Love grilling in the air fryer? Try my air fryer turkey burgers, air fryer chicken patties, air fryer brats, and air fryer sausage links. It’s no secret that I use the air fryer almost every night for my family’s meals. It makes dinner prep ridiculously easy, and we can make tons of our favorite protein in no time at all. For something fun, we’ve recently been making air fryer hamburgers. They taste like they came off the grill but in a fraction of the time..and without the mess!
Why I love this recipe
Easy and fast. Made with simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these could not be any easier. Healthier. With less oil used, this recipe is far healthier than grilled or pan-fried hamburgers. Keep the air frying love going and pair it with some air fryer French fries (or air fryer sweet potato fries) for the ultimate combo. Easy to customize. Use different cuts of meat and add different spices- there are endless possibilities. Tastes like it’s grilled! What we love about this recipe is its incredible texture. You’ll literally feel the flavors bursting into your mouth with each bite!
Ingredients needed
Ground beef. I used lean ground beef, but any ground beef works. Spices. Onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Onion. Finely chopped or grated. I prefer the latter because it really does enhance the flavor. Worcestershire sauce. Balances the acidic elements in the patties mixture. Salt and pepper. To taste. Burger fix-ins. American cheese, hamburger buns, mayonnaise, ketchup mustard, and burger veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles.
How to air fry hamburgers
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. “Perfectly cooked at the temp and time suggested, very juicy and flavorful. I only needed two patties, so I formed and packed in parchment for the freezer. The best burgers ever with no mess or fuss.” – Nancy Step 1- make beef patties. Start by taking a large bowl and adding the beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and spices. Make 4 equal-sized patties. Step 2- Prep the air fryer. Next, preheat the air fryer for several minutes. Once hot, add the patties to the air fryer basket. Step 3- Air fry. Air fry the hamburger patties for 4 minutes per side, for 8 minutes. Step 4- Add cheese (optional). Now, remove from the air fryer and add a piece of cheese on top. Assemble the burgers and enjoy them immediately.
Recipe tips and variations
While I prefer the natural grill marks the air fryer basket makes, for a completely mess-free experience, use air fryer liners or a disposable air fryer basket. Shape the patties into equal-sized portions so that they cook evenly at the same time. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket if you cannot comfortably fit four patties in a single layer. If needed, cook them 2 at a time. Feel free to substitute beef for ground turkey or chicken. You can even make my wagyu burgers or lamb burgers in the air fryer instead.
Storage instructions
To store: Place leftover air fryer burgers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The cooking time of the air fryer hamburgers really comes down to your preferred level of doneness. The best way to check is to use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Use the following guide to know the temperature according to doneness:
Rare: 115 to 120°F Medium-Rare: 120 to 125°F Medium: 130 to 135°F Medium-Well: 140 to 145°F Well-Done: 150 to 155°F
To freeze: Wrap the cooked and cooled burger patties in aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheating: Microwave the burger patties for 30-40 seconds or reheat in a skillet for a minute or two.
More air fryer dinner recipes to try
Air fryer meatloaf Air fryer pork tenderloin Air fryer steak Air fryer chicken thighs Air fryer salmon Air fryer coconut shrimp Air fryer stuffed peppers Air fryer hot dogs Air fryer filet mignon
