How to make quick and easy burgers in an air fryer

• The air fryer is a hands-off method that often results in crispy quick-cooking burgers.
• For the juiciest and most flavorful results, opt for 80% lean ground beef.
• The cooking time depends on the desired doneness level, so use a meat thermometer.

When you're craving a mouthwatering burger that takes minimal effort, the air fryer is your best bet. Not only is air frying less work than grilling or searing on the stovetop, but Brian Lee, the executive chef of ATRIO Wine Bar & Restaurant, says this method comes with many other benefits, too.

• The process is more hands-off. There's no need to stand over the grill or the stovetop while cooking burgers in the air fryer — just pop the patties in, set the timer, and walk away.
• The fat drips away. When you cook burgers in a pan on the stove or in the oven, they simmer in their own fat. When you air fry them, excess fat drips off through the holes in the tray.
• They're super crispy. According to Lee, the rapid circulation of hot air in an air fryer causes the meat to crisp up nicely.

Next time you're whipping up some burgers at home, bust out the air fryer and heed the following pro tips on perfecting this classic all-American dish.

Quick tip: While you can certainly cook burgers made with turkey or plant-based proteins in the air fryer, Lee says you'll get the juiciest, most flavorful results with 80/20 ground beef. If you are grinding your own mixture, he recommends opting for beef chuck or short rib.

Cooking time and temperatures

According to Lee, the cooking time for burgers will depend on the size and thickness of the patties. For safety reasons, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) advises cooking ground beef to a minimum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If you prefer the burgers a little pinker in the middle, be aware that comes with some degree of potential risk for foodborne illness, says Lee.

Use the following chart as a guide for achieving the desired doneness level.

Quick tip: You can air fry frozen patties, too. Sylvia Fountaine, CEO and founder at Feasting at Home, recommends lowering the temperature by 10 degrees and adding two to four minutes of cooking time per side.

How to make burgers in an air fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer. Preheating the air fryer helps to ensure that the burgers will cook more evenly throughout, says Fountaine. She advises setting the temperature to 370 degrees Fahrenheit two to five minutes before you start air frying.
2. Season and prep the meat. Fountaine recommends seasoning the ground beef with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and a little Worcestershire sauce. Then form the meat into evenly-sized, ½-inch thick round patties.
3. Place the burgers in the air fryer. Make sure the burgers are laying flat on the tray in a single layer without overlapping so they get exposed to heat from all sides.
4. Cook the burgers. Set the cooking time for anywhere from three to seven minutes, depending on the level of doneness you want. When the timer is up, flip the burgers over and cook them again for the same amount of time.
5. Check the temperature. Once the burgers are done cooking, use a meat thermometer to make sure they've reached the right temperature.

Quick tip: The patties will continue to cook even after you take them out of the air fryer — this phenomenon is called "carryover cooking." Remove the burgers when they're about 5 degrees below the desired temperature and they will finish coming to temperature as they sit.

Serving suggestions for air fryer burgers

There are countless seasonings, toppings, and sides you can try to take air fryer burgers to the next level of tasty. Here are some of Fountaine and Lee's favorite ideas.

• Add a spice mix: Lee says you can enhance the flavor of the burger with a mixture of spices, like cajun for a subtle kick or lemon pepper for a bright, zesty twist.
• Get creative with condiments: Ketchup isn't the only condiment that works well on burgers. Lee advises trying other sauces that bring out the meat's salty and sweet nuances, like spicy remoulade, onion-thyme jam, tangy apricot BBQ sauce, or roasted garlic aioli.
• Make them mini: Looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing finger food for your next party? Fountaine suggests making air-fried sliders by dividing the meat into smaller patties.
• Top it all off: Go big or go home when it comes to toppings, says Lee. He recommends loading the burger up with caramelized onions, roasted peppers, or mushrooms. For a gourmet surf and turf take, try adding battered shrimp or another kind of seafood.
• Pair it with a tasty side: When it comes to sides, you can't go wrong with some air fryer French fries or sweet potato fries. If you're looking for a healthier alternative, though, consider air-fried kale or beet chips, roasted root vegetables, or corn on the cob.
• Branch out with the cheeses: American and cheddar may be considered the gold standard for topping burgers, but Fountaine says brie melts just as nicely and blue cheese adds a sharper punch of flavor.

Quick tip: If you're making cheeseburgers, wait until the last 30-45 seconds of cooking to add the cheese for a perfect melt. Otherwise, the cheese may burn or the fast circulating air could cause it to fly off the burgers.

Insider's takeaway

Cooking burgers in the air fryer not only requires less effort than many other popular methods, but it also yields super crispy results. As an added bonus, air-fried burgers tend to be lower in fat than their seared or baked counterparts.

The best way to ensure that the air-fried burgers have reached your desired doneness level is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Keep in mind the "carryover cooking" phenomenon and take the burgers out when they're 5 degrees below the target range.

If you're working with fresh patties, you can add seasoning to the ground meat before cooking or, if you're air-frying frozen ones, amp up the flavor with sauces and toppings after they're done cooking.