Perfect Air Fryer Burger

Have you tried an Air Fryer Burger?  You need to!  You won’t purchase premade Hamburgers from the grocery store anymore after making this recipe.  Packed with flavor and so juicy is why we come back to this recipe over and over again.

 

Here is a TIP for you!  Make a batch and Freeze individual patties for another day!  Can you hear the heaven’s opening and sunshine pouring down?  YES!  Make a big batch, get your hands dirty only once, and Freeze hamburger patties for another day.  You can also make these bad boys in advance of a BBQ Potluck or family reunion to save you time for later.

To make a perfect patty, you need a good mixture of ground meat.  I prefer a Ground Sirloin with 90/10% Lean mixed with Ground Pork.  Ground Pork will add flavor and a little bit more fat to your burger.  It’s wonderful and will make the most juicy burger ever.

To the ground meat you will add some wonderful seasonings.  It’s really that simple to make the perfect Burger.  Of course there are a variety of methods you can choose to cook your burgers.  My new favorite is the Air Fryer for its convenience, easy clean up, and no fail method for cooking.

Making Hamburger Patties

In a large bowl combine Ground Sirloin and Ground Pork.  Ground Pork is different than Ground Sausage.  If you have trouble finding ground pork make sure to ask your butcher for help.  Ground pork will be leaner than ground sausage and preferred when making Hamburger Patties.

Add Panko Bread Crumbs, Egg, Garlic, Onion Powder, Oregano, and Black Pepper.  Mix to combine.  But do not over mix or work the meat.  Doing so will cause your patty to become tough.  Mix just enough to combine ingredients and leave it at that.

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Form Patties into ⅓ lb burgers by forming a ball in your hands and then flattening.  Burgers will be about ¾ - 1 inch thick.

Make a dimple in each patty using the back of a spoon and pressing slightly in the center.  This helps with an even cooking process.  The center is always the last to cook.  Adding a dimple in the center means it will cook faster and be done cooking with the outsides are cooked.  This helps to ensure a juicy burger.

Storing Patties

It’s best to layer burgers using parchment paper so they do not stick together.  Burgers can be place in the refrigerator until ready to cook or frozen for up to 6 months.

When Freezing burgers, I lay flat on a parchment lined cookie sheet to freeze.  Then I remove and place in a Zip-Loc bag for long term storage.  Individual patties are easy to pull from the bag as needed.

Air Fryer Burgers

Air Frying is my new favorite.  It’s easy to do, doesn’t heat up my kitchen, and the clean up is quick.  Not to mention I can set it and forget it.  If you know me then you know I use that extra time to start a load of laundry, set the table, and clean up the dishes.

Set Air Fryer to 360 Degrees and cook for 8-9 Minutes.  Then turn over and repeat for an additional 6-8 minutes.  Each Hamburger Patty should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Internal Thermometer

Using a quality Thermometer is key.  I recommend using the Thermoworks Thermopen MK4 for all your temperature needs.  This unit is reliable and easy to use from cooking meats to even making candy where temperatures are so vital to a recipe.

I have owned countless thermometers and this one has been my new favorite for a number of years now.  Don’t waste your money on a cheap thermometer.  I promise you won’t regret it!  And they come in fun colors too.

Dressing up your Burger

We’ve made the perfect patty.  We’ve cooked it to perfection in the Air Fryer.  Now it’s time to dress it up!  Here are few ideas to get you licking your lips.  The possibilities are endless.

Traditional Burger with Cheese: Add Mayo, Mustard, Ketchup to a Toasted Bun.  With Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, and Cheese.

BBQ Burger with Bacon: Brush BBQ sauce while cooking the patty for delicious added flavor.  Toast bun and add some Cowboy Dipping Sauce to bun.  Top Burger with a few strips of cooked bacon, French Fried Onions, Lettuce, and Tomato.

Mushroom Burger: Serve burger on a toasted bun topped with sautéed mushrooms and onions and seal with melted Swiss Cheese. 

Cheesy Cheese Burger: Add cubes of cheddar cheese to the patty before cooking.  Air Fry as direction and melt a slice of cheese on the hot burger.  Place on a toasted bun with Lettuce, Onion, Tomato, and Pickles.

