Thank you for this recipe for juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers. They taste like they were just off the grill, but you don’t have to use a grill.
No need to stand outside flipping patties when it’s raining, snowing, or too hot to handle.
With the handy air fryer, you can get a burger that tastes like it was cooked on a grill quickly and from the comfort of your own home.
This post has all the information you need to make a burger that would be good enough to eat in a restaurant. It even has tips on how to keep your patties nice and juicy while air-frying them.
How Long to Cook Beef Patties in an Air Fryer: The Complete Guide
Cooking juicy and flavorful beef patties in an air fryer is quick and easy. With an air fryer, you can achieve crispy, browned patties in about 10-12 minutes without needing to use any oil.
An air fryer uses rapid hot air circulation to replicate deep frying results. This makes it the perfect appliance for cooking beef patties with a crispy outside and tender moist interior.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about cooking beef patties in an air fryer including
- Choosing the Right Beef Patties
- Preparing the Beef Patties
- Recommended Air Fryer Temperature
- Cooking Times
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Tips for Avoiding Undercooking or Overcooking
- How to Tell When the Patties Are Cooked
- Troubleshooting Tips
- Extra Flavor Ideas
Follow this simple air fryer beef patty recipe and you’ll be enjoying delicious burgers and sliders in no time!
Choosing the Right Beef Patties
When selecting beef patties to cook in your air fryer, you have two options:
Pre-Formed Frozen Beef Patties – Opt for patties with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for the best flavor and texture. Make sure to thaw them completely before air frying.
Fresh Homemade Patties – Form patties from 80/20 ground beef for ideal juiciness. Gently shape them to uniform thickness.
Either pre-made or homemade patties will work great. The key is choosing a higher fat content beef blend to prevent dryness.
Preparing the Beef Patties
Take your thawed pre-made patties or freshly hand-formed patties and blot them dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and any other spices you enjoy.
Let the patties sit at room temperature as the air fryer preheats so the seasoning can penetrate the meat. This resting time enhances flavor.
Recommended Air Fryer Temperature
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This temperature ensures the patties cook through without overbrowning the outside before the inside is done.
Most air fryer models only take 3-5 minutes to preheat fully.
Air Fryer Beef Patty Cooking Time
At 375°F, air fry frozen or fresh beef patties for 9-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Thicker patties may need a couple minutes longer.
Here are the step-by-step instructions:
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Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
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Place patties in the basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
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Cook patties for 4-6 minutes on the first side until browned.
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Flip patties and cook 4-6 minutes more until done.
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Check temperature and visual cues to ensure doneness.
The total cooking time can vary a little depending on the thickness of your patties and your air fryer model. Always check for doneness rather than relying solely on time.
How to Tell When Patties Are Done
Beef patties are safely cooked through once they register an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) on a meat thermometer.
For medium doneness, cook to 145-150°F (63-66°C). Medium rare patties will be 125-135°F (52-57°C).
If you don’t have a thermometer, check the visual signs. Medium rare patties will be reddish-pink in the center. Well-done patties will be uniformly brown all over.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your air fried beef patties turn out overcooked or undercooked, use these troubleshooting tips:
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Overcooked: Lower temperature and cook time. Brush patties with a little oil next time.
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Undercooked: Increase cook time and verify temperature reaches food-safe minimum of 160°F (71°C).
With a few adjustments, you’ll be able to achieve your ideal level of doneness.
Extra Flavor Ideas
Beyond basic salt and pepper, try these easy ways to add more flavor to your air fried beef patties:
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Mix in minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, or Worcestershire sauce into the raw beef.
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Brush patties with barbecue sauce or melted butter during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
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Top cooked patties with sliced cheese, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, or bacon jam.
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Serve on brioche buns with traditional burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, and special sauce.
The options are endless for customizing tasty beef patties!
