Quick Answer
Yes, you can reheat a hamburger in an air fryer. An air fryer uses hot air to quickly heat up and crisp food, making it an effective way to reheat a leftover hamburger patty while maintaining texture and moisture. Best practices are to reheat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until warmed through.
Can You Reheat Hamburgers in an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a handy kitchen appliance that uses rapidly circulating hot air to cook food. This makes it an excellent option for reheating leftovers, including hamburgers, as the hot air quickly warms the food through while creating a crispy exterior texture.
Reheating hamburgers in an air fryer allows you to enjoy delicious crispy edges and a tender, juicy interior with your leftover burger. It brings the burger close to that fresh-off-the-grill taste.
Benefits of Reheating Hamburgers in an Air Fryer
There are several benefits to using an air fryer to reheat hamburgers compared to conventional reheating methods:
- Even heating – The hot air circulates around the hamburger patty evenly, preventing cold spots.
- Crispy texture – The hot air creates a crispy, golden exterior while keeping the interior moist.
- Quick – Air fryers reheat food very quickly, so you can enjoy your burger fast.
- No flipping required – The air flow reheats the burger on all sides, no need to flip.
- Less greasy – Air frying creates less greasy burgers than pan frying in oil or butter.
The quick and even heating of an air fryer makes it the perfect appliance for reheating hamburgers. It brings back that hot, juicy, fresh-off-the-grill taste and texture.
How to Reheat a Hamburger in an Air Fryer
Reheating hamburgers in an air fryer is a simple process:
Ingredients
- Leftover hamburger patties
- Cooking spray or oil (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Lightly coat the hamburger patties with cooking spray or brush with a little oil if desired. This helps enhance browning and crispiness.
- Place patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer, not overlapping.
- Air fry patties for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through. This timing is for an average sized burger patty.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure patty reaches safe reheating temperature of 165°F.
- Remove patties from air fryer and serve immediately.
The cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the burger patty and your preferred level of doneness. Watch closely as they reheat and remove them once hot and slightly crispy on the outside.
Tips
- For safety, only reheat cooked hamburgers to 165°F internal temperature.
- Cut larger burger patties in half to help them reheat faster.
- Layer patties instead of overcrowding for even reheating.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
- Add cheese slices on top during the last 1-2 minutes if desired.
Reheating hamburgers in an air fryer brings back that hot, fresh-grilled taste you love. Adjust cook times as needed to achieve your ideal burger.
How Long Can You Reheat a Burger in an Air Fryer?
On average, reheating a burger patty in an air fryer takes 3-5 minutes at 350°F. However, the reheating time can vary based on several factors:
Burger Patty Thickness
Thinner patties will reheat faster, while thick pub-style burgers will take longer. For example:
- 1/4 pound thinner patty – 2-3 minutes
- 1/2 pound thicker patty – 4-5 minutes
Number of Patties
Reheating multiple patties layered in the air fryer basket will increase cook time slightly. Monitor closely and increase cook time if needed.
Doneness Preference
Cooking burgers longer to achieve well-done will increase reheating time. Use a meat thermometer to test doneness.
Air Fryer Wattage
Higher wattage air fryers will reheat burgers faster than lower wattage models. Check your manual for air fryer wattage.
Regardless of variations in cook time, always reheat burger patties to the safe internal temperature of 165°F. Monitor patties closely and remove them once hot and slightly crispy on the exterior.
What Temperature Should You Reheat a Burger in an Air Fryer?
The best temperature to reheat hamburgers in an air fryer is 350°F.
Why 350°F is Ideal
This temperature hits the optimal balance between evenly reheating the patty while also crisping up the exterior:
- Hot enough to reheat burger to safe temperature fast (165°F).
- Allows exterior to become hot and crispy.
- Doesn’t overcook the interior or lead to a dried out burger.
Higher temperatures above 400°F can make the burger patty dry and overcooked very quickly. Lower temperatures below 300°F may not properly crisp up the exterior.
Always check the internal temperature of reheated burgers with a meat thermometer to ensure they reach the FDA recommended safe minimum of 165°F.
Tips for Reheating at 350°F
- Preheat air fryer fully before adding burgers.
- Brush patties lightly with oil for increased browning at this temp.
- Flip patties halfway through for even reheating.
- Watch closely as burgers can overcook quickly above 350°F.
Reheating leftovers is all about balance – getting them piping hot and crisp without overcooking. For hamburgers, 350°F hits that sweet spot in an air fryer.
Can You Reheat a Burger in an Air Fryer from Frozen?
It is possible to reheat a burger patty in an air fryer straight from frozen, but it is not recommended.
Air fryers work best to reheat fully thawed foods. Reheating frozen hamburgers results in uneven heating and a loss of texture.
Thawing Guidelines
For food safety and best results, properly thaw frozen burger patties in the refrigerator before reheating in an air fryer:
- Smaller 1/4 lb patties – Thaw 12-24 hours
- Larger 1/2 lb patties – Thaw 18-24 hours
Once thawed, follow the air fryer reheating directions above.
Improper Thawing Risks
Reheating frozen meat to the proper temperature takes significantly longer. This leads to risks:
- Overcooking exterior while inner burger remains underdone
- Foodborne illness from reheating at unsafe temperatures
Always thaw frozen hamburgers fully in the refrigerator before reheating for food safety.
Can You Reheat Other Foods in an Air Fryer?
An air fryer isn’t just for reheating burgers. It’s also an excellent appliance for reheating many other leftover foods, providing fast and even heating results.
Other Leftovers to Reheat in an Air Fryer
| Food | Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pizza slices | 400°F | 3-5 minutes |
| Chicken pieces | 350°F | 5-7 minutes |
| Pork chops | 350°F | 5-7 minutes |
| French fries | 400°F | 4-7 minutes |
| Fish fillets | 325°F | 3-5 minutes |
The hot circulating air in an air fryer helps reheat leftovers quickly and evenly. Adjust cook times as needed based on quantities. As always, check internal temperatures of reheated meats with a food thermometer to ensure food safety.
Tips for Reheating Leftovers
- Portion leftovers into smaller quantities for fast, even reheating.
- Avoid overcrowding air fryer basket which can lead to uneven cooking.
- Brushing with oil helps enhance browning and crispiness when reheating.
- Flip or turn food halfway through for the best results.
With a wide temperature range up to 400°F, an air fryer allows you to reheat just about any leftover food quickly and deliciously.
Conclusion
An air fryer is a versatile appliance that excels at reheating leftover hamburgers. The circulating hot air quickly reheats and crisps up burger patties in just a few minutes. Using the optimal air fryer temperature of 350°F and reheating pre-thawed patties results in hot, juicy burgers with a just-grilled texture. With a bit of practice, you can use your air fryer to reheat burgers and other leftovers safely and deliciously.