Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
Why this recipe works
- Fast cooking: The air fryer browns the patties quickly, making these cheeseburgers practical for a weeknight meal.
- Built-in savoury depth: Grated onion, garlic, salt and pepper season the beef throughout rather than only on the surface.
- Simple shaping method: A shallow dip in each patty helps the burgers cook more evenly and stay flatter as they brown.
Get the most out of this recipe
Texture tips
- Keep the patties juicy: Mix the beef only until the seasonings are combined; overworking the mixture can make the burgers dense.
- Encourage browning: Arrange the patties in a single layer so hot air can circulate around them properly.
Common mistakes
- Avoid crowding the basket: If the air fryer is small, cook in batches rather than overlapping the patties.
- Check they are cooked through: For children, pregnant people, older adults or anyone immunocompromised, the burgers should be piping hot throughout.
Ingredient notes
- Drain the grated onion: Squeezing out excess onion liquid prevents the beef mixture becoming too wet and loose.
- Choose the cheese for the melt: Cheddar gives a sharper flavour, while American cheese melts softer and smoother.
Make-ahead tips
- Store cooked patties separately: Cool cooked patties quickly and refrigerate them without the buns so the bread does not turn soggy.
- Reheat in the air fryer: Reheat patties at 180°C (355°F) until piping hot, then assemble with fresh or warmed buns.
- Freeze without buns: Cooked patties can be frozen separately, then thawed overnight before reheating.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel and finely grate the onion, then peel and crush the garlic. Squeeze any excess liquid from the onion into the sink so the mixture is not watery.
- Put the minced beef in a bowl and add the onion, garlic, fine sea salt and black pepper. Mix just until combined and shape into 4 patties with a shallow dip in the centre.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F). Arrange the patties in a single layer and cook for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 to 5 minutes more until browned and cooked through.
- Top each patty with a slice of cheddar cheese and air fry for 1 minute until melted. Rest for 2 minutes.
- Split the burger buns and warm them in the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes. Fill with the cheeseburgers and serve with ketchup and yellow mustard.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For even cooking, make the patties the same thickness and press a small dip in the centre so they stay flatter as they cook.
- If your air fryer is small, cook in batches and keep the first batch warm in a low oven.
- For children, pregnant people, older adults and anyone immunocompromised, cook burgers until piping hot throughout.
Substitutions
- Replace cheddar cheese with American cheese for a softer, more classic melt.
- Replace yellow mustard with Dijon mustard for a sharper flavour.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool cooked patties quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) for 4 to 6 minutes until piping hot; freeze patties (without buns) for up to 2 months and thaw overnight before reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 25min (15min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
-
Allergens:
Gluten Milk Wheat
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