Air Fryer Hamburgers Recipe
The air fryer's fast, circulating heat sears the outside of the patty while rendering fat drips away through the basket, so burgers come out browned and juicy without the flare-ups or babysitting a grill requires.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 4 slices cheddar cheese slices
- 4 buns hamburger buns
- 1 batch lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles (for serving)
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 721
- Protein
- 38g
- Carbs
- 31g
- Fat
- 49g
Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.
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Instructions
- 1In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix with your hands just until evenly distributed.
- 2Divide into 4 equal portions and shape into patties about 3/4 inch thick and slightly wider than the buns, they'll shrink and plump up as they cook.
- 3Press a shallow dimple into the center of each patty with your thumb.
- 4Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
- 5Arrange the patties in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between them, and cook for 4 minutes.
- 6Flip the patties and cook for another 4-5 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 160°F (71°C) for well-done, or pull a couple degrees earlier for medium.USDA safe minimum for ground meat (beef, pork, lamb, veal): 160°F (71°C)
- 7Top each patty with a slice of cheese during the last minute of cooking and let it melt with the basket closed.
- 8Add the buns to the air fryer, cut side up, for the final 1-2 minutes to toast lightly.
- 9Build the burgers with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles as desired, and serve immediately.
Tips & variations
- Use 80/20 ground beef rather than lean; the extra fat is what keeps the patty from drying out in the air fryer's fast, direct heat.
- Don't overwork the meat when mixing in seasoning, dense packing squeezes out moisture and makes for a tougher burger.
- For a smash-burger style crust, flatten the patties thinner (about 1/2 inch) and reduce the cook time to 3 minutes per side.
- Frozen patties can go straight into the air fryer; add about 4-5 extra minutes total and check with a thermometer before serving.
Storage & reheating
Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes, or until warmed through, rather than microwaving, which makes the crust soggy.
Tips from the Tulo kitchen
- Letting shaped patties rest in the fridge for 15 minutes before cooking helps them hold their shape better in the basket.
- If patties are shrinking a lot, the fat content may be too lean or the basket too crowded, restricting airflow around each one.
FAQ
What temperature should I set the air fryer to for hamburgers?
375°F (190°C) works well for standard patties, giving a browned exterior in about 8-9 minutes total without drying out the inside.
Do I need to flip burgers in the air fryer?
Yes, flipping once at the halfway point promotes even browning on both sides, since the heating element sits above the basket.
Can I cook frozen burger patties in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook them straight from frozen at 375°F (190°C), adding roughly 4-5 minutes to the total time, and confirm doneness with a thermometer rather than going by time alone.
Why did my air fryer burgers turn out dry?
This usually means the beef was too lean or the patties were cooked past 160°F; using 80/20 beef and pulling the burgers as soon as they hit temperature helps keep them juicy.
