Air fryer hamburgers- in less than 1 hour!
Cooking burgers in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy a classic homemade burger with far less mess. Unlike cooking on the hob, the air fryer keeps everything contained, so there are no fat splashes or greasy pans to clean up afterwards. It still gives the burgers a beautifully browned exterior while keeping them juicy and tender inside.
One of the biggest advantages is how much you can cook at once. In the air fryer, you can crisp up the bacon, melt the cheese over the burgers and lightly toast the buns at the same time, making the whole process simple and efficient. With fewer pans and less washing up, it’s a great option for a relaxed midweek meal.
This recipe is quick to put together, taking less than 25 minutes to prepare and 10-30 minutes to cook, depending on your air fryer and how well done you prefer your burgers. It’s part of an air fryer meal plan for two, making it perfect for an easy, satisfying dinner.
Each serving provides 758 kcal, 56.2g protein, 49.1g carbohydrate (of which 2.9g sugars), 41.4g fat (of which 16.9g saturates), 4.6g fibre and 2.07g salt.
Air fryer hamburgers- ingredient list!
One big floury potato (around 275g/9½oz), ideally Maris Piper, sliced into wedges (see tip) 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
Two brioche burger buns, cut in half; 250g/9oz lean beef mince; ½ tiny, finely chopped onion (you'll need around 20g/¾oz chopped onion)
Half a teaspoon of dried mixed herbs
50g/1½oz mature cheddar, sliced into two 6cm/2½in square slices, salt, and freshly ground black pepper; two rashers of smoked streaky bacon, ideally dry-cured
Ingredient list for serving-
Tomato slices, lettuce, and mayonnaise
Air fryer hamburgers- step by step ingredient list!
Step 1
Place the potato wedges into a large mixing bowl and drizzle over the sunflower oil, making sure each wedge gets a light coating. Add a generous pinch of salt along with plenty of freshly ground black pepper to season them evenly. Using your hands or a large spoon, toss the wedges thoroughly so the oil and seasoning coat every surface. This ensures they roast evenly and develop a crisp, golden exterior while staying soft and fluffy on the inside.
Step 2
If needed, start by preheating your air fryer to 200°C for about 1½ minutes, or until it reaches the right temperature. Once ready, carefully place the brioche buns in the air fryer basket with the cut-side facing up so they toast evenly. Cook them at 200°C for around 1 minute, just long enough for the surfaces to become lightly golden and slightly crisp, without drying them out. Remove the buns from the air fryer and set them aside until you’re ready to assemble the burgers.
Step 3
Arrange the potato wedges in a single layer on the air fryer’s crisper plate, making sure not to overcrowd them so that each piece can cook evenly and develop a crispy exterior. Set the air fryer to 200°C and cook the wedges for 5 minuteson one side. After this initial cook, carefully turn the wedges over to ensure even browning and crispiness on all sides, then continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes. This method gives the potatoes a perfectly golden, crunchy texture while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.
Step 4
While the potato wedges are cooking, place the ground beef into a large mixing bowl. Add the finely chopped onion, your choice of fresh herbs, and a generous pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together gently, being careful not to overwork the meat so it stays tender. Once the mixture is well combined, divide it into two equal portions and shape each into a ball. Press each ball down to form patties roughly 10 cm (4 in) wide, making them slightly larger than the buns so they fit perfectly once cooked. Ensure the patties are an even thickness for uniform cooking, with slightly thinner edges if desired to prevent them from puffing up too much in the air fryer.
Step 5
Carefully toss or turn the potato wedges so they continue to cook evenly, then push them to one side of the crisper plate to make room for the burgers. Place the patties on the empty side of the plate and cook at 200°C for 4 minutes, allowing them to start browning and sealing in their juices. After 4 minutes, flip the burgers over to cook the other side, continuing at 200°C for 2 more minutes. This helps ensure the patties cook evenly while maintaining a juicy interior. Once the burgers are nearly done, arrange the bacon slices over the potato wedges and return the crisper plate to the air fryer. Cook at 200°C for an additional 2 minutes, or until the burgers are fully cooked through and the bacon is crisp. This timing ensures the potatoes stay golden and crunchy while the meat and bacon finish cooking perfectly together.
Step 6
Carefully place a slice of cheese on top of each burger, letting it sit on the patty to melt. Return the crisper plate to the air fryer and cook at 200°C for 2 minutes, just long enough for the cheese to melt into a gooey layer while the bacon finishes cooking and begins to crisp. To serve, place each burger in a toasted brioche bun and layer with sliced tomatoes, fresh lettuce, and a spread of mayonnaise. Top the burgers with the crispy bacon and serve immediately alongside the golden, crunchy potato wedges. This creates a complete, indulgent meal with perfectly melted cheese, juicy burgers, and all the classic toppings, combining textures and flavours in every bite.
Air fryer hamburgers- recipe tips!
For this dish, use floury potatoes instead of waxy ones. Any potatoes that are suggested for mashing or chips work well. Cut your potatoes into eight wedges rather than twelve if they are smaller than what is called for in this recipe. If at all feasible, the largest portion of each wedge's skin should be no wider than 2 cm or ¾in; otherwise, the cooking durations may vary.