Air-Fryer Hacks: Frozen Burgers Done Right

Cooking frozen burgers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tasty burger. There's no need to preheat the air fryer or defrost the burgers. Simply season the burgers generously, place them in the air fryer and cook for 8-17 minutes, depending on how well done you like your burgers. If you're adding cheese, pop it on 30 seconds to a minute before the end of the cooking time and cook until melted. Once the burgers are cooked, leave them in the air fryer with the drawer slightly ajar for 2-3 minutes, then serve with your choice of accompaniments.

Preheat the air fryer to 370-390ºF

Preheating the air fryer is not always necessary when cooking frozen burgers, but if you want to, you can preheat it to 370-390ºF. This will help to ensure that your burgers are cooked evenly.

Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can then remove your frozen burger patties from the freezer. There is no need to thaw them first. Season the patties generously with salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice. You can also add cheese to the top of the burgers, but this should be done 30 seconds to 1 minute before the end of the cooking time so that it melts.

Place the seasoned patties in the air fryer and cook for 8 to 12 minutes for a medium-rare burger. For a medium internal temperature, cook for 15-17 minutes. If you are cooking thinner patties, 10 minutes should be enough. The internal temperature of a well-done burger should register 160F/71C.

After cooking, leave the burgers in the air fryer with the drawer slightly open for 2 to 3 minutes. This will help to keep them warm while you prepare any accompaniments.

Season the burgers

Seasoning your burgers is an important step in the cooking process. It's recommended that you season your burgers generously with salt and pepper to taste. Because the seasoning on frozen meat doesn't have as much time to penetrate, you may need to season your burger again after cooking. Take a bite to see if it needs more seasoning. You can also add cheese to your burger, placing it on the patty 30 seconds to one minute before the end of the cooking time and leaving it to melt.

You can also season your burgers with your favourite herbs and spices. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can mix and match these spices to create a unique flavour profile that suits your taste preferences.

If you're looking for a more well-done burger, you can cook it for a longer period of time. For a medium-rare burger, check the internal temperature after eight minutes of cooking. An instant-read thermometer stuck into the centre of the patty should read between 120ºF and 125ºF.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to be generous and adjust to your personal preference. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to find your perfect burger flavour.

Cook for 8-17 minutes

Cooking times for frozen burgers in an air fryer vary depending on the thickness of the patty and the desired internal temperature. For a medium-rare burger, check after eight minutes. For a medium internal temperature, cook for 15 to 17 minutes. If you're cooking thinner patties, reduce the cooking time to 10 minutes.

If you're using an instant-read thermometer, the internal temperature of a well-done burger should register at 160ºF/71ºC.

There's no need to preheat the air fryer, but you can if you want to. If you do, preheat it to 360ºF/370ºF/390ºF. Season the burgers generously with salt and pepper, and add them to the air fryer. Flip the burgers once during cooking for even cooking.

Once the burgers are cooked, leave them in the air fryer with the drawer slightly open for two to three minutes. Transfer the burgers to a plate and serve with your accompaniments of choice.

Add cheese 30 seconds before the end

To cook frozen burgers in an air fryer, you should first preheat the air fryer to 370ºF or 390ºF. Then, season the burgers generously with salt and pepper. If you want to add cheese, do so 30 seconds or 1 minute before the end of the cooking time and cook until the cheese melts. You can then add the patties to the air fryer and cook for 8-12 minutes for a medium-rare burger, or 15-17 minutes for a medium internal temperature. If you are cooking thinner patties, you should cook them for 10 minutes at 180C/360F.

Leave the burger in the air fryer with the drawer open for 2-3 minutes

After cooking your burgers in the air fryer, leave them in the basket with the drawer slightly open for 2-3 minutes. This will allow the burgers to cool slightly before serving. You can then transfer the burgers to a plate and serve with any accompaniments you like.

Because the seasoning on frozen meat doesn't have as much time to penetrate, you may need to season your burgers again after cooking. Take a bite to see if they need more seasoning.

Frequently asked questions