Air Fryer Hamburgers

Enjoy the perfect burger without the fuss! Air fryer hamburgers are quick and easy to make, and they come out cooked to perfection. So, if you’re craving a burger but don’t want to fire up the grill, try cooking it in an air fryer instead.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• The air fryer cooks the hamburgers quickly, which means they can be ready in just a few minutes, making them a great option for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
• This recipe is incredibly easy to make, as it requires only a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation time. Plus, the air fryer does all the work for you, so you can set it and forget it.
• Air fryer hamburgers are a healthier alternative to traditional grilled or fried burgers, as they require little to no oil, and any excess fat can drain away during cooking.

This air fryer burger recipe is quick and simple to prepare, and an easy way to make delicious juicy hamburgers at home.

Scroll down for the printable card for this air fryer hamburger recipe, or read on for all the details.

What do you need?

Lean ground beef

Choose lean ground beef – leaner is better when you are air frying. Ground beef with a lot of fat in it (while delicious) can lead to your air fryer producing a lot of smoke during cooking. I would recommend using 90% lean or even leaner if you can get it.

You can mix things up by using a different type of ground meat if you prefer, try ground pork, ground chicken, or ground turkey. 

>> Related recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

Seasoning

This basic hamburger recipe uses simple seasoning of oregano, salt and pepper. You can add other seasonings if you prefer. Try adding a little onion powder or garlic powder, or take up the heat with some Cajun spices.

Toppings

When it comes to topping a hamburger, the possibilities are endless. You can keep it simple with classic toppings like lettuce, sliced tomato, and red onion, or get creative with more unique ingredients like avocado, bacon, or even a fried egg.

Cheese is always a good option, you can melt it onto the burger patties in the air fryer near the end of the cooking time.

How to cook hamburgers in the air fryer

1. Make the patties. Simply mix the patty ingredients together in a mixing bowl using your hands or a mixer. Then form them into patties around ½-inch thick and 3-4 inches across.
2. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F / 200°C.
3. Place the hamburgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and ensure that they are not touching. Cook them in batches if needed. If your air fryer is prone to food sticking, brush or spritz the air fryer basket with olive oil before you place the hamburgers in it.
4. Air fryer burgers for around ten minutes until they are browned, and at least 160°F/72°C in the center.

How long to air fry hamburgers

The cook time for air frying patties depends on many factors including how many patties you are cooking, exactly how large and thick they are, and how powerful your brand of air fryer is.

Hamburgers are cooked when their internal temperature reaches at least 160°F/ 72°C.

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in the center of the thickest part of each burger to be sure they have reached the safe temperature. Air fry for additional 1-2 minute intervals, if required, until that temperature is reached.

If you are at all unsure, cut the burger patty open to ensure that it is cooked through (no pink left in the middle) before consuming.

Serving ideas

Now for the fun bit, the toppings!

A family favorite for us is air fryer cheeseburgers with bacon:

• Prepare the bacon in the air fryer before cooking the burger patties.
• When the patties are done, add a cheese slice on top of the patty and toss the bacon back into the air fryer basket with the burger and air fry for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted.
• Then add the patty and bacon to hamburger buns, and top with a slice of tomato, and bbq sauce. Simply delicious!

Here are some other great air fryer burger to try:

• Blue cheese burgers – add a slice of blue cheese to the top of the patty when it is cooked, and air fry for 1 minute to melt. I also like to add some caramelized onions or onion jam for a little sweetness to balance out the saltiness of the cheese, and a lettuce leaf or two for some crunch.
• Classic air fryer cheeseburgers – add a slice of American cheese to cooked patty and air fry for 1 minute to melt. Place in buns and top with sliced dill pickles, mustard, and tomato ketchup.
• Cuban burger – a grown-up variation on the classic cheeseburger. Add a slice of Swiss cheese to cooked patty and air fry for 1 minute. Place in burger buns and top with sliced dill pickles and a generous spoonful of Dijon mustard.
• Avocado and chili burger – add cooked patty to burger bun, top with a slice of tomato, chili jam or sweet chili sauce, spread avocado onto the top half of the burger bun, and add a dab of mayo.

You can also use this recipe to make air fryer sliders. Just form 8 smaller patties and cook for 5-8 minutes instead of 10-15.

Side dishes to go with this recipe

Here are some great side dishes to go with these air fryer burgers:

• Air fryer potato wedges
• Air fryer French fries
• Microwave corn on the cob
• Air fryer sweet potato fries

Cook any air fryer side dishes before the burgers, leaving 5-10 minutes of cooking time to finish off while you put the burgers together.

Storing and reheating

Store any leftover burger patties in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 3 days.

To reheat burgers in the air fryer, place the patties in the airfryer basket in a single layer, and air fry at 360°F/ 180°C for 4-5 minutes until they have reached 165°F/ 74°C in the center.

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You may also like:

• Air Fryer Meatloaf
• Air Fryer Meatballs
• Air Fryer Chicken Burgers
• Air Fryer Steak
• Air Fryer Chicken Breast

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