Air Fryer Frozen White Castle Burgers: Quick, Easy Treat

If you're craving the taste of White Castle burgers but don't want to go to a restaurant, you can cook them in an air fryer. This method is faster than microwaving and gives the burgers a crispy texture while keeping the insides juicy. You can cook as many burgers as will fit in your air fryer in a single layer without overlapping. Preheat your air fryer to between 340-390°F and cook the burgers upside down for 10 minutes. Halfway through, flip the burgers and continue cooking until they're warmed through. Serve with your favorite condiments.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in ensuring your White Castle burgers are cooked to perfection. It gives the burgers a head start, so they don't spend too much time defrosting and ensures a consistently crispy texture. Depending on your air fryer model, preheating may be necessary. Set the air fryer to 370°F (188°C) or 375°F and let it run for about 2-3 minutes.

If you're cooking multiple burgers, you might need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Giving the sliders ample space ensures better airflow, resulting in even cooking and crispiness on all sides.

Additionally, preheating your air fryer can help you achieve the perfect blend of a crispy exterior and a hot, juicy interior. It's a key step in making sure your burgers don't turn out soggy. So, remember to always preheat your air fryer for the best results!

If you're in a hurry and want to speed up the preheating process, you can set your air fryer to a higher temperature, such as 390°F, and let it run for a shorter amount of time. This will help you get your burgers cooking faster while still ensuring they are cooked thoroughly and have that desirable crispy texture.

Prepare the burgers

Firstly, take your frozen White Castle burgers out of the freezer. You don't need to defrost them, but you will need to remove them from their packaging. If they are in a twin pack, you can use a butter knife to separate them.

Next, you can spritz the frozen burgers with cooking spray on both sides for an extra crispy exterior. This step is optional, as the air fryer will crisp the burgers without the spray.

Now, place the frozen sliders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. If you are cooking more than four burgers, you will need to do this in batches.

Once your burgers are in the air fryer, set the temperature to between 340°F/171°C and 390°F/198°C, and the timer for 10-12 minutes. You don't need to flip the burgers, but you can turn them halfway through for a more even crispness.

At the end of the cooking time, check the burgers. They should be hot throughout with a crispy exterior. If they need a little longer, add another minute or two, but keep a close eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

Finally, remove the sliders from the air fryer with tongs and serve immediately. They pair well with your favourite condiments, pickles, or sides.

Cooking spray

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer

Depending on your air fryer model, preheating may be necessary. Set the air fryer to 370°F (188°C) and let it run for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the burgers

Remove the frozen White Castle burgers from their packaging. If they are in a twin pack, you can separate them easily with a butter knife.

Step 3: Apply cooking spray

Lightly spritz the frozen burgers with cooking spray on both sides for an extra crispy exterior. Remember that a light spritz will do, as too much can make the burgers greasy. This step is optional, as the air fryer does a good job of crisping the burgers even without the spray.

Step 4: Arrange the burgers in the air fryer

Place the frozen sliders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. You might need to cook them in batches if you're preparing multiple burgers.

Step 5: Set the air fryer temperature and time

Set the air fryer to 370°F (188°C) again and cook the burgers for about 10-12 minutes. There is no need to flip them, but if you want a more even crispness, you can turn them halfway through.

Step 6: Check the burgers and adjust timing if needed

At the end of the cooking time, check the burgers. They should be hot throughout with a crispy exterior. If needed, add another 1-2 minutes, but watch closely to ensure they don't overcook.

Step 7: Remove the sliders from the air fryer and serve

Carefully remove the sliders from the air fryer as they will be hot! Serve them immediately with your favourite condiments, pickles, or any side of your choice.

Tips for using cooking spray:

• Use the cooking spray sparingly. If you opt for it to enhance crispiness, remember that a light spritz will do the trick.
• Clean your air fryer after each use, especially if you use cooking spray, to ensure the basket is ready for your next cooking adventure.

Arrange the burgers in the air fryer

When arranging the burgers in the air fryer, it's important to ensure they are placed in a single layer and do not overlap. This is to allow for even cooking and to prevent overcrowding, which can impact the airflow and crispiness of the burgers. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the burgers in batches.

To start, place the frozen sliders in the air fryer basket with the top of the bun facing down. You can fit as many burgers as possible in a single layer without overlapping. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the burgers in multiple batches.

Once the burgers are arranged, you can set the air fryer temperature and timer. For White Castle sliders, a temperature of around 370-390 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended, with a cooking time of about 10 minutes.

During the cooking process, you may choose to flip the burgers halfway through for more even cooking and crispness. This is not mandatory, but it can help ensure even browning. Additionally, giving the air fryer basket a gentle shake midway through can also promote even cooking.

By following these steps, you will ensure that your burgers are cooked evenly and have a desirable crispy exterior while remaining juicy on the inside.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for frozen White Castle burgers in an air fryer will depend on the number of burgers you are cooking, the model of your air fryer, and your personal preference for how crispy you like your burgers.

As a general rule, preheat your air fryer to between 340°F/171°C and 390°F. Place the frozen burgers inside, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. If you are cooking more than four burgers, you may need to do this in batches.

Cook for 10-12 minutes, checking regularly to ensure they do not overcook. Halfway through the cooking time, remove the basket and flip the burgers over. You can also give the basket a gentle shake at this point to promote even browning.

Once the timer is up, check that the burgers are hot throughout and have a crispy exterior. If not, return to the air fryer for another minute or two.

Frequently asked questions