Emilie Meyer
Air fryers are a convenient and tasty way to cook burgers. They are perfect for when it's too cold to grill outside and can cook burgers in just a few minutes. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the patty and the size and brand of the air fryer. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 400°F and cook the burgers for around 8 to 13 minutes. The burgers can be made even more delicious by adding cheese and toasting the buns in the air fryer.
How to cook pre-made burgers in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat temperature | 350°F (175°C) or 400°F (200°C) |
| Patty thickness | 3/4–1 inch |
| Patty diameter | 4 1/2 inches |
| Patty quantity | 1–2 |
| Patty seasoning | Pepper, steak seasoning, butter and bouillon mixture |
| Patty cooking time | 8–13 minutes |
| Patty cooking temperature | 350°F (175°C) or 375°F |
| Patty flipping | Not necessary, flip halfway through cooking or not at all |
| Cheese | Place on patty after cooking, leave in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes to melt |
| Bun toasting | Place buns in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your burgers cook evenly and efficiently. The preheat temperature will be the same as the cooking temperature, so set your air fryer to the desired temperature for your burgers. For example, some recipes suggest cooking burgers in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C), while others recommend 400°F (200°C) or 375°F. The temperature you choose will depend on your air fryer's capabilities and your personal preference for burger doneness.
To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the desired temperature. Allow it to heat up for a few minutes before placing your burgers inside. It is important to note that not all air fryers have a designated "preheat" setting, so you may need to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your specific air fryer model. Refer to the user manual for precise instructions on how to preheat your particular air fryer.
Additionally, it is recommended to add about a cup of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before preheating. This water will catch the dripping grease during cooking, preventing excessive smoking and making cleanup easier. It's a crucial step to avoid setting off your smoke alarm!
Once your air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, you can proceed with placing your burgers inside and setting the timer for the cooking duration. Remember to space out the burgers in the basket to ensure even cooking, and do not overcrowd the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the burgers in batches.
By preheating your air fryer, you create a consistent cooking environment for your burgers, ensuring they cook thoroughly and efficiently. This step sets the foundation for juicy, evenly cooked burgers that are worth the wait!
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Prepare the patty mix
Preparing the patty mix is the first step in making delicious burgers in an air fryer. Start by setting your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and allowing it to preheat. This step is optional but can help ensure even cooking. While the air fryer preheats, it's time to prepare the patty mix.
For juicy hamburgers, use ground beef with an 80/20 or 85/15 blend. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with your choice of seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with ingredients like red onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and English mustard. Avoid overworking the meat to maintain tenderness.
Once the ingredients are combined, it's time to form the patties. Divide the mixture into four equal parts. Each part should be formed into a patty about 3/4 to 1 inch thick and slightly bigger than your buns, as they will shrink during cooking. Use your thumb to make a small indent in the center of each patty; this prevents the burgers from puffing up during cooking. You can also use the bottom of a plate to press the patties for an even layer before indenting.
If you have time, you can cover and refrigerate the patties for up to two days before cooking. This allows the flavours to meld and enhances the taste. However, if you're in a hurry, you can cook the patties immediately after forming them.
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Form the patties
To form the patties, start by mixing your choice of ground beef with your desired seasonings. For instance, you could use red onion, garlic, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and English mustard. Avoid overworking the meat to keep the burgers tender. Next, divide the seasoned meat mixture into equal parts, usually four parts. Form each part into a patty with your desired thickness, typically ranging from 3/4 to 1 inch. Make the patties slightly larger than the buns to account for shrinkage during cooking.
Using your thumb, create a small indentation in the center of each patty. This technique prevents the patties from puffing up or doming during cooking, ensuring a flat surface. You can also use the bottom of a plate to gently press the patties into your working surface to create an even layer before making the indentations. If you prefer a more rounded shape, press a ball of seasoned ground beef with your hand and round the sides to your desired size.
For cheeseburgers, place a slice of cheese on top of each patty and let it melt using residual heat after cooking. Alternatively, you can add cheese during the final minute of air frying, allowing it to melt for 1-2 minutes.
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Cook the burgers
Cooking pre-made burgers in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, juicy results. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving burger perfection:
Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Most recipes recommend preheating to a temperature of between 350°F and 400°F (175°C to 200°C). It is important to check your air fryer manufacturer's recommendations, as the temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the model. Once preheated, you can begin cooking your burgers.
Place one or two burgers in each air fryer compartment, ensuring they don't touch. The number of burgers you can cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer. Thicker patties may take longer to cook, so it is important to adjust the cooking time accordingly. For a medium-rare burger, consider flipping it after 3 minutes and checking the temperature after 5 minutes.
Air fry your burgers for around 8-13 minutes. Some recipes suggest a temperature of 350°F for 8 minutes, while others recommend 375°F for 13 minutes. It is important to note that you may not need to flip your burgers during cooking, as air fryers cook food evenly on all sides. However, if you are concerned about excessive smoking, you can flip your burgers halfway through the cooking process.
If you are making cheeseburgers, add a slice of cheese to each burger after removing them from the air fryer. Let the residual heat melt the cheese by leaving the burgers in the air fryer for an additional 1-2 minutes. You can also use this residual heat to toast your burger buns. Place the buns cut-side up in the air fryer for a minute or two until lightly toasted.
Always refer to the instruction manual for your specific air fryer model and adjust cooking times and temperatures as needed.
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Melt cheese on top
Cooking pre-made burgers in an air fryer is a fast, clean, and convenient way to enjoy juicy burgers without the greasy mess of pan-frying or grilling. Here are some detailed instructions on how to cook pre-made burgers in an air fryer, with a focus on melting cheese on top:
Prepare the Air Fryer and Burgers:
Start by preheating your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 195°C). The preheating time can vary, but 3 minutes is a good rule of thumb. Place the pre-made burger patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you're cooking frozen patties, they might need a bit more time, so adjust your timing accordingly.
Cooking the Burgers:
The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your burgers and your desired doneness. For a medium-rare burger, cook for about 8-10 minutes on each side. If you prefer your burgers well done, simply increase the cooking time. Don't forget to flip the burgers halfway through for even cooking. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness; the thickest part of the patty should reach 160°F for a well-done burger.
Melting Cheese on Top:
Now it's time to add cheese and let it melt to perfection! Turn off the air fryer after the burgers are cooked to your liking. Place a slice of cheese on each burger patty. You can use American cheese or any melting cheese of your choice. Close the air fryer and let the residual heat work its magic. Depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of the cheese slice, this should take around 1-2 minutes. If you want to speed up the melting process, you can put the air fryer on low heat for the final minute of cooking.
Serving the Burgers:
Once the cheese is melted to your desired level, it's time to build your burgers! Place the burgers on toasted buns and add your favourite toppings and condiments. You can serve these juicy cheeseburgers with a variety of sides, such as air fryer fries, onion rings, or a refreshing salad. Enjoy your delicious, perfectly cooked burgers without ever having to fire up the grill!
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Frequently asked questions
The best temperature to cook pre-made burgers in an air fryer is 350°F (175°C). However, some recipes suggest cooking at 400°F (200°C) or 375°F for 13 minutes.
It takes around 8-13 minutes to cook pre-made burgers in an air fryer.
It is not necessary to flip the burgers while they are cooking in an air fryer. However, some recipes suggest flipping them halfway through cooking for even cooking.
Yes, you can cook frozen burgers in an air fryer. The preheat and cooking temperatures will be the same.
To make juicy burgers in an air fryer, use ground beef with a higher fat content, such as an 80/20 or 85/15 blend. Adding cheese to the burgers in the last 1-2 minutes of cooking will also make them juicier.
