Air-Fried Cheeseburger Perfection: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to make juicy cheeseburgers with a nice crispy outside. They can be cooked in under 10 minutes and are a great option when you don't feel like cooking. You can also add your favourite toppings and customise each burger.

How to Make Cheeseburgers in an Air Fryer

Choosing the right ground beef

When making cheeseburgers in an air fryer, choosing the right ground beef is essential for achieving the perfect flavour and texture. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your ground beef:

Fat Content

The fat content of the ground beef plays a crucial role in determining the juiciness and flavour of your cheeseburgers. While you might be inclined to choose a leaner option, a higher fat content is generally preferred for burgers. Aim for a ratio of 70% lean meat to 30% fat or an 80/20 blend. This will ensure your burgers remain moist and juicy, especially if you are cooking them to a medium or well-done state. If you are cooking your burgers medium-rare, you can opt for a slightly leaner blend, such as 85/15.

Cooking Method

The cooking method you choose will also impact the ideal fat content of your ground beef. If you are grilling your burgers, go for a blend with a little more fat, as much of it will drip out during the cooking process. On the other hand, if you are pan-frying or using an air fryer, a slightly lower fat content is preferable, as you will have more control over the heat and won't be left with excessive grease.

Cut of Beef

When selecting ground beef, opt for full-flavoured cuts such as chuck, round, or brisket. Round is a leaner option, so you may need to increase the fat content by adding another cut, like short ribs, which have a more intense beef flavour and slower-melting fat.

Shopping Source

Where you buy your ground beef can also make a difference. While grocery stores are convenient and economical, a good butcher or meat market will offer superior quality and allow you to customise your blend to suit your preferences.

Colour and Freshness

When purchasing ground beef, look for a bright cherry-red colour, as this indicates freshness. Avoid packages with excessive liquid, and always check the "best before" date to ensure you're getting the freshest product.

Remember, the key to a delicious cheeseburger is starting with quality ingredients, so don't skimp on the ground beef!

Preparing the patty mix

The first step in making cheeseburgers in an air fryer is preparing the patty mix. This involves combining ground beef with various seasonings and shaping it into patties. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Ingredients

For the patty mix, you'll need ground beef, preferably with a lean-to-fat ratio of 80/20 or 90/10. This ratio ensures that your burgers stay moist and juicy without too much grease. You can also add other ingredients like:

• Worcestershire sauce
• Liquid smoke
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Onion powder
• Breadcrumbs
• Mustard
• Ketchup
• Herbs and spices (e.g. parsley, rosemary, sage)

Mixing and Shaping

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with your desired mix-ins. Use your hands or a spatula to mix everything together thoroughly but gently—overworking the meat can make the patties tough and chewy.

Once the mixture is well combined, it's time to shape the patties. Divide the mixture into equal portions, depending on how many burgers you want to make. For a 1-pound batch of meat, you can typically make four decent-sized patties.

Shape each portion into a round, flat patty, about 1/2 inch thick. A helpful tip is to make a small indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb—this prevents the patties from puffing up or swelling during cooking.

If you're making stuffed cheeseburgers, place a slice of cheese and any desired toppings (such as sliced green onions) in the center of half of the patties, then top with the remaining patties, pressing the edges together firmly to seal.

Storage and Freezing

If you're not cooking the burgers right away, you can store the uncooked patties in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or freeze them for later use. To freeze, place the patties in an airtight container with parchment paper between each patty to prevent sticking. They'll keep in the freezer for about a month.

Now that your patty mix is ready, you can move on to cooking the cheeseburgers in your air fryer!

Cooking the patties

To cook the patties, first, preheat your air fryer. Different sources recommend preheating to different temperatures, including 350°F, 375°F, and 400°F. Preheat for at least 3 minutes.

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your beef mixture. Different recipes suggest different ingredients, but a common combination is ground beef, cheese, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix these ingredients together in a large bowl.

Divide the ground beef mixture into four evenly-sized portions and shape them into round, flat patties. Make the patties slightly thinner in the middle, as they will puff up during cooking.

Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the recipe, cook for 7-10 minutes, then flip the patties and cook for another 3-10 minutes. The total cooking time will be around 12-16 minutes. You can check if the patties are done by inserting a thermometer into the centre of the patty. For beef burgers, the temperature should be 160°F.

Once the patties are cooked, add a slice of cheese to each one and place back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

Adding cheese and other toppings

Adding cheese and toppings to your burger is the final step in crafting a delicious cheeseburger in your air fryer. Once you've cooked your patty, simply place a slice of cheese on top and return the burger to the air fryer for around 20-30 seconds, or until the cheese has started to melt.

You can use any type of sliced cheese, such as cheddar, American, Swiss, or pepper jack. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even stuff your burger with cheese. To do this, shape your beef into two thin patties, place sliced cheese in the centre of one, and then top with the other patty, pressing the edges together firmly to seal.

When it comes to toppings, the options are endless. You can add vegetables like lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, or mushrooms. Or, if you're looking for something more indulgent, try bacon, caramelized onions, guacamole, or arugula. Don't forget to add your favourite condiments, like mayonnaise, ketchup, barbecue sauce, or a creamy burger sauce.

If you're serving your cheeseburgers with a side, air fryer French fries, sweet potato fries, or zucchini fries are always a hit.

Serving suggestions

Sides

Air fryer cheeseburgers go well with seasoned fries, homemade onion rings, pasta salad, French fries, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, or potato salad. You can also serve them with Cheesy Broccoli Fritters, Zucchini Fries, or Crispy Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges.

Toppings

You can add any of your favourite vegetables to your cheeseburger, such as lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, or mushrooms. You can also add condiments like burger sauce, barbecue sauce, ranch, buffalo sauce, or garlic aioli. If you want to add some spice, try jalapenos, green chillies, or sauerkraut. For a savoury flavour, add roasted red bell peppers, a fried egg, bacon, or sautéed or air-fried mushrooms.

Buns

You can serve your air fryer cheeseburger in a toasted brioche or hamburger bun, or keep it low-carb by using a lettuce wrap.

Frequently asked questions