Description
Learn how to make perfectly juicy air fryer hamburgers in just 10 minutes! This easy recipe uses simple seasonings and the 80/20 ground beef blend for restaurant-quality burgers with a beautifully caramelized crust. No grill needed — just your air fryer and 10 minutes to burger bliss!
Ingredients
For the Burger Patties:
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend preferred)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- Cooking spray or oil for the basket
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons finely diced onion
- Your favorite seasoning blend
For Serving:
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 slices cheese (cheddar, American, Swiss, or your favorite)
- Lettuce leaves
- Tomato slices
- Pickle slices
- Sliced onion (raw or grilled)
- Ketchup, mustard, mayo, or your favorite burger sauce
Instructions
Place your ground beef in a mixing bowl and sprinkle the salt, black pepper, and optional garlic and onion powder over the top.
Here’s where you need to be gentle, friends — use your hands or a spatula to mix the seasonings JUST until combined. Don’t knead it like bread dough! Overworking the meat makes tough, dense burgers, and we want tender, juicy ones.
Divide your seasoned beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 ounces each). Gently shape each portion into a patty about ¾-inch thick.
Now here’s my secret: use your thumb to press a shallow indentation right in the center of each patty. This little dimple is your insurance policy against those dome-shaped burgers that won’t sit flat on your bun!
Set your air fryer to 375°F and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes. I know it’s tempting to skip this step, but preheating ensures even cooking and that beautiful crust we’re after.
Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with a thin layer of oil. This prevents sticking and helps with cleanup later. Trust me on this one!
Place your patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket — don’t let them touch or overlap. Air fry for 8-10 minutes total, flipping them halfway through (around the 4-5 minute mark).
For medium burgers, aim for 8 minutes. For medium-well to well-done, go closer to 10-12 minutes. Every air fryer is a little different, so keep an eye on them the first time!
If you’re making cheeseburgers (and honestly, why wouldn’t you?), lay a slice of cheese on each patty during the last minute of cooking. Close the air fryer and let that cheese get all melty and gorgeous.
Remove the patties from the air fryer and let them rest for 1-2 minutes.
I know you’re hungry, but this brief rest lets the juices redistribute throughout the burger instead of running all over your plate. Place each patty on a bun, pile on your favorite toppings, and dig in!
Notes
Frozen Burgers: You can cook frozen patties too! Just add 3-5 minutes to the cooking time and skip the flip until they’ve thawed enough to release from the basket.
Even Sizing: Use a kitchen scale to divide your meat into equal portions. This ensures all your burgers finish cooking at the same time.
Season Generously: Don’t be shy with the salt! Ground beef needs proper seasoning to taste its best.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Making patties too thick. Anything over 1 inch won’t cook evenly in the air fryer. Stick to ¾-inch thick for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American