Air Fryer Burgers: How to Cook Burgers in an Air Fryer

To cook burgers in an air fryer, preheat it to 375 to 400°F, place ½- to ¾-inch patties in a single layer, and air fry for about 8 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until they reach 160°F inside, the USDA's safe minimum for ground beef. Add cheese for the last minute, rest briefly, and serve.

Air fryer burgers are a handy weeknight option: no grill to light, very little splatter, and a nicely browned outside. Here's how to get them right, plus a time chart and fixes for the common problems.

What you need

• Ground beef: 80/20 is the best choice. The circulating air can dry out lean beef. Our ground beef guide explains the blends.
• Salt and pepper, or your favorite burger seasoning.
• An air fryer basket or drawer big enough to hold patties in one layer, usually two to four at a time.
• An instant-read thermometer. Air fryers vary a lot by size and wattage, so a thermometer matters even more here than on the grill. A reliable instant-read meat thermometer takes the guesswork out.

How to make burgers in the air fryer

1. Shape the patties to fit. Make them about ½ to ¾ inch thick and a little wider than your buns, but small enough that they don't touch the basket walls or each other. Press a shallow dimple in the center so they don't dome.
2. Season both sides with salt and pepper right before cooking.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 375 to 400°F for 3 to 5 minutes. A hot basket gives a better sear.
4. Arrange in a single layer. Leave space between patties so hot air can reach every side. Cook in batches rather than stacking or crowding.
5. Air fry and flip. Cook for about 4 to 6 minutes, flip, then cook another 4 to 6 minutes.
6. Check the temperature. Insert the thermometer from the side into the thickest part. Ground beef is done at 160°F; ground turkey or chicken at 165°F.
7. Add cheese. Lay a slice on each patty and air fry for 30 seconds to 1 minute until melted.
8. Rest and toast. Move the burgers to a plate or rack to rest for a few minutes. Meanwhile, toast the buns cut-side up in the air fryer for about 1 to 2 minutes.

Air fryer burger time chart

These times are for fresh beef patties at about 375 to 400°F, flipped halfway. Air fryers run differently, so check a minute or two early the first time.

½-inch patties (about 4 ounces)

• Medium-rare (130-135°F): about 6 to 7 minutes total
• Medium (140-145°F): about 7 to 8 minutes total
• Well-done (160°F): about 8 to 10 minutes total

¾-inch patties (about 5 to 6 ounces)

• Medium-rare (130-135°F): about 7 to 8 minutes total
• Medium (140-145°F): about 8 to 10 minutes total
• Medium-well (150-155°F): about 9 to 11 minutes total
• Well-done (160°F): about 10 to 12 minutes total

Patties thicker than an inch can take 14 minutes or more and may brown heavily before the center is done. If yours are thick, drop to 360 to 370°F and give them more time.

A note on safety: the USDA lists 160°F as the safe minimum for ground beef, pork and lamb, and 165°F for ground poultry. Cooking a burger to medium-rare or medium is a personal risk choice and not a good idea for young children, older adults, pregnant people or anyone with a weakened immune system. Read more in our burger temperature and doneness guide.

Should you flip burgers in the air fryer?

Flipping isn't strictly required, since hot air surrounds the patty, but the bottom sits against the basket and browns less. Flipping once at the halfway mark gives you an even crust on both sides and more even cooking. It only takes a few seconds.

Common air fryer burger problems and fixes

• Smoke from the air fryer: burgers release a lot of fat, and it can smoke when it hits the hot drawer. Use 80/20 rather than fattier beef, empty the grease between batches, and keep the drawer clean.
• Dry burgers: usually overcooking or lean beef. Start checking the temperature early, and pull them as soon as they hit your target.
• Pale outside: preheat the air fryer, pat the patties dry before seasoning, and don't crowd the basket.
• Puffy, domed patties: press a shallow dimple in the center before cooking. Here's why burgers shrink and puff up.
• Soggy bottoms after cooking: rest burgers on a rack or plate, not in their own juices in the basket.

Tips for juicier air fryer burgers

• Keep the beef cold until you shape it, and handle it lightly. Overworked meat turns dense and loses juice.
• Make patties a bit thicker than you would for a smash burger. A ¾-inch patty has more margin before it dries out than a thin one.
• Don't cook on the lowest settings. Too little heat means more time in the moving air, which dries the surface without browning it.
• Check early, then in 1-minute steps. Burgers can go from juicy to dry quickly near the end.
• Rest briefly. Two or three minutes off the heat lets the juices settle.

Turkey, veggie and frozen burgers in the air fryer

The air fryer handles other burgers well too:

• Turkey burgers: cook at about 375°F for roughly 10 to 14 minutes and confirm 165°F. A lightly oiled basket helps lean turkey release. Try our juicy turkey burger.
• Veggie and bean burgers: these need a light coat of oil to crisp and are mostly about heating through and browning. Our smoky black bean burger is a good one to try.
• Frozen patties: cook straight from frozen, adding several minutes. Our guide to cooking frozen burgers has specific times.
• Leftovers: the air fryer is also one of the best ways to warm up a cooked burger. See how to reheat a burger.

Finish your burgers with a spoonful of easy burger sauce.

FAQ

What temperature do you air fry burgers at?

375 to 400°F works for most beef patties. 400°F gives a bit more browning, while 375°F is more forgiving for thicker patties and turkey burgers.

How long do you cook ¾-inch burgers in the air fryer?

About 10 to 12 minutes total for well-done (160°F), flipping halfway. Medium takes roughly 8 to 10 minutes. Check with a thermometer, since air fryers vary.

Do I need to spray the air fryer basket?

For beef burgers, usually not; they release plenty of fat. A light coat of oil helps leaner turkey burgers and veggie patties release and brown.

Can you put foil or parchment in the air fryer for burgers?

Many air fryers allow perforated parchment liners or a small piece of foil to catch grease, but check your manual first. Never preheat with a loose liner inside, and don't cover the whole basket, because that blocks the airflow that does the cooking.

Can I cook more than two burgers at once?

Only if they fit in a single layer with space between them. Overcrowding blocks the airflow, so the patties steam and cook unevenly. Cook in batches and keep the finished ones warm in a low oven.