Air-Fryer Bubba Burger: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Bubba burgers are frozen hamburgers made with no artificial ingredients and are available in a variety of proteins, including beef, turkey, and veggie. They are a convenient option for a quick and easy meal, as they can be cooked straight from frozen in an air fryer. The cooking process is simple and only requires a few steps, making it a great weeknight dinner option.

Preheat the air fryer to 370°F

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the burger-making process. By setting your air fryer to reach 370°F, you create the ideal environment for cooking your Bubba Burgers to perfection. This temperature setting ensures that your burgers will cook evenly and efficiently.

Preheating your air fryer to 370°F typically takes around 3 to 5 minutes. During this time, you can prepare your frozen Bubba Burgers. Place them on a sheet tray and spray or brush both sides with olive oil or a similar cooking oil. This step ensures that any seasonings you choose to add will adhere nicely to the patties. It also helps achieve that desirable charred exterior that gives your burgers a delicious grilled flavour.

While preheating, you can also season your burgers. A simple option is to use seasoned salt and black pepper. However, you can get creative and experiment with other seasonings like Montreal steak seasoning, Cajun or Creole seasoning, or blackening seasoning. Just remember that if your seasoning blend doesn't contain salt, you may want to add some to enhance the flavour.

Once your air fryer reaches the desired temperature of 370°F, you're ready to start cooking your Bubba Burgers. Place the seasoned, frozen patties into the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. This spacing allows for even cooking and helps prevent overcrowding, which can affect cooking times and temperatures.

By preheating your air fryer to 370°F, you create the optimal conditions for cooking juicy and flavourful Bubba Burgers. This temperature setting ensures your burgers cook thoroughly without drying out, achieving that perfect balance between a charred exterior and a juicy, tender interior.

Seasoning and toppings

The seasoning and toppings you use for your Bubba Burger are entirely customisable. You can choose to season your burger with salt, pepper, steak seasoning, Cajun or Creole seasoning, blackening seasoning, or garlic powder. You can also opt for no seasoning at all.

If you are using a seasoning without salt, it is recommended to add salt to taste. Additionally, you can spray your Bubba Burger with olive oil to help the seasoning stick to the patty. However, this is not necessary, as the patties have enough fat to prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.

Once your Bubba Burger is cooked, you can add your choice of toppings. You can serve your burger on a brioche bun, a regular bun, a roll, or in a lettuce wrap for a low-carb option. Some topping options include lettuce, tomato, bacon, onion, and cheese. You can also add a sauce of your choice.

How to serve

Air fryer Bubba burgers can be served on a bun, roll, or even in a lettuce wrap for a low-carb option. Don't forget to add your favourite toppings like lettuce, tomato, and sauce. You can also add cheese to make it a cheeseburger.

If you want to add extra flavour, try seasoning your burger with Montreal steak seasoning, seasoned salt, garlic powder, or a delicious burger seasoning.

Some side dishes that go well with the burgers include corn and tomato salad, grilled Mexican street corn, or French fries.

If you want to cook both fries and burgers, it is recommended to air fry the fries first and then keep them warm in the oven while you cook the burgers, as cooking them together may result in greasy fries.

You can also serve the burgers with coleslaw or potato chips on the side.

How to store leftovers

Leftover Bubba burgers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. To store, let the burgers cool down, then place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminium foil or plastic wrap.

If you want to freeze your leftover Bubba burgers, place them in a freezer-safe container and they will keep for up to 3 months. To thaw, place the container in the fridge overnight.

Reheat your Bubba burgers in the microwave until warm. Avoid reheating in the air fryer as this may dry them out.

Preventing the air fryer from smoking

To prevent your air fryer from smoking, you should first ensure that it is clean and free from grease and food buildup. Leftover grease and food particles can burn and smoke when the air fryer is heated. It is recommended to clean your air fryer after each use.

If your air fryer is clean and still smoking, it could be due to excess grease from the food you are cooking. Meats with a higher fat content, such as chicken thighs, sausages, bacon, and hamburgers, can produce a lot of grease, which can splatter onto the heating element and cause smoking. To prevent this, you can try placing a slice of bread or two at the bottom of the drawer under the basket to absorb the excess grease. Alternatively, you can pour a couple of tablespoons of water underneath the basket before cooking. The water will convert to steam and prevent the grease from causing smoke.

Another reason for smoking could be that your basket is overcrowded. If the basket is too full, the hot air cannot circulate properly, and food may burn, causing smoke. Make sure to leave enough space between the food items in the basket.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that your food is not touching the heating element. If the food is too close to the burner, it can burn and smoke. Adjust the position of the food so that it is not in direct contact with the heating element.

By following these tips, you can help prevent your air fryer from smoking and enjoy your Bubba burgers without any issues.

Frequently asked questions