Air-Fryer Recipes For Ground Beef Lovers

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook hamburger meat, offering speed, ease, and flavour. They can be used to make a variety of dishes, from hamburgers and cheeseburgers to tacos and spaghetti bolognese. Air-fried ground beef is healthier, as the fat drains away during cooking, and it's also less hands-on and easier to clean up than cooking on a stovetop. For the best results, use an 80/20 blend of ground beef to keep the patties juicy without too much grease. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and perhaps some Worcestershire sauce, dijon mustard, or BBQ sauce. Form the mixture into patties, making a small indent in the centre of each with your thumb to prevent swelling during cooking. Preheat the air fryer to around 370°F and cook for 6-9 minutes, flipping halfway through, depending on how well done you like your burgers.

Air Fryer Hamburgers

Ingredients:

• Ground beef (most recipes recommend an 80/20 blend, but you can also use 85/15 or 90/10)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Worcestershire sauce
• Olive oil or melted butter
• Beef base (such as Better than Bouillon)
• Cheese (optional)
• Hamburger buns
• Toppings of your choice

Instructions:

• Combine the ground beef with your desired seasonings and mix well.
• Form the mixture into 4 equally sized patties, making them slightly bigger than your buns to allow for shrinkage.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 360-400 degrees F.
• Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Cook the patties for 6-9 minutes, flipping halfway through. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness and the thickness of your patties.
• If you are adding cheese, do so during the last minute of cooking.
• Serve the patties on buns with your desired toppings.

Tips:

• To prevent the patties from swelling in the centre during cooking, make a small indent in the centre of each patty with your thumb.
• If you are making fries to go with your burgers, cook them first and then add them back into the air fryer with the burgers for the final few minutes of cooking.
• To store leftovers, place the patties in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Air Fryer Cheeseburgers

Ingredients:

• 1 pound 80% lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 tablespoon beef base (such as Better than Bouillon®)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (optional)
• 4 slices of cheese
• 4 hamburger buns
• Toppings of your choice

Method:

• Combine the beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a medium bowl.
• Form the mixture into 4 patties, about 1/2" thick. Make a small indent in the middle of each patty with your thumb. Brush the patties with barbecue sauce if using.
• Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
• Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Cook for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
• Add a slice of cheese to each patty and cook for 1 more minute.
• Serve on buns with your desired toppings.

Tips:

• You can shape the patties ahead of time and keep them refrigerated and tightly covered for up to 2 days in advance.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the patty (160°F).
• Appliances can vary, so check your burgers early to ensure they don’t overcook.
• If you’d like to serve air fryer french fries with your burgers, cook the fries first and set them aside. Once the burgers are cooked, add the fries back to the basket and cook at 400°F for about 3-4 minutes.

Air Fryer Sliders

Ingredients:

• Ground beef (a blend with a higher fat content, like 80/20, is ideal for juicy and flavorful sliders)
• Dried minced onion or fresh red/white onions
• Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• Large egg
• Breadcrumbs
• Worcestershire sauce
• Slider buns (soft and slightly sweet, such as King's Hawaiian Rolls)
• Your choice of toppings and sauces

Optional Ingredients:

• Cheese slices (cheddar, mozzarella, or blue cheese)
• BBQ sauce
• Jalapeños or chili powder
• Garlic
• Oregano
• Feta cheese
• Tzatziki sauce
• Cucumber slices
• Ground turkey or chicken
• Mashed beans or lentils
• Bacon
• Egg
• Soy sauce
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Taco seasoning
• Avocado
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Marinara sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

• Combine ground beef, dried minced onion, salt, black pepper, egg, breadcrumbs, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Mix well, but avoid over-mixing to keep the patties tender.
• Divide the mixture into small portions, each about the size of a golf ball. Flatten each portion into a patty slightly larger than your slider buns, as they will shrink while cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F (180°C) for 1-2 minutes.
• Place the patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches.
• Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the patties reach your desired level of doneness.
• If you're adding cheese, place a slice on each patty during the last minute of cooking to let it melt.
• Toast the slider buns if desired. Then, place each cooked patty on a bun and add your favorite toppings and sauces.

Tips:

• For cheeseburger sliders, place a small chunk of cheese in the center of each patty before cooking so that it melts as they cook.
• For BBQ-style sliders, mix your favorite BBQ sauce into the beef mixture for a smoky, tangy flavor. You can also brush the patties with extra sauce before serving.
• For spicy sliders, add chopped jalapeños or a teaspoon of chili powder to the beef mixture, and top with pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
• For Greek-style lamb sliders, swap the beef for ground lamb and add minced garlic, oregano, and feta cheese. Serve with tzatziki sauce and cucumber slices.
• For a lighter option, use ground turkey or chicken, and add some finely chopped onion and herbs for flavor.
• For veggie sliders, use mashed beans or lentils mixed with breadcrumbs, finely chopped veggies, and spices. These patties may be softer, so handle them gently.
• For breakfast sliders, make smaller patties and serve them on mini biscuits with a slice of bacon and a fried egg.
• For Asian-style sliders, add soy sauce, minced ginger, and garlic to the beef mixture. Serve with a slaw of cabbage, carrots, and a sesame vinaigrette.
• For Mexican-style sliders, mix in some taco seasoning, and top the cooked sliders with avocado, salsa, and sour cream.
• For Italian sliders, incorporate Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and Parmesan cheese into the beef mixture. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Air Fryer French Fries

Ingredients:

• Potatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions:

First, cut the potatoes into fries. Soak the potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch. This step is important as it ensures that your fries come out crispy. Drain the potatoes and pat them dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels.

Next, toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Make sure the potatoes are evenly coated. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to cook the fries in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook the fries for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. For extra crispy fries, increase the cooking time by a few minutes. Serve the fries immediately with your favourite condiments. Enjoy!

Air Fryer Bacon

Ingredients:

• Bacon (half a 16-ounce package)
• Paper towels

Method:

Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). While the air fryer is preheating, cut the bacon slices in half. This will help them fit better in the air fryer basket and ensure more even cooking.

Place the bacon slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It's okay if there is a little overlap. Fry the bacon for 8 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for about 7 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp to your liking.

Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease.

Tips:

• For a smaller air fryer or if you prefer less crispy bacon, reduce the cooking time. Some people have found that cooking the bacon for 6 minutes on each side, or even 5 minutes on the first side and 3-4 minutes on the second side, yields better results.
• To prevent smoking, add a couple of tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. Always check your air fryer manual to ensure this is safe for your particular model.
• For thicker-cut bacon, you may need to cook it for a few minutes longer.

Serving Suggestions:

Storage:

Cooked bacon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To freeze cooked bacon, place it in a freezer-safe container and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently asked questions