How to Make Easy Air Fryer Hamburgers

While your trusty air fryer is a go-to for sides and appetizers like fried ravioli, chicken wings and breaded shrimp, did you know you can air-fry hamburgers, too? In about 15 minutes or so, you can have dinner on the table, making these quick air fryer hamburgers perfect for busy weeknights.

Benefits of Air Fryer Hamburgers

It’s a virtually foolproof cooking method! Your air fryer cooks at a consistent temperature, meaning your burgers will be cooked perfectly and evenly every single time.

Plus, an air fryer will give your burgers a great, steak-like sear that is oh-so-good. By the way, did you know you can air-fry steak, too? Here are some more surprising foods you can air fry.

How to Cook Burgers in an Air Fryer

This recipe for easy air-fried hamburgers comes from Taste of Home’s Deputy Editor, James Schend. Before you start, read up on these tips for making a burger taste better.

Ingredients

• 1-1/3 pounds ground beef, 80/20
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
• Optional toppings: Cheese, lettuce leaves, sliced tomato, sliced onion, pickles, ketchup and mustard

Tools You’ll Need

• Air fryer
• Spatula

Directions

Step 1: Shape the patties

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In a large bowl, gently break up the ground beef, then divide it into four even portions. Lightly wet your hands with some cold water, and then roll each portion into a ball. Being careful not to overwork the meat, shape the ground beef balls into a 1-inch thick disk. Though you want the patties to have an even thickness, you don’t have to squash or press the meat together; it will hold the shape on its own.

Then, use your thumb to gently press a divot in the center of the patties. This will help prevent the patties from shrinking. Once the patties are formed, pop them in the fridge.

Editor’s tip: It might seem counterintuitive, but don’t season your burgers when forming the patties. More specifically, don’t salt your burgers until the last possible minute. This is because salt draws out moisture from the burgers, which can make the end result dry, tough and not as appetizing.

Step 2: Air-fry the patties

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Preheat your air fryer to 350°. If you’re new to air-frying, take a look at our complete air fryer guide for tips, tricks and reviews.

Remove your burger patties from the fridge and season each side with salt and pepper. Place the burgers in a single layer in the air fryer drawer. If all four patties can’t fit in the drawer without touching or overlapping, cook them in batches.

Slide the drawer into the air fryer and fry the patties for 5 minutes. Then open the drawer, flip the patties and fry until a thermometer inserted in the middle of a patty reads 160°, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the patties and work on your next batch, if needed.

Step 3: Add toppings

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If you’re in the mood for a cheeseburger, add your cheese immediately after the patties are removed from the air fryer. Cover the cheese and burgers with a plate to help the cheese melt a bit faster.

Once the cheese has melted, top your burgers with desired toppings, like lettuce, tomato, spicy ketchup, fresh onion and homemade pickles, and add a bun. No matter what toppings you choose, these air fryer hamburgers make a great weeknight meal.

Can You Air-Fry Frozen Hamburger Patties?

Yes! Preheat the air fryer to 350°. Then, season frozen patties with salt and pepper and arrange them in a single layer in the air-fryer basket, keeping the patties from touching or overlapping.

Cook until a thermometer reads 160°, about 8-10 minutes on each side. If topping the burgers with cheese, add a slice immediately after the burgers are removed from the air fryer. Then, top the burgers with your desired toppings. Find more frozen foods you can cook in an air fryer.

Air Fryer Hamburger Tips

Can You Cook Burgers and Fries in an Air Fryer at the Same Time?

We don’t recommend it. This is because most fries, like our air-fried French fries recipe, cook at 400°, which is different from the temperature the burgers cook at. Also, air fryer baskets tend to run on the smaller side, so you likely wouldn’t have the room for fries anyway.

Can I Make Air Fryer Burgers with Different Meats?

Yes, you can make air fryer burgers with meats other than beef. To make a turkey or chicken burger, follow the steps above using a pound of chicken or turkey. Cook the turkey or chicken patties for about 10 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted in the middle of a patty reads at least 165°, flipping halfway through.

What Should I Serve with Air Fryer Hamburgers?

It’s completely up to you, but we love to serve air-fried burgers with air-fried sweet potato fries, air-fried pickles or a simple side salad.

Now that you’ve mastered air fryer hamburgers, learn how to air-fry just about anything.