Cooking frozen burgers in the air fryer gives you sizzling edges, a juicy center, and golden browning that rivals the grill. With fresh toppings, the right seasoning, and a slice of cheese, you’ve got a burger that tastes like you put in way more effort than you did. It’s quick, it’s tidy, and best of all, there’s barely any cleanup.
I always think I’m craving fast food, but what I’m really hungry for is real food fast – the kind that sizzles, melts, and actually tastes like dinner. Air-frying these burgers straight from frozen cooks them up hot and juicy in no time, giving you that fresh-off-the-grill vibe without the need to step outside. And the best part is that you know exactly what’s gone into your burger, because it’s real, good food you’ve actually chosen yourself.
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- So easy: Toss frozen patties into the air fryer and let it do the work.
- Quick cook: From freezer to plate in about 15 minutes.
- Healthier choice: Less grease, more flavor, and no mystery ingredients.
- Customizable: Use your favorite toppings, sauces, and buns (or skip the bun altogether).
- Minimal cleanup: No frying pan splatter, no grill to scrub.
- Crowd-pleaser: From toddlers to picky grown-ups, everyone cleans their plate.
🗝️ Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Frozen hamburger patties: My go-to Homemade Freezer Burger Patties are packed with flavor, but you could use any kind you like – beef, veggie, chicken, pork, lamb, or turkey burgers.
- Spray oil: Optional, but helps prevent sticking and can give the patties a slightly crispier finish. A little cooking spray goes a long way.
- Extra seasoning: Store-bought patties can be a bit bland. Try a pinch of salt with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or Montreal steak seasoning. Check out my 21 Ways to Season Frozen Hamburger Patties for even more ideas.
- Buns or salad bowl: Use classic burger buns, gluten-free options, or go bunless with a burger bowl.
- Toppings of your choice: Cheese slices, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, ketchup, mayo, mustard, BBQ sauce… with great toppings comes great responsibility.
🥣 How to cook frozen burgers in an air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer: Set it to 190°C (375°F) while you grab your patties and toppings.
- Add patties to the basket: Place 2-4 frozen burger patties into the air fryer basket in a single layer. No stacking or crowding.
- Cook the first side: Air fry for 7 minutes to start building that crispy, golden crust.
- Flip the burgers: Use silicone tongs or a spatula to flip them gently. Avoid metal utensils to protect the basket.
- Finish cooking: Air fry for another 7 minutes. If your patties are raw rather than pre-cooked, cook for 20 minutes total, flipping halfway.
- Check doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check the center. You’re aiming for 71°C (160°F) for food safety.
- Add cheese (optional): Pop a slice of cheese on top in the last minute so it melts perfectly. Toothpick trick: if it won’t stay put, pin it down.
- Assemble and serve: Slide your air fryer burgers into buns or onto salad bowls, stack up your toppings, and dig in.
🪄 Recipe Notes & Tips
- Cooking time may vary: Air fryers all run a little differently, and burger thickness matters too. Always check the internal temperature to be sure.
- Avoid smoke: If your air fryer tends to smoke while cooking burgers, add a tablespoon of water to the drawer underneath the basket to help catch the grease.
- Protect your basket: Use silicone tongs or a spatula when flipping to keep the nonstick surface scratch-free.
- Less mess, please: A silicone liner with holes or a sheet of foil under the basket makes cleanup way easier (and your air fryer will thank you).
- That cheese trick again: If your cheese slice keeps flying off in the last minute, hold it down with a toothpick so it melts in place.
🫙 Storage Instructions
- Fridge storage: Keep leftover burgers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer, oven, microwave, or a skillet until piping hot all the way through.
- No re-freezing: Don’t freeze them again once they’ve been cooked, as the quality and safety take a hit.
- Use your senses: If they smell off or feel slimy, that’s your sign. And when in doubt, toss them out.
✨ Variations
- Cheeseburgers: Add your favorite cheese – cheddar, blue cheese, pepper jack, or even a cheeky double layer.
- Spicy burgers: Sprinkle on some chili flakes, cayenne, or hot sauce before cooking for a fiery kick.
- Burger bowls: Skip the bun and load your patty into a salad bowl with lettuce, tomato, onions, and your favorite sauce.
- Breakfast burger: Top it with a fried egg, a slice of bacon, and a dollop of ketchup or mayo.
- Saucy options: Try BBQ sauce, burger sauce, mustard, or spicy mayo to switch things up.
- Double-decker: Stack two beef burgers with cheese in the middle for a classic diner-style bite.
- Tex-Mex twist: Add jalapeños, salsa, and a sprinkle of taco seasoning, then serve with guac on the side.
