Air-Fryer Burgers: Secrets To Perfection

Making burgers in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy juicy, delicious burgers without the mess of pan-frying or lighting a grill. This guide will teach you how to make perfect burgers in your air fryer, with tips on everything from choosing the right ingredients to cooking and serving.

Choosing the right ground beef

Fat Content:

The fat content of the ground beef plays a significant role in determining the juiciness and flavour of your burgers. Most recipes recommend using ground beef with an 80/20 blend, which means it contains 80% muscle and 20% fat. This ratio ensures that your burgers remain moist and juicy without being too greasy. However, you can also use a slightly leaner blend, such as 85/15, which still has enough fat to maintain juiciness and give your burgers a tender texture.

Freshness:

Always opt for fresh ground beef when making burgers in an air fryer. Ground beef that is cold, straight from the fridge, is ideal. This helps control the melting of fat and moisture content, resulting in a better-cooked burger. If you're short on time, you can also use frozen ground beef patties, but they will require additional cooking time.

Seasoning:

While ground beef is the star of the show, don't underestimate the power of seasoning. A simple blend of salt and pepper is essential, but you can also experiment with other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, or steak seasoning mixes to enhance the flavour of your burgers. Don't be shy when seasoning the meat—a well-seasoned patty makes a delicious burger.

Preparation:

When preparing the ground beef, use your hands or a large bowl to gently mix the seasonings with the meat. Avoid overworking the meat, as this can result in a tough, rubbery texture. Form the ground beef into patties that are slightly larger than your buns, as they will shrink slightly during cooking. Make a small indent in the centre of each patty with your thumb to prevent them from swelling during cooking.

Cooking:

Preheat your air fryer before adding the ground beef patties. The ideal cooking temperature varies depending on your desired doneness, but it typically ranges between 350°F to 400°F. Cook the burgers for about 6-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they reach your desired level of doneness. For a well-done burger, aim for an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure all bacteria are killed.

Preparing the patty

Ingredients

To make four patties, you will need 1 pound of ground beef with an 80/20, 85/15, or 70/30 blend of muscle and fat. For seasonings, you will need salt and pepper, with optional additions of garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, steak seasoning, or Worcestershire sauce. You can also add barbecue sauce to your patty mixture or brush it on the patties before cooking.

Mixing

In a large bowl, combine your seasonings with the beef. Be careful not to overwork the meat by squishing or mixing it too much, as this can result in a tough, rubbery texture. Gently work in the seasonings and form the patties by shaping the meat into a ball and then pressing down with your hand to flatten it out. You can also use your thumb to indent the center of the burgers to prevent them from puffing up during cooking.

Chilling

Let the patties chill before putting them into the air fryer. Start with fresh ground beef straight from the fridge, then form the patties and place them in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. This helps control the melting of the fat and moisture content, resulting in a better-cooked burger.

Seasoning and flavouring

The seasoning and flavouring of your burger patties are key to making the perfect burger. The right combination of spices and ingredients will give your burgers a delicious taste and aroma that will keep people coming back for more. Here are some tips and suggestions for seasoning and flavouring your burger patties when using an air fryer:

Choose the right type of ground beef

For juicy and flavourful burgers, it is recommended to use ground beef with an 80/20 blend, which means 80% muscle and 20% fat. This blend has just the right amount of fat to keep the patties juicy without making them greasy. If you prefer leaner meat, you can go for an 85/15 blend, but be aware that your burgers may be slightly drier.

Seasonings and spices

When it comes to seasonings, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or you can get creative and experiment with different combinations. Here are some common seasonings and spices used in burger patties:

• Salt
• Black pepper
• White pepper (adds something extra to the burger)
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Steak seasoning mixes (e.g. Montreal Steak seasoning)
• Worcestershire sauce (adds a salty and umami flavour)

You can also try using a pre-made seasoning mix, such as seasoned salt or a steak seasoning blend. Just add the desired amount to your ground beef and mix well.

Mixing the seasonings

To mix the seasonings with the ground beef, use a large bowl and gently work the seasonings into the meat. Be careful not to overwork the meat, as this can result in a tough, rubbery texture. Gently mix until the seasonings are well distributed throughout the meat.

Adding cheese

If you want to add cheese to your burgers, place a slice of cheese on top of the patties during the last minute or two of cooking. This will allow the cheese to melt beautifully. You can use cheddar, Swiss, American, or any other type of cheese you prefer.

Toppings and sauces

The beauty of a burger is that you can customise it with various toppings and sauces to suit your taste. Here are some ideas for toppings and sauces to take your burger to the next level:

• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Red onion
• Pickles
• Bacon
• Caramelised onions
• Guacamole
• Arugula
• Barbecue sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Buffalo sauce
• Garlic aioli

You can also get creative and experiment with different combinations of toppings to create your own unique burger masterpiece.

Burger sauce

If you want to take your burger to the next level, try making your own burger sauce by mixing together the following ingredients:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 teaspoon sweet relish
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon honey
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

This sauce will add a sweet and tangy flavour to your burger that will perfectly complement the other ingredients.

Cooking the burger

Now that you've shaped your beef mixture into patties, it's time to cook them to perfection. Here's a detailed guide on cooking burgers in your air fryer:

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Before placing your burger patties in the air fryer, it's important to preheat the appliance. Set your air fryer to 370°F (190°C) and allow it to heat up for about 5 minutes. This step ensures that your burgers will sizzle and sear when they hit the cooking surface, promoting even cooking and a delicious crust.

Place the Patties in the Air Fryer

Open your air fryer and carefully place the burger patties inside. It's important to leave some space between the patties to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the burgers in batches.

Cook the Burgers

Close the air fryer and let the magic happen. For a medium-rare burger, cook the patties for about 6 minutes, then flip them and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on your desired doneness and the thickness of your patties. If you prefer your burgers well done, simply increase the cooking time by a couple of minutes.

Add Cheese (Optional)

If you're making cheeseburgers, now is the time to add a slice of cheese. Place a slice of your favourite cheese variety on top of each burger patty during the last minute or two of cooking. This will allow the cheese to melt beautifully and enhance the flavour of your burgers.

Check the Doneness

To ensure your burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the patties. Insert the thermometer into the centre of a burger. For a medium-rare burger, aim for an internal temperature of 130-135°F (57°C). For medium, target 140-145°F (63°C). Well-done burgers should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Rest and Serve

Once your burgers are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute or two. This step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is juicy and flavourful. Finally, assemble your burgers by placing the patties on fresh buns and adding your favourite toppings and condiments.

Serving suggestions

Buns

Choose a good-quality bun to serve your air fryer burger. A brioche bun holds up well to the juices of the burger and toppings and can take the weight of piled-high toppings.

Toppings

The beauty of a burger is that you can top it with almost anything. The classic American burger is served with fresh iceberg lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and raw onions. You could also add:

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayo
• Thousand Island Dressing
• Pickle slices
• Coleslaw
• Cheese
• Bacon
• Fried egg
• Mushrooms
• Jalapenos
• Sauerkraut
• Chipotle Aioli
• Garlic Aioli
• Roasted red bell peppers
• Sauteed mushrooms
• Guacamole
• Arugula
• Pimento cheese

Sauces

Try a sweet and tangy sauce on your burger: mix together ¼ cup mayo, 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.

Sides

Burgers are often served with fries. You could also serve coleslaw, potato salad, or a Greek salad.

Frequently asked questions