Air Fryer Burgers Recipe

Ground beef: The main ingredient, providing the base for your burger patties. An 80/20 blend ensures a juicy and flavorful burger.

Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the beef.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the patties.

Burger buns: The vessel for your delicious burgers, choose your favorite type.

Cheese: Optional, but adds a creamy, melty layer of flavor to your burgers.

When forming your patties, make a small indentation in the center of each one. This helps the burgers cook more evenly and prevents them from puffing up in the middle. Additionally, avoid pressing down on the patties with a spatula while they cook, as this can squeeze out the juices and make the burgers dry.

• 80/20 blend ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and can provide a similar texture and flavor when seasoned well.

• 80/20 blend ground beef - Substitute with black bean patties: For a vegetarian option, black bean patties offer a hearty texture and can be seasoned to mimic the flavors of beef.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a similar salty flavor along with a bit of umami, enhancing the overall taste of the burger.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor profile but with a slightly different aroma.

• burger buns - Substitute with lettuce wraps: For a low-carb option, lettuce wraps can hold the burger and toppings while adding a fresh crunch.

• burger buns - Substitute with whole wheat buns: Whole wheat buns offer more fiber and nutrients compared to regular burger buns.

• cheese - Substitute with avocado slices: Avocado slices provide a creamy texture and healthy fats, making them a great alternative to cheese.

• cheese - Substitute with vegan cheese: For a dairy-free option, vegan cheese can mimic the texture and flavor of regular cheese.

• Allow the burgers to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
• Wrap each burger patty individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they stay fresh and prevents them from sticking together.
• Place the wrapped patties in an airtight container or a zip-top freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.
• Label the container or bag with the date. This helps you keep track of how long they've been stored.
• Store the burgers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer where they can last up to 3 months.
• To reheat refrigerated burgers, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through.
• For frozen burgers, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Alternatively, you can reheat directly from frozen by cooking in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• If adding cheese during reheating, place a slice on each patty in the last 1-2 minutes of cooking to allow it to melt perfectly.
• Serve the reheated burgers on fresh burger buns with your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles.

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).

• Place the leftover burger patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

• Heat for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until warmed through.

• If you want to reheat the burger buns, add them to the air fryer for the last 1-2 minutes to toast them lightly.

• For a melty cheese topping, place a slice of cheese on each patty during the last minute of reheating.

• Alternatively, you can reheat the burgers in a skillet:

  • Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  • Place the burger patties in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until heated through.
  • Add cheese slices during the last minute and cover again to melt.

• For microwave reheating:

  • Place the burger patties on a microwave-safe plate.
  • Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
  • Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
  • If using cheese, add it during the last 30 seconds of reheating.

• To reheat in the oven:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Place the burger patties on a baking sheet.
  • Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  • Heat for 10-15 minutes, until warmed through.
  • Add cheese slices during the last 2-3 minutes of reheating.

• Air fryer: Used to cook the burger patties evenly and quickly with hot air circulation.

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine the ground beef with salt and pepper.

• Spatula: Handy for flipping the burger patties halfway through the cooking process.

• Meat thermometer: Essential for checking that the internal temperature of the patties reaches 160°F (71°C).

• Tongs: Useful for placing and removing the patties from the air fryer basket.

• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface to form the ground beef into patties.

• Knife: Helpful for slicing cheese if you're using a block instead of pre-sliced cheese.

• Plate: For serving the cooked burgers on buns with your favorite toppings.

Pre-mix the seasoning: Combine salt and black pepper with the ground beef ahead of time and store it in the fridge.

Shape the patties in advance: Form the patties and keep them in the fridge, ready to go.

Use parchment paper: Place a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer basket for easy cleanup.

Preheat the air fryer: Always preheat your air fryer to save cooking time.

Melt cheese quickly: Add cheese slices in the last minute of cooking to melt them perfectly.