When you want a great burger but don’t feel like firing up the grill, these Best Damn Air Fryer Burgers are the answer! Made with fresh ground beef, a simple seasoning blend, and the air fryer, they cook up juicy, flavorful, and perfectly done every time, no grill or stovetop needed.
Why I Love These Air Fryer Burgers
There are a lot of ways to make a good homemade burger. I love a backyard grill and a skillet-seared burger as much as anyone, but they’re not always the most convenient option, especially in cold weather climates (like right here in Chicagoland).
With the air fryer, there’s no grill to fire up and no greasy stovetop to clean. You can have four burgers cooked and ready to serve in about 20 minutes, start to finish.
The air fryer has become my go-to for burgers because it works great! The hot air cooks them evenly, gives the outside a nice sear, and keeps the inside juicy without much effort at all.
These air fryer burgers are all about great flavor, easy cooking, and getting a solid burger on the table without the hassle.
Made with Simple Ingredients
- Ground beef: I like 85/15 lean ground beef. This blend has just enough fat to maintain juiciness throughout the burger and give it a nice, tender texture with excellent flavor.
- Spice mix: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground white pepper are all you need to enhance the flavor of these beef burgers!
- Burger buns: I like to use brioche buns because they hold up very well and are great with toppings piled high on the burger.
White pepper?
White pepper provides that little something extra that makes our burger special. It further enhances the natural flavors of the beef and other ingredients. A little goes a long way, which is why we only need ⅛ teaspoon per pound of meat. Don’t have any? That’s fine, you can just leave it out. But we highly recommend picking some up!
If you are missing one of the individual ingredients, don’t worry. You can adjust to your own liking with no problem. The most essential ingredients are really the salt and pepper.
Preparation
In a large bowl, mix the seasonings with the beef. Avoid overworking the ground meat into a pasty consistency, as this can result in a tough, rubbery texture.
Next, form the patties by shaping the meat into a ball shape, then press down with hand/fist to flatten them out to about ½″ thickness. Once flattened, use your thumb to indent the center of the burgers. This will help to prevent the burgers from puffing up into a ball while cooking.
Chill Out Before Cooking
Let the patties chill for a bit before putting them into the air fryer. Yes, unlike many other meats, burgers benefit from being cold prior to being cooked. Start with fresh ground beef right from the fridge, season and make the patties, then place them in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. We’re not freezing the patties, but rather controlling the melting of the fat and moisture content. Even this little bit of time can help us get the best results for our burgers!
Cooking
Preheat your air fryer at 370°F for about 5 minutes. This is important as we want those burgers to sizzle when they hit the air-fryer basket or tray.
Once the air fryer is preheated, add the burger patties in a single layer and air fry for 8 minutes. Temps can vary depending on the size of your air fryer, so if you find they still need another couple of minutes, just pop them back in.
If adding cheese, add each slice of cheese during the last minute of cooking. This will help get that cheese nice and gooey and start the melting process!
Burger Doneness Guide (for Ground Beef)
For best results, use an instant-read meat thermometer and check the temperature in the center of the burger.
- Medium: 140–145°F
Warm pink center - Medium-Well: 150–155°F
Slight pink center - Well-Done: 160°F
Fully cooked, no pink
Serving
While the hamburgers are cooking, it’s time to prepare your toppings!
Naturally, burgers can be served with any number of your favorite toppings. Of course, nothing beats the classic choice of fresh iceberg lettuce, sliced tomatoes, pickles, and raw onions.
Slice up some good tomatoes, lay out some lettuce leaves, and cut those onions (don’t cry too much). Have them all ready to go on a plate for everyone to pick and choose as they please, with some ketchup and mustard at the ready.
Burger Toppings for Every Craving
We all know the staples mentioned above, but if you’re feeling like switching things up with different flavors, here are a few suggestions for burger toppings that will add some extra oomph to your burger game.
- Avocado: Simply spread mashed avocado on top of your burger patty for a creamy and healthy addition.
- Fried Egg: For an indulgent twist, fry up an egg and place it on top of the cooked patty. The runny yolk adds a luscious texture to every bite.
- Caramelized Onions: This is my favorite! Slowly cook sliced onions in butter and touch of brown sugar for a sweet and savory topping that pairs excellently!
- Jalapeños: For spice lovers, add sliced jalapeños for a kick of heat.
- Bacon: A couple of strips of bacon always take a burger to the next level. Cook them to be on the crispy side for best results on a burger (chewy bacon is no pleasant on a burger).
- Other Dressings: Don’t limit yourself to just ketchup and mustard. Get creative with dressings like BBQ sauce, ranch, mayonnaise, or even Thousand Island dressing. These can add different flavors and textures to your burger.
Perfect Side Dishes for Air Fryer Burgers
Burgers are great on their own, but the right side dish makes the meal complete.
French fries are always a classic choice, and our Air Fryer Homestyle French Fries pair perfectly with these burgers. If you’re in the mood for something a little different, Baked Sweet Potato Fries are another great option.
For something cold and creamy, burgers also go well with Country Creamy Coleslaw or Best Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad. All of them are simple, familiar sides that work well with a good homemade burger.
Storing & Reheating
If you have leftover cooked burgers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. For best results, separate the patties with parchment paper and seal them in a freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible.
To reheat, place the burgers in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Flipping the burgers halfway through cooking helps them cook evenly on both sides. Most air fryer baskets don’t circulate heat perfectly from top to bottom, so a quick flip gives you better browning and more even results.
Start with ground beef that has some fat in it, such as 85/15. Don’t overwork the meat when forming the patties, and use an instant-read thermometer so you can pull the burgers right when they’re done. Overcooking is the fastest way to dry out a burger.
You can, but leaner beef will cook up drier. If you’re using something like 90/10, keep a close eye on the internal temperature and consider adding cheese or sauce to make up for the lower fat content.
You can, but there’s a trade-off. Fat is what makes burgers juicy and tender, which is why blends like 80/20 are so popular for grilling or cooking on a griddle.
In the air fryer, though, fattier beef can drip more grease and cause extra smoke. For that reason, I recommend using 85/15 ground beef or leaner. You’ll still get a juicy burger, but with less grease and a cleaner cooking experience indoors.
Recipe
Best Damn Air Fryer Burgers
- Total Time: 18 min
- Yield: 4 burgers
This easy recipe for air fryer burgers is perfect for any night of the week. With all fresh ingredients, you can have tender, juicy, perfectly cooked burgers on your plate in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper, ground
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ⅛ tsp ground white pepper
Instructions
-
- In a large bowl combine seasonings and ground beef (still cold from fridge). Gently fold the seasonings into the meat so it’s well distributed throughout. Don’t overwork the meat.
- Form into four equal patties, then press a dimple right in the middle to prevent patties from puffing up.
- Place the patties on a plate and stick in the freezer for 5 minutes (see above about chilling).
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Add the patties in a single layer and air fry for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cooking time may vary, so cook until the burgers reach your desired level of doneness (see notes below).
- If adding cheese, add it during the last minute.
- When done, remove cooked burgers and serve on fresh buns with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Internal temps for doneness levels:
Medium: 140–145°F Warm pink center
Medium-Well: 150–155°F Slight pink center
Well-Done: 160°F Fully cooked, no pink
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 8 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
