Cody Casey
Air fryers are a quick and easy way to make juicy hamburgers. They can be used to cook fresh or frozen patties, and the cleanup is minimal. The burgers cook evenly without needing to be flipped, and the fatty grease drips off during cooking. The size of the air fryer may limit the number of burgers that can be cooked at once, but the patties can be made in batches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, bison, or impossible/beyond meat |
| Meat Blend | 80/20, 85/15, or 90/10 |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, Montreal steak seasoning, Burger Worcestershire Montreal seasoning, or sugar |
| Other Ingredients | Barbecue sauce, butter, beef soup base, bouillon, or coconut amino liquid |
| Patty Thickness | 1/2" to 3/4" |
| Patty Diameter | 4 1/2" |
| Patty Indentation | Yes |
| Patty Puffing | No |
| Patty Quantity | 4 |
| Patty Preparation | Combine ingredients in a bowl, form into patties, and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket |
| Patty Cooking Time | 6-12 minutes, flipping halfway through |
| Patty Cooking Temperature | 350-400°F (175-195°C) |
| Patty Doneness | 140-160°F (71°C) |
| Patty Cooking Method | Air frying |
| Patty Cooking Device | Air fryer |
| Patty Serving Suggestions | Cheese, buns, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, pickles, jalapenos, green chilies, sauerkraut, chipotle aioli, garlic aioli, roasted red bell peppers, fried egg, bacon, mushrooms, or french fries |
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What You'll Learn
How to get the perfect patty thickness
Getting the perfect patty thickness is crucial to ensuring your air-fried hamburgers are juicy and well-cooked. The ideal thickness of a patty varies between 1/2 an inch to 3/4 an inch, with some recipes recommending a thickness of up to 1 inch.
To achieve this thickness, start by dividing your meat mixture into equal portions. For a standard batch of four burgers, divide the mixture into four portions. Press and shape each portion into a patty using your hands or a spoon. If you want a thicker patty, you can aim for a thickness of 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch. However, if you prefer thinner patties, aim for a thickness of about 1/2 an inch.
It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your patties. Thicker patties may require additional cooking time to ensure they are cooked through, while thinner patties may cook faster. To ensure your patties are cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the patty, which should ideally be at 160°F.
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The best ground beef blend
When it comes to making the perfect air-fried hamburger, the blend of ground beef you choose is crucial. While there is no definitive answer to the best blend, there are several factors to consider when selecting your beef.
Firstly, the ratio of lean meat to fat is essential. A higher fat content generally results in a juicier burger, as the fat melts during grilling, creating a delicious flavour combination. The most common blends are 70% lean meat and 30% fat, 80/20, 85/15, and 90/10. An 80/20 blend, often ground chuck, is considered ""lean ground beef"" and provides a good balance of flavour and juiciness. If you prefer a leaner option, opt for an 85/15 blend, typically ground round, or a 90/10 blend, usually ground sirloin, but be aware that these options may result in a drier patty.
Additionally, the cooking temperature and desired doneness of your burger will influence your blend choice. For a medium-rare burger, an 80/20 blend is suitable, while a 70/30 blend is better for a medium-well burger.
Some people also recommend adding short ribs to your blend to enhance the beef flavour and ensure the patties stay moist. You can also experiment with other cuts of beef, such as sirloin, skirt steak, hanger steak, brisket, or even oxtail, to create a unique flavour profile.
Ultimately, the best ground beef blend for your air-fried hamburgers depends on your personal preference for fat content, cooking temperature, and flavour. Don't be afraid to experiment with different blends to find the one that suits your taste!
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Seasoning and marinating your meat
Firstly, it is recommended to use ground beef with an 80/20 blend of meat to fat. This ratio keeps the patties juicy without making them too greasy. If you want to reduce the fat content, you can opt for a 90/10 blend, but be aware that the patties may dry out more easily.
When it comes to seasoning, a simple combination of salt and pepper with a dash of onion and garlic powder can enhance the flavour of your burgers. Fresh onion and garlic are not recommended as they require more time to cook. You can also experiment with other spices such as BBQ seasoning, steak seasoning, or even a pinch of sugar to enhance the Maillard reaction (browning). However, it is advised not to salt the meat before cooking, as this can draw out moisture and affect the juiciness of the burger. Instead, salt the outside of the patty just before cooking.
If you have the time, you can also try marinating your meat. Leaving the seasoned patties in the fridge overnight with some Montreal steak seasoning or a burger Worcestershire Montreal seasoning blend can take your burgers to the next level. This extra step allows the flavours to penetrate the meat, resulting in a more intense and delicious taste.
When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 350°F and 400°F (175°C to 195°C). Then, place your seasoned or marinated patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook according to your preferred doneness. For a medium-rare burger, aim for an internal temperature of 140°F to 145°F (60°C to 63°C).
Remember, the key to successful air fryer hamburgers is to avoid overworking the meat when mixing and forming the patties. This will ensure your burgers stay tender and juicy.
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How to get the perfect temperature and timing
The temperature and timing for cooking hamburgers in an air fryer will depend on the type of meat used, the thickness of the patties, and your preferred level of doneness.
For a 80/20 blend of ground beef, which has been recommended for its fat content that keeps the patties juicy, set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to preheat. You can also preheat the air fryer to 370°F if you are not using a meat thermometer to check doneness. Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 7-10 minutes. Carefully flip the burgers and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). If you are using a meat thermometer, pull the burgers out when they reach your desired level of doneness.
If you are cooking frozen patties, add about 5-7 minutes to the cooking time, depending on the thickness. For a 90/10 blend of ground beef, one source recommends cooking at 400°F for 6 minutes on each side for a patty with pink still in the middle. Another source recommends cooking at 400°F for 7 minutes on each side and removing the patty when the internal temperature reaches 140°F, as it will continue to cook and reach 145°F after removing from the air fryer.
If you are adding cheese to your burgers, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes after adding the cheese, until it is melted. You can also add your burger buns to the air fryer for a minute or two to toast them.
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What to serve with your air fryer hamburgers
There are many side dishes that pair well with air fryer hamburgers. If you're looking for something carby, you could try air fryer french fries, oven fries, or macaroni salad. For a lighter option, a caprese corn salad or watermelon and feta salad could be a good choice.
You could also create a DIY burger bar with toppings such as lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and pickles, as well as zesty options like jalapeños, green chilies, sauerkraut, and chipotle aioli, or savory options like roasted red bell peppers, fried eggs, bacon, and sautéed or air-fried mushrooms.
Don't forget that you can also toast your burger buns in the air fryer!
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Frequently asked questions
Hamburgers can be cooked in an air fryer in just a few minutes. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the patty and your desired level of doneness. On average, it takes 9-12 minutes to cook a patty that is 3/4 inches thick.
To prevent your hamburgers from drying out, avoid overworking the meat by mixing it too much. Also, make a small indent in the centre of each patty to prevent them from puffing up during cooking.
Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F (175°C and 195°C).
Yes, you can cook frozen hamburger patties in an air fryer. Simply add about 5-7 minutes to the cooking time, depending on the thickness of the patty.
