Burgers in the Air Fryer
Burgers often come out of a pan either grey and dry or raw in the middle. In the air fryer the heat is steady and the fat drips away, so a 150 g burger is cooked through and still juicy in 10–12 minutes. This page covers homemade beef burgers and shop-bought ones, fresh or frozen.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 24min
- Prep
- 10min
- Servings
- 4
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 520kcal
Why the air fryer works for burgers
Cooking burgers in air fryer baskets avoids the usual problems of the grill and the frying pan. The hot air cooks the patty from all sides, the fat runs through the basket instead of pooling around the meat, and the surface browns without any flipping and splashing. Burgers in air fryer machines are also ready in about 12 minutes, and you can toast the buns in the last two minutes.
Fresh patties and frozen burgers both work, and frozen beef burgers go from the freezer straight into the basket. The one rule is food safety: because the meat is minced, any bacteria on the surface is mixed through the burger, so the centre must be steaming hot. A thermometer settles the question in seconds.
How to make burgers in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Shape the patties Mix the mince with the salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and garlic granules, handling it as little as possible. Divide into 4 portions of 150 g and shape each into a patty about 2 cm thick and a little wider than the bun.
- Make a dimple Press a shallow dent into the middle of each patty with your thumb so it stays flat. Chill for if you have time.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 180 °C for .
- Cook Place the patties in a single layer without touching. Cook for , turning them over after . Do not press them down.
- Add the cheese In the last minute, lay a slice of cheddar on each burger so it melts.
- Check and assemble Burgers are made from minced meat, so the FSA says they must be cooked right through. Check that the centre has reached 75 °C and no pink remains. Rest for , then serve in the buns with the lettuce, tomato and sauce.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Burgers | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh beef burgers, 150 gTurn halfway | 180 °C | 10–12 min |
| Frozen beef burgersNo need to thaw, check 75 °C | 180 °C | 12–14 min |
| Thin burgers, 1 cm | 180 °C | 7–8 min |
| Large burgers, 200 g | 180 °C | 13–15 min |
| Turkey burgersCore 75 °C | 180 °C | 12–14 min |
| Veggie burgersCheck the pack | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: How to clean an air fryer
Tips
- Choose the right mince. Beef mince with 12–15% fat gives juicy burgers. Extra-lean mince makes them dry.
- Handle lightly. Overworking the mixture makes dense, rubbery patties. Mix just until it comes together.
- Toast the buns. Put the cut sides in the basket at 180 °C for 1–2 minutes at the end, once the burgers are out.
Serving
Serve the burgers in toasted buns with lettuce, tomato, pickles and your favourite sauce, with chips, potato wedges or sweet potato fries cooked beforehand and kept warm. For a lighter option, see the chicken burger.
Storing and reheating
Cooked burgers keep for up to 2 days in the fridge in a covered container. Reheat in the air fryer at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). Uncooked patties can be frozen between sheets of baking paper for up to 3 months.
Variations
- Cheeseburger with bacon: Cook 2 rashers of bacon first and add them with the cheese.
- Spiced burgers: Mix in 1 tsp smoked paprika and ½ tsp ground cumin for a barbecue flavour.
- Mushroom and Swiss-style: Top with sautéed mushrooms and a slice of Emmental in the last minute instead of cheddar.
Troubleshooting
- The burgers are dry
- The mince was too lean or overworked. Use 12–15% fat and mix gently. Do not press the patty in the basket, as that squeezes out the juices.
- The patties puff up into balls
- Press a dimple into the centre of each patty before cooking so the middle stays level.
- The cheese has slid off or burnt
- Add it only in the last minute. If the basket is too hot, use the last 30 seconds with the heat off.
Frequently asked questions
How long to cook burgers in the air fryer?
Fresh 150 g beef burgers take 10–12 minutes at 180 °C, turned halfway. Thinner 1 cm patties need 7–8 minutes. Always check for 75 °C in the centre.
Can you cook frozen beef burgers in the air fryer?
Yes, with no need to defrost. Cook frozen beef burgers at 180 °C for 12–14 minutes, turning halfway, until steaming hot with no pink and 75 °C in the centre.
What temperature should a burger reach?
The Food Standards Agency says burgers made from minced meat must be cooked until steaming hot all the way through, with no pink meat. A thermometer reading of 75 °C is a safe figure.
Do you need to add oil to burgers in the air fryer?
No. The mince has enough fat of its own. A light spray of oil only helps lean or frozen patties brown.
Is a hamburger the same as a burger in the air fryer?
Yes. A hamburger is simply the American name for a beef burger, and the timings in this recipe apply to both.
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