These air fryer burgers are easy to make, super quick, juicy, and cleanup is a breeze.
Burgers are favorite at my house. Most of the time, I like to keep it simple. Beef with simple seasonings, on a toasted bun, topped with slices of tomato, onion, and lettuce.
Lately, my favorite way to make my favorite burger recipe is in the air fryer. There’s no tending a grill, no splatter mess from pan frying, and they come out juicy and perfectly cooked.
Toasting Hamburger Buns In The Air Fryer
I am a firm believer in the toasted hamburger bun. I think it creates the perfect foundation for the crispy-on-the-outside-juicy-on-the-inside patty. The condiments sit on the top rather than soaking in to the bun. And the contrast of textures is without compromise.
So, I’m going to suggest that you toast your buns after cooking your burger patties so they are nice and warm. It’s easy with the air fryer. Melt some butter, brush it on to the split-side of the buns, place them in the air fryer basket and cook for about 3 minutes depending upon your desired toastiness.
If you prefer to use the broiler, place the prepared buns on rimmed baking sheet split side up. Cook under the broiler for 30 seconds. Keep an eye on these. They can go from a beautiful golden brown, to sad burnt buns in seconds.
The Best Meat For Burgers
For the ground beef, I like ground chuck with an 80/20 mix. The fat adds the perfect amount of flavor and keeps the burgers juicy.
If a 90/10 mix is all you can find, you can add a tablespoon of olive oil to the meat mixture.
How To Mix Hamburgers
For this recipe, I like to use a seasoned salt like Lawry’s. Garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper round out the spices in the burger keeping it simple which allows the flavor of the beef to be the star.
Place the beef in a large bowl and sprinkle the seasonings evenly over the beef. Using a fork or your hands, work the seasoning through the meat quickly keeping the mixture fairly fluffy. Don’t over mix. Over-mixing meat will result in a tough, dry patty. And no-one likes a tough, dry hamburger patty.
How To Shape A Hamburger Patty
Once the seasonings have been dispersed through the mixture, divide it into 6 equal portions (8 if you prefer 1/4 pound patties). I like to use a kitchen scale. Since they are all the same size, I’m confident they’ll cook evenly.
Roll each of the portions into a loose ball and then flatten into a disc. I like to make them about 4-inches in diameter which is generally a bit larger than the hamburger buns. Using your fingers, create a dimple in the center of the burger. This will help with shrinkage and reduce the chances that the burger will bulge in the center.
If the patties became a little less round or the edges cracked when you created the dimple, use the palm of your hand to smooth the edges and push the patty back into shape.
How Long To Cook Air Fryer Hamburgers
Once the patties are formed, place them in the basket of the air fryer making sure they aren’t crowded. I can fit 4 patties in my Power Fryer XL 5.3 quart air fryer. You may find that you need to work in batches as well.
I like my burger medium, so I cook the patties at 375˚F for 3 – 4 minutes per side. I check the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer to make sure that the temperature is 160˚F. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending upon your desired doneness.
If you are cooking in batches, transfer the hamburger patties to a rimmed baking sheet and keep warm in a pre-heated 180˚F oven.
Serving Air Fryer Burgers
I’m kind of a burger purist. I don’t think you need a whole lot of side dishes. Topped with slices of tomato, onions, and a lettuce leaf or two, maybe a slice of cheese, with a pickle spear on the plate and I’m a happy camper. Want a fabulous condiment? Try my Burger Sauce recipe or this Easy Sriracha Mayo!
But, if you really feel the need to serve some sides, you might want to try french fries or microwaved corn on the cob.
More Amazing Burger Recipes
PrintAir Fryer Burger Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Entrée
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
These air fryer burgers are easy to make, super quick, juicy, and cleanup is a breeze.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground chuck
- 2 tsp. seasoning salt
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 6 – 8 hamburger buns, split
- 4 Tbsp. butter, melted
- Your favorite burger toppings
Instructions
- Pre-heat the air fryer to 350˚F.
- In a large bowl combine beef, seasoning salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until just combined being careful not to over-mix.
- Divide meat mixture into 6 equal portions. (For 1/4 pound patties divide into 8 equal portions.)
- Shape each of the portions into a loose ball. Using your hands, flatten each ball into a disc that is slightly larger than the bun, about 4-inched in diameter. Press a dimple in the center of each of the patties with your fingers. This helps reduce shrinkage and a bulging center.
- Working in batches if necessary, place the patties in the air fryer basket without crowding.
- Set the temperature to 375˚F and cook for 4 minutes per side, or until an instant read thermometer registers 160˚F for medium.
- Remove patties from the air fryer basket and keep warm in a pre-heated 180˚F oven, if working in batches. Repeat until all patties are cooked.
- Brush the insides of the hamburger buns with butter.
- Place the buns in the air fryer, cut side up. The buns can be close but not overlapping. You may need to work in batches.
- Cook for 3 minutes. Check, and cook longer depending upon your preference of toastiness.
- Serve with your favorite toppings and condiments.
Notes
NOTE: The hamburger buns can also be toasted under the broiler. Arrange the prepared buns on a baking sheet with the cut sides up. Place under the broiler for about 30 seconds. Keep a watchful eye. Food under the broiler can go from beautiful, golden brown to a three-alarm food catastrophe in seconds.
This post originally appeared in May 2020 and was revised and republished in July 2023.