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Tasty Air Fryer Burgers

Category: Lunch

These burgers are a fuss-free, tasty solution when you want dinner quick. You season ground beef with salt and pepper then shape patties. They cook evenly in the air fryer with a crisp outside but stay juicy inside. Cheese gets melted right on top at the end. Grill or toast your buns if you like, and pile on fresh toppings like onions, lettuce, and tomatoes to finish it off. Simple, quick, and absolutely filling.

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Dana
Recipe Created By Dana
Last updated on Sun, 05 Oct 2025 13:08:25 GMT
Air fryer holding a Texas Toast Pizza. Save
Air fryer holding a Texas Toast Pizza. | chefsnaps.com

These air fryer burgers serve up juicy, tasty patties way faster than grilling. They’re super quick and using an air fryer means less mess, making them perfect for busy nights when you want a filling meal without the hassle.

I whipped this up on a hectic weeknight when I needed a homemade burger super fast. It quickly became a top pick because it fits right into my busy life with no sweat.

Needed Ingredients

  • 1 pound 80% lean ground beef: keeps burgers juicy without too much fat.
  • 1 teaspoon salt: boosts the beef’s flavor—spread it evenly.
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper: brings a little kick and nice aroma.
  • 4 burger buns: go whole-grain for heartiness or brioche if you want soft and sweet.
  • 4 slices cheese: American, cheddar, or blue cheese all melt great—pick what you love.
  • Lettuce: fresh and crunchy for some color and texture.
  • Tomatoes: ripe and juicy to brighten up the taste.
  • Onions: raw or gently cooked to match the savory beef.

Step-by-Step Cooking

Close-up of a juicy burger topped with tomatoes and herbs.
Close-up of a juicy burger topped with tomatoes and herbs. | chefsnaps.com

I love switching it up by adding smoky blue cheese instead of cheddar. It really boosts the flavor and makes even a regular weeknight feel more special.

Best Way To Store

Ingredient Swaps

Great Pairings

Seasonal Twists

Burger topped with juicy tomatoes and crisp lettuce on a bun.
Burger topped with juicy tomatoes and crisp lettuce on a bun. | chefsnaps.com

Let your burgers chill for a few minutes after cooking so the juices settle. This small move really ups the flavor and keeps them tender. These air fryer burgers quickly become your easiest way to enjoy a classic, comforting meal whenever you want.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ What’s the safe beef temperature when cooking?

The patties need to hit 160°F (70°C) inside before eating to be safe.

→ Can I try different cheeses on these burgers?

Definitely. You can use cheddar, blue cheese, American, or any melty cheese you like to add taste.

→ How do I keep the patties juicy in the air fryer?

Don’t pack the basket full and flip the patties halfway through cooking so they stay moist.

→ Is toasting buns a must for these burgers?

Not required but toasting adds nice crunch and flavor if you want to.

→ Would adding veggies work well with the burgers?

Yes, fresh lettuce, tomato slices, and onions make great crunchy toppings to go with the patties.

Air Fryer Burgers

Seasoned ground beef patties cooked just right with gooey cheese in the air fryer for a speedy lunch or dinner.

Preparation Duration
5 minutes
Time to Cook
12 minutes
Overall Time
17 minutes
Recipe Created By: Dana

Type of Recipe: Lunch

Cooking Skill Level: Simple for Beginners

Cuisine Style: American

Serving Amount: 4 Number of Servings

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Proteins

01 80% lean ground beef, 454 g

→ Flavors

02 Black pepper, 5 ml
03 Salt, 5 ml

→ Buns & Cheese

04 4 slices of cheese like cheddar, American, or blue
05 4 burger buns, either whole-grain or brioche

→ Extras

06 Tomato slices
07 Onion slices
08 Leaves of lettuce

Detailed Preparation Steps

Step 01

Turn your air fryer on to 190°C and give it a few minutes to get ready.

Step 02

Mix the beef, salt, and pepper well. Make four patties that are just a bit bigger than the buns.

Step 03

Put the patties flat in the air fryer basket. Let them cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once in the middle. Make sure they hit 70°C inside.

Step 04

Lay the cheese on the patties a couple of minutes before they’re done so it can melt.

Step 05

If you like, toast the buns. Add the patties and any extras you want like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.

Helpful Tips

  1. Make sure your ground beef gets up to 70°C inside so it's safe to eat. Cooking times might change depending on your air fryer. Don’t crowd the basket to help everything cook right.

Essential Kitchen Tools

  • Air fryer
  • Thermometer for meat
  • Bowl for mixing

Allergy Information

Always check labels for allergens and reach out to a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Buns and cheese have gluten and dairy.

Nutrition Information (Per Portion)

Nutrition facts are provided for reference and don’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Fat Content: 25 grams
  • Carbohydrate Amount: 25 grams
  • Protein Content: 35 grams