🍽️ What can I serve with a juicy burger?
- Fries and chips: Air Fryer Frozen French Fries, Air Fryer Frozen Curly Fries, Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer, or a handful of crunchy potato chips.Make Healthy Recipes
- Fresh salads: Green salad, Pickled Beet Salad, or Whole30 Coleslaw.Make Healthy Recipes+4Make Healthy Recipes+4Make Healthy Recipes+4
- Veg sides: Corn on the cob, roasted vegetables, or air-fried green beans.
- Sauces and dips: Keto Ketchup, mustard, Keto Mayonnaise, Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce, burger sauce, or Taco Truck Green Sauce.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Can I cook multiple frozen burgers at once in the air fryer?
Yes, as long as they fit in a single layer with a little space between them for air circulation.
Do I need to thaw frozen burgers before air frying?
Nope! You can cook them straight from frozen, no defrosting needed.
Why is my air fryer smoking while cooking burgers?
It’s usually grease hitting the heating element. Add a little water to the drawer under the basket to help prevent it.
Can I cook frozen veggie burgers the same way?
Yes, just follow the same timing, but double-check the packaging as some veggie patties cook faster.
Is it safe to use foil in the air fryer?
Yes, just place it under the basket (not in it) so the hot air can still circulate properly.
😋 More burger recipes to sink your teeth into
- Juicy Air Fryer Hamburgers
- The Best Burger Recipe (with Worcestershire Sauce)
- Easy Cheeseburger Bowl Recipe (Low Carb, Keto)
- Healthy Burger Bowls with Special Sauce (Whole30 + Low Carb)
- How to Caramelize Onions for Burgers (Easy Recipe!)
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers
Cooking frozen burgers in the air fryer gives you sizzling edges, a juicy center, and golden browning that rivals the grill. With fresh toppings, the right seasoning, and a slice of cheese, you’ve got a burger that tastes like you put in way more effort than you did. It’s quick, it’s tidy, and best of all, there’s barely any cleanup.
Ingredients
- 2-4 frozen hamburger patties however many will fit in your air fryer without touching, see note 1 for homemade recipe
- Spray oil optional
- Extra seasoning optional, see note 2 for ideas
- Buns or a salad bowl and toppings of your choice
Instructions
- Begin by preheating the air fryer to 190°C/375°F.
- When the air fryer is ready, spray a little oil in the basket if desired, and then add 2-4 frozen patties to the air fryer basket in a single layer. I find that 3 patties fit perfectly in mine.
- Air fry the patties for 7 minutes on each side (14 minutes in total). Flip them either with silicone tongs or a fish slice/spatula. I avoid using metal utensils as they can scratch the air fryer basket. Note: if your frozen patties are raw, cook them for 20 minutes in total, flipping them after 10 minutes.
- Check that the burgers are ready by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the burger, or the middle if it's pretty even). The thermometer should read 71°C/160 degrees F when it's ready.
- Optional: Add a slice of cheddar cheese (or your favorite kind of cheese) to the tops of each burger for the last minute. Nothing beats melted cheese on a burger! Pro tip: if the cheese isn't staying on top of the burger (mine flew off!) secure it down with a toothpick.
- Pop your air fryer burgers into hamburger buns or a salad bowl with your favorite burger topping (see post for ideas) and a side or two of vegetables, and enjoy!
Notes
- Homemade Frozen Burger Recipe: Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make frozen hamburger patties at home.
- Extra seasoning: Some store-bought patties just need a little something extra. Check out my guide on 21 Ways to Season Frozen Hamburgers to make them taste amazing.
- Cooking time may vary: Air fryers all run a little differently, and burger thickness matters too. Always check the internal temperature to be sure.
- Avoid smoke: If your air fryer tends to smoke while cooking burgers, add a tablespoon of water to the drawer underneath the basket to help catch the grease.
- Protect your basket: Use silicone tongs or a spatula when flipping to keep the nonstick surface scratch-free.
- Less mess, please: A silicone liner with holes or a sheet of foil under the basket makes cleanup way easier (and your air fryer will thank you).
- That cheese trick again: If your cheese slice keeps flying off in the last minute, hold it down with a toothpick so it melts in place.
Storage instructions:
- Fridge storage: Keep leftover burgers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer, oven, microwave, or a skillet until piping hot all the way through.
- No re-freezing: Don’t freeze them again once they’ve been cooked, as the quality and safety take a hit.
- Use your senses: If they smell off or feel slimy, that’s your sign. And when in doubt, toss them out.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 197kcalProtein: 21gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 67mg
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