Best Damn Air Fryer Burgers

When you’re craving a delicious burger, there’s no need to fire up the grill or heat the stove. Not with these Best Damn Air Fryer Burgers, anyway! All it takes is fresh ground beef, a handful of spices, and the magic of your air fryer to create the juiciest and most flavorful burgers you’ve ever tasted.

Jump to:

• Why I Love These Air Fryer Burgers
• Made with Simple Ingredients
• Preparation
• Chill Out Before Cooking
• Cooking
• Serving
• Burger Toppings for Every Craving
• Perfect Side Dishes for Air Fryer Burgers
• Storing & Reheating
• Recipe
• ???? Comments

Why I Love These Air Fryer Burgers

There are so many different approaches to making a homemade burger. While I love a good outdoor BBQ or skillet-seared burger, it’s not always the most convenient or healthiest option. 

Plus, you don’t have to worry about lighting a grill or cleaning up a big mess on the stove. You can have four delicious burgers ready to serve in about 20 minutes!

Lately, my trusty air fryer has become my new go-to method for making flavorful burgers. The powerful hot air circulation gives me irresistibly crispy edges while locking in every drop of flavor for a mouthwateringly juicy burger every time. 

These juicy air fryer hamburgers are a win for flavor, convenience, and those nights when you just want a great burger without the hassle!

Made with Simple Ingredients

• Ground beef: I like 85/15 lean ground beef. This blend has just enough fat to maintain juiciness throughout the burger and give it a nice, tender texture with excellent flavor.
• Spice mix: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground white pepper are all you need to enhance the flavor of these beef burgers!
• Burger buns: I like to use brioche buns because they hold up very well and are great with toppings piled high on the burger. 

If you are missing one of the individual ingredients, don’t worry. You can adjust to your own liking with no problem. The most essential ingredients are really the salt and pepper.

Preparation

In a large bowl, mix the seasonings with the beef. Avoid overworking the ground meat into a pasty consistency, as this can result in a tough, rubbery texture. 

Next, form the patties by shaping the meat into a ball shape, then press down with hand/fist to flatten them out to about ½″ thickness. Once flattened, use your thumb to indent the center of the burgers. This will help to prevent the burgers from puffing up into a ball while cooking. 

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer at 370°F for about 5 minutes. This is important as we want those burgers to sizzle when they hit the air-fryer basket or tray. 

Once the air fryer is preheated, add the burger patties in a single layer and air fry for 8 minutes. Temps can vary depending on the size of your air fryer, so if you find they still need another couple of minutes, just pop them back in.

If adding cheese, add each slice of cheese during the last minute of cooking. This will help get that cheese nice and gooey and start the melting process!

Serving

While the hamburgers are cooking, it’s time to prepare your toppings!

Naturally, burgers can be served with any number of your favorite toppings. Of course, nothing beats the classic choice of fresh iceberg lettuce, sliced tomatoes, pickles, and raw onions. 

Slice up some good tomatoes, lay out some lettuce leaves, and cut those onions (don’t cry too much). Have them all ready to go on a plate for everyone to pick and choose as they please, with some ketchup and mustard at the ready.

Burger Toppings for Every Craving

We all know the staples mentioned above, but if you’re feeling like switching things up with different flavors, here are a few suggestions for burger toppings that will add some extra oomph to your burger game.

• Avocado: Simply spread mashed avocado on top of your burger patty for a creamy and healthy addition.
• Fried Egg: For an indulgent twist, fry up an egg and place it on top of the cooked patty. The runny yolk adds a luscious texture to every bite.
• Caramelized Onions: Slowly cook sliced onions in butter and brown sugar for a sweet and savory topping that pairs well with beef burgers.
• Jalapenos: For the spice lovers, add some sliced jalapenos for a kick of heat.
• Bacon: A couple of strips of bacon always take a burger to the next level. Cook them until crispy and crumble them on top of your burger for a smoky and salty flavor.
• Peanut Butter: While this may sound like an unusual addition, peanut butter adds a creamy and slightly sweet element to burgers. Spread it on the top bun or mix it into the patty for a unique twist.
• Other Dressings: Don’t limit yourself to just ketchup and mustard. Get creative with dressings like BBQ sauce, ranch, mayonnaise, or even Thousand Island dressing. These can add different flavors and textures to your burger.

Perfect Side Dishes for Air Fryer Burgers

We all know burgers go well with french fries, and our Air Fryer Homestyle French Fries are outstanding! Or, opt for Baked Sweet Potato Fries for a healthier alternative. 

Coleslaw and potato salad also make perfect sidekicks for burgers, and we’ve got a Country Creamy Coleslaw and Best Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad you’re gonna love!

Storing & Reheating

Got leftover burgers? Refrigerate cooked patties in an airtight container for 2-3 days, or freeze them for up to 2 months. I’d recommend separating the patties with parchment paper and sealing them in a plastic freezer bag to get out as much air as possible.

To reheat, air fry at 350°F for about 5 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave or toss them on the grill for a couple of minutes.

This simple air fryer burger recipe is ideal for any night of the week. Made with fresh ingredients, you can have tender, juicy, perfectly cooked burgers on your plate in about 20 minutes.

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