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    You are here: Home / Recipes by Type / Air Fryer / The Best Air Fryer Burgers

    The Best Air Fryer Burgers

    by Marilyn · Mar 23, 2021 · Updated: Oct 10, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Pin graphic for air fryer burgers

    It's true: You can make the most amazingly juicy, flavorful, crazy good hamburgers in the air fryer in only 20 minutes. Easily prepare Air Fryer Burgers from frozen patties or fresh with our foolproof burger recipe and step-by-step instructions. However you choose to make them, these mouthwatering air fryer hamburgers are sure to be your family's new favorite!

    Closeup of air fryer burgers with lettuce, tomato, sauce, onion and cheese in a sesame bun.
    Air Fryer Burger With Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Cheese and Sauce
    Jump to:
    • Why We Love This Recipe
    • What You Will Need
    • How to Make Hamburger Patties from Scratch
    • How to Make Perfectly Cooked Burgers
    • How To Air Fry Frozen Burgers
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • More Air Fryer Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe

    Why We Love This Recipe

    Your air fryer is useful for so much more than simply, well, frying. In fact, you can use it to make everything from baked potatoes to savory air fryer hamburgers that taste better than grilled.

    There are no special attachments needed, just place your patties into the basket and you'll be enjoying delicious air fryer hamburgers or cheeseburgers before you know it. This easy recipe takes less than 20 minutes, including prep time.

    You can even make the patties in advance, and prepare air fryer burgers from frozen! Frozen burgers in the air fryer take less than 30 minutes from start to finish. This includes the 10 minutes preparation time for your air fryer burger before freezing it.

    What really makes these the best burgers is a combination of simple, fresh and flavorful ingredients... No eggs or breadcrumbs needed. Our hamburger patty recipe only includes 5 ingredients, and can easily be customized to your tastes.

    Air fryer burgers from frozen. Two burgers with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese on a poppy seed bun.
    Air Fryer Burgers With Lettuce, Tomato, Onion and American Cheese on Poppy Seed Buns

    What You Will Need

    • You can use any air fryer to make these delicious air fryer hamburgers. I have used Cosori, Instant Pot Vortex, and Chefman all with equally wonderful results. I would suggest looking at those brands and make your selection based upon the features you like.
    • We recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers for doneness.
    • Ingredients to Make Fresh Air Fryer Hamburger Patties. We suggest 80/20 ground beef for the best taste and texture, plus dried minced onions, and Worcestershire sauce for a bit of saltiness and wonderful smoky flavor. Also, you need your favorite hamburger buns. Choose gluten-free burger buns, if you like.
    • Suggested Burger Toppings. To make air fryer cheeseburgers you'll need slices of your preferred cheese, such as cheddar, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or provolone. We also love topping our homemade burgers with iceberg lettuce, sliced tomato, slices of red or white onion, pickles, salt and pepper. Add your choice of condiments like ketchup, mayo, mustard, steak sauce or barbecue sauce.
    Homemade raw burger patties seasoned and ready to air fry hamburger.
    Seasoned Raw Burger Patty Ready to Make Air Fryer Hamburgers

    How to Make Hamburger Patties from Scratch

    1. In a medium bowl, add all of the hamburger patty ingredients. Use your hands to combine thoroughly.
    2. Form into four equal patties that are only about an inch or so thick. Use your hands or a hamburger press to form the hamburger patties. Then use your finger to make a slight indent into the middle of each patty. This helps to ensure that the burgers don't rise as they cook.
    3. Either cook right away, refrigerate, or freeze the patties. To keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, place in an airtight container or on a plate covered with plastic wrap. Freeze the burger patties by layering parchment paper between each patty and stack together, then place in a sealed container and freeze for up to 4 months.
    stack of frozen hamburger patties layered in between parchment paper this Recipe for Later
    Ready To Cook Frozen Burger in Air Fryer

    How to Make Perfectly Cooked Burgers

    1. First, preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, toast the hamburger buns for just a few minutes while you get the burgers ready.
    2. Next arrange the burger patties in the air fryer so that they are not touching.
    3. Cook for 5 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the air fryer burgers, and cook for another 3-5 minutes until desired level of doneness is reached. If making cheeseburgers, apply slices of cheese to the tops of the burgers during the last minute of cooking.
    4. Remove the burgers and plate, and allow to rest for a few minutes. The internal temperature after the burgers have rested should be at least 160 degrees.
    5. Serve the air fryer hamburgers warm with your preferred toppings and condiments.
    Four burgers being cooked in the air fryer
    Air Fryer Burgers Arranged on Top of the Air Fryer Grate

    How To Air Fry Frozen Burgers

    Defrost the frozen patties in the refrigerator overnight before preparing the air fryer burgers per the recipe steps.

    Or, simply make air fryer burgers from frozen patties with no thawing:

    1. Preheat the air fryer to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
    2. Once preheated, arrange the frozen patties in the air fryer so that they are not touching. Cook for 10 minutes on the first side, then flip and increase the air fryer temperature to 375 degrees.
    3. Cook the air fryer burgers for an additional 7-10 minutes until done.
    4. Follow remaining recipe steps for your air fryer burgers as described above or in the recipe card.
    Fresh or frozen air fryer hamburgers from scratch topped with tomatoes, red onions, and lettuce served on a hamburger bun. A couple of air fryer French fries are in the foreground
    Air Fryer Burger With Lettuce, Tomatoes, Red Onions and Served in a Toasted Bun.

