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    Popular » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: May 31, 2022 by Dee

    Make Juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers or cheeseburgers in just 15 minutes with this easy air fryer burger recipe. Enjoy delicious burgers anytime in any weather! via @meamel

    Make Juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers or cheeseburgers in just 15 minutes with this easy air fryer burger recipe. Enjoy burgers anytime in any weather!

    Jump to Recipe -
    juicy air fryer burger recipe with cheese on a plate
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Cook Burgers in the Air Fryer
    • Cook Time
    • Variations
    • How to Store and Reheat
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    If it's too hot to grill or you don't have a BBQ, these air fryer burgers are the way to go! This is definitely one of our favorite air fryer recipes, and it's perfect when you want a quick and easy meal!

    There's nothing better than a thick, juicy burger fresh off the grill, right? As much as I love making smash burgers or burgers on the grill, grilling isn't always an option.

    You can always make Instant Pot Hamburgers, but it's even easier to make burgers in the air fryer. I use my Instant Vortex Plus or my Ninja Foodi, and they're perfect every time.

    Ingredients

    You only need a few ingredients for this air fryer burger recipe. You can find them in your local grocery store if you don't have them at home:

    • Ground beef -- I recommend 80/20 mix
    • Dried minced onions
    • Sea salt
    • Garlic powder
    • Ground black pepper
    • Water
    • Sliced cheese -- optional

    How to Cook Burgers in the Air Fryer

    We keep the seasoning pretty simple to let the beef flavor shine here. I also add a secret ingredient to make these burgers extra juicy -- water. Try it -- works every time!

    First, you season the ground beef and add the water. Then, form the beef into patties, about ½ inch thick.

    Next, press your thumb into the center of each patty to make a small indentation. This will keep the patties from shrinking up too much. Keep patties in a single layer for best results.

    ground beef patties on air fryer tray

    Cook Time

    Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees f. When it's hot enough, place the tray into your air fryer.

    Set the time for 15 minutes. Flip the burgers over about halfway through the cooking time so that they cook and brown evenly.

    For safety, I cook hamburgers until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees on a meat thermometer. 15 minutes is all it takes here.

    flip burgers over halfway through air frying

    If you want to make cheeseburgers in your air fryer, add the cheese during the last few seconds. It melts super fast!

    I recommend using your favorite sliced cheese here. We use sliced American cheese-- a classic!

    melted American cheese over burgers in Instant Pot vortex plus

    The burgers are thick, juicy and so delicious! Top them with lettuce, tomatoes, bacon and whatever you want!

    Serve with air fryer french fries or grilled corn on the cob and pickles and your favorite potato chips on the side.

    air fryer hamburger with melted cheese, lettuce and tomato slices on a plate with fries

    Variations

    There are a few ways to customize air fryer cheeseburgers to your liking.

    Season burgers however you like. I sometimes throw on some onion powder or paprika or smoked paprika. Making onion soup burgers with a packet of onion soup mix and Worcestershire sauce is a great choice!

    Some folks like to add liquid smoke, as well.

    Top your tasty burger with a slice of cheese of your choice. Instead of American cheese, try Colby Jack cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, or pepper jack cheese. Shredded cheese might get messy, but it works just as well!

    Add your favorite toppings! Keep it simple with cheese slices, lettuce, tomatoes, and ketchup. Or, add bacon, BBQ sauce, onions, or whatever your heart desires.

    You can also make air fryer turkey burgers with ground turkey, or air fryer veggie burgers. I'm telling you, this air fryer hamburger recipe is a real game changer!

    Remember, there's no one way to make a good burger!

    air fryer hamburger with cheese and fries

    How to Store and Reheat

    Store any leftover hamburger patties in an airtight container or covered with plastic. They'll last 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

    For longer storage, you can freeze the burgers, as long as they don't have any cheese or toppings on them.

    Reheat burgers in the air fryer or microwave.

