How To Reheat A Burger In An Air Fryer
Looking to give new life to your leftover hamburgers? Say goodbye to soggy microwaved reheats! Discover the secret to bringing back the juicy flavor and perfect texture with the help of an air fryer. In this guide on How to Reheat a Burger in the air fryer, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to reheat a burger to perfection, while sharing tips for maintaining its deliciousness. Get ready for a mouthwatering burger that tastes just as good as freshly cooked!
🍔 Why should you reheat burgers in the air fryer?
Easy way: Reheating burgers in an air fryer is incredibly easy. With just a few simple steps, you can have a hot and delicious leftover burger ready to enjoy—no need to worry about complicated techniques or lengthy preparation. The air fryer does the work for you, making it a hassle-free way to enjoy your leftover burgers.
Fast meal: When hunger strikes and you’re in a rush, the air frying is fast and efficient. Reheating a burger in an air fryer is remarkably quick compared to conventional methods. In just a matter of minutes, your burger will be thoroughly heated and ready to eat. It’s the perfect solution for busy people (i.e. everyone!) or those craving a delicious meal on the go.
Juicy burgers: One of the biggest concerns, when you reheat leftover burgers, is maintaining their juicy and succulent nature. Fortunately, the air fryer is amazing in this department. By using rapid hot air circulation, the air fryer reheats the burger evenly while locking in its moisture. The result? A burger that remains tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor, just like it was when freshly cooked. This is the BEST way to reheat a burger!
No Food Goes to Waste: When you reheat burger in air fryer, it helps reduce food waste. Instead of throwing away leftover hamburgers, the air fryer allows you to transform them into a delectable meal once again. It’s an eco-friendly choice that allows you to fully enjoy and savor your burgers without any guilt. By reheating and relishing those leftovers, you’ll make the most out of every bite and minimize unnecessary food waste.
🫙 How to prepare a burger patty for reheating
Starting with a Properly Cooked Burger
When you reheat a burger, make sure that you’re reheating a properly cooked burger. Make sure that the burger is cooked to the desired level of doneness when you cook it the first time. This will help maintain its quality and flavor when reheated. Try not to undercook or overcook the burger initially, as it can affect the texture and taste after reheating.
Storing Leftover Hamburger Patties for Reheating
When storing leftover burger patties for reheating, proper storage techniques are critical. Firstly, I remove any leftover hamburger bun and toppings because they usually just end up a bit soggy. Wrap each burger patty individually in aluminum foil or place them in an airtight container or freezer bags to prevent moisture loss and freezer burn. Label and date the containers so that you know when you stored them and when they might go off. It’s recommended to consume refrigerated leftover burgers within 3-4 days or freeze them for longer storage. Note: The burger should be at room temperature before placing in the fridge or freezer.
By starting with a well-cooked burger, and storing leftovers properly, you’ll set the stage for a successful and delicious reheating process. These steps help maintain the burger’s quality and ensure a satisfying meal when using the air fryer for reheating food.
Be sure to check out my Best Burger Recipe with Worcestershire Sauce! It’s such a juicy, delicious burger even after reheating it.
🥣 How to Reheat Burger in Air Fryer
1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes and spray a little olive oil if needed.
2. Prepare leftover burger patty or burger patties: Take the leftover hamburger patties out of the refrigerator or freezer and unwrap them.
3. Add them to the air fryer basket: Place the hamburger patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the air fryer tray. Avoid overcrowding to allow for proper airflow.
4. Reheat burger: Air fry for 3-4 minutes for refrigerated burgers or 5-6 minutes for frozen burgers. Note: These times are approximate and may vary based on the size and thickness of the burger.
5. Flip: Halfway through the cooking time, flip the burger over in the air fryer basket using tongs or a spatula to ensure even heating.
6. Check the temperature: Continue to reheat burger patties until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) for food safety. Check the internal temperature of the burger patties with an instant-read thermometer. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly based on your air fryer model and personal preference.
7. Add cheese: Optionally, to make air fryer cheeseburgers add a slice of cheese to each of the burger patties and allow it to cook for one more minute until it melts.
8. Remove: Carefully remove the cooked beef burgers from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula.
9. Rest and serve: Allow the ground beef burger(s) to rest for a few minutes before serving to ensure the juices redistribute. This keeps the air fryer burger patty nice and juicy.
Recommended Temperature and Time Settings to reheat burgers
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and reheat burgers for approximately 3-4 minutes for refrigerated burgers or 5-6 minutes for frozen burgers. These settings provide a good starting point but remember, for best results, to adjust the time based on the size, thickness, and desired level of warmth and doneness.
Tips for Adjusting the Air Fryer Settings Based on Personal Preferences
Crispier on the outside: For a slightly crispy exterior, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Well-done: If you prefer a more well-done burger, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
Keep in mind that different air fryers may vary in heating efficiency, so it’s recommended to check the burger’s temperature during cooking and make adjustments as needed.
By following these step-by-step instructions, using the recommended temperature and time settings, and adjusting them based on your own personal preferences, you’ll reheat a burger in the air fryer perfectly with the ideal level of warmth, juiciness, and doneness. Enjoy your deliciously reheated burger straight from the air fryer!
🪄 Recipe Notes & Tips
Techniques for Maintaining Juiciness and Texture:
- Brush a thin layer of oil or melted butter on the burger before reheating it to help keep the burger moist.
