Air Fryer Frozen Burgers: Quick, Crispy, And Juicy

Making a frozen burger in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy a tasty burger without the mess and time commitment of firing up the grill. With an air fryer, you can cook frozen burgers with minimal prep and almost no cleanup. Plus, there's no need to thaw the patties beforehand, making it an ideal option for a hassle-free and delicious meal.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-390°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking frozen burgers. While some recipes suggest a preheat temperature of 370°F, others recommend a higher temperature of 390°F. The ideal temperature range is between 350°F and 390°F.

Preheating your air fryer ensures that your burger cooks evenly and efficiently. It also helps to create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. By preheating your air fryer, you can be confident that your burger will cook through without burning on the outside.

The preheat function on your air fryer is a convenient feature that allows you to set the desired temperature before adding your food. This is particularly useful when cooking frozen foods, as it ensures that the cooking process is consistent and thorough.

Once your air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, you can proceed with adding your frozen burger patties and following the rest of the cooking instructions. Depending on your preferred level of doneness, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

By following this simple step of preheating your air fryer, you're well on your way to enjoying a juicy and flavorful burger cooked to perfection!

Season the frozen patty

Seasoning your frozen patty is a crucial step in making a delicious burger. The right combination of spices and herbs can take your burger to the next level. Here are some tips and suggestions for seasoning your frozen patty to perfection:

Choose Your Seasonings

Begin by selecting the seasonings you want to use. A simple option is to go with the classic combination of salt and pepper. You can use fine sea salt or kosher salt, depending on your preference. Black pepper is a popular choice, but you can also experiment with different types of peppercorns to add a unique twist.

In addition to salt and pepper, you can explore other seasonings to enhance the flavour of your burger. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, steak seasoning, or even a dash of Worcestershire sauce. These seasonings can be found in most grocery stores or online.

Spritz or Spray the Patty

Before applying the seasonings, it is recommended to lightly spritz or spray the frozen patty with water. This step will help the seasonings adhere to the surface of the patty, ensuring that your flavours don't fall off during the cooking process. You can use a cooking spray or simply sprinkle some water on the patty.

Generously Season Both Sides

Once your patty is prepared, it's time to apply the seasonings. Be generous! Sprinkle the seasonings evenly over both sides of the patty, ensuring that every bite will be packed with flavour. Don't be afraid to use your hands to gently rub the seasonings into the surface, especially if you want a stronger flavour.

Experiment with Flavours

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations of seasonings. You can try mixing and matching from a variety of options, such as garlic salt, cayenne pepper, steak seasoning, or even barbecue bacon smokehouse burger seasonings. The beauty of seasoning a frozen patty is that it provides a blank canvas for you to explore and discover your favourite flavour profiles.

Taste and Adjust

Remember that you can always add more seasonings, so start with a moderate amount and taste as you go. After cooking your burger in the air fryer, take a bite and assess the flavour. If you feel it needs a little extra kick, you can always sprinkle on some additional seasonings and pop the burger back into the air fryer for a minute or two to let the flavours meld.

Don't Overdo It

While seasoning is essential, it's important not to go overboard. Too much seasoning can overpower the natural flavour of the beef and make your burger salty or overly spicy. Start with a conservative amount and gradually increase until you find the perfect balance that complements the meat rather than overwhelms it.

Air fry for 8-20 minutes

Air frying is a convenient alternative to deep-frying, grilling, or baking. The air fryer's convection technology cooks frozen burger patties evenly, browning them without drying them out.

The amount of time you air fry your burger for will depend on the size of the patty, the power of your air fryer, and how well done you like your burger. For a well-done burger, you will need to air fry for closer to 20 minutes. For a medium-rare burger, 8 minutes should be enough.

For a 6-ounce patty, air fry for about 20 minutes at 350°F, flipping the patty halfway through. If you like your burger medium-rare, check the internal temperature after 8 minutes. It should read between 120°F and 125°F. For a well-done burger, the internal temperature should reach 160°F.

If you are cooking four 4-ounce patties at 370°F, air fry for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.

If your air fryer is set to 390°F, air fry for 9 minutes in total, seasoning the patty halfway through.

Add cheese and toppings

Once your burger patties are cooked, it's time to add cheese and toppings. If you want melted cheese on your burger, place a slice on top of each patty and cover with a plate or tin foil. The residual heat from the air fryer will melt the cheese. You can also place the cheese-topped burgers back in the air fryer for a minute or two, but be careful as the cheese may make a mess.

As for toppings, the choice is yours! You can stick to the classics: ketchup, mustard, lettuce, and tomato. Or you can get creative with bacon, BBQ sauce, roasted garlic, or anything else you fancy. Just remember to add your toppings after cooking, as adding them during cooking will create a mess inside the air fryer basket.

Serve on a bun

Now that your burger is cooked to perfection, it's time to assemble your burger and bring it to the table. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you serve your juicy air-fried burger on a bun:

Choose the Right Bun

Select a soft and fluffy bun to complement your burger. Brioche buns are a popular choice, but you can also opt for potato buns or even make your own homemade cheddar buns for an extra cheesy kick.

Toast the Bun

Toasting the bun is an optional step, but it adds a nice touch of warmth and crispness to your burger. Simply butter a brioche bun or your bun of choice and toast it in a pan or under the grill. You can also pop it into your air fryer for a quick toast if you're short on time or want to avoid using multiple cooking appliances.

Assemble the Burger

Start by placing the cooked burger patty on the bottom bun. If you're making a cheeseburger, now is the time to add a slice of cheese. You can melt the cheese by covering the burger with a plate or some foil to trap the heat. You can also pop it back into the still-warm air fryer for a minute to melt the cheese.

Load Up on Toppings

This is where you can get creative and customise your burger to your heart's content. Classic toppings include lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. But feel free to experiment with bacon, BBQ sauce, Big Mac sauce, roasted garlic, or any other toppings that tickle your fancy. Just remember to add the messier sauces and toppings after the cheese has melted to avoid a soggy bun.

Stacking Order

While there are many ways to stack your burger, a common order is as follows: bottom bun, condiments, lettuce, tomato, meat, cheese, onion, more condiments, and finally, the top bun. This order ensures that the meat juices soak into the bun, the cheese melts over the patty, and the toppings are securely nestled between the cheese and the top bun.

Pair with Sides

A burger is often accompanied by a side of french fries, onion rings, or potato chips for the full "fast food" experience at home. If you're looking for something a little different, try serving your burger with a side salad, barbecue baked beans, or even air-fried sweet potato fries.

Frequently asked questions