The beauty of cooking beef patties in an air fryer is that you can skip the oil and still achieve that irresistible crispy exterior. Just 10-12 minutes is all it takes to enjoy juicy burgers or sliders with less guilt and mess.
Follow this guide for choosing the right patties, seasoning properly, setting the temperature and timer, and monitoring doneness. Before you know it, you’ll have perfectly cooked beef patties ready to build into amazing burgers.
Market Swap
You can change the recipe for air fryer turkey or chicken burgers so that ground turkey or chicken is used instead of beef (or even sausage, like in these juicy Italian turkey burgers). Check internal temperature for desired doneness, as cooking times will vary.
- Olive Oil. One great thing about the air fryer is that it lets you make normally heavy foods lighter by using less butter, oil, and other fats. One tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil is needed for my recipe. There is less fat in the ground beef, so this helps keep the burger patties moist.
- Dijon Mustard. This one isn’t necessary, but it makes the ka-pow taste better.
- Seasonings. I always put salt, pepper, and garlic powder together. Simple and perfect.
- Buns. For those who are gluten-free or trying to cut back on carbs, you can eat the burger by itself or in a lettuce wrap. You can also use your favorite type of bun. Brioche buns make the burger more fancy (and, dare I say, tasty) than regular white-bread buns from the store. Pretzel buns are also flavorful and divine.
Toast the buns before serving. Place the sliced bread in the oven or toaster oven and broil it for a few minutes. Spread some butter on those slices. Watch like a hawk to prevent burning.
- Place beef, oil, mustard, and seasonings in a large bowl.
- Gently stir with a fork to combine.
- Shape into patties, adding a dimple.
- Burgers should be air-fried at 375 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they reach 155 degrees F on the inside. At the 6-minute mark, flip them over.
- Make sure they don’t get too done by checking the temperature soon after flipping them.
- Add cheese in last minute of cooking. Serve hot on buns with your favorite toppings. ENJOY!.
Add the cheese slice at the very end of the cooking time so it melts nicely. Or, use shredded cheese, which melts even more easily.
Tips for Air Frying Hamburgers
- The air fryer should be set to 375 degrees F for the burgers.
- Don’t cram them in! If you have to, cook them in batches so that there is room between each one, and cook them in a single layer.
- Check for doneness early. When the first side of the burgers has been air-fried for 6 minutes, flip them over and cook for a few more minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer. Medium Well = 150 to 155. Well Done = 160 to 165. More than the time, let the internal temperature of your burger tell you how cooking it is done.
- To Store. Burger patties that have been left over can be kept in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container.
- To Reheat. Cover and warm the patties in a skillet with a little water to keep them from drying out.
- To Freeze. There is a way to freeze cooked burger patties for up to three months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator prior to reheating.
How to Air Fry Burgers To Perfection
FAQ
How long does it take to air fry a burger at 400?
How long to cook a raw patty in the air fryer?
What temperature should I set my air fryer at for ground beef patties?
How many minutes to air fry frozen hamburger patties?
How long do you cook burgers in an air fryer?
Cook the patties for 9-11 minutes for medium-rare, 12-14 minutes for medium, or 15-17 minutes for well-done, flipping once halfway through the cooking process. During the last few minutes of cooking, lightly toast your burger buns in the air fryer for added flavor and texture.
How do you cook beef patty in an air fryer?
Whisk together warm melted butter and beef soup base in a small bowl. Brush lightly onto both sides of patties and season with pepper. Set patties into the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Air-fry patties for 7 minutes, flipping halfway through, for medium doneness.
How long do you cook patties in an air fryer?
Place the patties in the preheated air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Cook them for approximately 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. Adjust the cooking time according to your preferred level of doneness.
How do you cook chicken patty in an air fryer?
Combine meat, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Form into 4 patties, about 1/2″ thick. Make a small indent in the middle of the patty with your thumb. Brush patties with barbecue sauce if using. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Add patties in a single layer to the basket. Cook 6 minutes.