Hawaiian Burger: Brush Burger with Teriyaki Sauce while cooking for an extra bonus flavor.  Add 1 ring grilled pineapple on top of cooked burger.  Serve with Lettuce, Tomato, and Avocado.  Brush additional Teriyaki Sauce on Toasted Bun.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to making burgers.  The key is in the patties and making sure they are well seasoned and cooked to perfection.

Dress up your Burger	Toppings
Traditional Burger with Cheese	Add Mayo, Mustard, Ketchup to a Toasted Bun.  With Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, and Cheese.
BBQ Burger with Bacon	Brush BBQ sauce while cooking the patty for delicious added flavor.  Toast bun and add some Cowboy Dipping Sauce to bun.  Top Burger with a few strips of cooked bacon, French Fried Onions, Lettuce, and Tomato.
Mushroom Burger with Cheese	Serve burger on a toasted bun topped with sautéed mushrooms and onions and seal with melted Swiss Cheese.
Cheesy Cheese Burger	Add cubes of cheddar cheese to the patty before cooking.  Air Fry as direction and melt a slice of cheese on the hot burger.  Place on a toasted bun with Lettuce, Onion, Tomato, and Pickles
Hawaiian Burger with Grilled Pineapple	Brush Burger with Teriyaki Sauce while cooking for an extra bonus flavor.  Add 1 ring grilled pineapple on top of cooked burger.  Serve with Lettuce, Tomato, and Avocado.  Brush additional Teriyaki Sauce on Toasted Bun.

Air Fryer Cooking Times

• Cooking times can vary on the size of your patty.  ⅓lb patties will cook 8-9 mins at 360 degrees and an addition 6-8 minutes on the other side to reach 165 degrees internally.
• ¼ lb patties will cook faster.  Air Fry at 360 degrees for 6-7 minutes and flip over cooking an addition 5-6 minutes.
• ½lb patties.  Air Fry at 360 degrees for 11 minutes before flipping over and cooking an addition 9-11 minutes.
• Always check the internal temperature.  Hamburgers should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Size	Temperature	Hamburgers Air Fryer Time
¼ lb	360 Degrees	6-7 Minutes Flip over cook 5-6 minutes more
⅓ lb	360 Degrees	8-9 Minutes Flip over cook 6-8 minutes more
½ lb	360 Degrees	11-12 Minutes Flip over cook 9-11 minutes more

Frozen Burgers in Air Fryer

From time to time it's always nice to be able to cook a frozen burger in Air Fryer. But determining the right time and temperature can be a challenge. There are always variables, so let me help you when it comes to a few tips and tricks to cooking Air Fryer Burgers from Frozen.

Always cook frozen hamburger patties with the seasoned side up. Burgers will need to be flipped over about half way through the cooking process. If flare ups happen, turn the temperature down.

Size	Temperature	Frozen Hamburgers Air Fryer Time
¼ lb	350 Degrees	8-9 Minutes Flip over cook 6-8 minutes more
⅓ lb	350 Degrees	11-12 Minutes Flip over cook 9-11 minutes more
½ lb	350 Degrees	14-16 Minutes Flip over cook 13-15 minutes more

You can fit as many patties or Hamburger Steaks in the air fryer basket as will reasonable fit without stacking making sure to leave spare around patties for proper air flow. Make sure to spray the basket with Avocado Cooking Spray or use parchment paper.

How to Toast Hamburger Bun

I find Hamburgers are just better when served on a Toasted Bun. Do you agree? Toasting Buns is an easy step but often overlooked because you are ready to eat and hungry. Do yourself a favor and put someone in charge of prepping the buns to be toasted! Trust me when I say the family will help because they will want a toasted bun too.

Spread a light coating of butter on each bun. Place bun in Air Fryer at 360 Degrees for 1-2 minutes to toast.

You can also toast a cookie sheet pan of buns at once using the Oven. Set to Broil and place the rack on the 2nd notch down. Toast buns under broiler for 1-2 minutes or until toasted. Remove from oven and serve.

My TOP Favorite recipes to serve with Burgers #burgermonth

• Hawaiian Mac Salad
• Best Potato Salad
• Orange Fluff
• Snicker Salad
• Dutch Oven Potatoes
• Cowboy Beans
• Oven Roasted Broccoli