This Air Fryer Hamburger recipe is deceptively easy and ready in less than 10 minutes. With simple ingredients like ground beef, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, pickle juice, breadcrumbs, and burger seasoning, you’ll learn how to make the perfect cheeseburger or slider every time! Skip the burger joint and cook the best homemade burger patty in your own kitchen.
My husband’s burgers are better than any you’ve ever had in a restaurant.
They’re seasoned to perfection, are super juicy, and have a delightfully crusty exterior.
When I told him I was going to try recreating those famous patties in the Air Fryer he looked at me in shock.
“You can make an Air Fryer HAMBURGER?!”
I THOUGHT it was possible, because after all, I had made DOZENS of air fryer recipes and they all turned out incredible.
So without much guidance in the way of ingredient amounts, I set to work recreating his jaw-dropping burger patties, but in a faster, Air Fryer way.
After a few rounds of tweaking the ratios, and getting the Burger Seasoning just right, this Air Fryer Burger recipe was born.
And if I do say so myself, it might even taste BETTER than the hubs’! 🙂
Ingredients
The simple ingredients you need to make this Air Fryer Burger Recipe include:
- Ground meat. Beef is the best. A 90/10 ratio has the perfect balance of juiciness from the fat while also being lean enough that it doesn’t shrink too much while cooking. You can also use ground turkey, bison, or even venison.
- Barbecue sauce. Original flavor or whatever you have on hand is fine. Be sure to watch out for those with too much added sugar. In a pinch, ketchup may also be subbed.
- Pickle juice. Might sound surprising, but this gives a nice tartness to the burger. You can opt for apple cider vinegar instead.
- Mustard. Plain, ol’ yellow is preferred, but you can also use Dijon or even stoneground, German, or Creole if that is what you have.
- Worcestershire sauce. Don’t leave this out! It gives a savory umami flavor that’s hard to replicate with anything else.
- Breadcrumbs. Just a couple of tablespoons help to soak up the extra liquid from the above ingredients. Be sure to use a plain, fine crumb and not a thick crumb, like Panko. You can use a gluten-free variety, if needed. (Aleia’s brand is my go-to!)
- Burger Seasoning. This is easy and best if you make it at home. It’s a simple blend of common spices like paprika, oregano, onion powder, and garlic powder. You can also use a store-bought one if you’d prefer.
How to Make Air Fryer Hamburgers
These are the easy steps to follow to make this Air Fryer Hamburger recipe:
Measure and Mix
To make 4 hamburger patties, you need one pound of meat.
In a large bowl, add your protein, barbecue sauce, Worchestershire sauce, pickle juice, mustard, breadcrumbs, and burger seasoning. Use your hands to thoroughly combine everything. Be careful not to overmix as this will make your burgers tough.
Divide your mixture into 4 equal portions. You can eyeball this measurement or use a kitchen scale. Be sure to squeeze each quarter so it sticks together during cooking.
Shape the Patties
Before you shape the patties, it is important to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 370-380℉ and allow it to heat while you work. Be sure the air fryer basket is in there! A hot pan will keep the patties from sticking.
Use your hands to start forming the burgers. Each patty needs to be about 4-5 inches wide. Use the palm of your hand to flatten each one out. If you find the meat is sticking to your fingers, rub a little olive oil or non-stick cooking spray on them!
As ground beef cooks, it will shrink. This is especially true for higher fat content meat. The wider you can get these patties without them falling apart the better.
Continue forming until you have all the burgers ready.
-OR- Use a Cookie Cutter
Alternatively, you can use a large, round cookie cutter to form the patties. This method makes the most beautiful and consistent burgers.
Spray the inside of the cookie cutter so the burger comes out easily. Then, place one portion of meat inside. Use your fingers to gently push it to the edges.
Lift the cookie cutter up and round the edges out. Voila! A super easy burger patty is ready to cook. Repeat with remaining meat.
Cook in Air Fryer
Place the burgers in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Do not let them touch each other. If needed, cook these in more than one batch.
If you like a medium burger, cook the patties for 7 minutes. For well done, you need an additional minute.
At about the 5-minute mark, flip the burgers so they cook evenly on both sides. If you’d like, use a meat thermometer to ensure your burgers have an internal temperature of at least 160℉.
After you air-fry patties to the desired doneness, remove them from the fryer and set them on a plate.
If you want a cheeseburger, then you have one more step. Place a slice of cheese on each patty then set them in the TURNED OFF air fryer for one minute to allow the cheese to perfectly melt.
Toppings for Burgers
After your air fryer hamburgers are ready, it’s time to top and eat them.
Choose a high-quality bun for the base. Or, opt for lettuce wraps if you are low-carb or keto.
Then, decide what vegetables you would like on top. Everything from the classics like tomatoes, onions, pickles, and lettuce leaves is delicious. Or, get creative with mushrooms, crispy bacon, sautéed onions, or sliced avocados.
Finally, choose your condiments. Mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard are traditional but Sriracha Mayo, Aioli, and Secret Sauce add a little something extra.
