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Easy Gourmet Air Fryer Burger Recipe

Wondering how to make burgers in the air fryer? We’ve learned how to make easy air fryer burgers and we haven’t looked back!

Fancy cheeseburger with toppings

Burgers in the Air Fryer

Have you tried an air fryer burger? Let me tell you, they are a total game changer! This simple air fryer hamburgers recipe is the best way to make a yummy burger patty without all the stress and mess. These juicy air fryer hamburgers get a 5 star rating from my family and I think you’ll love them too!

Plus, you can do it in half the amount of time that it takes to make homemade burgers the old fashioned way!

We love burger night around here because burgers are one recipe that the whole family loves and these are the BEST burgers – trust me! The perfect burger recipe for busy weeknights but we also love easy recipes like this for family gatherings. Air fryer recipes have been a game changer for me because they have a shorter cooking time and provide great options when I’m multitasking and we need a quick meal.

So now the question is, do you make regular beef burgers in the air fryer or do you jazz them up and make air fryer cheeseburgers? Lucky for you, it’s just as easy to add cheese slices and we love to go so far as to make these Air Fryer BBQ Cheese Burgers – because why not go all out when you make delicious air fryer hamburgers, am I right?

Air Fryer BBQ Cheese Burgers 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

ground beef, seasonings, and sliced cheese for burger ingredients

Ingredients for Air Fryer Hamburgers

  • ground beef 
    (if you really want to make gourmet burgers, I recommend Wagyu Ground Beef from Snake River Farms)
  • BBQ sauce, divided 
  • garlic, minced 
  • kosher salt 
  • paprika 
  • sliced cheese (optional)
  • Garnishes (optional): Toasted hamburger bun, ketchup, lettuce, pickles, onion 

See the printable recipe card below for detailed ingredients and instructions for how to make these air fryer burgers

Ground beef and sliced cheese

 

How to Make Air Fryer Hamburgers 

  1. Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray and set it aside. 
  2. In a large bowl, add the ground beef, two tablespoons of BBQ sauce, minced garlic, kosher salt, and paprika. 
  3. Gently combine the mixture, making sure not to pack it too tightly. 
  4. Divide the meat mix into four and shape them into beef patties (about ¾” thick). *use a burger press if you like!
  5. Place the cheeseburgers into the greased preheated air fryer basket and cook them at 375F for 8-10 minutes, or until your desired doneness. 
  6. Top each burger with 1-2 teaspoons of BBQ sauce and a slice of cheese. 
  7. Return the burgers to the air fryer for 2 minutes, or continue cooking process until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately, with your choice of garnishes. 
  8. Store any leftover hamburgers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. 

*Adjust how long you cook your hamburger patty in the air fryer to your preference. We love a well done burger and honest, when it comes to ground beef – that’s the safest. Wondering how long to cook frozen hamburger in the air fryer? That might take some trial and error as I haven’t tried it yet. I have had some success with other frozen meat in the air fryer though. *See below for more tips on cooking frozen burger in the air fryer.

Four ground beef burger patties in the air fryer

cooked burgers in the air fryer

cheese slices on burger patties in the air fryer

melted cheese on burger patties in the air fryer

Pro Tip Ideas for How to Cook Burgers in the Air Fryer

I like to lay down tinfoil (aluminum foil) or parchment paper on the counter for little mess and easy clean up.

Wipe the bottom of your air fryer basket in between batches, it makes clean up so much easier!

Try different sliced cheese options! We love cheddar but also enjoy pepper jack cheese and american cheese. Melted cheese on a juicy burger is the BEST!

If you have a favorite seasoning, I recommend adding that in the ground beef mixture. Experiment with different options. Sometimes I’ll add a dash of worcestershire sauce into the ground beef mixture, so yummy! Black pepper, onion powder and garlic powder are other spices that you might try experimenting with.

Make sure to include your favorite toppings so that your guests can build their burgers to their liking – burger toppings are important!

Select quality hamburger buns – I can’t stress this enough. The best juicy hamburgers deserve the very best hamburger buns!

