These air fryer burgers are juicy, flavorful, and made with homemade beef patties instead of frozen burgers. They are seasoned with Montreal steak seasoning, mixed gently so the beef stays tender, and cooked in the air fryer at 400°F for 8–10 minutes with no flipping required.
This is one of the easiest ways to make homemade hamburgers when you do not want to grill or stand over the stove. The air fryer gives the burgers a browned outside while keeping the inside juicy, and the whole recipe comes together with just a few ingredients.
For best results, cook the burgers until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Burgers
These burgers are made with 85/15 ground beef, which gives you the perfect balance of flavor and juiciness without being overly greasy. A little olive oil helps keep the patties moist, while Montreal steak seasoning adds bold, savory flavor without needing a long list of spices.
Another reason this recipe is so easy: you do not need to flip the burgers. Just shape the patties, place them in the air fryer basket, cook, and check the internal temperature.
These are also larger, hearty burgers. Instead of making four smaller quarter-pound patties, this recipe makes three ⅓-pound burgers, which gives you a thick, juicy homemade burger.
What You'll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to make these air fryer hamburgers.
Ground beef: Use 1 pound of 85/15 ground beef. This has enough fat to keep the burgers juicy but is not as greasy as 80/20.
Olive oil: A tablespoon of olive oil adds moisture so your burgers stay nice and juicy.
Montreal steak seasoning: This gives the burgers a bold, savory flavor with garlic, pepper, salt, and spices.
Salt: A little extra salt helps season the beef all the way through. Since Montreal steak seasoning already contains salt, you can reduce this slightly if you are sensitive to salt.
How to Make Air Fryer Burgers
Add the ground beef, olive oil, Montreal steak seasoning, and salt to a large bowl. Gently mix until just combined.
Divide the beef into 3 equal portions, about 160 grams each, and shape into balls.
Press each portion into an even burger patty and place the patties in the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, or until the burgers reach 160°F internally. No flipping needed.
- Start by breaking the ground beef apart into a mixing bowl. This makes it easier to distribute the seasoning evenly without overmixing the meat.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the beef, then sprinkle the Montreal steak seasoning and salt evenly over the top.
- Gently mix the beef just until the seasoning is incorporated. Be careful not to overwork the meat. Overmixed beef can become dense and tough instead of tender and juicy.
- Divide the mixture into three even portions. Each patty should be about ⅓ pound, or roughly 150–160 grams. I like using a kitchen scale so the burgers cook evenly.
- Shape each portion into a disc-shaped burger patty. Try to keep the patties even in thickness so they cook at the same rate.
- Place the patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, or until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- No flipping is needed.
How Long to Cook Burgers in the Air Fryer
For these homemade ⅓-pound air fryer burgers, cook them at 400°F for 8–10 minutes.
The exact cook time can vary depending on your air fryer model and how thick your patties are. Thicker patties may need closer to 10 minutes, while slightly thinner patties may be done around 8 minutes.
The best way to know when the burgers are done is to use an instant-read thermometer. The center of each burger should reach 160°F.
Do You Need to Flip Burgers in the Air Fryer?
No, you do not need to flip these burgers.
Because the air fryer circulates hot air around the patties, they cook evenly without flipping. This also makes the recipe easier and helps prevent the patties from breaking apart.
If your air fryer cooks unevenly or you notice one side browns more than the other, you can flip the burgers halfway through, but it is not required for this recipe.
Tips for Juicy Air Fryer Burgers
The biggest tip is to avoid overworking the beef. Mix the seasoning in gently and stop as soon as everything is combined.
Use 85/15 ground beef for a juicy burger that is flavorful but not too greasy.
Make the patties even in size and thickness. A kitchen scale is helpful here because evenly sized patties cook at the same speed.
Do not press down on the burgers while they cook. Pressing the patties can squeeze out the juices.
Check the temperature instead of guessing. Pull the burgers when they reach 160°F so they are cooked through but not dried out.
How to Make Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
To make these into air fryer cheeseburgers, cook the burgers as directed. Once they reach 160°F, place a slice of cheese on each patty.
Close the air fryer basket and let the residual heat melt the cheese for about 30–60 seconds. You usually do not need to turn the air fryer back on.
American, cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss, provolone, and Colby jack all work well.
Can You Cook Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen burgers in the air fryer, but this recipe is for fresh homemade burger patties. Frozen patties usually need a longer cook time, depending on thickness. Cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Serving Suggestions
These burgers go well with classic cookout sides like fries, chips, coleslaw, potato salad, or homemade pickles.
For air fryer sides, they would pair especially well with air fryer sweet potato fries, air fryer bacon, or roasted vegetables.
For a lower-carb meal, serve them with a side salad, cauliflower potato salad, zucchini fries, or a bunless burger bowl (I love this one with my smoky paprika aioli).
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
To reheat, place the patties back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes, or until warmed through.
You can also freeze cooked burger patties. Let them cool completely, wrap them individually, and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Raw hamburger patties cook very well in the air fryer. Place them in a single layer and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Burgers can become tough if the beef is overmixed or packed too tightly. Mix the seasoning in gently and shape the patties without pressing them too firmly.
Yes. 80/20 ground beef will make a juicier burger, but it may release more grease as it cooks. 85/15 is a great balance for air fryer burgers.
Yes, but smaller patties will cook faster. If you make four quarter-pound patties, start checking them around 7–8 minutes.
Air Fryer Burgers – Juicy Homemade Patties
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 85/15
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Montreal steak seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
Method
- Break the ground beef apart into a mixing bowl so the seasoning can distribute evenly.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the beef. Sprinkle the Montreal steak seasoning and salt evenly over the top.
- Gently mix the beef until the seasoning is just combined. Do not overwork the meat, or the burgers may become tough.
- Divide the beef mixture into 3 equal portions, about 150–160 grams each. A kitchen scale works well for evenly sized burgers.
- Shape each portion into a disc-shaped burger patty.
- Place the patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Serve on buns, in lettuce wraps, or with your favorite burger toppings.
Notes
- No flipping is required for this recipe.
- Cook time may vary slightly depending on the air fryer and patty thickness.
- Montreal steak seasoning contains salt, so reduce the added salt if desired.
- For cheeseburgers, add cheese after cooking and close the air fryer basket for 30–60 seconds to melt.
- Use an instant-read thermometer for the best results.
- Serve these air fryer burgers on buns, in lettuce wraps, or over a burger bowl with your favorite cheese, sauces, and toppings.
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