Air Fryer Burgers

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/27/22
Air Fryer Burgers

The Spruce / Loren Runion

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 burgers

Air fryer burgers are juicy and delicious, and you'll be surprised at how fast and easy it is to prepare and cook them. There's very little mess since the air fryer basket is a breeze to clean. All you have to do is mix the burgers with seasonings, shape them, and arrange them in the preheated air fryer. Your burgers will be cooked to perfection in no more than 10 minutes!

A pound and a half of ground beef will yield four 6-ounce burger patties which will shrink to roughly 4 1/2 ounces when cooked. The shredded cheese is optional, but it does add to the flavor and texture. Feel free to use two pounds of ground beef for larger burgers and increase the seasonings slightly. Add your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and condiments, and serve the burgers with French fries, a salad, or potato chips. Other great options for sides include coleslaw, cowboy beans, and corn on the cob.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20)

  • 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded), optional

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • 4 slices cheese, optional

  • 4 medium sandwich buns (toasted if desired)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    ingredients for air fryer hamburgers or cheeseburgers

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef with shredded cheese (if using), along with Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Use hands to mix until just well blended.

    burger meat mixed with some shredded cheese in a bowl

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  3. Use a burger press or hands to shape meat mixture into 4 burgers (about 6 to 6 1/2 ounces each). Press a thumb into center, making an indentation. This will help patties cook evenly and keep from swelling in the center.

    burger patties on a plate

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  4. If you won't be cooking them right away, arrange on a baking sheet or place in a container, separated by sheets of wax paper or parchment paper. Refrigerate patties until it's time to cook (up to 2 hours).

    shaped burger patties on a baking sheet

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  5. Preheat air fryer to 400 F. Place 2 patties (or 4 patties, if your air fryer is large enough) in air fryer.

    two burger patties in the air fryer

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  6. Turn heat down to 375 F and cook burgers for 9 to 10 minutes, turning after about 6 minutes.

    cooked burger patties in an air fryer

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  7. If desired, top each burger with a slice of cheese and continue to cook for about 30 to 60 seconds longer, or just until the cheese is melted.

    burger patties with cheese on top in an air fryer

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  8. Assemble burgers on buns with your favorite sauce and toppings.

    Air Fryer Burger on a plate

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

How To Store and Freeze

  • Refrigerate leftover burgers in airtight containers or food storage bags for up to 4 days. Reheat leftover burgers to 165 F in the oven, on the stovetop, in the air fryer, or microwave.
  • To freeze leftover burgers, wrap the patties in foil and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 4 months. Reheat burgers from frozen until they register at least 165 on a food thermometer.

Tips

  • When turning the burgers, don't press them with the spatula or you'll lose all of those tasty juices.
  • When the burgers are done, tent them with foil and let them rest for 5 minutes. The resting period allows the proteins to relax and absorb more of the juices.
  • For uniform burger patties, weigh the meat before shaping or use an ice cream scoop or measuring cup to scoop up equal portions of the meat mixture.
  • If you're shaping the burgers with your hands, moisten them with some water to keep the meat from sticking.
  • Preheating the air fryer ensures a good sear on the surface of the patties.
  • Because of shrinkage, make the burgers approximately 1/2-inch larger than the hamburger bun.

Recipe Variations

  • For a smoky flavor, add about 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke or about 1/3 cup of finely chopped, crisp-cooked bacon. Or add 1 1/2 teaspoons of smoked paprika to the burger mixture.
  • Add a bit of heat with a few minced jalapeño peppers.
  • Replace the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder with 1 tablespoon of your favorite burger seasoning.
  • Extend your ground beef by adding a filler, such as breadcrumbs or cooked rice, beans, or lentils. Add about 1/2 to 3/4 cup per pound of ground beef.
  • To add nutrients, add some minced leftover vegetables to the meat mixture.

Can You Cook Frozen Burger Patties In the Air Fryer?

You can absolutely air fry frozen burger patties, and it is so convenient! Make sure the air fryer is preheated and then add about 2 to 3 minutes to the total time. The minimum safe temperature for ground beef is 160 F (165 F for ground poultry). When freezing raw burger patties, make sure to separate them with sheets of wax paper or parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
647 Calories
32g Fat
34g Carbs
52g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 647
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g 41%
Saturated Fat 12g 59%
Cholesterol 151mg 50%
Sodium 785mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 12%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 52g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 112mg 9%
Iron 7mg 37%
Potassium 749mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)