Yes, you can absolutely cook veggie burgers in an air fryer! An air fryer is a great way to cook veggie burgers that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside without needing to use any oil. Air frying is a healthy cooking method that uses extremely hot air circulated around the food to produce a crispy exterior. This allows you to skip the oil that is typically used for frying, resulting in a lower fat final product. Air frying also cooks food very quickly, so you can have delicious veggie burgers ready in just 10-15 minutes.
Some key tips for cooking veggie burgers in an air fryer include:
– Use frozen veggie burgers or veggie burger patties for the best texture. The frozen patties hold their shape better when air fried. Thaw before cooking.
– Brush or spray a small amount of oil on the burger to help promote browning and crisping in the air fryer.
– Air fry at a high temperature, usually around 390°F to 400°F.
– Flip the veggie burgers halfway during cooking for even browning.
– The total cook time is usually 10-15 minutes, until the exterior is crispy.
– Let the cooked veggie burgers rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
With just a short time in a hot air fryer, you can enjoy plant-based veggie burgers with a satisfying crunch without deep frying or needing to heat up your whole oven. Keep reading for more details on how to perfectly air fry veggie burgers!
Benefits of Cooking Veggie Burgers in an Air Fryer
Air frying veggie burgers has several great advantages:
– No oil needed – Since air frying cooks with rapidly circulating hot air instead of oil, you can cut out all the excess grease and calories from frying veggie burgers. This makes it a healthier cooking method.
– Crispy exterior – The high heat of the air fryer will give your veggie burgers a deliciously crispy, crunchy exterior shell while keeping the inside tender.
– Quick cooking time – Air frying is a very fast way to cook. Veggie burgers take only 10-15 minutes in an air fryer, much faster than baking.
– Even browning – The hot air circulates all around the food in an air fryer, leading to nice even browning and crisping on all sides of your veggie burgers. No need to flip or rotate pans.
– Doesn’t heat up kitchen – Since it’s a small countertop appliance, air frying won’t make your whole kitchen hot like turning on the oven would.
– Versatile appliance – An air fryer can also be used to cook fries, chicken tenders, fish sticks, and so many other foods. It’s a multi-purpose kitchen tool.
So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cook delicious veggie burgers, air frying is definitely worth trying!
Choosing Veggie Burgers to Air Fry
You have lots of options when it comes to the type of veggie burger to cook in your air fryer:
| Veggie Burger Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Frozen veggie burger patties | Convenient to keep on hand; hold shape well during air frying |
| Homemade bean or veggie patties | Fun to make your own; may be more fragile in air fryer |
| Store-bought refrigerated veggie burger patties | Found near meat; delicate so handle gently when cooking |
| Plant-based “bleeding” veggie burgers | Aim for frozen; follow package instructions closely |
In general, frozen veggie burger patties tend to perform the best in the air fryer because they hold their shape well during cooking. Thaw them before air frying for the proper timing. Homemade bean burgers or other delicate veggie burger mixes may break apart easier, so handle them gently. Store-bought refrigerated patties also need delicate handling as they can fall apart if agitated too much during flipping.
For any veggie burger, read the package instructions first for any special directions. And avoid overfilling your air fryer basket to give the patties plenty of room.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Frying
Air frying veggie burgers is simple to do. Here are step-by-step instructions:
Step 1) If using frozen veggie burger patties, be sure to thaw them first before cooking. This can be done by placing them in the refrigerator overnight. Microwaving to thaw also works. Thawed and refrigerated veggie burgers should be cooked within 2-3 days.
Step 2) Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F. Many air fryer models reach optimal cooking temperature in just 3-5 minutes.
Step 3) Lightly brush or spray the veggie burger patties with a thin coating of oil. This helps promote browning and crisping. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or an oil mister spray.
Step 4) Place veggie burger patties in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Don’t stack the patties. Leave a little space around each one for airflow.
Step 5) Air fry at 390-400°F for 5-7 minutes. Then flip the patties over and air fry for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the burger exterior is crispy. The total cooking time is usually 10-15 minutes.
Step 6) Let the cooked veggie burgers rest for 2-3 minutes when done cooking. The burger will continue to crisp up as it rests off heat.
Step 7) Serve the crispy air fried veggie burgers warm on buns or bread. Top with your favorite condiments and veggies.
Tips for the Best Results
Here are some top tips to help you get perfect air fried veggie burgers every time:
– Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between patties.
– Brush both sides of the veggie burgers lightly with oil before air frying for optimal crisping.
– Flip the patties halfway during cooking to ensure even browning.
– Make sure patties are fully thawed if cooking frozen veggie burgers.
– Adjust cook times up or down if needed based on size of your patties and your air fryer model.
– Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature, if desired. Veggie burgers are safe to eat when reaching 165°F internally.
– Let the finished patties rest before serving to allow time for the exterior to continue crisping off heat.
– Try adding a few wood chips to the air fryer basket for a light smoky flavor.
– Experiment with coatings on the outside of the patties like panko breadcrumbs for added crunch.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking veggie burgers in an air fryer:
How long does it take to cook veggie burgers in an air fryer?
Most veggie burger patties take 10-15 minutes total air fryer time. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side at 390°F to 400°F. Thinner patties may cook faster.
Do you have to flip veggie burgers in the air fryer?
Yes, flipping halfway through the cook time ensures the veggie burgers brown and crisp evenly on both sides.
Should you put oil on veggie burgers before air frying?
A light brushing or spray of oil helps promote browning and crisping of the exterior. You only need a thin coating on each side.
What temperature do you cook veggie burgers at in an air fryer?
390°F to 400°F is the ideal air fryer temperature range for achieving a nice crispy exterior on veggie burgers quickly.
Can you put raw veggie burger patties in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook raw veggie burger patties from scratch in an air fryer. They may be more prone to breaking apart than premade frozen patties though.
Additional Tips and Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try changing things up with these air fryer veggie burger ideas:
– Add seasoning blends or spices to the patties for more flavor. Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika all taste great.
– Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature for doneness. Veggie burgers should reach 165°F.
– Make easy broccoli or portobello mushroom faux burgers to air fry. Mince florets or caps.
– Top cooked veggie burgers with sliced avocado, grilled onions or mushrooms, roasted red peppers, etc.
– Use vegan cheese slices for delicious melty cheeseburgers. Follow package instructions.
– Toast the insides of burger buns or bread in the air fryer while cooking veggie patties.
– For kids, cut cooked veggie burger patties into bite-size pieces and air fry until crispy as veggie nuggets.
So get creative and try out lots of tasty ways to enjoy veggie burgers hot out of your air fryer! It’s a fast, healthier cooking method that your whole family will love.
Conclusion
Air frying veggie burgers is a great way to enjoy all the crispy flavor you’d expect from frying without having to actually deep fry in hot oil. The circulating hot air in an air fryer perfectly crisps up the outside of veggie burger patties in just minutes while keeping the inside moist. Brushing the patties with a little oil helps promote optimal browning and texture. Flip halfway through for even cooking. In 10-15 minutes total, you can have tender and tasty veggie burgers ready to enjoy as a healthy, satisfying meatless meal. So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cook veggie burgers that are crispy and delicious, air frying is definitely the way to go. Give it a try for your next burger night!