Air Fryer Burger: a simple way to make juicy hamburgers

If you haven't been using your air fryer to make hamburgers, you've been missing out. Air fryer burgers are incredibly juicy and tender, with all the same great flavor of skillet burgers, but with far less hassle. There's less oil involved when using an air fryer, so this easy air fryer burger recipe is also slightly healthier, especially if you use lean ground beef. You'll only need a few ingredients to make these tasty burgers: some ground beef, seasonings, and a ‘lil BBQ sauce, and they can be prepped ahead of time and popped into the air fryer when you're ready to cook. Fast, easy, and packed full of amazing flavor, air fryer burgers are perfect for busy weeknights or any time you want to satisfy a craving for a perfectly cooked juicy burger.

How to Make Air Fryer Hamburgers

To make the best air fryer burger you'll ever taste, your first step will be to make the burger patties. Mix the beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Shape the beef into 4 equal-sized patties, then brush them with a generous lashing of barbecue sauce. Heat your air fryer, then lay the burgers down in a single layer in the air fryer's basket. If you have a smaller air fryer, fit as many as you can without overcrowding them. Cook the burgers for 6 minutes, then flip them over and cook them for another 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how done you like your burgers. Adding cheese? Layer the cheese on the patties and cook for 1 more minute then serve.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Burgers

Let your air fryer preheat before frying the burgers.

Your burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Check on them so you don't overcook them and don't forget to have your instant-read meat thermometer handy.

Cooking frozen burgers? No problem. They'll need an extra 5 minutes or so.

Make the burger patties up to 1 day in advance. Just keep them covered in the fridge until you're ready to use them.

You can line the basket of the air fryer with foil for easier clean-up.

If you don't eat beef, you can use ground turkey to make turkey burgers.

Air Fryer Burger Variations to Try

While there's nothing like the classic lettuce, tomato, onions, and mayo on a burger, there are so many other amazing additions you can use to dress your burger. Lay some bacon, sauteed mushrooms, roasted peppers, or even a fried egg over your burger patty. Use a spicy aioli instead of mayo, or mix some green chilis into your burger meat for a spicy burger packed with flavor.

How Long Do I Cook Burgers in an Air Fryer?

It doesn't take long for burgers to cook in the air fryer. For fresh burgers, heat the air fryer to 370°F and cook them for 6 minutes on one side, flip them, and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how done you like them. If you're cooking burgers from frozen, you'll need an extra 5 minutes or so. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to know when they're fully cooked.

How to Store Air Fryer Burgers

Cooked burgers can be placed in an airtight container and kept for up to 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to 4 months.

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 370°F.

In a large bowl, mix ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to combine.

Shape the mixture into patties. Make an indent in the center of each patty. Brush with barbecue sauce.

Arrange the patties in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer.

Cook for 6 minutes. Flip and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

If using, add cheese and cook for 1 minute. Remove and serve.

Notes

Use lean ground beef, about 80/20 fat content.