    Variations

    • Make Leaner Air Fryer Burgers. Use 85/15 or 90/10 ground beef for air fryer burgers with less fat. Although they won't be as juicy as burgers made with 80/10 ground beef, leaner air fryer hamburgers are still incredibly flavorful and delicious.
    • Seasoned Salt Burgers. Feel free to omit the Worcestershire sauce and instead use 2 teaspoons of your preferred seasoning salt in the blend for these air fryer hamburgers. We love Lawry's Seasoned Salt as a great option.
    • Garlic Patties. Substitute the granulated dried onion with 2 teaspoons of granulated dried garlic. Or, do a 50/50 blend of each.
    • Mushroom Powder. Add an extra punch of umami flavor by adding 2 teaspoons of ground mushroom powder to the air fryer hamburgers.
    • Smoky Patties. Make air fryer hamburgers that taste flame-grilled by adding 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke to the burger mix.
    • Cheesy Burgers. Need more cheesiness? You can add ⅓ of a cup of shredded cheese, like cheddar, Monterey or pepper jack, or provolone cheese. This works well even when making and planning to cook air fryer burgers from frozen.
    Air Fryer Burger with Lettuce, Tomato, Onions on a Toasted Bun Served with a silver bucket of Air Fryer French Fries in the background
    Air Fryer Burgers with Lettuce, Tomato, Onions on a Toasted Bun Served with Air Fryer French Fries

    Serving Suggestions

    • Festive Instant Pot Potato Salad
    • Creamy Cheesy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
    • Perfectly Crispy and Tender Roasted Baby Potatoes

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • Golden Air Fryer Shrimp with Special Sauce
    • Air Fryer Chicken Wings
    • Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Tater Tots

    📋 Recipe

    Air fryer burgers from frozen. Two burgers with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese on a poppy seed bun.

    Crazy Good Air Fryer Burgers

    These Juicy Air Fryer Burgers are so crazy good, your family and friends will be delighted. Mouthwatering, tasty and quick to make these tasty burgers are destined to become your new favorite burger.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 414 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
    • Sliced cheese, such as cheddar, pepper or Monterey Jack, or provolone optional
    • 4 hamburger buns

    Suggested Toppings

    • Lettuce
    • Sliced tomato
    • Sliced red onion or white onion
    • Pickles
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Condiments

    • ketchup
    • mustard
    • mayonnaise
    • steak sauce
    • barbecue sauce

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
    • In a medium bowl, add the ground beef, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Using your hands, work the ingredients together. Shape beef mixture into four thin patties. Using your fingers, make a slight indent into the middle of the patties so they don't rise during cooking.
    • Arrange burger patties in the air fryer. Cook for 5 minutes.
    • Flip the burgers and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until an instant read thermometer inserted horizontally into the burger patties registers 155°F. After removing the patties from the air fryer, their temperature will rise 5°F to a safe eating temperature of 160°F.
    • If using sliced cheese, place cheese on top of the patties and cook for 1 more minute or until cheese is melted.
    • Transfer patties to prepared hamburger buns. Serve with desired toppings and condiments.

    Cooks Tips

    • Worcestershire sauce adds salt to the ground beef so be careful when adding any additional salt.
    • You may want to use a hamburger press in step 2 to shape your burgers. This helps to get even thickness and sizing.
    • Burger patties can be prepared in step 2 and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 4 months. Place a piece of parchment paper in between each patty and put them in an airtight, freezer safe container.
    • To cook frozen burger patties, defrost in the refrigerator overnight or follow the steps below for air frying frozen burgers.
    • To toast your hamburger buns, place them in the preheated air fryer, before step 3, for 3 to 5 minutes or lightly browned. Set aside until finish with toppings and the cooked burger patties.
    Variations
    Seasoned  Salt Burgers: Omit the Worcestershire salt. Replace with 2 teaspoons seasoning salt such as Lawry's Seasoned Salt.
    Lean Ground Beef: You can use an 85/15 or 90/10 ground beef if you prefer. The burgers will not be as juicy or full flavored. If you are used to eating a leaner beef, then feel free to use a leaner grind.
    Garlic Patties: Omit the granulated onion and replace with 2 teaspoons granulated garlic. Or, add 1 teaspoon of each.
    Mushroom Powder: Add 2 teaspoons ground mushroom powder to the mixture in step 2 for an added punch of umami.
    Smoky Patties: Add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke to add some grilled flavor to your burgers.
    Cheesy Patties: Add ⅓ cup shredded cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey or pepper Jack, or Provolone.
    Air Frying Frozen Patties:
    Preheat your air fryer to 325°F not 375°F as listed in the recipe. Omit step 2. Go to step 3 and cook for 10 minutes on the first side. In step 4 after flipping the burgers, increase the heat to 375°F and cook, for 7 to 10 minutes or until done. Follow the doneness tests in step 4.  Continue with the remaining steps.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 414kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 24gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 321mgPotassium: 405mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 4mg
    Collections Air Fryer
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    Marilyn Haugen - Cookbook Author and Founder of Maven Cookery

    Hi, I am Marilyn

    I am a best-selling cookbook author, recipe developer, and mom to an amazing lady. I am crazy about eating, cooking, and celebrating with family and friends. Maven Cookery was developed to share my recipes and help make delicious comforting meals easier to make for the home cook.

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