    Recipe

    air fryer hamburger with cheese on a plate with french fries

    Juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers

    Published by Dee
    Make Juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers or cheeseburgers in just 15 minutes with this easy air fryer burger recipe. Enjoy burgers anytime in any weather!
    5 from 10 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    preheat time 3 mins
    Total Time 23 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 444 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.5 pounds ground beef
    • 2 teaspoons dried minced onions
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon water
    • sliced cheese optional

    Instructions
     

    • Mix the dried onions, sea salt, garlic powder, pepper and water into the ground beef, and form into 4 patties, approximately ½ inches thick
    • Place patties onto air fryer tray, and make an indentation in the middle with your finger or thumb
    • Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees, and cook for 15 minutes, turning patties over about halfway through cook time.
    • Add cheese slices during the last few seconds of cooking

    Notes

    Check for doneness before adding cheese. Ground beef burgers are done when internal temperature reaches 160 degrees, according to a meat thermometer.
    Thinner burgers require less cooking time, and more time may be needed for thicker burgers.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 444kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 30gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 697mgPotassium: 508mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    The air fryer has become my favorite way to get super juicy hamburgers in just a couple of minutes! I hope you enjoy the best air fryer burgers as much as my whole family does!

    For more great burger recipes, easy recipe ideas, and quick meal inspirations, subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on social media!

    Recipe published in 2020 and updated in 2022.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Louis says

      June 09, 2022 at 4:59 pm

      Boy does this make a great hamburger. Getting too hot outside t BBQ already! Juicy and everyone loved them.5 stars

      Reply
    2. Kevin says

      June 26, 2021 at 10:43 am

      Too hot to BBQ now! This is an awesome replacement way to still have hamburgers without frying. Going to be our summer favorite!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 26, 2021 at 11:19 am

        Thanks, Kevin. We love air frying hamburgers!

    3. Michele says

      May 04, 2021 at 3:32 pm

      Making these tonight! New user here. What rack position do you recommend or does it matter?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 04, 2021 at 4:30 pm

        For 1 rack, I put the tray in the middle. For both racks, I rotate the trays about halfway through.

    4. William says

      February 01, 2021 at 5:33 pm

      What function should I use for hamburger?
      I used bake this time.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 02, 2021 at 3:16 pm

        I always use the air fry setting.

    5. Suzy says

      July 08, 2020 at 2:36 pm

      This is perfect! Love how quickly they cook up in the air fryer!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Beti says

      July 08, 2020 at 8:48 am

      Such a fantastic way to make a burger!! YUM!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 20, 2020 at 1:43 pm

        So glad you liked the burgers! Thanks!

    7. katerina says

      July 08, 2020 at 8:48 am

      Oh my, these hamburgers are amazing!! 5 stars

      Reply
    8. Toni says

      July 08, 2020 at 6:20 am

      This is a sure hit at my house! Everyone loved it!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 20, 2020 at 1:52 pm

        I'm so happy you all enjoyed the burgers! Thanks!

    9. Catalina says

      July 07, 2020 at 11:58 pm

      Oh my goodness! Isn't the Air Fryer the best?! It's exactly what I need!5 stars

      Reply
    10. Sara Welch says

      July 07, 2020 at 9:32 pm

      This is everything a gourmet burger should be, and then some! Adding this to my dinner line up for the week; looks too good to pass up!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 08, 2020 at 9:26 pm

        Thanks so much, Sara. I hope you like them!

    11. Dorothy Reinhold says

      July 07, 2020 at 6:04 pm

      The air fryer is quickly becoming my favorite appliance! Those burgers look perfect.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 08, 2020 at 9:24 pm

        Thank you so much, Dorothy. I would be lost without mine!

    12. Beth says

      July 07, 2020 at 4:40 pm

      Yum! I love this idea! Can't wait to make these!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 08, 2020 at 9:23 pm

        I hope you get a chance to try them, Beth. Thanks!

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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