Enjoy juicy, flavorful hamburgers in air fryer with a crispy exterior and tender center, ready in minutes for an easy weeknight meal.
These homemade patties are made with lean beef, keeping them high in protein while lower in fat. Cooking this way ensures a crispy exterior with a tender, juicy center—no flipping needed!
Best of all, they’re ready in minutes, making them a perfect go-to meal for busy nights.
Check out my full list of air fryer recipes that would be perfect for dinner.
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If you're looking for a quick and easy way to cook hamburger patties, then the air fryer is a great option. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food, providing even cooking without the need to flip or turn the food.
This means that you can cook hamburger patties in a fraction of the time it would take in a conventional oven. In addition, air fryers give burgers a nice crispy exterior without the need for any oil or butter.
Looking for more Air Fryer Recipes? Try my Pizza Burgers, Air Fryer Appetizers and Air Fryer Desserts...yum!
Table of Contents
How long to cook hamburgers in Air Fryer?
Cooking time for hamburgers in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the patties and your preferred doneness. Here’s a general guideline for pre-made or homemade beef patties at 350°F:
- Medium-Rare (130-135°F): 8-10 minutes
- Medium (140-145°F): 10-12 minutes
- Medium-Well (150-155°F): 12-14 minutes
- Well-Done (160°F+): 14-16 minutes
New to Air Frying?
If you're just getting started with air frying, check out all the tips and tricks included in my Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners digital cookbook.
Included is everything you need to make delicious, crispy food without all the hassle.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Air Fryer Cheat SheetMore InformationAir Fryer Parchment LinersMore InformationAir Fryer CoverMore Information5 Quart Air FryerMore InformationConvection AirFryerMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Use your favorite barbecue sauce and add bacon on top for a smoky burger.
- Try making a pizza burger by topping the burger with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning.
- You can try a jalapeno popper burger with chopped jalapenos and sharp cheddar cheese.
- My husband loves sauteed mushrooms with Swiss cheese!
- Not interesting in making a beef burger? Try this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Burgers.
How to cook hamburgers in an Air Fryer?
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Split the ground beef into three portions, shape them into patties, and season both sides with your favorite spices.
Step 2: Place patties in the air fryer (line with foil for easy cleanup if desired). Cook at 350°F for 10 minutes for medium-well or 12 minutes for well-done.
Expert Recipe Tips
- This recipe uses fresh burger patties, however, you can use frozen patties as well. You'll need to adjust the time by adding 5 - 7 minutes to the total cooking time.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure that the burgers are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- When forming your burger patties, make sure the center of the patty is thinner than the outer rim. This will allow for even cooking and maintain size proportions as it cooks.
- All air fryers are different, so check your burgers before the recommended time is done to ensure they're not overcooking.
Please check with the USDA for more information on Food Safety for Hamburgers.
Serving Tips
Step 3: Transfer the burgers to a platter and top each with cheese to melt. To assemble, place the patty on the bottom bun, add lettuce, tomato, and onion, then spread your desired amount of dressing on the top bun.
Before You Begin!
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How to Store, Freeze and Reheat
Refrigerator: Place any leftover hamburgers within 2 hours of cooking in an airtight container for 3 days.
Freezer: Let them cool, wrap individually, and store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Reheating: You can easily reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
No, flipping isn’t necessary since the air fryer circulates hot air around the patties for even cooking. However, flipping halfway through can help ensure an evenly browned exterior.
Yes, aluminum foil can be used in an air fryer, but it should only be placed in the basket, not the bottom, to avoid blocking airflow. Avoid fully covering the basket or using foil with acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus.
📖 Recipe Card
Hamburgers in Air Fryer
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 hamburger buns
- 3 slices American cheese
- 1 medium tomato sliced
- ¼ yellow or white onion sliced
- 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
- ¼ - ½ cup Thousand Island Dressing
Method
- Divide the ground beef into 3 sections.
- Shape each section into a patty. Make sure the center of the patty is thinner than the outer rim. This will allow for even cooking and maintain size proportions as it cooks.
- Season each patty on both sides with the spices.
- Place the patties in the air fryer. If you want, you can line the basket with aluminum foil for easy clean-up.
- Cook on 350°F for 10 minutes for a medium-well hamburger.
- Adjust the time by adding 2 minutes for a well-done hamburger.
- Remove the hamburgers from the air fryer and place on a platter.
- Place a piece of cheese on each hamburger. The cheese will begin to melt from the heat of the burger.
- To assemble, open the bun and place the patty on the bottom. Add the lettuce, tomato and onion.
- Then spread as much dressing as desired on the top bun.
Nutrition
Notes
- This recipe uses fresh burger patties, however, you can use frozen patties as well. You'll need to adjust the time by adding 5 - 7 minutes to the total cooking time.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure that the burgers are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- When forming your burger patties, make sure the center of the patty is thinner than the outer rim. This will allow for even cooking and maintain size proportions as it cooks.
- All air fryers are different, so check your burgers before the recommended time is done to ensure they're not overcooking.
Tina says
Vanilla extract? Where does that go?
Lois says
There is no vanilla extract in this recipe. I did a search to see if I listed it by accident and don't see it. Are you perhaps talking about a different recipe? Let me know!
Cathy says
This article is sooooo helpful and I cannot wait to try it. Never knew you could cook a burger in the air fryer. Thank you!
Lois says
Thank you! Did you grab the Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners? https://shop.walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/product/air-fryer-recipes-for-beginners/
Richella J Parham says
I have an air fryer, but I would have NEVER thought you could make hamburgers in one! What a great idea.
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