Air Fryer Hamburgers

April 15, 2026

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Air Fryer Hamburgers are a quick and easy way to get a juicy, flavorful dinner on the table fast. They cook up tender and delicious with minimal prep, making them perfect for hamburgers, cheeseburgers, or sliders any night of the week.

Flavor: Juicy, beefy burgers with a well-seasoned center and nicely browned edges.
Why Make It: The air fryer cooks burgers fast without heating the whole kitchen. Even frozen patties turn out tasty with just a little extra cook time!
Skill Level: Beginner-friendly and easy to make with simple ingredients.
Prep Note: Form patties with a slight indent in the center so they cook more evenly.
Serving Suggestion: Pile onto toasted buns with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles with your favorite burger sauce.

Air Fryer Hamburgers in the air fryer before cooking

Simple All Beef Patty Ingredients

Beef: Just like our favorite hamburger recipe, we like to use an 80/20 blend for the right amount of fat to keep the patties juicy without too much grease runoff. For a lighter option, try ground turkey for turkey burgers.
Seasoning: Add in salt & pepper with a dash of onion and garlic powder. Fresh onion and garlic don’t have enough time to cook, so we opt for powders in this recipe. Or try our signature hamburger seasoning!
BBQ sauce (optional): Helps with caramelization and tastes great. I love this homemade barbecue sauce, but any store brand works, too!

Toppings

Make a DIY burger bar by arranging lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and pickles on a serving platter so everyone can help themselves!

Air Fryer Hamburgers in the air fryer after cooking with pickles and vegetables in the back

How To Air Fry Hamburgers

Combine all of the ingredients and form into 4 equally sized patties.
Place prepared hamburger patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook until they reach 160°F (full recipe below).
Top with cheese if desired, cook 1 more minute before serving.

Don’t Overcook: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of a patty reaches 160°F.
Check Early: Appliances can vary, so check your burgers early to ensure they don’t overcook.
Make Ahead: Uncooked burger patties can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or frozen for up to a month. Place parchment paper between each patty to keep them from freezing together.
Cook from Frozen: Frozen burger patties can be cooked in the air fryer, but you’ll need to add about 5 to 7 minutes, depending on thickness.

Best Air Fryer Recipes

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Combine beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a medium bowl.
Form into 4 patties, about ½” 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. Flip burgers over and cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until beef reaches 160°F.
Add cheese if using and cook 1 minute more. Serve on buns.

*Nutrition information does not include toppings
IMPORTANT: Cook time can vary based on the appliance and the thickness of the burger. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of a patty (160°F).

Ensure you use meat with a little bit of fat (80/20) so the burgers stay moist.
Air Fryers can vary, so check your burgers early to ensure they don’t overcook. If your burgers are thicker, add more time.
These were tested in a Cosori 5.8QT Air Fryer.
Frozen burger patties can be cooked in the air fryer. They’ll need to add about 5 to 7 minutes, depending on thickness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness.
If you prefer them more well done, cook longer. If you prefer them with a bit of pink, cook for a little bit less time.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Beef, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American

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