These juicy air fryer burgers are my easiest way to do burger night, with no grill to heat up and no grease on the stove. The timing depends on how thick your patties are and whether they’re fresh or frozen, so I put together the time chart below for every patty size.
This is indeed the juiciest hamburger recipe I’ve tried, thanks to the air fryer! Served these burgers for dinner last night and it was filling and scrumptious!
Kathy
How I Make Burger Night Easy
When I only need four burgers, the air fryer is such an easy option. My square basket fits all four patties comfortably, and they cook in about 9 minutes once it is preheated. I leave a little space between them so they brown evenly, then add the cheese during the final minute.
At our house, everyone likes to build their own burger. If I have a little extra time, I make my soft homemade hamburger buns; otherwise, I use toasted brioche buns. I put out my homemade burger sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and plenty of pickles, then let everyone add exactly what they want.
How Long to Cook Burgers in the Air Fryer
Use this chart as your starting point. The times are for a preheated air fryer with the patties in a single layer.
| Patty | Temperature | Cook time |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ pound, ½ inch thick | 370°F (190°C) | 9 to 10 minutes, flipping after 6 |
| ¼ pound, ½ inch thick | 350°F (180°C) | 6 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway |
| ¼ pound, ¾ inch thick | 400°F (200°C) | 9 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway |
| ¼ pound, 1 inch thick | 375°F (190°C) | 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway |
| Frozen store-bought patties | 370°F (190°C) | 13 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway |
Air fryers run hotter or cooler, so check with an instant-read thermometer. The burgers are done when the center reads 160°F (71°C).
Ingredients for Air Fryer Hamburgers
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Ground beef: I use 80/20 ground beef because the extra fat keeps the burgers juicy as they cook. One pound makes four ¼ pound patties.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory depth and a little saltiness to the beef.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper season the burgers without overpowering the flavor of the beef.
How to Shape Hamburger Patties for the Air Fryer
Burgers shrink as they cook and get thicker in the middle, so shape each patty about ½ inch wider than your bun.
Divide 1 pound of beef into four equal portions, about ¼ pound each, and press them into rounds about ½ inch thick. Then press a shallow dent into the center of each one with your thumb. The dent keeps the middle from puffing up, so the patty stays flat and cooks evenly.
Handle the meat as little as you can. Overworking it makes the burgers dense, and cold beef holds its shape better than beef that has warmed up on the counter.
How to Make Hamburgers in the Air Fryer
Here’s a quick overview, with the complete instructions in the recipe card below.
- Mix and shape: Gently combine the beef with the Worcestershire sauce and seasonings, then shape four patties with a dent in the center, as above.
- Air fry: Place the patties directly in the air fryer basket, preheated to 370°F (190°C), and cook for 6 minutes. Flip them with tongs and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Add cheese during the final minute, if desired (see the tip below so it doesn’t blow off). Let the burgers rest briefly before assembling them with your favorite toppings.
Check Early: Air fryers vary, so check the burgers with an instant-read thermometer toward the end of cooking. Ground beef should reach 160°F or 71°C.
Adding Cheese Without It Blowing Off
The air fryer fan is strong enough to lift a slice of cheese right off the burger. A reader named Robin shared an easy fix: pin the cheese down with a wooden toothpick.
If you’d rather skip the toothpick, turn the air fryer off once the burgers are done, lay the cheese on top and close the basket for a minute. The heat left inside melts it without the fan blowing it around.
Frozen and Store-Bought Hamburger Patties in the Air Fryer
You can cook frozen burger patties straight from the freezer, with no thawing. Cook them at 370°F (190°C) for 13 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway, until the center reads 160°F (71°C).
- Separate them first. If they’re frozen together, slide a butter knife between them or let them sit for a couple of minutes.
- Keep them in one layer with a little space around each patty so the hot air reaches every side.
- Season after you flip. Salt and pepper slide off a frozen surface but stick once the top has thawed.
