can cut into the burger to make sure it's hot all the way through.

Serving the Veggie Burgers

Once your veggie burgers are cooked, remove them from the air fryer using a spatula and serve them warm on toasted buns. You can top them with your favorite toppings, such as lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, cheese, or vegan cheese.

Storing and Reheating

It is recommended to store cooked veggie burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, use your air fryer at a lower temperature, such as 325°F, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy again.

What temperature to cook veggie burgers in an air fryer

The ideal temperature for cooking veggie burgers in an air fryer is between 350°F and 375°F.

Air Frying Frozen Veggie Burgers

For frozen veggie burgers, preheat your air fryer to 375°F. This will take about 3-5 minutes, depending on the size and power of your air fryer. Don't skip the preheating step!

Once preheated, place the veggie burgers in a single layer at the bottom of the air fryer basket and set the timer for 15 minutes. You may not need the full 15 minutes, but it's good to have a buffer.

After about 8 minutes, flip the veggie burgers gently with a spatula. Air fry for another 5-8 minutes, or until the veggie burgers are crispy on the outside and warmed through on the inside.

The time it takes to air fry a frozen veggie burger depends on the thickness and size of the patty. A standard veggie burger will take around 8-12 minutes to cook at 375°F.

You can also air fry a frozen veggie burger at 350°F, but it will take a few minutes longer to cook through. Always check regularly in the last 5 minutes of cooking to ensure they don't burn or overcook, as every air fryer is different.

Air Frying Refrigerated Veggie Burgers

For refrigerated veggie burgers, preheat your air fryer to 360°F and place the burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Tips for Air Frying Veggie Burgers

• There is no need to add additional oil or grease to the air fryer basket.
• Place the patties in a single layer, and don't overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the veggie burgers in batches.
• Flip the burgers halfway through for even browning.
• The burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F, which you can check with a meat thermometer.
• If you're topping your burgers with cheese, add it after turning off the air fryer. Close the basket for about 30 seconds, and the residual heat will melt the cheese.
• For easier cleanup, line your air fryer basket with perforated parchment paper.

How to make veggie burgers from scratch

Ingredients

• 1 cup of textured vegetable protein (TVP)
• ¾ cup of cooked black beans or kidney beans, rinsed, drained, and patted dry
• 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
• 1 ½ tablespoons of soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of oil or smooth raw almond butter (optional)
• 2 teaspoons of Sriracha hot sauce, ketchup, or BBQ sauce
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of dried parsley (optional)
• ½ teaspoon of dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon of onion powder
• ¼ cup of vital wheat gluten or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 medium egg
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings

• Buns
• Tomato
• Lettuce
• Red onion
• Pickles
• Cheese or vegan cheese
• Sour cream
• Guacamole

Method

• Prepare the textured vegetable protein (TVP): In a bowl, combine the TVP with ⅔ cup of hot water and set aside.
• Mash the beans: In a separate mixing bowl, mash the beans with a fork.
• Combine ingredients: Add the hydrated TVP, egg, and all remaining ingredients except the flour/vital wheat gluten to the bowl of mashed beans. Stir to combine.
• Add dry ingredients: Add the vital wheat gluten or gluten-free flour to the bowl and stir until well incorporated. Use your hands to ensure everything is mixed thoroughly. Lightly knead and mix for about 30 seconds to develop the gluten.
• Form the patties: Form the mixture into a rectangle and divide it evenly into four pieces. Shape each piece into a patty about ⅝-inch thick.
• Cook the patties: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the patties in the air fryer basket and cook for 11 to 13 minutes, flipping halfway through. The burgers are done when they are firm, crisp around the edges, and hot in the center. Alternatively, you can bake them in the oven. Preheat the oven to 370 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Place the patties on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 21 to 23 minutes, flipping halfway through, until piping hot and firm.
• Serve: Allow the burgers to cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve on a bun or in a grain bowl or salad with your choice of toppings.

Tips:

• For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free flour blend instead of vital wheat gluten.
• To make the burgers oil-free, simply omit the oil from the recipe.
• For a spicier kick, add more Sriracha, black pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes.
• For a firmer and drier texture, form flatter and thinner patties. For a softer and moister texture, make them slightly thicker.
• Store leftover veggie burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

How to cook Beyond Burgers in an air fryer

The air fryer is the perfect tool for cooking up delicious and juicy Beyond Burgers. With a few tips, you can cook these tasty plant-based burgers straight from the fridge or freezer and get dinner on the table in under 15 minutes!

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1:

Start with refrigerated or frozen Beyond Burgers. Remove the burgers from the packaging.

Step 2:

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F. Place the burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 4 minutes if the patties are refrigerated (6 minutes for frozen patties).

Step 3:

Flip the burgers. Cook for another 3-4 minutes on the second side for refrigerated patties. (5-6 minutes for frozen patties). The burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F as checked with a meat thermometer. The edges of the interior of the burgers may still be pink or red when fully cooked—this is normal.

Step 4:

Serve the Beyond Burgers on buns with your favourite toppings such as tomato, lettuce, red onion, pickles, and cheese or vegan cheese. Top with homemade burger sauce, if desired.

Tips

• You don't need to spray or brush your air fryer basket with oil as Beyond Burgers already contain oil.
• Line your air fryer basket with perforated parchment paper for easy cleanup.
• Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer—don't overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Flip the burgers halfway through for even browning.
• If topping your burgers with cheese, add the cheese at the end when the burgers are done. Turn the air fryer off and close the basket for about 30 seconds. The residual heat will melt the cheese.

Beyond Burgers are plant-based and have 230 calories per patty. They have no cholesterol and 35% less saturated fat than a traditional beef burger. They are high in protein (20 grams per burger) and contain vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12 and zinc. However, they are heavily processed and contain higher amounts of sodium than traditional burgers.

How to serve veggie burgers

Choose your ingredients

First, you'll need to decide on your ingredients. You can either make your veggie burgers from scratch or buy some from the store. If you're making them yourself, you'll need a base like beans, quinoa, or a meat substitute, as well as various seasonings and spices. If you're buying them, there are plenty of options available, including Beyond Burgers, black bean burgers, and quinoa crunch burgers.

Prepare your toppings and sides

While your burgers are cooking, you can prepare your toppings and sides. For toppings, you might want to go with a classic combination of ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese or vegan cheese. If you're looking for something a little different, you could try guacamole, hummus, or barbecue sauce. As for sides, you could serve your veggie burgers with French fries, sweet potato fries, mac and cheese, waffle fries, or a salad.

Cook your burgers

If you're making your veggie burgers from scratch, you'll need to shape your mixture into patties. If you're using store-bought burgers, you might need to defrost them first, although some recipes recommend cooking them straight from frozen. When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Place your patties in the air fryer basket, making sure they're in a single layer and not overlapping. Cook for around 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Assemble and serve

Once your burgers are cooked, it's time to assemble! Place your patty on a bun and add your chosen toppings. Serve your burger with a side, or two, of your choice, and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions