If you’re craving juicy homemade hamburgers but can’t grill outside due to winter weather, don’t worry! You can make mouthwatering hamburgers right in your air fryer. Air fryers are not only for making healthier versions of deep-fried foods; they can also cook raw hamburgers to perfection. Let’s dive in and discover how to make juicy and flavorful hamburgers using your trusty air fryer.
Cooking Hamburgers in the Air Fryer
STEP ONE: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 360 degrees.
STEP TWO: In a bowl, combine ground beef, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix the ingredients thoroughly. Shape the ground beef mixture into four hamburger patties. For thin and evenly cooked burgers, place the patty on a cutting board and gently press it down with the bottom of a plate.
Ensuring a Smoke-Free Experience
To prevent smoking in your air fryer, place a piece of bread between the air fryer basket and drawer if using a basket air fryer. The bread will soak up any grease that drips, ensuring a smoke-free cooking experience.
STEP THREE: Arrange the hamburger patties in a single layer inside the air fryer. The patties can touch each other but should not overlap. If your air fryer doesn’t have enough space, cook in batches.
STEP FOUR: Cook the hamburger patties for 8-12 minutes, flipping them once halfway through. Check the internal temperature of the hamburgers with a meat thermometer. For a medium-well hamburger, the internal temperature should reach 155 degrees Fahrenheit.
STEP SIX: Once the hamburger patties are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and assemble them on hamburger buns with your preferred toppings. Get creative and add your favorite condiments, veggies, and cheeses.
Adding Cheese to Your Air Fryer Hamburger
To add cheese to your air fryer hamburger, turn off the air fryer and open it. Place the cheese on top of the cooked hamburger patties and close the air fryer. Let the residual heat in the air fryer melt the cheese for 1-2 minutes. If the cheese doesn’t melt, place toothpicks at each corner of the burger where the cheese is, and cook for an additional minute at 360 degrees.
Cooking Time Guidelines for Your Perfect Hamburger
The cooking time for your air fryer hamburger depends on your desired level of doneness. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature before removing the hamburgers from the air fryer.
- Rare (125 degrees): Approximately 4 minutes (+3 minutes for resting)
- Medium Rare (135 degrees): Approximately 5 minutes
- Medium (145 degrees): Approximately 6 minutes
- Medium Well (155 degrees): Approximately 8-12 minutes
- Well Done (160 degrees): Approximately 10+ minutes
Tantalizing Toppings for Your Air Fryer Hamburgers
Let your creativity run wild when it comes to toppings for your air fryer hamburgers. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Relish
- Onions
- Hot sauce
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Mayo
- Mushrooms
- Roasted Peppers
- Green Tomatoes
- Bacon and Blue Cheese
- BBQ Sauce
- Buffalo Sauce
For more topping ideas and inspiration, visit the Family Cuisine website.
Choosing the Perfect Hamburger Meat
When selecting ground beef for your air fryer hamburgers, I recommend using an 80/20 blend (80% lean ground beef and 20% fat). This balance allows the burger to remain juicy while still being healthier than fattier versions. Using a 90/10 blend can result in a slightly dry hamburger, as it lacks the necessary fat content to keep it moist.
Keep in mind that as hamburgers cook, they release liquid, including fat, which causes them to shrink. The fattier the ground beef, the more the burger will shrink. To compensate for shrinkage, make your patties slightly larger than the size of the bun.
Mouthwatering Accompaniments for Your Hamburgers
No hamburger meal is complete without some delicious side dishes. Here are a few options that pair perfectly with your air fryer hamburgers:
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Waffle Fries
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Instant Pot Potato Salad
- Air Fryer Steak Fries
- Air Fryer Curly Fries
- BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
For even more ways to enjoy fries in the air fryer, check out our article on the Family Cuisine website.
Frozen Hamburgers in the Air Fryer
Did you forget to thaw your hamburger patties? No worries! You can still use your air fryer to cook frozen hamburgers.
STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees.
STEP TWO: Place the frozen hamburgers in the air fryer and cook for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your preferred level of doneness (approximately 15 to 17 minutes for medium).
STEP THREE: Once cooked, remove the hamburgers from the air fryer and savor the deliciousness!
For more insight and tips on cooking frozen hamburgers in the air fryer, visit the Family Cuisine website.
Reheating Hamburgers in the Air Fryer
If you have leftover hamburger patties, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer to enjoy their delectable flavors once again.
STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
STEP TWO: Place the leftover hamburger patty in the air fryer and let it reheat for 2 to 3 minutes, ensuring it is thoroughly warmed.
Discover More Air Fryer Burger Recipes
Looking to expand your air fryer burger repertoire? Check out these mouthwatering recipes on the Family Cuisine website:
- Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Air Fryer Beyond Burgers
- Air Fryer Impossible Burgers
So, fire up your air fryer and get ready to create the most delicious hamburgers you’ve ever tasted. Happy cooking!
Images courtesy of Family Cuisine
