Try these Air Fryer Burgers and you’ll think you’ve gone out to your favorite burger joint for a treat. The air fryer cooks juicy and delicious hamburgers every time.
I’ve been developing a lot of recipes for my Philips Air Fryer because it cooks protein so well. The high heat and constant air circulation seals in the juices while browning the outsides just right – for all the meats and seafood I’ve tried so far. These burgers are no exception and they are my favorite recipe I’ve made so far in my air fryer. They came out flavorful, perfectly cooked and really juicy and delicious. Just like the best burger I’ve ever enjoyed at a restaurant.
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How to Make Air Fryer Burgers
I got inspiration for these burgers from a new America’s Test Kitchen magazine that is filled with air fryer recipes. They explained that a panade (a mixture of milk and bread) helps to seal in the natural juices of the beef when it’s cooking in the air fryer. A simple mix of seasonings, the torn up insides of a hamburger bun, a little milk. That’s all it takes to mix with 85% lean hamburger meat to make perfectly cooked and juicy Air Fryer Burgers.
How Long Does it Really Take to Cook Hamburgers in the Air Fryer?
This absolutely depends on the brand of air fryer you own. The recipe I took inspiration from suggested cooking the burgers for 18 – 21 minutes at 350 degrees. In my Philips Air Fryer XXL, that was too long. My burgers took about 15 minutes to be cooked to Medium (140 – 145 degrees F).
It also depends on how you like your burger cooked. A good instant read digital meat thermometer is essential for getting the cook right on your burger. But don’t worry, even if you overcook these burgers, they are still delicious. Mine were a bit overcooked (for my liking) on the first try and they were still unbelievably juicy. The panade is a magic ingredient.
Safe Temperature for Perfectly Cooked Hamburgers
According to the USDA (which errs on the side of extreme caution) the minimum safe temperature for ground meat is 160 degrees F. I tend to like my burgers on the medium to medium well side of things. Here is a complete list of temperatures for cooking ground beef burgers…
- Rare: 120 to 125
- Med-Rare: 130 to 135
- Medium: 140 to 145
- Med-Well: 150 to 155
- Well Done: 160 to 165
Kitchen Tips for Air Fryer Burgers
- I use a Philips Air Fryer XXL to test all of my air fryer recipes
- Brush your air fryer basket with a light coating of vegetable oil using a pastry brush. Do not use a commercial, non-stick spray like Pam because it will damage the coating of your air fryer basket
- This is the digital meat thermometer I use in my kitchen
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Air Fryer Burgers
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb 85% ground beef
- 4 brioche buns
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp grill seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Remove the insides of the bun from the top and bottom crust - tearing it in large pieces into a mixing bowl. Add the grill seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, Worcestershire and milk. Stir and mash together with a fork until a paste is formed. Break up the ground beef over the paste and stir together the meat and panade mixture with a fork. Transfer the meat mixture to a cutting board and divide it evenly into three portions. Form into three burgers, about 1 inch thick. Make an indentation with your thumb in the middle of each burger. (see photo in post for example).
- Brush the air fryer basket lightly with vegetable oil. Arrange the burgers so they are not touching in the air fryer basket.
- Cook the burgers at 350 degrees F in the air fryer (no need to flip them) for 15 - 22 minutes. Check the internal temperature before removing the burgers to achieve your desired doneness. My burgers took about 15 minutes to reach Medium temperature. Your air fryer may vary.
- If desired, place a 1/2 slice of American cheese on each burger at the end and air fry for an additional 30 seconds or so, to melt the cheese onto the burgers.
- Serve the burgers on toasted brioche buns with desired toppings.
Anita says
The burgers look so delicious. I’m finding more and more reasons to finally buy an air-fryer for real.
foodtasticmom says
This is probably my favorite air fryer recipe yet! You really need one.
Farah Abumaizar says
I’ve been looking for more air fryer recipes, and these seriously look so juicy and so much less messy then using a skillet on the stove. Thanks for this!
foodtasticmom says
You’re so welcome.
Dannii says
We love making burgers in the air fryer. They are so delicious and juicy.
foodtasticmom says
Glad you are a fan!
Sarah says
These look amazing! Did you make the onion rings on the side in the air fryer, too?
foodtasticmom says
I ended up baking the onion rings in the oven since I was using the air fryer for my burgers 🙂
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
These burgers have my mouth watering! They look incredibly juicy and delicious.
foodtasticmom says
The absolutely are!
Sally says
A perfect recipe for the air fryer! Thank you for the very detailed instructions!
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome!
Kim Lee says
Love this recipe! It was so easy and so delicious! I’ll definitely be making again!
foodtasticmom says
Happy to hear this Kim, thanks!
Lauren Vavala says
The air fryer is now my go-to method for cooking burgers indoors. It really is amazing how juicy they are! I always flip mine, but I’m going to try just letting them go next time like your instructions say.
foodtasticmom says
I’m glad you are on-board with air frying burgers. They really are amazing.
Alison says
The air fryer never ceases to amaze me. There are so many things you can do in it and it makes creating dinner for your family such a breeze!
foodtasticmom says
This is exactly how I feel. It’s my favorite addition to my kitchen in many years!
Angela says
These burgers look so juicy and delicious. I didn’t know an air fryer did such a great job on meat.
foodtasticmom says
The air fryer is magic with meat – seriously.
Erika says
I love my air fryer and I’m definitely putting this on my list to make. They look amazing!
foodtasticmom says
They are a must make for sure. Thanks!
Nart | Cooking with Nart says
Looks delicious! If something is air-fried and still juicy, I’ll take it!
foodtasticmom says
The air fryer does a remarkable job of sealing in meat’s natural juices.
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says
Looks like a wonderfully mess-free way of making burgers and they look DELISH!
foodtasticmom says
Yep, no splatters in the stovetop. It’s all contained in the air fryer basket, which is a breeze to clean.
Cathleen says
Wow, what CAN’T the air fryer do??? This is perfect, I am definitely going to be making these burgers this weekend 🙂
foodtasticmom says
Exactly. The air fryer is so versatile! I know you’re going to love these burgers.
veenaazmanov says
Air Fryer cooking sounds healthy and interesting too. These Burgers looks juicy and moist and tempting too.
foodtasticmom says
I couldn’t live without my air fryer now!
Luci Petlack says
This is the first recipe I’ve seen for burgers in an air fryer. We still don’t have one yet (I know – we must be the only ones), but for good homemade burgers like these, it’s getting harder to resist!!
foodtasticmom says
I absolutely love my air fryer. I really think you would not regret the purchase. Check out all of my other air fryer recipes here…
https://www.foodtasticmom.com/category/recipes/air-fryer/
Michelle says
Oh, perfect timing because our grill just broke this week! This method is so quick and simple!
foodtasticmom says
I moved and still haven’t purchased a new grill for my new home. It’s been over two years, and I really haven’t missed it. Different stage of life plus my air fryer are the reasons.
Lindsay says
I’ll be enjoying burgers all year round with this recipe. They look amazing!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Lindsay. I’m sure you will enjoy them!