Easy Air Fryer Burgers
Skip the smoky kitchen and stovetop splatter with these incredibly easy Air Fryer Burgers. Grabbing pre-seasoned patties from the store makes this a zero-fuss meal that’s ready to eat in minutes. You get a beautifully cooked, juicy center with excellent browning on the outside, all without ever firing up the grill. Watch the video walkthrough below to see just how simple it is to get a fast, satisfying burger on the table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No smoke or splatter: Cooking burgers in the air fryer keeps the grease fully contained, so you won’t set off the smoke alarms.
- Super fast prep: Starting with fresh, store-bought seasoned patties means almost zero prep time.
- The thumbprint trick: A simple shaping technique ensures the burgers cook flat and evenly without puffing up in the center.
Ingredients
- 4 fresh, pre-seasoned hamburger patties (1.34 lbs total, slightly larger than 1/4 lb each)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil (just enough to coat the basket)
- American cheese slices
- White bread (or hamburger buns)
- Ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°F for 4 minutes.
- Lightly coat the bottom of your air fryer basket with a little bit of olive oil so the meat doesn’t stick.
- Make a small thumbprint in the center of each raw burger patty (this prevents them from swelling up into a dome while cooking).
- Season the patties with a little extra salt and pepper.
- Place the burgers into the preheated basket in a single layer. (Four patties fit perfectly in a 7-quart air fryer).
- Cook at 370°F for 6 minutes without touching them.
- Open the basket, flip the burgers, and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes on the second side.
- Remove the hot patties and top with slices of American cheese so they melt naturally.
- Serve on white bread with a little ketchup for a classic patty melt style burger.
Tips for the Best Results
Don’t skip the thumbprint: Pressing a small indent into the center of the patty ensures the hot circulating air doesn’t cause the burger to puff up like a balloon while it cooks.
Adjusting for doneness: Cooking for 6 minutes on the first side and 6 minutes on the second side at 370°F yields a medium burger. If you prefer a slightly more rare center, check the burgers after 4 or 5 minutes on the second side.
Basket size matters: The video uses a 7-quart air fryer to comfortably fit four 1/3-pound burgers. If your basket is smaller, cook them in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan and trap steam.
