No Grill? No Problem with these Air Fryer Hamburgers.
Whether you live in an apartment or condo where you can’t have a grill or just hate the mess and cleanup of an outdoor grill, that doesn’t mean you have to forgo juicy, delicious burgers. While you can certainly cook burgers on the stovetop, the grease and mess there are not ideal. Pull out your handy air fryer and enjoy tasty burgers tonight!
While foods like bacon, baked potatoes, veggies, and chicken often get top billing when it comes to air fryers, burgers work really well in this powerhouse countertop appliance. The air fryer’s heat distribution and cook surface mean that your burgers cook quickly and retain that natural juiciness and flavor. No dried-out hockey pucks with Air Fryer Hamburgers.
From your first bite, you will love the taste of Air Fryer Hamburgers. The juicy, meaty texture is just right, and thanks to the easy cooking method, you can customize the doneness of each burger. If you like yours medium but your kiddo likes theirs well-done with absolutely no pink, it’s no problem. Just adjust the cooking time as needed. Also, just like any burger setup, you can top (or leave off) with whatever you like: lettuce, tomato, onion, and all the condiments your heart desires!
Ground Beef Mix
What is 80/20 ground beef mix, and why is it recommended for this recipe? An 80/20 mix just means that it is 80 percent lean meat with 20 percent fat. The fat is what helps to make the burgers juicy, but if you go any higher in the fat content, you’ll have greasier (read: less healthy) burgers. However, if you make these with ground sirloin, which is typically 90 percent lean and only 10 percent fat, you risk dry burgers. For the 80/20 mix, you may see it labeled as “ground chuck,” which is fine as well.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
For making ahead, you have a couple of options. One is to just prep everything ahead of time. Form the burger patties as directed and wrap them individually in plastic wrap, so they are airtight. You can store these in the fridge for up to 24 hours ahead. Alternatively, you can cook the burgers, let them cool, and freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat them, let them thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat them in your air fryer set to 400 degrees for about 5-8 minutes. Any leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Air Fryer Hamburgers with your favorite Diner-style sides. Start with French Fries and wash them down with a Delicious Vanilla Milkshake. Or, you can stick with summertime favorites like Coleslaw, Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans, and corn on the cob. The beauty of Air Fryer Hamburgers is that they go with so many things, and you can serve them with a wide variety of side dishes and cuisines.
Air Fryer Hamburgers
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 mix
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 hamburger buns
- Optional toppings: sliced cheese lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles
- Optional sauce: ketchup mayo, mustard
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for about 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix the ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Gently form the mixture into 4 patties, making sure not to overwork the meat.
- Make a small indentation in the center of each patty to prevent bulging during cooking.
- Place the patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch. Cook for 6 minutes.
- Flip the patties and cook for an additional 4 minutes for medium doneness.
- If adding cheese, place a slice on each patty during the last minute of cooking.
- Serve the burgers on buns with your choice of toppings.
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