Meal Prep and Storage
- To Prep-Ahead: If needed, you can form the patties an hour or two ahead of time, wrap them tightly in plastic, and leave them in the fridge. Though it is recommended to season burgers just before cooking for the best flavor.
- To Store: Place leftover burgers in an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
- To Freeze: Put patties in a freezer-safe container and leave them in the freezer for up to 3 to 4 months.
- To Reheat: Put previously frozen burgers back in the air fryer at 250℉ for 10 to 15 minutes, if frozen or 5 to 7 minutes from the fridge, or until heated through. You can also use the microwave to warm them back up.
Dietary Modifications
Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:
- Low-carb: Opt for lettuce wraps instead of a bun.
- Paleo: Leave out the breadcrumbs and barbecue sauce and stick with stone ground mustard. Avoid buns, as well.
- Keto: Steer clear of barbecue sauce and breadcrumbs and stick with lettuce instead of buns, or use a no sugar added ketchup.
FAQs
You need to cook hamburger patties for 7 to 8 minutes in an air fryer preheated to 370℉. Cooking time will vary depending on burger thickness and how well you like the burger done, but the internal temperature should be at least 160℉.
For best results and perfectly cooked burgers, you should flip them once just over halfway through cooking. Though if you forget, they should turn out ok!
Yes! You can absolutely cook raw burgers in an air fryer. Be sure to preheat the air fryer and place patties on a hot basket to prevent sticking. This method is also great for reheating burgers.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Make your own. Creating your own burger seasoning at home is simple and oh so delicious.
- Keep it even. Form patties as evenly as possible to ensure consistent cooking.
- Get it hot. It is important to preheat the air fryer so the burgers don’t stick to the basket.
- Stay fresh. Season meat just before forming and cooking patties for the best flavor.
- Top it off. Get creative with your fresh toppings and sauce, opt for Sriracha Mayo, avocado, or bacon for an extra kick.
What to Serve with Hamburgers
If you’re looking for a tasty side to serve with these Air Fryer Hamburgers, try one of these recipes:
- Southern Homemade Coleslaw
- Instant Pot Potato Salad
- German Potato Salad
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan
- Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus
More Burger Recipes
Try one of these tasty burger recipes next time you’re in the mood for grilling:
Air Fryer Hamburgers Recipe
This Air Fryer Hamburger recipe is deceptively easy and ready in less than 10 minutes. With simple ingredients like ground beef, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, pickle juice, breadcrumbs, and burger seasoning, you'll learn how to make the perfect cheeseburger or slider every time!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef 90/10*
- 2 Tbsp. barbecue sauce original
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp. pickle juice
- 2 tsp. yellow mustard or Dijon
- 3 Tbsp. breadcrumbs plain, gluten-free if needed
- 1 ½ Tbsp. burger seasoning prepared
- Cheddar cheese slices optional
To Make Burgers:
- 4 Hamburger buns
- Lettuce Tomatoes, Red Onions, Pickles
Instructions
-
Preheat a 6-quart Air Fryer to 370/380 degrees for at least 3 minutes.
-
Add ground beef, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pickle juice, mustard, breadcrumbs, and prepared burger seasoning to a large bowl. Mix the ingredients by hand until just combined, being careful not to overmix the meat.
-
Divide the meat into 4 equal portions. Scoop out one of the portions and squeeze the meat tightly to ensure it all sticks together.
-
Begin forming a patty that is 4-5 inches in width. Remember, the burgers are going to shrink up slightly while cooking, so the wider you can get them without them falling apart, the better! Additionally, you can use a 4-inch round cookie cutter: Place the ground meat into the cutter and press it down until it reaches all of the sides. Remove the cutter and then round out the edges.
-
Place the patties in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket, paying careful attention that they do not touch each other.
-
Cook for 7 minutes for a medium burger or 8 for well done. After 5 minutes, flip the burgers over so they cook evenly on all sides
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Top with cheese immediately after cooking, if desired, and serve on a hamburger bun with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- Nutritional information is calculated without a bun or toppings.
- Can also use ground turkey, venison, or bison.
- To make the burger seasoning: Combine ½ Tbsp. paprika, ¾ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. onion powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, ¾ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. black pepper, and ¼ tsp. Cayenne pepper.
Meal Prep and Storage
- To Prep-Ahead: If needed, you can form the patties an hour or two ahead of time, wrap them tightly in plastic, and leave them in the fridge. Though it is recommended to season burgers just before cooking for the best flavor.
- To Store: Place leftover burgers in an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
- To Freeze: Put patties in a freezer-safe container and leave them in the freezer for up to 3 to 4 months.
- To Reheat: Put previously frozen burgers back in the air fryer at 250℉ for 5 to 7 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use the microwave to warm them back up.
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Sheryl says
I can’t find the nutritional information. It looks like a great recipe.
London Brazil says
Thank you for pointing this out! I have updated the recipe.
Each serving contains 484 calories, including the burger patty, cheese, and bun.