Cooking burgers to perfection in an air fryer is easy once you know a few tips and tricks. Air frying burgers can yield juicy, flavorful results when done correctly. Here are some frequently asked questions about cooking burgers in an air fryer and how to get the best possible results.
Why Would You Want to Cook Burgers in an Air Fryer?
There are several advantages to cooking burgers in an air fryer versus other methods:
- Air fryers cook food quickly by circulating hot air around the food. Hamburgers can be cooked through in 10-15 minutes.
- The circulating air helps cook burgers evenly. You don’t have to worry about undercooked centers or charred outsides.
- Air frying gives a nice crispy texture to the burger exterior.
- Burgers cooked in an air fryer tend to have less grease and fewer calories than pan-fried burgers.
- Air fryers are easy to use. Just set the temperature and time then let the air fryer do the work.
- Air fryers don’t heat up your kitchen like firing up the stove or grill would.
- Clean-up is easy since air fryers contain mess and grease drippings.
For quick and convenient burgers with great texture and flavor, an air fryer can’t be beat.
Do You Need to Flip Burgers in an Air Fryer?
Flipping burgers halfway through the cooking time is recommended when air frying. Here’s why:
- Flipping ensures the burger patties cook evenly on both sides.
- The hot air will crisp up the flipped side nicer.
- Flipping keeps burger patties from drying out as they cook.
- Any toppings will heat and melt better when flipped.
So for the juiciest, most evenly cooked result, do flip your burgers about halfway through the air fryer’s cooking time.
How to Cook Burgers Perfectly in an Air Fryer
Follow these tips for air fryer burgers that come out perfectly cooked:
- Use an 80/20 lean ground beef blend. The fat content helps burgers stay juicy.
- Form burger patties slightly thinner in the middle. They will shrink and even out as they cook.
- Season the burger patties well with salt, pepper, and other spices.
- Let the patties sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
- Brush both sides lightly with oil. This helps browning.
- Place patties in air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Cook at 375F for 6-9 minutes per side, flipping halfway.
- Check for doneness and cook longer if needed. Burgers should read 160F internally.
- Let burgers rest 5 minutes before serving for juiciest results.
How Long to Cook Burgers in an Air Fryer
Air fryer burger cook times can vary based on factors like:
- Thickness of the patties – Thicker burgers take longer
- Number of burgers – More burgers increase cook time
- Preheating – Preheating reduces overall cook time
- Desired doneness – Cook longer for more well done
- Air fryer wattage – Higher wattage equals faster cooking
For reference, here are some general air fryer burger cook times to try:
| Burger Thickness | Cook Time Per Side |
|---|---|
| 1/4 pound patty, 3/4 inch thick | 6-8 minutes |
| 1/3 pound patty, 1 inch thick | 8-10 minutes |
| 1/2 pound patty, 1 1/4 inches thick | 10-12 minutes |
Check the internal temperature and visual doneness clues. Cook longer if needed until burgers are at least 160°F internally and nicely browned.
Do You Need Air Fryer Liners or Parchment Paper?
Lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a special liner can help in a few ways when cooking burgers:
- Prevents sticking and mess if burgers are very greasy.
- Can make it easier to flip burgers by lifting the liner.
- Simplifies cleanup – just discard the liner after.
However, liners are not strictly necessary. The circulating air helps prevent sticking for less greasy burgers. Just be sure to brush the fryer basket with oil first and use a spatula to gently loosen burgers after cooking if needed.
Do You Need to Oil the Air Fryer Basket for Burgers?
Lightly brushing the air fryer basket with oil before cooking is highly recommended when air frying burgers. Here’s why oiling the basket helps:
- Prevents burgers from sticking and falling apart.
- Allows browning and crisping of the burger exterior.
- Adds a trace amount of fat/flavor from oil like olive oil.
- Helps conductive heat transfer from the metal basket.
Avoid over-oiling as excess oil can cause heavy smoking. Just a light brushing of oil allows for the best results.
Do You Need to Preheat an Air Fryer for Burgers?
Preheating an air fryer before cooking burgers is not required, but can be beneficial:
- Preheating shortens the overall cooking time.
- Burgers start searing immediately for better browning.
- More hot air circulates evenly around patties from the start.
To preheat an air fryer, set it to the cooking temp (375°F) for 3-5 minutes before adding burgers. This lets the heating element and air fully heat up.
Should You Put Anything Under Burgers in the Air Fryer?
Putting a layer under the burger patties in the air fryer basket isn’t necessary but can offer a few advantages:
- Cooking rack – Elevates burgers from direct contact with the metal. Helps prevent sticking.
- Onions – Adds flavor as onion juices cook into patties. Also prevents sticking.
- Bacon – Allows fat to drip down, adding flavor. Crisps the bacon too.
So ingredients like onions or bacon can nicely complement the burgers. Or use a shallow rack for easier release after cooking.
Can You Put Raw Onions on Burgers in the Air Fryer?
Onions are a tasty burger topping, but do they work raw in the air fryer? The answer is yes:
- Slice raw onions thinly so they cook through.
- Raw onion slices will soften and caramelize nicely.
- They add moisture and flavor to burgers as they cook.
- Place them under patties or on top 3-4 minutes before done.
Just be sure onions are thinly sliced, and they will turn out great when air frying burgers.
Should You Put Cheese on Burgers Before Air Frying?
Cheese delivers delicious flavor when melted over burgers. For best results, here are some tips for adding cheese:
- Use sliced cheese so it melts well. Shredded can dry out.
- Add sliced cheese on top during last 2-3 minutes of cook time.
- Cover air fryer briefly so steam melts the cheese.
- Shredded cheese can work too but adds at very end.
The key is allowing enough time for the cheese to fully melt without burning or drying out on the burgers in the hot air.
What Are the Best Burger Toppings for Air Frying?
Air fryers work great at cooking crispy burger toppings quickly. Some top burger toppings to air fry include:
- Bacon – Crisps up nicely in the circulating air.
- Onions – Dice thinly so they caramelize as they cook.
- Mushrooms – Buy pre-sliced or slice thinly.
- Jalapenos – Add spice and crunch.
- Fried eggs – Carefully crack eggs on top at the end to cook.
Aim for thin, quick cooking toppings to ensure they finish cooking fully without burning.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Cooking Burgers in an Air Fryer?
To avoid disappointing air fryer burger results, steer clear of these common mistakes:
- Overcrowding – Leave space between patties.
- Flipping too often – Only flip once.
- Undercooking – Cook for full time to proper temperature.
- Toppings falling off – Wait to add delicate toppings.
- Over oiling – Excess oil leads to smoking.
- Pressing burgers – Let them cook undisturbed.
Follow the recommended tips and techniques, and your air fried burgers will come out perfect every time!
Conclusion
Cooking mouthwatering burgers in an air fryer is easy when you follow a few basic guidelines. Brush the basket with oil, flip the patties halfway, and avoid overcrowding. Bonus flavor can be added from toppings like cheese, bacon, and onions. In just 10-15 minutes, you can enjoy tender and juicy burgers cooked to perfection in your air fryer. Just be sure to cook them fully to 160°F internally. Master these simple tricks for making the best air fried burgers ever.