Tiffany Haney
Cooking hamburgers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get juicy and evenly cooked burgers. The air fryer is a convenient alternative to pan-frying or grilling, especially if you're cooking indoors. With an air fryer, you can achieve perfectly cooked burgers with a delicious, melty cheese topping. This method also allows you to toast the buns inside the air fryer for added convenience and flavour.
How to cook hamburgers in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, or bison |
| Meat Blend | 80/20, 85/15, or chuck |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, Montreal steak seasoning, Burger Worcestershire Montreal seasoning |
| Other Ingredients | Barbecue sauce, bouillon, butter |
| Patty Thickness | 1/2" to 3/4" to 1" |
| Patty Diameter | 4 1/2" |
| Patty Indentation | Yes |
| Patty Number | 4 |
| Patty Arrangement | Single layer |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 195°C) |
| Air Fryer Preheating | Yes |
| Cooking Time | 6 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through |
| Cheese | Optional, add in the last 1-2 minutes |
| Bun | Toast in the air fryer |
| Sides | Fries, macaroni salad, caprese corn salad, watermelon and feta salad |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right meat
When it comes to choosing the right meat for your hamburgers, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is recommended to use meat with a bit of fat to keep the burgers moist and juicy. Specifically, an 80/20 blend of ground beef is often suggested as it has the right amount of fat without being too greasy. If you can't find an 80/20 blend, you can also go for an 85/15 blend or try ground chuck in the same ratio.
If you're not a fan of beef, there are other options available. Ground turkey, ground chicken, and bison are all great alternatives and can be prepared in a similar way to beef burgers. For a plant-based option, you can use impossible meat or beyond meat.
It's important not to overwork the meat when mixing and forming the patties, as this can lead to dry burgers. To get the perfect patty shape, divide the meat mixture into equal parts and gently form each part into a patty by pressing it down with a plate or your hands. Aim for a thickness of about 3/4 to 1 inch, and don't forget to make a small indent in the center of each patty to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.
Lastly, while it's generally recommended not to salt the meat before cooking as it can draw out moisture and affect the juiciness of the burger, you can still season the outside of your patties with salt, sugar, and other seasonings to create a delicious flavourful crust.
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Preparing the meat
Firstly, choose a meat with a little bit of fat to keep the burgers moist. An 80/20 blend of ground beef is a good option, as it has the right amount of fat to keep the patties juicy without too much grease. You can also use ground chuck in an 80/20 blend, or ground turkey, chicken, or bison for a leaner option.
Once you have your meat, gently combine it with your chosen seasonings in a medium-sized bowl. Avoid overworking the meat, as this can lead to dry burgers. A simple option is to use salt and pepper, with a dash of onion and garlic powder. You can also try Montreal steak seasoning, or a combination of salt and sugar, which will dry out the outer layer of the meat and promote the Maillard reaction (browning). If you want to get creative, you can make your own blend of ground beef or experiment with different spices such as garlic powder and onion powder.
After your meat and seasonings are combined, it's time to form the patties. Divide the meat mixture into four equal parts and form each part into a patty, following the recommended thickness of 3/4 inch to 1 inch. You can use a plate to help press it down. It is important not to make your patties too thick, as they may tense up into meatballs during cooking. Make a small indent in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent the burgers from puffing up during cooking.
Now you have your patties prepared and ready to go into the air fryer!
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Patting the meat
When it comes to patting the meat, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to use cold meat straight from the fridge for the best results. If you're using ground beef, opt for a blend with a good amount of fat, such as an 80/20 or 85/15 blend, to ensure your patties stay juicy without becoming too greasy. You can also experiment with ground turkey, chicken, or bison for a different take on the traditional burger.
Once you've selected your meat, it's time to start shaping your patties. Divide your meat mixture into equal parts, aiming for about four patties. Each patty should be slightly larger than your buns to allow for shrinkage during cooking. When shaping your patties, press them down to a thickness of about 3/4 to 1 inch. You can use a plate to help achieve a uniform thickness.
Creating a small indent in the centre of each patty is a crucial step. This technique, also known as making a "well" in the middle, prevents the patties from puffing up during cooking, ensuring they cook evenly. Use your thumb to gently press down in the centre, creating a slight depression. This simple trick will help you achieve perfectly flat, evenly cooked burgers every time.
It's important not to overwork the meat by mixing or handling it excessively, as this can lead to dry burgers. Handle the meat just enough to shape it into patties and create the indent in the centre. Additionally, avoid using low-fat meat, as this can affect the juiciness and texture of your burgers.
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Cooking the burgers
Cooking hamburgers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get evenly cooked, juicy burgers. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook hamburgers in an air fryer:
Preparing the Meat
Firstly, decide on the type of meat you want to use. While most recipes call for ground beef, you can also use ground turkey, ground chicken, or bison. If using ground beef, opt for a blend with a higher fat content, such as an 80/20 or 85/15 blend, to keep the patties juicy. Avoid low-fat meat as this can lead to dry burgers.
In a medium-sized bowl, gently combine the ground meat with your choice of seasonings. You can use a pre-made hamburger seasoning, or create your own blend of salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Avoid overworking the meat as this can lead to dry burgers.
Forming the Patties
Divide the meat mixture into four equal parts and form each part into a patty. The thickness of the patty will depend on your preference, but aim for about 3/4 inch to 1 inch thick. Make the patties slightly larger than your buns to allow for shrinkage during cooking. Use your thumb to make a small indent in the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up during cooking.
Preheating the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 195°C). The preheating step is optional, but it can help ensure more even cooking. Remember that different air fryers may have varying temperature settings, so adjust accordingly.
Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the burgers in batches. Cook the patties for about 6 to 10 minutes, depending on the desired doneness and the thickness of the patties. For rarer burgers, aim for the lower end of the time range, and for well-done burgers, cook for a longer period.
Flipping and Toppings
After the initial cooking time, carefully flip the burgers. Add your desired toppings, such as cheese, BBQ sauce, or other condiments. Continue cooking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the patties reaches 160°F (71°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of your burgers.
Serving
Once the burgers are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve them on toasted buns with your favorite toppings and sides. Enjoy your juicy, perfectly cooked air-fried hamburgers!
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Serving the burgers
Once your burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness, you can add cheese and cook for a further 1-2 minutes. You can also toast the buns in the air fryer for a minute or two.
If you're serving fries with your burgers, cook these first and set them aside. Then, once the burgers are done, add the fries back to the basket and cook at 400°F for 3-4 minutes.
You can also create a burger bar by arranging lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and pickles on a platter so everyone can build their own burger. Some zesty topping ideas include jalapeños, green chilies, sauerkraut, and aioli. If you prefer savory toppings, try roasted red bell peppers, fried eggs, bacon, or mushrooms.
If you're serving a large group, you may need to cook the burgers in batches.
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Frequently asked questions
Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to preheat. Combine ground beef with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Montreal steak spice. Avoid overworking the meat to keep the burgers tender. Divide the meat mixture into four equal parts and form each part into a patty. Make a small indent in the centre of each patty to prevent them from puffing up during cooking. Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 7-12 minutes. Carefully flip the burgers and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until their internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
It takes 10-17 minutes to cook hamburgers in an air fryer. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your patties and the size of your air fryer.
To prevent overcooking, check on your hamburgers early and often. You can also use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of your patties.
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 your patties.
