This easy recipe makes the juiciest air fryer burgers in 15 minutes! They’re perfectly cooked so they’re seared on the outside and flavorful inside.
If you’re looking to get creative with burger toppings, check out my candied bacon maple cheddar burger and caramelized onion dip burger. I even have a taco burger that you can try!
We’re taking the cookout indoors with these deliciously juicy air fryer burgers. They come out perfectly cooked every time, with a crisp sear outside that locks in all the juices and flavor. All it takes is ground beef and a couple of simple seasonings to make the patties from scratch, and about 10 minutes to cook them. Homemade burgers don’t get easier than this!
Why You Should Cook Burgers In the Air Fryer
- It’s easy. I’ve done all the testing, so you don’t have to. I can safely say that this recipe produces the JUICIEST, perfectly cooked hamburgers.
- Quick. It takes 10 minutes to air fry homemade hamburger patties that are flavorful, seared, and ready to be assembled between fluffy buns.
- It’s mess-free. You won’t need to dirty the grill or skillet, and you can leave the cooking oil in the cupboard. Just place the burger patties in the basket of your air fryer and cook!
What You’ll Need
Making hamburger patties doesn’t have to be a complicated process. In fact, all you need is some good quality ground beef and a few seasonings. I’ve included some notes here, and you’ll find the printable ingredients list in the recipe card after the post.
- Ground Beef – I recommend 85/15 lean or 80/20 medium ground beef.
- Seasoning – Salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can season your burgers any way you’d like!
- Buns and Toppings – For serving, see further in the post for topping ideas.
How to Make Air Fryer Burgers
Here’s how to cook burgers in your air fryer! If needed, I have a full guide on how to use an air fryer that you can refer to if you’re new to cooking with one. Then, follow the steps below, and scroll to the bottom of the post for the recipe card with printable instructions.
- Season the beef. Start by combining the ground beef and seasonings in a bowl, and mixing them. I find it’s easiest to get in there with your hands!
- Shape the patties. Next, divide the meat evenly into four portions. Shape each portion into a ball, and flatten each ball into a ½” thick patty. The patties should be slightly larger than the diameter of your buns.
- Air fry. Place the burger patties into a preheated air fryer and cook at 370ºF for 10 minutes. Set a timer to flip the burgers halfway through.
- Serve. Enjoy your burgers as is and serve between fluffy hamburger buns, add cheese, or dress them up with your favorite burger toppings. I’ve included some of my favorites below.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Get the right size. Burger patties often shrink when they’re cooked depending on the fat content of the beef (higher fat = more shrinkage). I usually shape my patties to be slightly wider than the bun, so they shrink to the perfect size after cooking.
- Leave space between the patties. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between each burger patty. This gives the hot air room to circulate and sears the outside.
- Avoid smoking. I’ll often add ¼ cup of water under the air fryer tray before cooking the burgers. This prevents the grease from smoking.
- Make it cheesy. If you’re adding cheese, add a slice to each patty right at the end of the cooking time. Close the air fryer basket and let the cheese melt in the residual heat.
- Different protein. Make your patties with ground turkey for air fryer turkey burgers. You can also use this method to cook meatless options like Beyond Burgers in the air fryer.
Burger Toppings
Whether you’re a fan of the ketchup and mustard combo, pickle relish, lettuce and tomato, or all of the above, there’s no wrong way to dress a burger.
- Swiss, American, or cheddar cheese
- Cooked bacon
- Burger sauce
- Avocado
- BBQ sauce
- Pickles
- Onions
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Refrigerate. Store any leftover air fryer burger patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat. Warm the patties in the microwave or air fryer and then assemble your burgers as usual.
- Freeze. Burger patties freeze well for 2-3 months. Wrap them tightly with plastic wrap with parchment paper in between the patties if needed. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Print
Description
This easy recipe makes perfectly cooked air fryer burgers from scratch in 15 minutes! They’re juicy inside and seared outside, ready for your favorite toppings.
- 1 pound ground beef (85/15 or 80/20 preferred)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Buns and burger toppings for serving
- Place the ground beef in a bowl and add the seasonings. Use your hands to mix together.
- Divide the beef mixture into four equal portions.
- Form the meat into balls, then flatten them into patties a little larger in diameter than your buns and about 1/2 inch thick.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370ºF.
- Place the burgers in the air fryer leaving a little space between patties.
- Cook for 10 minutes, flipping partway through.
- If you want to add cheese, add it at the end of the cooking time and close the air fryer to allow the residual heat to melt the cheese. It will take about 1 minute.
- Add your favorite toppings and serve.
Notes
- Add 1/4 cup of water under the air fryer tray before cooking to prevent the hamburger grease from smoking.
