Air Fryer Hack: Frozen Hamburgers, Quick And Easy

Cooking a frozen hamburger in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get your burger fix. It's perfect for those busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table fast, with minimal cleanup. You can cook a frozen hamburger in an air fryer in just a few simple steps. First, preheat your air fryer, then season your frozen patty and place it in the fryer. Depending on your desired doneness, cook the patty for 8 to 17 minutes, flipping it halfway through. Once it's cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer, add your favourite toppings, and enjoy!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is the first step in cooking a frozen hamburger. While some recipes suggest preheating to 370° F, others recommend 390° F, and another suggests 400° F. The lowest preheat temperature recommended is 350° F, but this is for cooking fresh, rather than frozen, hamburger patties.

To prepare your air fryer for cooking, line it with a parchment paper liner. Spritz your patties with water so that the salt will stick, and then season generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce.

It's important to note that the preheat temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the size and brand of your air fryer, as well as the thickness of your patties and your preferred level of doneness. For example, a 4.5-inch patty will take around 10 minutes to cook, but you should add about 1 minute for every half inch over this.

Season the frozen patty

Seasoning a frozen patty is a simple and quick process. Firstly, it is important to note that you should season the patty generously. You can use salt and pepper, which are standard seasonings, but you can also experiment with other seasonings to enhance the flavour of your burger. For example, you could try garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce.

Sprinkling both sides of the patty with kosher salt is a good idea, as this will ensure even seasoning. You can also spritz the patty with water before seasoning, as this will help the salt stick to the meat. If you want to add a bit of spice, cayenne pepper is a good option. You can also add melted butter and beef soup base, which will give your patty a dark grilled colour and a deep, beefy flavour.

If you want to add cheese to your burger, you can do so after cooking the patty in the air fryer. Simply place a slice of cheese on the cooked patty and let it melt in the residual heat of the air fryer, or cover it with tin foil to help the cheese melt. You can also add sautéed mushrooms and onions to your burger for extra flavour and juiciness.

Remember, the amount of seasoning you add depends on the size of your burger, but frozen patties tend to taste great with a variety of seasoning options. So, feel free to experiment and find the combination of seasonings that you like best!

Cook the patty

To cook a frozen hamburger in an air fryer, you'll first want to preheat the air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 400°F. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer and the level of doneness you prefer. For example, you might preheat to 370°F for a medium internal temperature, or 390°F for a medium-rare burger.

Next, remove your frozen burger patty from the freezer. There's no need to thaw it first. You can season the patty to your taste preferences. Some common seasonings include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. You can spritz the patty with water so that the salt will stick better.

Now you're ready to cook the patty. Place it into the basket or tray of your air fryer. If you're cooking multiple patties, make sure they're in a single layer so that they cook evenly. Depending on the temperature of your air fryer and your desired level of doneness, cook the patty for 8-17 minutes. For example, a patty cooked at 350°F will take about 8-10 minutes, while a patty cooked at 370°F will take about 14-15 minutes. For a medium-rare burger at 390°F, check after 8 minutes; the internal temperature should be between 120°F and 125°F. If you're cooking multiple patties, you may need to cook them in batches.

Flip the patty halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. You can also brush the patty with a butter and bouillon mixture before flipping to give it a dark grilled colour and a deep beefy flavour.

When the timer goes off, check the internal temperature of the patty with an instant-read thermometer. It should have reached at least 165°F. If you'd like to add cheese to your burger, place a slice on top and return the patty to the air fryer for a minute or two to melt the cheese.

Add cheese and melt

Once your burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness, it's time to add cheese and let it melt. There are a few different methods you can use to achieve this. One way is to open the air fryer after cooking, place a slice of cheese on each cooked hamburger, and then close the air fryer and let the residual heat melt the cheese. This should only take a couple of minutes. You can also lay a slice of room-temperature cheese on the burger, turn the heat down to 300°F, and air fry for 2 minutes to melt the cheese.

If you want to add cheese before serving, you can simply lay it on the still-hot burgers and cover them while the cheese melts. Alternatively, transfer the burgers to a plate, add the cheese, and cover with tented tinfoil. You can also place the cheese on the burgers and put them in the microwave to melt for 30 seconds.

For cheeseburgers, it is recommended to use cold meat straight from the fridge, as this will help ensure that the cheese melts properly. You can season your burgers with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings before cooking, but you may need to season them again after cooking, as the seasoning on frozen meat doesn't have as much time to penetrate.

Serve with toppings and sides

Once your burger is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a bun. You can add cheese and let the residual heat melt it. You can also add your desired toppings and condiments. Some popular toppings include lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and sauteed mushrooms. You can also add extra seasoning, such as garlic salt, onion powder, or cayenne pepper, to taste.

If you're serving your burger with a side, there are several options to choose from. Onion rings and french fries are classic choices, but you could also opt for a side salad or keto-friendly vegetables if you're watching your carb intake.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your patty, as well as your preferred doneness. Adjust the cooking time accordingly and use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of your burger to ensure it's cooked to your liking.

For a keto option, you can leave out the bun and load up your burger with veggies. This way, you can still enjoy a delicious and juicy burger without the carbs.

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