Air-Fryer Magic: Medium-Rare Burger Perfection

Cooking burgers in an air fryer is a quick, convenient, and tasty way to prepare this popular meal. Using an air fryer means less oil, less clean-up, and more flavour.

To make a medium-rare burger in an air fryer, you'll need to prepare your beef patty and preheat your air fryer to around 360-375°F. Place the patty in the fryer for around 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. The internal temperature of the beef should be 130-150°F for medium-rare.

You can add cheese to your burger in the last minute of cooking, and serve on a bun or in a lettuce wrap with your favourite toppings and condiments.

Choosing the right ground beef

When it comes to making burgers, the beef is the star of the show. To make the perfect medium-rare burger in an air fryer, choosing the right ground beef is essential. Here are some tips to help you select the best ground beef for your juicy burgers.

Fat Content

The fat content of ground beef is crucial in determining the juiciness of your burgers. Look for ground beef with a higher fat content, ideally around 20%. An 80/20 blend, or 80% lean meat and 20% fat, is often recommended for burgers as it strikes the perfect balance between flavour and juiciness. This blend will ensure your burgers are moist and tasty without being too greasy. If you are cooking your burgers to medium-well or well-done, consider opting for a higher fat content, such as a 70/30 blend, to compensate for the loss of fat during cooking.

Cooking Method

The cooking method can also impact your choice of ground beef. If you are grilling your burgers, go for a blend with a slightly higher fat content as the fat will drip out during cooking. On the other hand, if you are pan-frying or using an air fryer, a lower fat content is better as you will have more control over the heat and less grease to deal with.

Cut of Beef

When it comes to the cut of beef, opt for full-flavoured options such as chuck, round, or brisket. Round is leaner, so you may want to increase the fat content by adding another cut like short ribs, which have a strong beefy flavour and fat that won't melt too quickly.

Freshness

To ensure your ground beef is fresh, look for packages with a bright rosy-pink colour and minimal juices. Avoid ground beef with a grey appearance. Keep your ground beef cold in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it, and use it within two days for optimal freshness.

Where to Buy

While you can find ground beef at your local grocery store, it is worth seeking out a good butcher or meat market for higher-quality meat. You may pay a little more, but the superior flavour and texture will be worth it for a truly exceptional burger.

Now that you know how to choose the right ground beef, you're well on your way to making mouthwatering medium-rare burgers in your air fryer!

Seasoning

Types of Seasoning

When it comes to seasoning your burger patties, you have a lot of flexibility to personalise the flavours to your taste. Here are some popular seasoning options:

• Salt and Pepper: These are the classic seasoning duo and are must-haves in any burger patty. They enhance the natural flavour of the beef and bring out its juiciness.
• Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These add a savoury punch to your burgers and are a great way to elevate the flavour.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce give the burgers a deliciously deep and slightly salty flavour.
• Montreal Steak Seasoning: If you're looking for a convenient all-in-one seasoning blend, Montreal steak seasoning is a great option. It typically includes ingredients like salt, pepper, garlic, coriander, red pepper flakes, and more.
• Barbecue Sauce: Adding barbecue sauce to your burger mixture gives it a smokey flavour and that classic burger taste.
• Ketchup: Ketchup not only adds sweetness to your burgers but also helps to keep them moist.

Instructions for Seasoning

• In a large mixing bowl, combine your fresh ground beef with the seasonings of your choice.
• Use your hands or a fork to gently mix the ingredients until they are well incorporated. Be careful not to overwork the meat, as this can make your burgers tough and dry.
• Form the mixture into equal-sized balls, then press and shape them into patties.
• Create a slight indentation in the centre of each patty with your thumb or the back of a spoon. This helps prevent the patties from bulging up during cooking.
• If you have the time, you can chill the patties in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help them hold their shape better during cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature (typically around 350°F to 375°F).
• Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Cook the patties for the desired amount of time (usually around 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare), flipping them halfway through.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the patties to ensure they are cooked to your desired doneness. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F to 140°F.
• Once they are cooked to your liking, remove the patties from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making your burgers extra juicy.

Tips for Seasoning

• Don't be shy with the seasoning—burger patties can handle a generous amount of seasoning to enhance their flavour.
• Mix the seasonings into the meat before forming your patties to ensure the flavour is evenly distributed.
• If you want to add cheese to your burgers, place a slice on each patty during the last minute of cooking. The residual heat will melt the cheese perfectly.
• If you're serving your burgers with buns, consider toasting them lightly in the oven or toaster oven before assembling your burgers.

Forming the patties

To form the perfect patty, you'll want to start with the right ground beef. An 80/20 blend of ground beef is ideal, meaning 80% muscle and 20% fat. This will ensure your burgers are juicy and not too dry. You can also use ground turkey, ground chicken, or bison for your patties, but the cooking time may vary, so be sure to check the internal temperature to ensure they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Once you have your ground beef, it's time to season it! Don't be shy with the seasoning—this will give your burgers a boost of flavour. You can use a variety of seasonings such as Worcestershire sauce, garlic and onion powders, salt, and pepper. Combine the ground beef and seasonings in a bowl and mix until everything is combined. Be careful not to overwork the mixture, as this can result in tough and dry burgers.

