Air Fryer Burgers

These air fryer burgers are juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. With just a handful of seasonings and no fillers, they let the beef shine the way a classic burger should. They’re also naturally gluten-free, grain-free and dairy-free.

And these burgers are so simple. Some burger recipes call for eggs or breadcrumbs, but they’re actually not necessary.

Those additions are for things like meatloaf or meatballs, where you want a softer, more structured texture. A great burger should be all about the beef, with a tender, juicy interior and a slightly crisp exterior.

Cooking burgers in the air fryer gives you that perfect texture with minimal effort. No grill, no splatter, and no standing over the stove. Just consistent, delicious results every time.

If turkey is more your thing, then check out these Air Fryer Turkey Burgers! I make the same recipe with ground chicken about every other week. 

Ingredient Notes

Please scroll down for the full recipe. These are just some notes on select ingredients.

• Ground beef – use 80/20 for the best balance of flavor and juiciness. Leaner beef works but won’t be as juicy.
• Seasonings – simple spices like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper are all you need.

Why You Don’t Need Eggs or Breadcrumbs

Classic burgers are meant to be simple. Unlike meatballs or meatloaf, burgers don’t need binders like eggs or breadcrumbs.

Ground beef already holds together on its own when shaped into patties. Adding extra ingredients can actually make the texture dense or spongy instead of tender and juicy.

Keeping things simple also lets the flavor of the beef stand out, which is exactly what you want in a great burger.

That said, there are exceptions. In recipes like these Venison Burgers, I do use eggs and breadcrumbs. Venison is much leaner than beef, so it doesn’t have enough fat to stay juicy on its own. The added ingredients help bind the mixture and keep the burgers tender instead of dry.

With beef, especially something like 80/20, you already have enough fat and structure, so those extras just aren’t necessary.

How to Make Air Fryer Burgers

1. Mix together the seasoning in a small bowl (note that the photographer just dumped all the seasoning on top of the beef – you need to mix it first!). Gently mix the ground beef with the seasonings and divide into 4 equal portions.
2. Shape into patties about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick and slightly wider than your buns.
3. Press a small indentation into the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent them from puffing up in the middle as they cook.
4. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8 minutes, flip, and cook another 5-8 minutes until done.

If these burgers seem like sacrilege to you, you might want to try these Smoked Burgers instead. 😆 They’re amazing, but not exactly a quick weeknight option.

Cooking Frozen Burger Patties

This is a great option for meal prep – just freeze extra patties and cook them whenever you need a quick meal. Pair them with simple sides like Boiled Broccoli or Air Fryer Red Potatoes for an easy dinner.

You can cook burgers straight from frozen in the air fryer, which makes this recipe even more convenient. 

Place the frozen patties in a single layer and cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 8-10 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Storage

Store cooked burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the air fryer or on the stovetop until warmed through. You can also freeze cooked patties for up to 3 months.

5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Burgers

Author Erin Dooner

Course Main

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 13 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Juicy air fryer burgers made with simple seasonings and no fillers like eggs or breadcrumbs. Easy, flavorful, and ready in minutes with perfectly tender results every time.

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 1/2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef
• ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Mix together all the seasoning in a small bowl.
• Break up the ground beef in a large bowl and sprinkle the seasoning over the top.
• Mix together with your hands and divide the dough into four 227-gram balls, being careful not to overwork the meat.
• Shape the balls into about 1" thick (and 1/2" wider than the hamburger buns) patties. You don't need to squash the meat together or overwork the meat, but the patties should have the same thickness.
• Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each patty, to prevent the patties from puffing up like meatballs.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F (200 °C).
• Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer. They shouldn't be touching. You may need to do multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Cook for 8 minutes, flip and fry another 5-8 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in the middle of a patty is 160 °F (71 °C).
• Store cooked burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or on the stovetop until warmed through. You can also freeze cooked patties for up to 3 months.

Notes

• The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator. Values calculated with 80/20 ground beef and don't include the buns, cheese or other toppings. Just the meat.

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 30gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 987mgPotassium: 487mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 3mg

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