Air Fryer Hamburgers
Juicy, perfectly cooked air fryer hamburgers with a golden crust and tender center, ready in about 10 minutes of cook time. This easy recipe walks you through every tip and trick for forming the best homemade burgers, from meat choice and patty size to the right air fryer temperature and exactly when to flip. Whether you are new to cooking hamburger patties in the air fryer or just looking to level up your results, this is your go-to air fryer burger recipe.
Servings: 2 burgers
Calories: 670kcal
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Kitchen Scale
- Burger Press or Flat-Bottomed Plate
- Meat Thermometer
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 12 oz ground chuck (80/20) divide into two 6 oz portions
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- slices of cheese optional
- 2 brioche buns or pretzel rolls
- Condiments of choice
- Toppings of choice
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375℉/190℃ for 10 minutes. While the air fryer preheats, prepare your burger patties. Do not preheat on the hottest setting; starting at 375℉/190℃ helps prevent steam from building up inside the patty and causing it to puff into a ball shape.
- Use a kitchen scale to weigh your ground chuck into two 6 oz portions. Gently work each portion with your hands just until you can no longer see the strands from the grinder. Do not overwork the meat; we are making burgers, not meatloaf. Stop as soon as it comes together.12 oz ground chuck (80/20)
- Using a burger press or flat-bottomed plate, press each ball into a patty that is about a quarter inch wider than your bun on all sides. The burger will shrink during cooking, so starting larger gives you the right bun-to-burger ratio in the end.
- Use your thumb or a spoon to press a small dimple into the center of each patty. This helps prevent the burger from puffing up during cooking. Season the outside generously with equal parts salt and black pepper. Do not mix seasonings into the meat; seasoning the outside gives the best flavor without toughening the texture.1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Place the seasoned patties in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket with the dimple side facing up. Close the air fryer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes without opening the lid. Do not press down on the patties at any point during cooking.
- After 5 to 7 minutes, check that the patties release cleanly from the basket before flipping. If they stick, give them another minute. Flip the patties and continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes for a total cook time of 8 to 12 minutes depending on your preferred doneness and your air fryer model.
- . If adding a slice of cheese, place it on top of each patty and close the air fryer for about 30 to 60 seconds to let the cheese melt from the residual heat.slices of cheese
- Check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer inserted into the center of each patty. Medium is 140-150℉/60-65℃, medium well is 150-160℉/65-71℃, and well done is 160-165℉/71-74℃. The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 165℉/74℃. If you prefer more doneness, add 1 to 2 minutes and check again.
- Remove the burgers and let them rest for 5 minutes. If toasting your buns, place them cut side up in the air fryer basket and air fry for a few minutes on 400℉/200℃ while your burgers rest.2 brioche buns or pretzel rolls
- Add your condiments and toppings of choice. Serve and enjoy!Condiments of choice, Toppings of choice
Notes
PATTY TIPS
• Work the meat as little as possible when forming patties. Stop as soon as you can no longer see the strands from the grinder.
• Press each patty so it is about a quarter inch wider than your bun. The burger will shrink significantly during cooking and you will end up with the perfect bun-to-burger ratio.
• Press a small dimple into the center of each patty with your thumb or spoon before seasoning. This helps prevent the burger from puffing up into a ball shape during cooking. COOKING TIPS
• Preheat your air fryer at 375℉/190℃ rather than on its hottest setting. Starting too hot can cause steam to build up inside the patty and push it into a puffed ball shape.
• Do not open the air fryer or try to flip the burgers for at least 5 minutes. The patties will release cleanly from the basket once the bottom side is properly cooked. Flipping too soon causes them to fall apart.
• Do not press down on the patties at any point. Pressing squeezes out the juices and leads to dry burgers.
• Wait to use your meat thermometer until the last 1 to 2 minutes of cooking. Poking the patties too early releases the juices.
• Every air fryer model runs differently. Your total cooking time may be anywhere from 8 to 12 minutes. Use your thermometer for best results rather than relying on timing alone. NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER
Nutritional information provided is an estimate based on typical ingredient values and standard portion sizes. Actual nutritional content may vary significantly depending on specific brands used, ingredient substitutions, preparation methods, portion sizes, and individual cooking techniques. For precise nutritional information tailored to your specific ingredients and preparation, please consult with a registered dietitian or use laboratory analysis. This information should not be used for medical nutrition therapy or to manage medical conditions without professional guidance.
• Work the meat as little as possible when forming patties. Stop as soon as you can no longer see the strands from the grinder.
• Press each patty so it is about a quarter inch wider than your bun. The burger will shrink significantly during cooking and you will end up with the perfect bun-to-burger ratio.
• Press a small dimple into the center of each patty with your thumb or spoon before seasoning. This helps prevent the burger from puffing up into a ball shape during cooking. COOKING TIPS
• Preheat your air fryer at 375℉/190℃ rather than on its hottest setting. Starting too hot can cause steam to build up inside the patty and push it into a puffed ball shape.
• Do not open the air fryer or try to flip the burgers for at least 5 minutes. The patties will release cleanly from the basket once the bottom side is properly cooked. Flipping too soon causes them to fall apart.
• Do not press down on the patties at any point. Pressing squeezes out the juices and leads to dry burgers.
• Wait to use your meat thermometer until the last 1 to 2 minutes of cooking. Poking the patties too early releases the juices.
• Every air fryer model runs differently. Your total cooking time may be anywhere from 8 to 12 minutes. Use your thermometer for best results rather than relying on timing alone. NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER
Nutritional information provided is an estimate based on typical ingredient values and standard portion sizes. Actual nutritional content may vary significantly depending on specific brands used, ingredient substitutions, preparation methods, portion sizes, and individual cooking techniques. For precise nutritional information tailored to your specific ingredients and preparation, please consult with a registered dietitian or use laboratory analysis. This information should not be used for medical nutrition therapy or to manage medical conditions without professional guidance.
Nutrition
Serving: 1burger | Calories: 670kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 1675mg | Potassium: 547mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 290IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 298mg | Iron: 5mg