Believe it or not, your air fryer can make deliciously juicy burgers!
Who doesn’t enjoy a grilled burger? I certainly do. All that prep time, though? Not so much. I have to load the grill with charcoal, stoke a fire, scrape the grill grate—it’s a whole thing. And I’m willing to do it for outdoor gatherings and the Fourth. The next alternative of course, is the stove, and burgers certainly do taste amazing when seared in a well-season cast-iron pan. But that’s a whole thing, too, with the grease splattering everywhere. Have you tried using an air fryer? Let me tell you, it’s pretty awesome. I found that with an air fryer, you can enjoy perfectly cooked burgers without the hassle and mess that comes with firing up the grill or stove. The air fryer’s rapid hot air circulation cooks the patties evenly, giving them a deliciously seared exterior and a tender, juicy interior.
These burgers are seriously tasty, and you’re probably gonna wonder why you haven’t been air-frying your burgers this whole time. Pick a high-quality lean ground beef, preferably local and grass-fed, because, yes, there is a big difference between local meat and the junk from industrial farms. If you can’t find local meat, go with organic if possible. A burger is only as good as its source. Your air fryer will do the rest of the work, bringing out the meat’s natural flavor. All you’ll need is a smidge of garlic powder, salt and pepper. It’s really that simple. And hey, if red meat isn’t your thing, we’ve got some savory alternatives like Caesar Grilled Chicken Burgers or this vegan Black Bean Power Burger with Avocado Crema.
Are air fryer hamburgers healthy?
This recipe calls for lean ground beef which is significantly lower in saturated fats. Also, using an air fryer cuts down on the oil needed for cooking. It’s low carb too, and even the amount of salt used is negligible. And if you want, you can make several ingredient swaps to tailor the burgers to your dietary needs. For a lower-calorie option, try ground turkey; you can even mix the turkey with the beef, something I do all the time. To make the recipe vegan, substitute the meat with a plant-based option—there are so many these days!
Use smoked paprika or liquid smoke for charcoal grill-out flavor
Sometimes I miss that smokey, flavor only my charcoal grill can create. Even the best stovetop or air fryer burgers can’t get that distinctive taste. However, there is a way to mimic it by adding smoked paprika or even a drop of liquid smoke into the ground beef. While it’s not the same as a proper grill-out, it does give your patties a charred-like flavor. Give it a try!
How to make ahead and store?
You can prepare the burger patties ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. However, be sure to separate them with parchment paper so that they don’t stick to each other.
Serving Suggestions
Burgers call for fries. That’s an indisputable “fact.” And boy, do we have you covered in that department. FFF offers a wide range of recipes, from Cajun Fries to Garlic Fries. We’ve even got Carrot Fries and Parsnip Fries.
Also, this Red Potato Salad recipe is a great burger side. Let’s not forget about other grill-out favorites like Smoked Corn on the Cob and Coleslaw.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 hamburger buns
- Optional toppings: cheese, lettuce, tomato slices, avocado, ketchup
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with a fork to avoid overworking the meat.
- Shape the mixture into four 1/2-inch thick patties. Press a thumbprint in the center of each patty to prevent bulging during cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. Place the patties in the air fryer basket with space between them. Cook for 6 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 2 to 4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees F. Add cheese in the last minute if desired.
- Serve the burgers on buns with your choice of toppings.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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