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Air Fryer Hamburgers

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Juicy, properly browned beef burgers cooked entirely in the air fryer at 370°F — minimal smoke, easy cleanup, and USDA-safe 160°F throughout in about 13 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Core Ingredients:
  • 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 fat ratio
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 4 burger buns
  • 4 slices cheese (optional)
  • Optional Add-ins:
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg yolk (for turkey burger variation)

Instructions

  1. Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz each). Gently form each into a round patty approximately ½ inch thick — do not overwork the meat.
  2. Press your thumb into the center of each patty to create a shallow dimple. This prevents the burger from puffing into a dome shape as it cooks.
  3. Press salt, pepper, and garlic powder firmly onto both sides of each patty just before cooking — not during forming.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F for 3–5 minutes.
  5. Place patties in a single layer in the basket without overlapping. Cook in batches if needed.
  6. Cook at 370°F for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Verify internal temperature reaches 160°F with an instant-read thermometer.
  7. Place a cheese slice on each patty 60–90 seconds before the end of cooking and close the basket to melt.
  8. Remove patties. Optional: place buns cut-side-down at 375°F for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
  9. Assemble burgers and let rest 2–3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use 80/20 ground beef — leaner blends like 90/10 produce drier, less flavorful patties.

Season patties just before cooking, not in advance. Salt draws moisture out over time and creates a denser, sausage-like texture if left to sit.

Do not press the patty during cooking — pressing squeezes out the juices that keep burgers moist.

For frozen patties, cook 13–16 minutes total at 370°F, flipping halfway through.

Find it online: https://airfrycentral.com/air-fryer-hamburgers/