Air-Fryer White Castle Sliders: Quick, Easy, Delicious

White Castle Sliders are a popular fast-food item, but what if you don't live near a restaurant? Well, you can cook them to perfection in an air fryer! This method is a quick and tasty solution, giving you the same mouth-watering results as deep frying, but with much less oil. So, if you're craving those bite-sized, flavour-packed burgers, here's how to make White Castle Sliders in an air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your White Castle sliders cook evenly and helps them achieve that signature crispy texture. Here's a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer for this purpose:

Firstly, set the temperature of your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This temperature setting is recommended by some sources, while others suggest a slightly higher temperature of 370°F (188°C). Adjust your air fryer's temperature setting according to the specific model you own.

After setting the temperature, let the air fryer run for about 2-3 minutes. This duration is recommended by a source, while another source suggests not preheating the air fryer at all. However, preheating ensures that the sliders start cooking immediately, resulting in a consistent texture.

While your air fryer is preheating, you can take this time to prepare the frozen White Castle sliders. Take them out of their packaging, and there is no need to thaw or defrost them beforehand. If they come in a twin pack, you can use a butter knife to separate them easily.

At this stage, you can also apply an optional cooking spray or a light coating of oil to the sliders. This step will give your sliders an extra crispy exterior, although your air fryer will still produce satisfactory results without it. If you choose to use cooking spray or oil, lightly spritz or coat both sides of the frozen burgers.

Once your air fryer has preheated for about 2-3 minutes, it should be ready for the next step, which is arranging the burgers in the air fryer basket. Remember to place them in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. If you're cooking multiple sliders, you might need to cook them in batches.

By preheating your air fryer, you create the ideal environment for your White Castle sliders to cook evenly and attain that sought-after crispiness. This initial step sets the foundation for a delicious snack or meal that you can enjoy in no time!

Prepare the burgers

To prepare the burgers, first remove the frozen White Castle burgers from their packaging. If they come in a twin pack, you can separate them with a butter knife. There is no need to defrost or thaw the burgers.

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

Place the frozen sliders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. If you are cooking multiple burgers, you may need to do this in batches.

Air Fry the Burgers

Set the air fryer temperature to between 340°F/171°C and 390°F/198°C, and cook the burgers for 10-12 minutes. You don't need to flip them, but you can turn them halfway through for more even cooking.

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 of cooking time, but keep a close eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

Separate the Sliders

When air frying frozen burgers, it's important to separate the slider between the buns. This will prevent the top bun from burning and ensure the meat and cheese are heated through. Use a fork to carefully separate the slider.

Reheat the Top Bun

After air frying the meat and cheese with the bottom bun, place the top bun in the air fryer and heat it up. This will ensure the top bun is warm and crisp.

Cooking spray

Using cooking spray is optional when making White Castle Sliders in the air fryer, but it can help achieve an extra crispy exterior on the burgers. The air fryer does a great job of crisping the burgers without the spray, but if you want to enhance the crispiness, a light spritz of cooking spray on both sides of the frozen burgers will do the trick.

If you opt for cooking spray, remember that a little goes a long way. Too much can make the sliders greasy. Also, make sure to clean your air fryer after use, especially if you've used cooking spray, to keep it running efficiently.

So, if you're looking for that extra crunch, reach for the cooking spray! Just be sure to use it sparingly and give your air fryer a good clean when you're done.

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 affect the desired crispy texture. 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, ensuring they are not overlapping. If you are cooking multiple burgers, you may need to do this in batches. Once the basket is filled, return it to the air fryer and set the temperature and timer according to your recipe instructions. For example, some recipes suggest setting the temperature to 370°F (188°C) and cooking the burgers for 10-12 minutes without flipping them, while others recommend cooking at 390°F for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Halfway through the cooking time, you may want to flip the sliders or give the basket a gentle shake to promote even browning and crispness. After the initial cooking time, check the burgers to ensure they are hot throughout and have a crispy exterior. If needed, add another 1-2 minutes of cooking time, but keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Cooking time and temperature

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Start by preheating your air fryer. Preheating ensures that your sliders cook evenly and get that signature crispy texture. The ideal temperature for preheating is 350°F (175°C) or 370°F (188°C). Let the air fryer preheat for about 2-3 minutes. This step is essential, even if your specific air fryer model doesn't require it, as it ensures consistent cooking and a crispy texture.

Cooking Spray (Optional):

If you want to enhance the crispiness of your sliders, you can lightly spritz them with cooking spray on both sides. This step is entirely optional, as the air fryer will still produce crispy burgers without it. However, if you choose to use cooking spray, remember to do so sparingly to avoid making the sliders greasy.

Arranging the Sliders in the Air Fryer:

Place the frozen sliders in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. If you're cooking multiple sliders, you might need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Proper spacing ensures better airflow and even cooking.

Now, set the air fryer to the recommended temperature of 370°F (188°C) or 390°F and cook the sliders for about 10-12 minutes. You don't need to flip them during the cooking process, but if you want more even browning and crispness, you can turn them halfway through.

Checking for Doneness:

Keep an eye on your sliders, especially during the final minutes of cooking, to prevent overcooking. The exterior should be golden and slightly crispy, while the interior should remain juicy. If needed, add another 1-2 minutes to the cooking time, but be careful not to overdo it.

Serving:

Once the sliders are cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the air fryer, as they will be hot. Serve them immediately to enjoy the perfect blend of crispy exterior and juicy interior. Pair them with your favorite condiments, pickles, or sides to elevate your slider experience.

Reheating and Storage:

If you have any leftover sliders, you can store them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you're ready to indulge again, simply pop them into the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for 2-3 minutes to restore that fresh-cooked texture.

Frequently asked questions