Air fryer hamburgers

20 min
Air fryer hamburgers

Want a new burger that puts your takeout favourite to shame? Meet our air fryer hamburgers, featuring perfectly seasoned minced chuck beef and melty cheddar cheese. They are incredibly easy to make with your air fryer, allowing you to get the best patty texture every time. Top them with fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and pickled jalapeños, all on a toasted bun.

New recipe

Ingredients

500 g Minced beef
1 tsp Salt
½ tsp Freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 slices Cheddar cheese

To serve

4 Burger buns
4 tbsp Pickled jalapeños, sliced
2 Tomatoes
1 Small red onion
4 tbsp Flat-leaf parsley, chopped
4 Crisp lettuce leaves
200 ml Ranch dip
Dijon mustard
500 g Carrots

Instructions

  • Season the mince with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Divide into 4 equal portions and shape into evenly thick burger patties.
  • Place the burger patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Cook at 180 °C for 8 minutes.
  • Flip the patties and place a slice of cheese on each one. Cook for a further 4 minutes.
  • Slice the tomato and red onion. Rinse the lettuce leaves. Peel the carrots and cut them into sticks.
  • Fill the burger buns with the patties, lettuce, vegetables, jalapeños, parsley, dip, and Dijon mustard. Serve with carrot sticks.

Recipe tips

It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes

Use lean minced beef with a fat content of 7–15 %. This type of meat provides a great flavour and tenderness. At the same time, it also ensures the burger patties stay juicy without being too greasy. The level of fat is important because too much can cause the patties to be overly greasy and splatter, while too little can make them dry.

If you want to save extra time, prepare the patties for your air fryer hamburgers in advance. Season the minced beef with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, then form into four evenly thick patties. Cover them with cling film or store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They can stay there for several hours or overnight, blending the flavours and keeping the patties firm. If you need to stack them, use parchment or wax paper between each patty to stop them from sticking. When you are ready to cook, place the chilled patties straight into the air fryer. If they are very cold, add an extra minute to the cooking time. For longer storage, freeze the uncooked patties with parchment or wax paper between them. When cooking from frozen, add about five extra minutes to the cooking time.

FAQ: Questions about air fryer hamburgers

If you want to make the best air fryer hamburgers, check out our FAQ section for answers to the most frequently asked questions. Find out everything you need to know to get them right.

Can you cook hamburgers in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook hamburgers in an air fryer. It makes the patties extra juicy and gives them a slightly crisp exterior. Season and shape the minced beef into evenly sized patties. Then place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 180 °C for 8 minutes. Flip the burgers, add cheddar slices, and cook for another 4 minutes.

How do I know when my air fryer burger patties are done?

The air fryer burger patties are done when they reach an internal temperature of 70 °C, meaning they are fully cooked through. Insert a thermometer into the centre of the thickest part of the patty. Also, make sure the juices run clear, the patties feel firm, and the cheese has melted. Cook the burgers for 8 minutes at 180 °C, flip them, add cheese, and cook for another 4 minutes. If needed, cook for an additional 1–2 minutes to get the right temperature.

How do I store leftover air fryer hamburgers?

If you have any leftover air fryer hamburgers, you can store the components separately in the fridge. Take the burgers apart, removing the patties from the buns and toppings. Put the cooled patties in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate them for 3–4 days. Store buns and fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion in separate containers, and keep sauces in their own containers too.

How do I reheat air fryer hamburgers?

Reheat air fryer hamburgers in a preheated air fryer. If you are reheating burgers that are already assembled, take off any delicate toppings and sauces first to avoid them wilting. Place the burger patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket. For patties alone, air fry at 190 °C for 3–4 minutes, turning them halfway through. For fully assembled burgers, reduce the heat to 175 °C and heat for 3–4 minutes to prevent the buns from getting too hard. Let the burgers rest for a short time before adding fresh toppings and sauces.

Can I cook frozen burger patties in the air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen burger patties in the air fryer. The frozen, uncooked patties can be cooked straight from the freezer without thawing. First, preheat your air fryer to 180–185 °C. Place the frozen patties in a single layer in the basket. Cook them for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway to guarantee even cooking. If your patties are thicker, they might need 12–14 minutes. Make sure the internal temperature reaches at least 70 °C.

Nutritional values

Nutritional value, per

1177 Kcal

Fibre - 26.3 gram fibers
Protein 14.5 41.9 gram
Fat 27.6 36.7 gram
Carbohydrates 57.9 167.8 gram

Recommended information

Serving suggestion

Make the juiciest air fryer hamburgers

Forget the frying pan and the grill; the air fryer has got this one handled. These air fryer hamburgers are everything you crave in a classic burger – juicy, flavoursome, and topped with perfectly melted cheddar cheese. The air fryer gives you tender, juicy burger patties without a single drop of oil. 

Slide those patties between fluffy toasted buns and pile on slices of fresh tomato, crisp lettuce, tangy red onion, and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Add a few slices of pickled jalapeños, and do not hold back on the ranch dip or Dijon mustard. It is a delicious and fresh burger experience that easily outshines any fast-food option.

Tender beef patties topped with cheddar cheese

Classic beef patties have never been this easy or this good, especially when they cook up perfectly tender without any splattering oil or sticky pans. You only need salt, pepper, and a bit of Worcestershire sauce. This bold, umami-packed sauce deepens the beef’s natural richness, adding a savoury note that makes the beef taste even beefier.

This recipe uses minced chuck beef, which is ideal for burgers thanks to the fat-to-meat ratio, which is enough to keep the patties moist and juicy, but not greasy. And when you think it cannot get any better, we top the patties with cheddar cheese during the final minutes of cooking. The cheese melts beautifully, forming a gooey, golden layer that complements the tender beef beneath. One bite in, and you will know this is not just another burger — it is the burger.

What to serve with air fryer hamburgers

This air fryer hamburger is undoubtedly the main event, but that does not mean it comes without any accompaniment. In this recipe, we went with good old carrot sticks; they add a nice crunch and something light and fresh next to the scrumptious air fryer hamburger with gooey cheese.

But if you want to go all out, and you air fryer is big enough, there are more air fryer sides waiting to join in. For instance, try pairing your burgers with air fryer jacket potatoes, smashed potatoes, or roast potatoes, because let us face it, potatoes and burgers go so well together.

However, air fryer sweet potato fries and corn on the cob are also delicious options. If you want to sneak in some veggies, go with ​​air fryer broccoli or ​​air fryer vegetables. And if you really want to show off, add air fryer halloumi to the plate.

Customise your air fryer hamburger

The best thing about homemade hamburgers? You get to make them exactly how you like them. Mix and match toppings, sauces, and cheeses until you find your perfect combo. Swap the cheddar for Swiss, provolone, or pepper jack or add a slice of creamy brie.

If your palate likes a little tingle, try fresh chopped chilli, jalapeños, or a drizzle of hot sauce. As for the other toppings, add creamy avocado for richness or caramelised onions for an irresistible sweet-savoury flavour. Basically, if it sounds good, it probably belongs on your burger.

And do not stop at beef. Ground pork, lamb, and chicken are also possibilities. Just remember, you might have to mix in a little oil or an egg, so they stay juicy. If you are going plant-based, black bean patties air fry beautifully, too. Whatever you choose, aim for the same air fryer temperature, and adjust the cooking time depending on the type of meat and thickness. 

https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/air-fryer-hamburgers/