Now it's time to shape your patties. Divide the mixture into equal portions and form each portion into a patty. The thickness of your patty will depend on your preference, but a good rule of thumb is to make them slightly larger than your bun, as they will shrink slightly during cooking. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small indent in the centre of each patty. This will prevent the patties from bulging up in the middle as they cook.

Before you cook your patties, it's important to preheat your air fryer. This will help ensure even cooking and a good sear on your burgers. The ideal temperature for cooking burgers in the air fryer is between 350°F and 375°F.

Place your patties in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the patties in batches. Cook the patties for 4-6 minutes on one side, then flip them over and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness and the thickness of your patties.

To check if your burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature. For a medium-rare burger, you're looking for an internal temperature of 130-135°F. Let the burgers rest for a minute or two before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and settle back into the patties, ensuring each bite is juicy.

Cooking the burgers

Now that you've got your ingredients ready and your air fryer preheated to the desired temperature, it's time to cook those burgers!

First, divide your meat mixture into four equal parts. Then, form each part into a patty that's about 3/4 inch to 1 inch thick. Don't forget to make a small indent in the centre of each patty—this will prevent the burgers from puffing up or bulging in the middle as they cook.

Once your patties are ready, carefully place them into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each patty to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the burgers in batches.

Close the air fryer and let the magic happen! For a medium-rare burger, you'll want to cook the patties for around 4 to 6 minutes on one side, then flip them over and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness and the specifics of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them!

To check if your burgers are cooked to your liking, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the patties. For a medium-rare burger, you're aiming for an internal temperature of around 130-140°F (54-60°C).

Once your burgers have reached the desired temperature, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures that each bite is juicy and flavourful.

If you're making cheeseburgers, now's the time to add a slice of cheese to each patty. Simply place the cheese on top of the burgers, close the air fryer, and let the residual heat melt the cheese—this should only take about a minute.

And that's it! You've now got perfectly cooked, juicy medium-rare burgers. Serve them on buns or lettuce wraps with your favourite toppings and condiments, and enjoy!

Serving suggestions

There are endless ways to serve your air-fried burgers! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Bun and Toppings

First, decide whether you want to serve your burger in a bun or as a lettuce wrap for a low-carb option. If you're using a bun, you can toast it in the oven or toaster oven beforehand for a couple of minutes—just keep an eye on it to prevent burning. You can also use a gluten-free bun or opt for brioche or pretzel buns for a more decadent option.

Now, it's time for the toppings! You can go the traditional route with cheese, lettuce, tomato slices, and standard condiments like barbecue sauce, mayo, mustard, or ketchup. Or, take your burger to the next level with air fryer add-ons like pickles, bacon, or onion rings. If you're feeling adventurous, try something like pickled onions, roasted red peppers, Greek yogurt ranch dip, sautéed mushrooms, or refrigerator pickles. Avocado slices or guacamole also pair well with burgers.

Sides

What's a burger without some crispy, hot sides? The classic choice is, of course, French fries. But why not switch it up with sweet potato fries, onion rings, or tater tots? You can also serve your burger with a side salad, coleslaw, or Greek salad for something lighter and healthier.

If you're feeling extra hungry, try making some air fryer corn on the cob, or bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers. In the summer, add some seasonal produce like asparagus or a caprese salad.

For a Crowd

These air fryer burgers are also great for gatherings and can be served with sides like Mexican corn salad, grilled potato salad, or broccoli slaw.

Leftovers

Don't worry if you have leftover burgers—there are plenty of ways to reinvent them! Try a burger bowl, add the patty to a salad, crumble it on top of a pizza, or use it to make cheeseburger pasta. You can also make a patty melt by adding the burger to an air fryer grilled cheese sandwich.

Variations

This recipe is easily customizable to cater to different tastes and preferences. You can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or bison for the patties, or make them plant-based with impossible meat or beyond meat. If you're skipping the bun, serve the burger inside a bowl over lettuce and other toppings to create a burger bowl. For a kick of spice, add some cayenne pepper to the seasonings and top your burger with pickled jalapenos.

Cooking Tips

To ensure your burgers are juicy, use ground meat with a higher fat content, around 20% is ideal. Avoid overpacking the meat when forming the patties, and only flip them once during cooking. Adding a small indent in the center of each patty before cooking will help them cook evenly without puffing up in the middle.

Always preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the burgers, and cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the basket. This ensures the hot air circulates effectively, giving you that perfect crispy exterior.

Storing and Reheating

If you have any leftover burgers, allow them to cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate the burgers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.

To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until they're heated through and crispy. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

If you don't plan on eating the leftovers within a few days, freezing is a great option. Wrap each burger individually and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Then, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and enjoying!

Frequently asked questions