*I also highly recommend using a good meat thermometer to make sure they get to your desired and safe internal temperature – especially the first few times that you make this air fryer hamburger recipe.

close up of a hamburger with cheese and other toppings

Sides to Serve with Hamburgers

There are so many side dish recipes that are perfect companions for hamburgers and the best part is, most of them can be super easy to make! Some of our favorites include baked beans, onion rings, tater tots or french fries, watermelon or corn on the cob. And honestly – you can’t go wrong with a bag of BBQ chips!

Can you cook frozen burgers in the Air Fryer?

Yes! Obviously the process will be a little different so you’ll need to find instructions for the type of frozen hamburger patty that you’ll be cooking. Many frozen hamburger patties are precooked so you’ll have to consider that as well.

What is the Best Air Fryer? 

There are so many air fryer options to choose from. Make sure to select an air fryer that is big enough for your needs. We personally love the line of Ninja Air Fryers and find them to be very high quality, easy to use and easy to clean up. 

Best Teen Burger Topping Suggestions

I’ve got a teen who is burger obsessed, so who better than to share with use the best teen burger toppings and ideas! According to my son, the best burger toppings are: avocado, pepperoncini peppers, Famous Dave’s Pickles (specifically the Famous Dave’s Signature Spicy Pickle Chips), Pepper Jack Cheese, Chik Fil A Sauce and an onion ring if you happen to just have on lying around. SO – there you go. The best burger toppings from a teen’s perspective (in addition to your usual toppings, of course!) 

Favorite Air Fryer and Instant Pot Recipes

Homemade Apple Wontons Air Fryer Recipe
Instant Pot Cherry Cheesecake Recipe
BBQ Meatballs Made in the Instant Pot
Instant Pot Chili Recipe
Funeral Sandwiches Recipe

 

huge hamburger with knife through it stacked with toppings

Print the Recipe for Easy Air Fryer Burgers

Easy BBQ Air Fryer Burger Recipe

Easy BBQ Air Fryer Burger Recipe

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Make your next burgers in the air fryer for a delicious and quick option - this easy BBQ Air Fryer Burger recipe is my go-to for quick meals that the entire family loves! Add your favorite cheese and toppings to make a delicious juicy burger right in the air fryer which means less time in the kitchen and a wonderful family dinner for all!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of ground beef
  • (if you really want to make gourmet burgers, I recommend Wagyu Ground Beef from Snake River Farms)
  • ¼ cup BBQ sauce, divided 
  • 1 clove garlic, minced 
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt 
  • ½ teaspoon paprika 
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese, optional 
  • Garnishes (optional): Toasted hamburger bun, ketchup, lettuce, pickles, onion

Instructions

    Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray and set it aside. 
    In a large bowl, add the ground beef, two tablespoons of BBQ sauce, minced garlic, kosher salt, and paprika. 
    Gently combine the mixture, making sure not to pack it too tightly. 
    Divide the meat mix into four and shape them into beef patties (about ¾” thick). *use a burger press if you like!
    Place the cheeseburgers into the greased preheated air fryer basket and cook them at 375F for 8-10 minutes, or until your desired doneness. 
    Top each burger with 1-2 teaspoons of BBQ sauce and a slice of cheese. 
    Return the burgers to the air fryer for 2 minutes, or continue cooking process until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately, with your choice of garnishes. 
    Store any leftover hamburgers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. 

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 506Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 951mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 39g

*this is just an estimate

Did you make this recipe?

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fully loaded hamburger with all of the toppings and a knife stuck through it
Meet the author – Keri Lyn

The creative and frugal mind behind She Saved for over 12 years now, Keri Lyn shares her adventures in parenting along with her love for family travel, country living and brand marketing. A self-proclaimed “brand loyalist”, Keri Lyn is known for her strong and enthusiastic voice when it comes to the products and brands that she loves. She Saved has become a community for like-minded consumers who appreciate saving money, time and sanity by getting the best deals on quality products and experiences.

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