- Optionally, you can spray some oil in the air fryer basket to prevent the burger patty from sticking.
- Try adding a small slice of cheese on top of the burger during the last minute of reheating. Melting extra cheese will add extra moisture to the patty.
- To prevent it from drying out, avoid reheating burgers for too long. Overcooking can lead to a loss of juiciness. Aim to reach the desired temperature without exceeding it.
Keep an Eye on the Burger Patty When Air Frying:
- Keep a close eye on the cooked burgers while they’re reheating in the air fryer. This allows you to gauge its progress and ensure it doesn’t overcook or become dry.
- Check the internal temperature of the burger using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches at least 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Adjust the cooking time as needed based on the size, thickness, and desired level of doneness. It’s better to slightly undercook the burger and add more time if necessary than to overcook it.
Flip the Burger Halfway Through:
- Flipping the burger halfway through the reheating process promotes even heating on both sides.
- Use tongs or a spatula to carefully flip the burger, ensuring it remains intact.
- Flipping allows the burger to cook evenly and prevents one side from becoming overly crispy while the other side remains softer.
🤔 Troubleshooting Tips
Common Issues During the Reheating Process
- Overcooking: Reheating a burger for too long can lead to dryness and loss of flavor.
- Uneven Heating: Inconsistent heating can result in parts of the burger being overcooked while others remain undercooked.
- Soggy Bun: The bun can become soggy if not properly reheated.
Solutions for the issues
Overcooking:
- Decrease the reheating time by 1-2 minutes or reduce the temperature slightly to prevent the burger from drying out.
- If you accidentally overcook the burger, try adding a small amount of sauce or condiment to moisten it before serving.
Uneven Heating:
- Ensure that the burger is placed in a single layer in the air fryer to allow for proper airflow and even distribution of heat.
- Flip the burger halfway through the reheating process to promote even heating on both sides.
- If parts of the burger are still undercooked while others are done, you can separate the patty into smaller pieces and arrange them in a single layer for more consistent heating. This is ideal for burger salads.
Soggy Burger Bun:
- To avoid a soggy hamburger bun, consider storing the burger bun without any toppings and air fry it separately in the air fryer or toaster for a brief period to restore its crispness.
- If reheating the hamburger buns separately is not an option, you can lightly toast it before assembling the burger to help maintain its texture.
- Another option is to use a fresh hamburger bun or even a couple of slices of bread.
🍽️ What to serve with leftover hamburgers
Toppings
Serve your juicy burger in a bun or over salad with your favorite toppings! I love caramelized onions, cheese, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles or pickle relish. When I want a bit of heat, sliced pickled jalapenos are so delicious! For condiments, I always make mayonnaise and turn half of it into spicy mayo, and also have ketchup or bbq sauce on hand.
Sides
For side dishes with air fryer burgers, I recommend air fryer frozen french fries or sweet potato fries. You can cook these quickly while you prepare the cooked burgers on their buns.
For something a little healthier, I like to make my pickled beet salad. It’s tart, creamy, and very refreshing.
Dessert
After reheating burgers in an air fryer, why not make some cookies while the air fryer is still hot? My air fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies are incredible!
🍟 Can you reheat a fast food burger in the air fryer?
Yes! Whether it is in n out, a Mcdonald’s burger, or Burger King whopper you can reheat any kind of burgers in the air fryer. Follow the step-by-step instructions in the recipe card below and read the tips and tricks above to learn the perfect way to reheat a burger from fast food restaurants.
🍳 Is there a different method to reheat cooked burgers?
Yes! There are several methods including the toaster oven, conventional oven on a baking sheet, frying pan, cast iron skillet, and even microwave. Check out my post on 6 Ways to Reheat a Burger for all of the information.
❄️ Can you freeze burgers for later?
Yes! Check out my post on How to Freeze Burger Patties. This step-by-step tutorial can be used for either raw or cooked burger patties. It’s super handy to just have burgers on hand to grill! For some burger seasoning inspiration, check out 21 Ways to Season Frozen Burger Patties for all of the tips and tricks. So many great ideas!
😋 More air fryer recipes you will love
- Air Fryer Frozen Burgers
- Air Fryer Hamburgers
- How to Reheat Chicken Legs in an Air Fryer
- How to Reheat Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Roasted Walnuts
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📖 Recipe
How to Reheat a Burger in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1-4 leftover burger patties refrigerated or frozen
- Spray oil optional
- Cheese slices optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes, and spray a little oil if necessary.
- Take the leftover hamburger patties out of the refrigerator or freezer and unwrap them.
- Place the hamburger patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the air fryer tray. Avoid overcrowding to allow for proper airflow.
- Air fry for 3-4 minutes for refrigerated burgers or 5-6 minutes for frozen burgers. Note: These times are approximate and may vary based on the size and thickness of the burger.
- Halfway through the cooking time, flip the burger over in the air fryer basket using tongs or a spatula.
- Continue to reheat burger patties for another 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) for food safety. Check the internal temperature of the burger patties with an instant-read thermometer. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly based on your air fryer model and personal preference. See more tips in the notes section.
- (Optional) Add a slice of cheese to each of the burger patties and allow it to cook for one more minute until it melts.
- Carefully remove the cooked beef burgers from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula.
- Allow the burger(s) to rest for a few minutes before serving to ensure the juices redistribute. This keeps the air fryer burger patty nice and juicy.