Fresh store-bought patties from the meat case cook just like homemade ones. Check the weight and thickness on the package and use the matching row in the time chart. If yours are heavier or thicker than ¼ pound, start checking at the time in the chart and keep going until they reach 160°F (71°C).
Air Fryer Burger Mistakes to Avoid
Burger fat drips into the drawer as the patties cook, and that’s where smoke comes from. These fixes make the biggest difference:
- Add a little water to the drawer. A couple of tablespoons under the basket keeps the dripping fat from smoking.
- Empty the grease between batches. If you’re cooking more than one round, pour off the fat before the next one goes in.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Packed patties cook unevenly and won’t brown well, so keep them in one layer with space between them.
- Don’t press the patties. Pushing them down with a spatula squeezes out the juices that keep them moist.
- Don’t skip the preheat. A hot air fryer starts browning the outside right away.
- Use 80/20 beef. Leaner beef cooks up drier.
Basket, Oven-Style and Ninja Air Fryers
I make these in my square basket air fryer, but readers have asked about other styles too.
- Basket air fryers: Put the patties right in the basket in a single layer. Mine fits four ¼ pound patties.
- Oven-style air fryers: Use the air fry rack or tray with the drip pan underneath to catch the grease. You can fit more patties, but check a couple of minutes early the first time, since these can run hotter or cooler than a basket.
- Ninja air fryers: Ninja’s own cooking chart gives 8 to 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C) for four quarter pound patties, 1 inch thick. On a dual basket model you can cook the burgers in one basket and fries in the other.
Whichever you have, use the Air Fry setting rather than Bake or Roast. It’s the setting made for browning.
My Favorite Burger Sauce
I love serving these air fryer hamburgers with a quick homemade burger sauce. It is creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet, and this amount makes enough for four burgers.
Mix together ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon sweet relish, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon honey, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Spread it on the toasted buns just before assembling the burgers.
For another option, try my homemade Big Mac sauce.
Storing and Reheating
Store cooked burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F or 180°C for 3 to 4 minutes, flipping halfway through, or microwave them in 30-second intervals until heated through.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Hamburgers
Serve these burgers with French fries, air fryer sweet potato fries, coleslaw, Greek salad, or air fryer corn on the cob. For an easy burger night, prepare the cold toppings and sides before cooking the patties so everything is ready to serve while the burgers are hot.
Prefer another cooking method? Try my grilled burgers or juicy stovetop burgers.
More Air Fryer Recipes To Try
All Air Fryer Recipes →
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Air Fryer Burgers
Recipe Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef 80/20
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- While the air fryer preheats, combine the ground beef in a bowl with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to combine well, but do not over work to get a better texture.
- Divide the mixture into 4 portions (about ½ inch thick), and gently flatten and shape into patties, making an indent in the center of each patty with your thumb or the back of a spoon.
- Place the patties in the air fryer, and cook for 6 minutes, flip the patties with tongs and cook for 3 more minutes. Add cheese in the last minute of cooking if using.
- Remove the patties, and assemble with your favorite condiments.
Notes:
- Check for Doneness: Insert an instant-read thermometer through the side of the burger into the center. Ground beef should reach 160°F or 71°C before serving. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the patties and your air fryer model.
- Easy hamburger sauce recipe: Mix together ¼ cup mayo, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 teaspoon of sweet relish, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon of honey, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Trevor says
Fantastic taste and so easy to make – 5 out of 5 !!!
Diana says
Thanks so much, Trevor! Really glad you liked them.
YummyTummy says
Excellent recipe. Time frame fit the 1/4lb weight very well to achieve 160 degrees. Delicious. Yes, 80% fat meat is ideal. Thank you.
Little Sunny Kitchen says
I’m so glad you like the recipe! Enjoy!
Brenda says
These turned out so good. I have never cooked in my air fryer before and was a bit nervous about cooking hb’s in it. I was so surprised..
Diana says
That’s wonderful to hear, Brenda! I’m so glad your first air fryer try was a success and that the burgers turned out well.