Craving a juicy, perfectly cooked cheeseburger without the hassle of a grill or the mess of a frying pan? The air fryer is your secret weapon! This comprehensive guide will show you how to create the most delicious and easy air fryer cheeseburgers, a family-favorite beef recipe that delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re working with fresh or frozen patties, or even looking to make healthier turkey burgers, your air fryer can transform your burger experience. Get ready to enjoy a perfectly cooked burger every time, golden brown on the outside and wonderfully moist on the inside.

juicy air fryer cheeseburgers on a bun and white plate — Delicious Air Fryer Cheeseburgers, perfectly cooked and ready to enjoy.

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Table of Contents

Contents

How to Cook Burgers in the Air Fryer

Cooking burgers in an air fryer is incredibly straightforward and yields consistently excellent results. The key to success lies in proper patty preparation and seasoning. You have a few options when it comes to your burger patties:

Pre-made Patties: Many grocery stores offer excellent pre-formed burger patties, often found in the butcher section. These are convenient and save time.
Homemade Patties: If you prefer to make your own, I recommend using good quality ground chuck with an 80/20 fat-to-lean ratio. This ratio ensures a juicy burger that won’t dry out during cooking. Form your patties to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. A crucial tip for homemade patties is to make a small indentation (a thumbprint) in the center of each patty. This prevents the burger from bulging in the middle as it cooks, ensuring an even thickness.

Once you have your patties, it’s time to season them to perfection. While you can always stick to simple salt and pepper, adding a few extra ingredients can elevate the flavor profile significantly. For a classic, smoky taste, I love to use Liquid Smoke, Worcestershire sauce, and a quality Burger Seasoning. These ingredients add depth and a delicious umami flavor that complements the beef beautifully. Gently press the seasonings into both sides of the patties.

Once seasoned, preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Place the seasoned burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don’t overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking. For a detailed visual guide on making burgers, you can check out this Step-By-Step Guide on How to Make Burgers.

raw burger patties in air fryer — Seasoned burger patties placed in the air fryer basket, ready for cooking.

How Long to Cook Hamburgers in an Air Fryer?

The cooking time for hamburgers in an air fryer is remarkably quick, making it perfect for weeknight meals. For standard 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick patties, you’ll generally cook them for a total of 12-15 minutes at 360°F (180°C). Here’s a breakdown:

Cook the burgers for 8 minutes on one side.
Carefully open the air fryer basket, flip the burgers, and continue cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes.
For cheeseburgers, add a slice of cheese on top during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, allowing it to melt perfectly.

The total cook time can vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the desired level of doneness. To ensure your burgers are cooked exactly how you like them, a meat thermometer is your best friend. Insert it into the thickest part of the patty for an accurate reading. Here are the internal temperature guidelines for beef burgers:

Rare: 125°F (52°C)
Medium-Rare: 135°F (57°C)
Medium: 145°F (63°C)
Medium-Well: 155°F (68°C)
Well-Done: 160°F (71°C)

Always remember that resting your burgers for a few minutes after cooking allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in an even juicier burger. This is a crucial step often overlooked!

juicy air fryer cheeseburgers on a bun and white plate with fries — Perfectly cooked air fryer cheeseburgers, served with a side of crispy fries.

Cooking Frozen Hamburger Patties in an Air Fryer

One of the greatest conveniences of the air fryer is its ability to cook food directly from frozen, and hamburger patties are no exception. This makes it an ideal solution for those last-minute meal preparations when you don’t have time to thaw meat. While fresh patties typically take around 12-15 minutes, frozen burgers will require a bit more time due to their initial cold temperature and density.

When cooking frozen hamburger patties in the air fryer, expect a total cook time of approximately 15-20 minutes at 360°F (180°C). Here’s the recommended approach:

Preheat and Place: Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Place the frozen patties directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd.
Initial Cook: Cook for 10 minutes to allow them to start thawing and forming a crust.
Season and Flip: Open the basket, flip the burgers, and season them with your preferred spices (salt, pepper, burger seasoning). At this point, they should be soft enough to accept seasoning.
Final Cook: Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes, or until they reach your desired internal temperature using a meat thermometer (as outlined in the previous section).
Add Cheese: If making cheeseburgers, add the cheese slice during the last 2 minutes of cooking.

Cooking frozen patties in the air fryer is a game-changer for busy individuals or anyone looking for a quick and satisfying meal. The air fryer circulates hot air around the patty, ensuring it cooks evenly from all sides without needing to thaw in advance.

Can You Cook Steak in an Air Fryer?

While this article focuses on burgers, it’s worth noting that the air fryer is incredibly versatile and can indeed cook a fantastic steak. Air frying steak offers a convenient way to achieve a beautifully seared exterior and a tender, juicy interior, similar to pan-searing but with less oil and mess. For a medium-doneness steak (about 1-inch thick), you might expect a cook time of around 7-10 minutes in most air fryers, though this can vary by thickness and type of steak.

For a detailed, step-by-step guide to cooking steak in your air fryer, including marinating tips and temperature specifics, be sure to check out my dedicated Marinated Air Fryer Steak recipe!

Are Air Fryers Really Healthy?

The air fryer has gained immense popularity, partly due to its reputation for being a healthier cooking method, and for good reason! Compared to traditional deep frying, air frying significantly cuts down on fat content. Here’s why air fryers are considered a healthier alternative:

Reduced Fat Consumption: Air frying can cut up to 80% of the fat compared to deep frying. Deep-fried foods often require 2-3 cups of oil to submerge items, whereas most air fryer recipes, including these burgers, typically only need a tablespoon or even just a light spritz of oil. This drastic reduction in oil translates to fewer calories and less unhealthy fat in your diet.
Better Oil Choices: When deep frying, people often use oils like canola or vegetable oil due to their high smoke points and cost-effectiveness. However, with air frying, you have more flexibility. I typically use olive oil, which is known for its heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, making your meals even more beneficial. Avocado oil is another excellent choice with a high smoke point that works well in an air fryer.
Lower Calorie Count: By using less oil, the overall calorie count of your meals decreases, which can be beneficial for weight management and a balanced diet.
Similar Texture and Taste: The magic of the air fryer is that it achieves a crispy, delicious texture similar to deep-fried foods, but through circulating hot air, providing a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor.

While air frying is generally a healthier cooking method, the overall healthiness of your meal still depends on the ingredients you choose. Opting for lean meats, fresh vegetables, and mindful portion sizes will always contribute to a healthier outcome.

Can You Put Aluminum Foil in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can absolutely use aluminum foil in the air fryer, but with a few important considerations to ensure safety and optimal cooking results:

Ensure Airflow: The air fryer works by circulating hot air. Do not cover the entire bottom of the basket with foil, as this can block airflow and prevent your food from cooking evenly. Leave some space for air to circulate.
Weight It Down: Make sure the foil is weighted down by your food. If left loose, the foil can get caught in the air fryer’s heating element or fan, potentially causing a fire hazard or damaging the appliance.
Avoid Acidic Foods: Acidic foods (like tomatoes or citrus) can react with aluminum foil, potentially leaching aluminum into your food and affecting the taste. For such ingredients, parchment paper is a better option.
Easy Cleanup: Foil is excellent for easier cleanup, especially when cooking greasy foods like burgers. It helps catch drips and prevents food from sticking to the basket.
Prevent Sticking: You can also use foil to create a non-stick surface, although many air fryer baskets are already non-stick.

When used correctly, aluminum foil can be a helpful tool in your air frying arsenal. You can also pair your juicy cheeseburger with Homestyle Air Fryer French Fries for a complete meal.

air fryer fries spread out on a brown surface with ketchup — Air fryer French fries, a perfect companion for your cheeseburger.

For those looking to reduce carbohydrates, simply ditch the bun and enjoy your juicy air fryer cheeseburger as a protein-packed, low-carb meal. Serve it over a bed of crisp lettuce, with extra slices of tomato and onion, or alongside a fresh side salad.

air fryer cheeseburger without the bun — Enjoy a delicious, bun-less air fryer cheeseburger for a low-carb option.

Be sure to check out these related recipes for more air fryer inspiration and delicious meal ideas:

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Air Fryer Quesadillas
Air Fryer Ribs
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
How to Grill the Best Burgers
Roasted Ranch Potatoes
Air Fryer Panko Breaded Bang Bang Shrimp

More Air Fryer Recipes

Expand your air frying repertoire with these fantastic recipes:

Air Fryer Homemade Pop Tarts
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Air Fryer Southern Style Pork Chops
Air Fryer Fried Shrimp Po Boy
Air Fryer Old Bay Crab Cakes
Air Fryer Sausage
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Breaded Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Parmesan Truffle Oil Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic Truffle Aioli
Air Fryer Sriracha Honey Bourbon Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer 3 Ingredient Fried Catfish
Air Fryer Bang Bang Panko Breaded Fried Shrimp
Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Dessert Empanadas
Air Fryer Beef Taco Fried Egg Rolls
Air Fryer Frozen Burgers

Click here for a complete listing of Air Fryer Recipes. Don’t forget to drizzle your burgers in our delicious Homemade Burger Sauce recipe for an extra burst of flavor!

Juicy Air Fryer Cheeseburgers

Yield:
4 servings

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
20 minutes

These Quick and Easy Juicy Air Fryer Cheeseburgers are a beef recipe the whole family will adore. Learn how to cook perfect burgers in your air fryer, including tips for fresh and frozen patties, ensuring a delicious and hassle-free meal.

Ingredients

1 pound 80/20 ground chuck beef (or 4 pre-made patties)
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ tablespoons Weber Burger Seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
4 slices of cheese (cheddar, provolone, American, etc.)
4 hamburger buns
Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, burger sauce

Instructions

Season the ground beef with liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, burger seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. If using ground beef, gently form 4 equally sized burger patties, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. For homemade patties, make a small indentation in the center of each with your thumb.
Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C). For best results and even cooking, avoid overcrowding the basket. You may need to cook the burgers in batches, typically two at a time, depending on your air fryer’s capacity.
Place the seasoned burger patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Cook the burgers for 8 minutes.
Carefully open the air fryer basket and flip the burgers. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes to achieve a medium-rare to medium doneness. Adjust cooking time for your preferred doneness (see notes below for temperature guidelines).
For cheeseburgers, place a slice of cheese on top of each burger during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Close the air fryer and allow the cheese to melt until gooey and delicious.
Once cooked, carefully remove the cheeseburgers from the air fryer. Let them rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum juiciness.
Serve hot on toasted buns with your favorite toppings and condiments.

Notes

Batch Cooking: The specific number of burgers you can cook at once depends on your air fryer’s size. My air fryer basket typically accommodates two patties comfortably, so I cook them in two batches to ensure even air circulation and perfect results.

Achieving Desired Doneness: Total cook time will vary based on how done you like your burgers and the thickness of the patties. For precise results, use a meat thermometer to gauge the internal temperature:

Rare: 125°F (52°C)
Medium-Rare: 135°F (57°C)
Medium: 145°F (63°C)
Medium-Well: 155°F (68°C)
Well-Done: 160°F (71°C)

Toasting Buns: For an extra layer of flavor and texture, I highly recommend toasting your burger buns. After cooking the burgers, you can quickly toast the buns in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden. Alternatively, toast them in a toaster or on a skillet.

Turkey Burgers: If you’re opting for turkey burgers, the cook time should remain very similar. Ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.

Grease Management: You will notice grease collecting in the bottom of the air fryer pan, which is completely normal. In my experience, this does not cause smoking during the cooking process. For easy cleanup, empty the grease and clean the pan right away after it cools down.

Building Your Perfect Burger: Here’s my favorite order for layering a truly satisfying burger:

Bottom Bun (lightly toasted)
A smear of mayonnaise or special burger sauce
Crisp Lettuce (folded to cover the bun)
Thick slice of ripe Tomato
The perfectly cooked Air Fryer Cheeseburger patty
A drizzle of ketchup or mustard on the top bun
Top Bun (lightly toasted)
Secure with a toothpick for stability, if desired.

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Effortlessly Juicy Air Fryer Cheeseburgers