Beef & Burgers
Air Fryer Burgers: Juicy Hamburgers in 10 Minutes
How to cook hamburgers in the air fryer: 375°F for 8–10 minutes for ½-inch patties or 10–14 minutes for ¾-inch, flipped once, until 160°F.
Quick answer
Cook hamburgers in the air fryer at 375°F190°C for 8–10 minutes for ½-inch patties, or 10–14 minutes for thicker ¾-inch patties. Flip them halfway, and they're done when the center reaches 160°F71°C. At 400°F205°C, knock 1–2 minutes off those times. Add cheese in the last minute.
- Time
- 8–10 min (½-inch)
- Flip
- Yes, halfway
- Done when
- 160°F71°C in the center
Hamburgers air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¼ lb patty, ½ inch thick | 375°F190°C | 8–10 min | Flip at 5 minutes |
| ⅓ lb patty, ¾ inch thick | 375°F190°C | 10–12 min | Our standard burger |
| ½ lb patty, 1 inch thick | 375°F190°C | 12–15 min | Check with a thermometer |
| Any fresh patty at 400°F | 400°F205°C | 7–12 min | More browning, watch for smoke |
| Smash-style thin patties | 400°F205°C | 5–7 min | Cook on parchment, don't flip |
| Frozen hamburger patties | 380°F195°C | 12–16 min | See frozen burgers guide |
| Turkey burgers | 360°F180°C | 12–16 min | Cook to 165°F |
| Plant-based patties (Beyond, Impossible) | 375°F190°C | 8–10 min | Flip halfway |
| Toasting buns | 350°F175°C | 1–2 min | Cut side up |
Times are for a preheated 5–6 quart basket air fryer with food in a single layer. Oven-style and very large air fryers can run 1–3 minutes slower. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
Air fryer burgers are one of the best reasons to own an air fryer. They take about 10 minutes, brown evenly on both sides, and leave no grease splatter on your stove. Here’s how to get them juicy every time, plus times for every size and type of patty.
How to cook hamburgers in the air fryer
- Shape ¾-inch patties a little wider than the bun, with a thumbprint dimple in the middle so they don’t puff up.
- Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder just before cooking.
- Cook at 375°F190°C for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Check for 160°F71°C in the center, then melt the cheese on top for the final minute.
- Rest for 2–3 minutes while you toast the buns.
What temperature is best for air fryer burgers?
375°F190°C is the best balance. It browns the outside well and cooks the middle through without much smoke. 400°F205°C gives a slightly deeper crust and saves a minute or two, but more fat splatters and smokes. For very thick burgers (1 inch or more), drop to 360°F180°C so the outside doesn’t overcook before the center is done.
Tips for the juiciest air fryer burgers
- Use 80/20 ground beef. The fat keeps the burgers moist. Leaner beef works, but check it a minute earlier.
- Handle the meat gently. Overworking it makes dense, tough burgers.
- Salt just before cooking, not hours ahead, for a tender texture.
- Don’t crowd the basket. Leave space between patties so hot air reaches every side.
- Rest before serving. Two or three minutes lets the juices settle.
Burger variations
- Cheeseburgers: American, cheddar, pepper jack or Swiss, added in the last minute.
- Bacon burgers: cook the bacon in the air fryer first, then the burgers.
- Mushroom Swiss: top with sautéed mushrooms and Swiss cheese.
- Stuffed burgers: seal cheese between two thin patties and add 2–3 minutes.
Cooking frozen burger patties
No need to thaw. Cook frozen patties at 380°F195°C for 12–16 minutes, flipping halfway and seasoning after the flip. Full instructions are in our guide to frozen burgers in the air fryer.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate cooked patties for up to 3–4 days. Reheat them without the bun at 350°F175°C for 3–5 minutes, until hot all the way through. Uncooked patties can be frozen between sheets of parchment for up to 4 months.
Air Fryer Hamburgers
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 22 min
- Air fryer
- 375°F190°C
- Makes
- 4 burgers
- Calories
- 290 per ⅓ lb patty, without bun or toppings
Ingredients
- 1⅓ lb ground beef (80/20 is best)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 4 slices cheese (optional)
- 4 hamburger buns, plus your favorite toppings
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Shape the patties. Divide the beef into 4 equal portions (⅓ lb each) and gently shape into patties about ¾ inch thick and slightly wider than your buns. Press a shallow dimple into the center of each so they stay flat.
- Season. Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder and sprinkle over both sides. Brush with Worcestershire, if using.
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F190°C for 3 minutes.
- Air fry. Place the patties in a single layer with space between them. Cook for 5–6 minutes, flip, and cook another 5–6 minutes, until the center reaches 160°F71°C.
- Add cheese. Lay a slice of cheese on each patty for the last minute of cooking so it melts.
- Toast the buns and rest. Move the burgers to a plate to rest for 2–3 minutes. Toast the buns cut-side up at 350°F175°C for 1–2 minutes, then build your burgers.
Notes
- Don't press the patties with a spatula. It squeezes out the juices.
- Pour 2 tablespoons of water into the drawer (not the basket) to reduce smoking from the fat.
- Cook in batches if needed. Crowded patties steam instead of browning.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook hamburgers in the air fryer?
At 375°F190°C, ½-inch patties take 8–10 minutes and ¾-inch patties take 10–14 minutes, flipped halfway. Thicker 1-inch burgers can take up to 15 minutes. They're done at 160°F71°C in the center.
How long to cook hamburgers in the air fryer at 400°F205°C?
At 400°F205°C, a ½-inch patty takes about 7–9 minutes and a ¾-inch patty about 9–12 minutes. The higher heat gives more browning but can cause more smoke from the fat.
Can you cook a hamburger in an air fryer?
Yes. The air fryer cooks burgers evenly on both sides with a nicely browned crust, and the fat drips away into the drawer. It's quicker than the grill and makes less mess than a skillet.
Do you need to flip burgers in the air fryer?
Yes, flip them once halfway through. The heat comes mainly from the top, so flipping gives both sides an even crust.
What temperature should a burger be when it's done?
The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to 160°F71°C. Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the side of the patty to check the center.
Why is my air fryer smoking when I cook burgers?
Fat drips onto the hot drawer and smokes, especially at 400°F205°C. Use 375°F190°C, pour a little water into the drawer, and empty the grease between batches. Leaner beef (85/15 or 90/10) also smokes less.
Can you put foil or parchment under burgers in the air fryer?
You can use perforated parchment, but it isn't needed. Burgers cook best directly on the basket so the fat drips away. Never put loose parchment in without food on top, because it can fly into the heating element.
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