Air-Fried Burger Patties: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making burger patties in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy juicy burgers at home. The air fryer's intense heat creates a fried taste without the need for deep frying, resulting in healthier, less greasy burgers. This guide will teach you how to make delicious, juicy burger patties in your air fryer with minimal mess and maximum flavour.

Choosing the right beef

When it comes to making your own burger patties, you have two options: either buy some high-quality ground meat from your local butcher or buy cuts of your choice and mince your own beef. Grinding your own beef gives you full control over the fat content and beef cuts used, but buying pre-ground meat is less stressful and still yields great results.

The optimal fat content for burgers is 15 to 20 percent. This is because fat provides moisture and flavour to the meat and helps prevent the burger from drying out when cooking over a high heat.

Beef chuck is a good choice as it falls within the desired fat content range, with a deep beefy flavour and ample fat. You can also use ground round, but to boost the fat content, try combining it with ground pork, which has a fat content of 20 to 25 percent.

If you're grinding your own meat, you can buy pork fatback from your butcher and add it to the grinder along with your beef. Alternatively, for a spicy kick, try adding one part ground sausage to three parts ground beef.

When it comes to the grind, you want to go for a coarse grind. This will give you a coarser texture, which is preferable to the mushy texture of a finer grind.

When forming your patties, be gentle and don't pack the meat too tightly, as this will result in a hard burger. You also want to keep any extra ingredients mixed into the meat to a minimum, as too many additions will weaken the patty and cause it to fall apart during cooking.

Seasoning and shaping the patties

To make delicious, juicy burger patties in an air fryer, you'll want to get the seasoning and shaping just right. Here's a detailed guide:

Choosing the Right Meat

Select ground beef with a good amount of fat to keep your patties moist and juicy. An 80/20 blend is ideal, with 80% muscle and 20% fat. This ratio ensures your burgers don't become dry. If you're making four patties, you'll need one pound of meat.

Seasoning

For seasoning, don't hold back! You can use a variety of seasonings to elevate the flavour of your patties. Here are some options:

• Salt and pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Worcestershire sauce
• BBQ sauce
• Dijon mustard

Feel free to experiment with other seasonings or use a signature blend. Mix the ground beef and seasonings in a bowl, combining them well. You can use a wooden spoon or spatula, but using your hands gives you a better feel for the texture. Be careful not to overwork the mixture, as this can result in dry and tough burgers.

Shaping the Patties

Divide the seasoned beef mixture into four equal portions. Gently flatten and shape them into patties, making them about half an inch thick. Here's a pro tip: use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small indent in the centre of each patty. This helps prevent the patties from bulging up in the middle as they cook.

Also, remember that burger patties tend to shrink slightly during cooking, so make them slightly larger than your buns. This way, you'll get a perfect fit once they're cooked.

Cooking the patties

Now that you've got your beef patty mixture ready, it's time to cook those patties in the air fryer!

First, preheat your air fryer to 370°F/190°C for around 5 minutes. While you're waiting for that to heat up, divide your beef mixture into four even-sized patties, each about half an inch thick. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small indent in the centre of each patty; this will stop the patties from bulging in the middle as they cook.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place the patties inside, leaving a little space around each one. Cook for 6 minutes, then flip them and cook for another 3 minutes. If you want to add cheese, place a slice on top of each patty during the last minute or two of cooking so it melts.

Check that your patties are cooked to your liking by inserting a cooking thermometer into the centre of each one. The temperature should reach at least 160°F/71°C for ground beef to be safe to eat. If you like your burgers well done, aim for 160-165°F.

Once your patties are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute or two. Then, assemble your burgers with your favourite toppings and condiments, and enjoy!

Adding cheese

There are a few different types of cheese that work well on a burger. Cheddar, Swiss, and American cheese are all good options, but feel free to experiment with your favorites. If you want to get creative, you can try using shredded cheese, which will melt even more easily and give your burger a cheesy boost.

If you're concerned about the cheese sliding off or flying away in the air fryer (yes, it happens!), there are a few things you can do. One option is to use a toothpick to secure the cheese to the patty. Just be sure to remove it before serving and watch it carefully so it doesn't burn. Alternatively, you can add the cheese after removing the patty from the air fryer and let the residual heat melt it.

And don't forget to assemble your burger with your favorite toppings and condiments. Whether you like to keep it classic with lettuce, tomato, and onion, or get creative with toppings like pickled jalapeños or sautéed mushrooms, the possibilities are endless. Enjoy your cheesy, juicy air-fried burger!

Serving suggestions

Now that you've made your juicy burger patties in the air fryer, it's time to think about how to serve them. Here are some ideas to make your burger meal delicious and memorable:

Bun Options

• Toast your buns in the air fryer for a minute or two until they are golden and lightly crispy. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
• If you're gluten-free or prefer a low-carb option, wrap your burger in lettuce instead of using a bun.
• Brioche buns can make your burger more decadent and delicious.
• Pretzel buns add a unique flavor and texture to your burger experience.

Toppings and Condiments

• Cheese: Add a slice of cheddar, Swiss, or American cheese to your burger and let it melt. You can also use shredded cheese, which melts more easily.
• Lettuce, sliced tomato, avocado, barbecue sauce, ketchup, and mayonnaise are classic topping and condiment options.
• For a Mediterranean twist, top your patty with sliced tomatoes, chopped red onions, and crumbled feta cheese.
• Add some crunch with air fryer pickles, air fryer bacon, or air fryer onion rings.
• Take your burger to the next level with pickled onions, roasted red peppers, Greek yogurt ranch dip, sautéed mushrooms, or refrigerator pickles.
• Avocado slices or guacamole add a creamy texture and fresh flavor to your burger.
• For some spice, add cayenne pepper to the seasonings and top your burger with pickled jalapeños.

Sides

• French fries are the classic choice, and you can make them in your air fryer for convenience. Sweet potato fries are also a tasty option.
• For a lighter option, try a refreshing coleslaw or a Greek salad on the side.
• Air fryer corn on the cob is a great way to bring a summery vibe to your burger meal.
• If you're feeling indulgent, serve your burger with onion rings or zucchini fries.

Burger Sauce

Mix ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 teaspoon of sweet relish, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon of honey, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper for a sweet and tangy burger sauce.

With these serving suggestions, you can create a delicious and memorable burger meal. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions