Air Fryer Hack: Frozen Beef Patties, Quick And Easy!

Cooking frozen beef patties in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to make burgers. It's perfect for when you don't have time to defrost the patties and want a juicy burger without the hassle of firing up the grill. The air fryer's versatility allows you to cook burgers with minimal prep and cleanup, making it a convenient option for a satisfying meal. With the air fryer, you can enjoy a delicious burger without the mess and time commitment of traditional cooking methods.

Cooking spray and seasoning

Preparing the Beef Patties:

Before seasoning, it's important to prepare your frozen beef patties. Remove them from the freezer and separate them if they are stuck together. If you've made your own patties and frozen them, ensure they were frozen in a single layer to prevent sticking. You can also purchase pre-seasoned beef patties from the grocery store if you want to save time on seasoning.

Applying Cooking Spray:

Lightly spritz or spray both sides of the frozen beef patties with cooking spray. This step is crucial, as it helps the patties achieve a beautiful brown crust and promotes even cooking. The cooking spray allows the seasoning to adhere to the surface of the patties, enhancing their flavor.

Seasoning the Patties:

Now, it's time to season your beef patties generously. The most basic seasoning is salt and pepper, but you can also get creative with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Worcestershire sauce. The amount of seasoning will depend on the size of your patties, but remember that a little goes a long way. You can also spritz the patties with a small amount of water before seasoning to help the salt stick better.

Air Frying Tips:

Once your patties are seasoned, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350°F to 390°F, depending on your preference and the doneness you're aiming for. For a medium-rare burger, cook for about 8 to 12 minutes, checking the temperature with an instant-read thermometer. For a medium doneness, aim for an internal temperature of 160°F, which may take about 15 to 17 minutes. Don't forget to flip your patties halfway through the cooking process for even cooking.

Serving Suggestions:

After cooking, remove the patties from the air fryer and serve them on soft buns with your favorite toppings and condiments. If you're making cheeseburgers, add the cheese after removing the patties from the air fryer to avoid a mess. Cover the cheeseburgers with a plate to help the cheese melt perfectly. Enjoy your juicy, air-fried burgers with sides like French fries, onion rings, or a side salad!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for frozen beef patties in an air fryer depend on the desired level of doneness and the size and thickness of the patties. For a medium-rare burger, cook at 390°F for 8 minutes. For a medium burger, cook at 350°F for 15 to 17 minutes. Adjust the cooking time based on the size of the patty and your desired level of doneness. For a well-done burger, cook for a longer time, and for a rarer burger, cook for a shorter time.

Some recipes suggest cooking the patties at 370°F for 14 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Another option is to cook the patties at 390°F for 5 minutes, season them, flip them, and then cook for an additional 4 minutes. If you are cooking 6-ounce patties, you may need to cook them for a longer time, about 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

It's important to note that you should avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket and arrange the patties in a single layer to ensure even cooking. You can also spritz the patties with cooking spray or water to help them brown and ensure the seasonings stick.

Toppings and sides

Now that you know how to cook your frozen beef patties in an air fryer, it's time to talk about toppings and sides.

Toppings

When it comes to toppings, you can go for classic choices like sliced tomatoes, crisp iceberg lettuce, and thin onions. You can also add a slice of cheese, such as American cheese or provolone, to your beef patty. For something different, try cowboy candy, pickled red onions, sautéed mushrooms, or crispy fried onions. If you're feeling creative, make your own homemade condiments like mayonnaise or burger sauce.

Sides

As for sides, you can't go wrong with French fries, cajun fries, shoestring fries, sweet potato fries, or even a side salad. If you're looking for something more substantial, try onion rings, tater tots, or a pasta salad.

Buns

Don't forget the bun! You can choose a classic hamburger bun, or switch it up with a gluten-free option. For an extra indulgent touch, butter your bun and grill it.

Storing leftovers

If you want to freeze the leftover patties, it is not recommended as it may affect their texture and taste. Freezer burn doesn't make beef patties unsafe to eat, but it can alter their quality.

To reheat the leftover patties, simply place them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 5 minutes or until hot. You can also reheat them in the air fryer at 360°F for 5-6 minutes. This will give them a light fried flavor and an irresistible crunch.

Using pre-made or homemade patties

First, take your patty straight from the freezer and spritz or spray it lightly with water or cooking spray so that any seasoning will stick. Season generously with salt and pepper, or use garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, or Worcestershire sauce. You can also buy pre-seasoned beef patties from the grocery store.

Next, preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 390°F. Place the patty in the air fryer basket, being sure to arrange the patties in a single layer if cooking more than one. You don't need to flip the patty, but if you are cooking at 350°F, you may wish to flip it halfway through the cooking time.

Cooking time will depend on how well-done you like your burger. For a medium-rare burger, cook for 8 minutes at 390°F, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre reads between 120°F and 125°F. For a medium burger, cook for 15-17 minutes at 350°F, or 14 minutes at 370°F. For well-done, simply increase the cooking time.

Once cooked, remove the patty from the air fryer and add cheese if desired. Cover the patty with a plate or foil to help the cheese melt. Then, add your toppings and serve on a bun. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions